Expert Colon Vaginoplasty Surgery in Thailand

Colon vaginoplasty is a surgical technique used to help trans women align their external genitalia with their gender identity. This procedure involves using a portion of the sigmoid colon to create a vaginal lining, resulting in a functional and aesthetically harmonious outcome. In addition to providing a more authentic genital appearance, intestinal vaginoplasty offers practical advantages for male-to-female transgender individuals, including natural mucus production and increased canal depth without the risk of contraction.

Intestinal or sigmoid vaginoplasty, also known as colon vaginoplasty, is an alternative to penile inversion procedure. It is typically recommended when the penile skin is less than 12 centimeters long, there has been a circumcision, or previous surgeries have not achieved sufficient vaginal depth.

Colon vaginoplasty is a surgical procedure that utilizes a segment of the sigmoid colon to construct the vaginal lining. It is commonly employed for patients who do not have adequate penile skin for the penile inversion method. The surgery typically lasts around 3 hours and is performed laparoscopically, resulting in five minor incisions on the abdomen. The surgeon removes a portion of the sigmoid colon and repositions it to form a new vagina. The remaining colon is then sutured back together to restore normal functionality

Prior to the procedure, a specific diet will be given to aid in colon cleansing. Adhering strictly to this diet is crucial for successful gender affirmation surgery. The day before colon vaginoplasty surgery, the colon will be thoroughly cleansed to minimize bacterial presence. Additionally, individuals may be asked to discontinue hormone therapy, such as estrogen, for a period of two weeks before the procedure to lower the risk of blood clots. If desired, hormone therapy can be resumed two weeks after surgery. Moreover, it is crucial to refrain from smoking or vaping several weeks prior to the operation and avoid doing so for a month afterward as it can impede wound healing.

Proper post-operative care is crucial for optimal results in colon vaginoplasty surgery. Hospitalization typically lasts 7 to 14 days, depending on individual characteristics and recovery.
After the surgery, you will have a catheter and vaginal packing. The catheter is usually removed after 1 day. Initially, you will follow a liquid diet and gradually progress to a normal diet as your bowels normalize.
For 6 weeks after surgery, you should stick to a low fiber diet. Light exercise is permitted once you feel comfortable, but avoid heavy lifting (over 20 pounds) for 4 weeks. Typically, medical clearance is given around 4 weeks to return to work.
Until medically cleared (commonly after 3 months), refrain from submerging in water or engaging in vaginal sexual intercourse. Detailed post-operative instructions will be given after your procedure. In case of any concerns after the surgery, contact your surgeon immediately.

Scarring is a common outcome of any surgical procedure. It usually takes a year for scars to fully heal and appear as a thin white line. In the case of colon vaginoplasty, there will be five small incisions, measuring approximately ¼” in length, on your abdomen which will result in scars.

The intestinal tissue used for creating vaginal lining may produce mucus, leading to a possible odor after colon vaginoplasty. However, this is usually temporary and typically resolves within 6 months as the colon lining sheds. If an odor does occur, improving hygiene and using douching may be helpful. Occasionally, the odor may be caused by granulation tissue and result in yellow/green/brown discharge.