San Francisco
2299 Post St. Suite 207
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 530-5335
Los Angeles
1317 5th St #300
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 751-5886
Vaginoplasty is a feminizing gender-affirming surgery that creates external vulvar anatomy and, for many patients, an internal vaginal canal. Every procedure we perform is as unique as our patients, reflecting their individual embodiment goals and personal preferences regarding appearance, depth, sensation, and ongoing maintenance.
At Align Surgical Associates in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, we believe every patient deserves expert, individualized care and surgical planning. Whether your goal is full depth, minimal depth, zero depth, or a more custom variation, your vaginoplasty is carefully designed based on your anatomy, desired embodiment and gender expression goals, lifestyle, and revision needs.
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VIEW PHOTOSVaginoplasty refers to a group of gender-affirming procedures that create a vulva and may also create a vaginal canal.
For some patients, the goal is full-depth vaginoplasty with a canal that supports receptive intercourse and ongoing dilation. For others, a minimal-depth or zero-depth approach may be a better fit when external anatomy is the priority and a lower-maintenance plan is preferred.
Your plan starts with what matters most to you, such as function, sensation, privacy, recovery realities, and your day-to-day life.
We'll be transparent about what a technique can and can't reliably do for your anatomy and priorities, and we'll explain why we're recommending a particular approach.
We don't reduce care to a single concern or body area. We look at your goals, your comfort, and what's safest and most supportive for you overall.
We understand that many patients come in with complex past healthcare experiences and strive to create an environment where you always feel respected, welcomed, and seen at every step.
Gender-affirming surgery isn't a side offering at Align—it's our life's work.
Care and language change over time. We are dedicated to staying current, listening, and adapting.
Vaginoplasty may be a meaningful option for transgender women, nonbinary individuals, and other gender-diverse patients seeking gender-affirming bottom surgery. Some people are looking for external anatomy that feels more in line with how they want to experience their body, while others are weighing questions about canal depth, dilation, intimacy, or long-term maintenance.
Vaginoplasty may also be worth exploring for patients seeking revision after a previous surgery. In some cases, that means addressing concerns such as scarring, narrowing of the vaginal canal, healing issues, or results that do not feel functionally or aesthetically aligned with their original plan.
There is no one “best” vaginoplasty technique. The right plan depends on your anatomy, your priorities, and what each approach can safely and reliably support.
Full-depth vaginoplasty includes the creation of a vaginal canal and is often chosen when canal depth is an important goal. This option typically involves ongoing dilation and more long-term care, especially during the early stages of healing.
Minimal-depth vaginoplasty may be considered when a patient wants external anatomy and limited depth without pursuing the same degree of canal creation as a full-depth plan.
Zero-depth vaginoplasty, also called vulvoplasty, focuses on creating external vulvar anatomy without an internal canal. This can be a strong option for patients who do not want penetrative depth or who prefer to avoid the lifelong dilation requirements associated with full-depth surgery.
In many primary cases, penile inversion vaginoplasty is a commonly used approach when the existing genital tissue is sufficient. Additional grafting or other reconstructive strategies may be considered if available tissue is limited, anatomy is more complex, or the procedure involves revision.
Robotic peritoneal pull-through vaginoplasty is a more specialized option that uses the abdominal lining to help form the vaginal canal. It is not the right first choice for everyone, but it may be worth considering in select first-time cases or in revision settings when genital tissue alone is not the best match for reconstruction.
Some surgeons "offer" gender-affirming surgery among many other services. For Align, it's the center of our life's work. Our 6 board-certified surgeons have committed themselves wholly to gender-affirming care and research. This means we aren't just helping patients reach their embodiment goals; we are helping to make their care better—better understood, better supported, and performed in the best way possible. Meet the specialists behind the transformations.
Revision may be part of vaginoplasty planning for some patients. At Align, we care for patients planning their first surgery, as well as those seeking revision after a prior vaginoplasty performed elsewhere. Revision may be considered for concerns such as:
Revision planning is highly individualized. Your board-certified Align surgeon will look at your anatomy, tissue availability, healing history, and prior operative details before recommending the next steps. In select cases, specialized approaches such as robotic/peritoneal techniques may broaden what is possible, but only when they are the right fit for your situation.
Recovery after vaginoplasty depends in part on the type of surgery you have. Most patients should expect a hospital stay, early swelling and soreness, activity restrictions, and close follow-up during the first phase of healing. Time away from work and normal routines varies, especially depending on the physical demands of your job.
During your consultation, we will help you understand not only the surgery itself, but what to realistically expect during recovery.
Travel planning can involve a lot of moving parts, especially when you're coordinating around surgery. If you're coming to Align from outside the Bay Area or Los Angeles, we have resources specifically for you.
As with any major surgery, vaginoplasty carries risks, such as bleeding, infection, scarring, healing concerns, and changes in sensation. Some risks are specific to canal-based reconstruction and may include narrowing, depth-related issues, or the need for additional revision over time. Even when complications are uncommon, it is important to understand the risks before making a decision.
Long-term care also matters. Full-depth vaginoplasty requires regular dilation and continued attention to vaginal care over time. Minimal-depth and zero-depth options do not involve the same canal-related upkeep, which may make them a better fit for some patients.
Full-depth vaginoplasty includes the creation of a vaginal canal. Minimal-depth and zero-depth approaches place more emphasis on external anatomy and may reduce long-term maintenance requirements, depending on the plan.
We look at your anatomy, your priorities, your surgical history, and what each option can reliably achieve. The best plan is the one that makes sense for both your goals and your body.
Robotic peritoneal pull-through vaginoplasty is considered in select cases, including some situations where tissue is limited or where revision planning calls for a different reconstructive strategy.
Yes. We specialize in revision procedures to address concerns such as stenosis, fistula, scarring, limited depth, or dissatisfaction after prior surgery.
We recommend booking a consultation if you’re looking for help understanding which vaginoplasty pathway may fit you best, what recovery and ongoing care may involve, or whether revision surgery may be possible after a prior procedure.
This is especially important if you are deciding between full-depth and zero-depth options, have limited tissue, or need a more individualized reconstructive plan.
When you’re ready, we’re here to help. Request an in-person or virtual consultation using the online form or call Align Surgical Associates to get started. We are proud to offer vaginoplasty for San Francisco and Los Angeles patients, as well as individuals traveling from outside of California.
San Francisco Office: (415) 530-5335
Los Angeles Office: (310) 751-5886
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