Miami, FL

Vaginoplasty

Introduction to Vaginoplasty

Vaginoplasty in Miami, Florida, can provide MTF patients with enhanced confidence, peace of mind, and improved quality of life by better aligning the inner and outer aspects of their identity. Dr. Sidhbh Gallagher, a double-board-certified plastic surgeon affiliated with the Aesthetic Society, performs bottom surgery with unrivaled expertise and mastery, delivering life-changing results for her patients suffering from gender dysphoria.

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What Is Vaginoplasty?

Vaginoplasty is the most requested bottom surgery by transgender women in and beyond Miami, FL. It involves changing the male genitalia to look, feel, and function like female genitalia. Dr. Gallagher uses a “penile inversion” technique. In this surgery, the testicles are removed, followed by the scrotal skin. This is put to one side and prepared to make the deepest part of the vagina. The skin of the penis is then removed. Following this, the head of the penis is used to make the clitoris, which can allow the patient to orgasm. The erectile tissue is removed, the urethra is shortened, and the vaginal canal is made. This is usually lined with both the penis skin and the scrotal skin. It is important to note that most patients will want to undergo a second-step surgery, a labiaplasty, about 6 months after surgery to achieve a more natural appearance. Certain steps in labia creation cannot be completed during the first surgery, so a planned second stage will be scheduled. For most, labiaplasty is a shorter outpatient procedure with less downtime.

  • With this technique, we utilize the external genitalia to line the new vaginal canal. The scrotal skin usually lines the deepest part of the new vagina, with the penile shaft skin lining the lower part. A technique of scraping and cauterizing the scrotal follicles prevents hair growth in the vaginal canal, allowing us to avoid mandating hair removal by the patient prior to surgery.

  • There are a range of different ways to create the clitoris from the glans of the penis. Dr Gallagher typically uses a modification of the Chonburi flap, which has been shown to provide good appearance and sensation. Some patients may, however, notice certain areas of the tip of the penis to be more sensitive than others, such as the frenulum. Dr. Gallagher can usually work with individual patients in order to incorporate these sensitive areas into the new clitoris design.

  • Some patients will choose to feminize their outer genitalia and either make a small canal or no canal. This is appealing to patients who may not need a canal due to their sexual habits or patients who wish to lower their chances of complications and do not want to have to dilate in recovery.

What Are the Benefits of Vaginoplasty?

Dr. Gallagher, a blonde woman with long curly hair, is seated at a desk in her office with a large window overlooking a cityscape. She is smiling and looking off to the side while holding documents and a pen.

When performed with skill, artistry, and expertise by Dr. Gallagher in Miami, vaginoplasty delivers the following compelling benefits:

  • Enhances congruence between the inner and outer selves
  • Combats gender dysphoria
  • Heightens confidence and quality of life
  • Allows MFT patients to enjoy greater intimacy and fulfillment

Who Are the Best Candidates For Vaginoplasty?

Dr. Gallagher, a blonde woman in a white lab coat over a grey dress, is seated and smiling warmly while speaking and gesturing with her hands to a patient in a light blue patterned hospital gown. They are in a well-lit exam room next to a wall with a pink and blue abstract painting.

Taking care of a new vagina is a big commitment and requires the patient to be prepared to look after it (dilation) for the rest of their lives. It is important to be at a place in your life where you can cope if complications happen, and with taking care of a new vagina. 

Ideal candidates for vaginoplasty in Miami are over 18 and have well-documented gender dysphoria. They are non-smokers in good physical and mental health and have a reliable support system in place to help them as they complete their transition. 

Typically, patients are required to have been living as a woman and have completed at least 12 months of HRT (hormone replacement therapy). They should have support letters from their team of counselors and medical professionals. BMI (Body Mass Index) is also considered, with patients needing to be below a certain threshold, typically 35 or less. Dr. Gallagher will provide an exhaustive consultation process to ensure the procedure is safe, successful, and rewarding for you.

What’s the First Step?

