Gender-Affirming Surgery Resources
Downloadable Guides
OHSU Vaginoplasty Booklet (2025)
Produced by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), this is a comprehensive, patient-centered guide to gender-affirming vaginoplasty. It walks patients through every stage of the process, from preparation and hospitalization to long-term care, with an emphasis on informed decision-making, emotional readiness, and sustained well-being. Key features include:
- Clear overview of surgical procedures, risks, and complications to help patients make informed choices and understand recovery expectations.
- Step-by-step preparation resources, including checklists, supply guides, and planning worksheets for surgery scheduling, support systems, and post-operative care.
- Detailed information on hospital stay and recovery, featuring daily schedules, movement and massage exercises, discharge instructions, and symptom tracking tools.
- Post-surgical care guidance, covering dilation, douching, pain management, urinary and bowel care, scar massage, and long-term vaginal health.
- Practical tools for success, such as letter of support templates, pain and dilation tracking tables, and resources for caregiver involvement.
- Holistic support resources, including crisis lines, fertility preservation guidance, and the OHSU Transgender Health Program’s education class schedule.
OHSU Vulvoplasty Booklet (2025)
OHSU also offers a comprehensive vulvoplasty guide, designed for patients seeking external genital reconstruction without vaginal canal creation. This resource provides information on surgical options, preparation, recovery expectations, and long-term care, along with checklists and mental health support materials similar to those included in the vaginoplasty guide.
Books
Facial Feminization Surgery: A Guide for the Transgender Woman
Thinking About Facial Feminization Surgery? For many transgender women, refining facial features can be a deeply affirming part of their transition, often viewed as one of the most meaningful steps toward aligning appearance with gender identity. If you’re transfeminine and feel that features such as a strong jawline, pronounced brow, or prominent chin don’t reflect how you see yourself, facial feminization surgery may help your outward look better match your inner self.
Renowned FFS surgeons Jordan Deschamps-Braly, M.D., and Douglas K. Ousterhout, M.D. are leaders in the field of craniofacial feminization, a specialized branch of plastic surgery focused on creating softer, more traditionally feminine facial contours. In Facial Feminization, they describe a range of procedures, including scalp advancement, forehead contouring, jaw tapering, chin reshaping, cheek and temple enhancement, tracheal shave, nose and lip reshaping, and hair transplantation.
This comprehensive guide also features over two hundred FFS before-and-after photographs, illustrating the transformative results and diverse possibilities of FFS. Get it here »
More Resources
Your Guide to Gender Reassignment Surgery in Thailand
Thailand has become the world’s premier destination for gender reassignment surgery, offering exceptional surgical expertise, advanced medical facilities, and compassionate care at a fraction of the cost found elsewhere. With internationally recognized surgeons, modern accredited hospitals, and a culture known for warmth and acceptance, Thailand continues to attract transgender women from across the globe seeking safe, high-quality gender-affirming procedures. This guide explores why the country remains at the forefront of gender-affirming surgery. Learn more »
Orchiectomy For Transsexuals
Personal account of Orchiectomy with an excellent Q&A section. Recommended for any trans woman considering Orchiectomy. Read more »
Medications to Avoid Before Gender-Affirming Surgery
Medications contained on the following list are anti-coagulant agents; they may contribute to excessive bleeding during and after surgery. View the list »
Get Help Finding Insurance
This guide from Forward Together can help you find an insurance plan that covers gender-affirming care. It includes a list of questions to ask insurance companies when choosing a plan. Get the PDF here »
Health Insurance Medical Policies
Virtually all major insurance companies recognize that transgender-related medical care is medically necessary and have a written policy describing their criteria for when plans they administer will cover it. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund maintains a list of these policies. View it here »
Colleges and Universities that Cover Transition-Related Medical Expenses Under Student Health Insurance
Many colleges and universities in the U.S. cover hormones and gender-affirming surgeries for students. Check out the list »
Last updated: 11/01/25