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Sex-change patients' op success Sex-change patients' op success
(about 23 hours later)
Most male patients undergoing sex-change surgery say they are happy with the results - despite significant complication rates, a survey has found. Most patients undergoing male to female sex-change surgery say they are happy with the results - despite significant complication rates, a survey suggests.
University Hospitals of Leicester surveyed 220 people and found 88% were content, and only 7% were unhappy.University Hospitals of Leicester surveyed 220 people and found 88% were content, and only 7% were unhappy.
An expert said the findings reported in BJU International reflected patients' determination to undergo the op.An expert said the findings reported in BJU International reflected patients' determination to undergo the op.
However, of 70 people interviewed a few years after surgery, 29% had suffered complications.However, of 70 people interviewed a few years after surgery, 29% had suffered complications.
Success like this is due not only to the skill of the surgeon, but also the amount of preparation that patients undergo to make sure they are psychologically ready Dr Christopher Williams, Exeter UniversitySuccess like this is due not only to the skill of the surgeon, but also the amount of preparation that patients undergo to make sure they are psychologically ready Dr Christopher Williams, Exeter University
Male to female sex-change surgery is a major operation, which not only means the removal of the male sex organs, but uses their tissues to help build functioning female organs.Male to female sex-change surgery is a major operation, which not only means the removal of the male sex organs, but uses their tissues to help build functioning female organs.
Guidelines suggest that patients should receive extensive psychological support to make sure they are genuinely suitable for surgery, and even live for an extended period "as a woman" to aid adjustment.Guidelines suggest that patients should receive extensive psychological support to make sure they are genuinely suitable for surgery, and even live for an extended period "as a woman" to aid adjustment.
Further operationsFurther operations
The Leicester team followed 220 patients to gauge their reactions shortly after the operation, then interviewed 70 in more depth about their experiences a few years after their surgery.The Leicester team followed 220 patients to gauge their reactions shortly after the operation, then interviewed 70 in more depth about their experiences a few years after their surgery.
Complications reported among the 70 included unwanted hair growth, a prolapse of the newly constructed female sex organ, and even some cases of necrosis, in which some of the repositioned tissue starts to die.Complications reported among the 70 included unwanted hair growth, a prolapse of the newly constructed female sex organ, and even some cases of necrosis, in which some of the repositioned tissue starts to die.
This may mean further surgery for the patients.This may mean further surgery for the patients.
However, some three-quarters of the 70 said they remained happy with the way their surgery had gone.However, some three-quarters of the 70 said they remained happy with the way their surgery had gone.
"The outcome of this complex surgery depends on a number of factors" says the report's lead author, urology registrar Jonathan Goddard."The outcome of this complex surgery depends on a number of factors" says the report's lead author, urology registrar Jonathan Goddard.
"These include the technical experience of the surgeon, the amount and quality of tissue that each patient has available for reconstruction and, most importantly, the realistic expectations of the patients themselves.""These include the technical experience of the surgeon, the amount and quality of tissue that each patient has available for reconstruction and, most importantly, the realistic expectations of the patients themselves."
Almost a quarter of the patients said that they had been able to have full sex with their partner following the operation, and almost half said they were able to achieve orgasm.Almost a quarter of the patients said that they had been able to have full sex with their partner following the operation, and almost half said they were able to achieve orgasm.
Dr Christopher Williams, a clinical psychologist specialising in transgender issues, said that many patients having surgery had overcome significant obstacles already to get that far.Dr Christopher Williams, a clinical psychologist specialising in transgender issues, said that many patients having surgery had overcome significant obstacles already to get that far.
He said: "Success like this is due not only to the skill of the surgeon, but also the amount of preparation that patients undergo to make sure they are psychologically ready, with good briefing about the possible complications.He said: "Success like this is due not only to the skill of the surgeon, but also the amount of preparation that patients undergo to make sure they are psychologically ready, with good briefing about the possible complications.
"It's a very complex operation, and these individuals have been on a demanding journey and experienced extreme difficulties already."It's a very complex operation, and these individuals have been on a demanding journey and experienced extreme difficulties already.
"They have often shown great determination - which may be another factor in these levels of satisfaction.""They have often shown great determination - which may be another factor in these levels of satisfaction."