Your Vaginoplasty Journey with Dr. Gallagher

As a first step, you will meet with Dr. Gallagher and her team in Miami for a comprehensive assessment and medical evaluation. Many of our patients come from out of town, so this can be done virtually. The doctor will discuss current medications, any allergies, and any existing health conditions to ensure there are no contraindications. All your questions will be answered, and you will have time to explore your goals in detail with Dr. Gallagher. Prior to surgery, you may be asked to undergo additional medical testing.

What to Expect on the Day of Vaginoplasty Surgery

On the day of your procedure, general anesthesia will be administered, ensuring you sleep soundly as Dr. Gallagher completes the following steps:

  1. Dr. Gallagher will remove the testes and scrotum.
  2. The glans (head/tip of the penis) is sculpted into a clitoris.
  3. A vaginal canal is created between the bladder and the rectum.
  4. The penis shaft skin is inverted, forming internal vaginal walls.
  5. Scrotum skin (with its hair follicles removed) may be used as grafted material to line the vagina.
  6. The urethra is shortened.
  7. Using scrotal and urethral tissue, Dr. Gallagher fashions the vulva.
  8. A urinary catheter is temporarily placed in the bladder.
  9. A temporary packing is inserted in the vagina to keep the canal open.

Vaginoplasty Recovery

Your Guide to Post-VaginoplastyCare

The patient usually stays in the hospital for about 2 days to recover. Typically, four to six weeks off work is necessary.

Dr. Gallagher will provide a customized aftercare plan and schedule a series of follow-up sessions for you. Usually, 10 days in Miami is recommended. Daily dilation for several months will be necessary to secure the best outcomes after your vaginoplasty in Miami, FL. You may experience the following after your surgery:

 

  • Bleeding during the first 48 hours post-op
  • Mild itchiness and tingling as the nerve endings awaken
  • Bruising that usually takes up to a month to resolve
  • Labia swelling for up to 6 months
  • Several months of vaginal discharge
  • Temporary numbness
  • Scarring that can take up to 12 months to fade

How Much Does Vaginoplasty Cost in Miami, FL?

Pricing for vaginoplasty in Miami can be discussed in depth during your initial consultation with Dr. Gallagher and her team. To use insurance, make sure that you show the following:

  • You have the ability to make informed decisions and consent to vaginoplasty
  • You have no medical or psychological concerns 
  • You have been living continuously as a woman for 6-12 months
  • You have been taking HRT for 12 months
  • You can document persistent gender dysphoria
  • You have been working with a mental health professional for at least 12 months
  • You understand all the implications and risks of your procedure
  • You have a letter of support written within the past year
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Why Choose Dr. Gallagher?

Dr. Sidhbh (pronounced “Sive”) Gallagher, a double-board-certified aesthetic expert in Miami, is recognized for her unwavering commitment to excellence and safety, as well as her consistently outstanding results. She employs today’s most cutting-edge techniques and technologies to help patients achieve their unique goals and enjoy optimal quality of life and self-confidence.

Originally from Ireland, Dr. Gallagher graduated with a medical degree from University College Dublin in the top three percent of her class. She then traveled to the U.S., where she pursued eight additional years of exhaustive surgical training. Dr. Gallagher served as an assistant professor at Indiana University from 2015 to 2020, pioneering progressive techniques such as Masculoplasty. Known for excelling in the complex field of gender affirmation surgery, Dr. Gallagher established the Eskenazi Health Transgender Health and Wellness Program and the program at Indiana University Health.

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Vaginoplasty FAQ’S

See what our Patients Say

Patient Reviews

  • Dr. Gallagher, wearing a surgical cap and mask, is shown from the back of the head and shoulder, dressed in a blue surgical gown, looking down toward a bright operating area.

    I had an amazing experience with Dr.Gallagher and her team, the whole experience from the procedure (top surgery) to the post-op care has been fantastic. Dr.Gallagher was able to address any concerns I had with my chest before the procedure and made me feel comfortable the whole way through, and then the attentiveness post-op is all the better.

    Alfio Oliveira (Jay)

  • Dr. Gallagher (left), in a white lab coat, and a blonde patient (right), in a blue patterned hospital gown, smile and look up at the camera. The patient is holding up a peace sign with one hand. A piece of art with the colors of the transgender flag is visible on the wall behind them.

