Category Archives: Gender Affirming Care

Gender-affirming care is about more than surgery alone—it’s about helping individuals feel fully at home in their bodies. One often overlooked but highly impactful part of this process is surgical tattooing and pigmentation techniques. These procedures can complement gender-affirming surgeries and provide a natural, authentic appearance for trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals at any stage …

Hi everyone. I hope everyone's having a great day. My name is Dr. Brianna Jedrzejewski. I'm a board eligible plastic and reconstructive surgeon with Align Surgical in San Francisco, California. Thank you for joining our Instagram live today. I want to let you know we've turned off the comments  to avoid any potential harmful commentary, …

Why Research Matters in Trans Healthcare Transformative surgical care begins well before the operating room and continues long after. That’s why we’re committed to research that advances the science of gender-affirming surgery and centers the lived experiences, voices, and outcomes of the patients we serve. As one of the few private surgical practices with a …

Gender-affirming surgery (GAS) represents a significant milestone in many transgender and nonbinary individuals' healthcare journeys. These procedures can be an essential part of aligning their physical appearance with their gender identity. We understand that considering these gender affirming surgeries often comes with numerous questions and concerns. In this comprehensive guide, we answer the most frequently …

Helping Redefine What Quality Care Means in Gender-Affirming Surgery We’re proud to share that Dr. Thomas Satterwhite and Dr. John Henry Pang of Align Surgical Associates have contributed to a major international study published in JAMA Network Open. The study introduces the GENDER-Q—the first comprehensive, validated tool that helps us better understand how gender-affirming care …

Facial features can play a key role in how we see ourselves and how we are perceived by others. For the transgender community, gender-affirming surgeries help align outer appearance with a person’s gender identity. Orthognathic surgery is one example of a transformative surgery that can make a significant impact on gender expression and self-confidence. What …

Dr. Satterwhite, a board-certified plastic surgeon, hosted an Instagram Live discussion with author of Tits Up, Sarah Thornton, on the cultural, medial, and personal meanings of breasts. https://youtu.be/ylp4pG7kLfACaption/subtitle instructions: To turn on subtitles, turn on closed captioning (CC icon), located at the bottom right of the video. To change the language, go to settings > …

For transgender individuals, reconstructive procedures are essential medical interventions that go beyond aesthetics. These surgeries can restore function, correct anatomical concerns, and enhance overall well-being. Because of their complexity, choosing a surgeon with specialized expertise and a deep understanding of both the technical and emotional aspects of care is essential. The Importance of Choosing the …

Dr. Dev Gurjala, a board-certified plastic surgeon, hosted an Instagram Live discussion on surgical innovation and single-scar phalloplasty, addressing pre- and post-op concerns and answering frequently asked questions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_z2uuAFcdECaption/subtitle instructions: To turn on subtitles, turn on closed captioning (CC icon), located at the bottom right of the video. To change the language, go to settings …

We know that many of us may be feeling the weight of what’s happening in our country right now, whether it’s the impact of new policies or the challenges posed by recent wildfires in California. It’s completely valid to feel a range of emotions—restlessness, anxiety, fear or sadness — in the face of these difficulties. …

Last month, I was honored to give a lecture on gender-affirming surgery to the Internal Medicine Residents at UCSF and San Francisco General Hospital. This opportunity to engage with a group of dedicated medical professionals was both rewarding and invigorating. One aspect of my work that I value deeply is the multidisciplinary nature of gender-affirming …

After surgery, it is normal for patients to experience swelling, bruising, tenderness and discomfort – this is the body’s natural reaction to surgery as it heals. Your surgeon will do everything possible to make sure you are well prepared and cared for post-surgery, including providing prescriptions for pain medications, compression garments, dressing and drains, depending …