    Thank you so much Dr. Gallagher for your amazing work! I appreciated the great support from your team at the surgical centre and your office. Everyone was so wonderful! I am extremely happy with my results and had a very positive experience. I had followed Dr. Gallagher for several years on Instagram prior to my surgery, and learned so much from her detailed explanations about various aspects of the surgical procedures, what to expect on the day, recovery, etc. I had complete trust, felt safe, felt listened to. I also appreciate the follow-ups, and answers to all my questions. The support, warmth, care is top notch!

    Gill B.

  • Dr. Suzanne Gallagher, a blonde woman in light green scrubs, stands next to a patient lying on a bed (only the patient's arm is visible) behind a blue curtain in what appears to be a clinical or operating room setting. She is smiling and gesturing with her right hand while her left hand is on her hip.

    Dr. Gallagher and her whole team, from Neasa to Daryl Ann and everyone else in between, are absolutely fantastic, kind hearted, hard working people. Dr. Gallagher truly amazed me and I’m so grateful to have had her on my team.

    I was able to get keyhole top surgery about three weeks ago and I’m loving my results already! I’m muscular and heavier set as well but always had a smaller chest, and I’m so glad Dr. Gallagher was the one who could do this for me.

    Right now I am still experiencing swelling, but I am using compression dressings every day, throughout the day which helps tons! I know that when the swelling subsides months from now, and everything is “back to normal”, I am going to love even more what I see in the mirror because I can finally see me.

    Morgan F.

  • Dr. Gallagher, wearing a surgical cap and mask, is shown from the back of the head and shoulder, dressed in a blue surgical gown, looking down toward a bright operating area.

    So glad I found Dr. Gallagher. I would not have elected to pursue my surgery had I not found a qualified and competent medical provider that I felt I could trust and have confidence in their ability to offer a high-quality, low-risk result. As a result of my initial contacts and consultations with Gallagher Plastic Surgery practice, I was willing to pursue my desired surgery and even travel half-way across the country to their offices. I’m so glad I did. The results are outstanding, more than I even anticipated. This was the 3rd practice I had dealt with and so I was learning what to look for and knew Dr. Gallagher was a good fit. The medical expertise and professionalism are what I based my decision on to proceed. They were calmly confident for a reason. I realized at the surgery event and through to the 3 week post-op checkin the excellence in their personal care (bed side manner). The office and Dr. Gallagher communicated very well. Everything went smoothly and as planned. As nervous as I was about an unnecessary surgery, Dr. Gallagher and her team were able to build enough trust that I was able to receive a very beneficial result.

    Tim F.

  • Dr. Gallagher (left), in a white lab coat, and a blonde patient (right), in a blue patterned hospital gown, smile and look up at the camera. The patient is holding up a peace sign with one hand. A piece of art with the colors of the transgender flag is visible on the wall behind them.

    Dr. Gallagher and her team are the absolute best! She completed my brachioplasty on Tuesday and when I saw the initial results at my post op appointment two days later I literally had tears of joy streaming down my face. My weight loss journey has been a road of many ups and downs, and I was so nervous about whether this surgery could even work for me. Even with the swelling that is normal after brachioplasty, there is an enormous difference, and I am still in disbelief that even this early on, my arms look this great. My husband was even in disbelief, and we’re so excited to see what I’ll look like in two weeks time. Dr. Gallagher is so kind and patient, and walked me through all of the phases of healing/expectations, and was great to call and check in. If you are looking for a highly skilled surgeon that will give you optimal results along with a compassionate approach, it is well worth your time and money to consider a consultation with her. I am forever thankful for her and for her team! This is life changing for me. Thank you, Dr. Gallagher! I appreciate you so much!

    Melissa E.

Schedule Your Consultation

To learn more about vaginoplasty, performed with compassion, skill, and precision by Dr. Gallagher in Miami, FL, please contact us today to book your private consultation. We look forward to answering your questions and helping you embark on a fulfilling journey of claiming your most authentic self.

Dr. Gallagher frequently works with patients outside of Miami and the state of Florida. If you are interested in discussing vaginaplasty in a discreet and comfortable setting, you can also schedule a virtual consultation with her to ask any questions you may have and learn more about proceeding with your surgery.