Wondering where to get gender reassignment surgery that won't compromise on results or drain your savings? According to Bookimed’s research, the best countries for gender affirmation are Thailand and Turkey. They combine expert surgeons with costs up to 70% lower than domestic options. Keep reading to find out more about the world’s best destinations, hospitals, and surgeons, plus tips on choosing where to get transgender surgery.
Quick Guide
📍 USA: $25,000–$75,000+
📍 Thailand: $8,000–$22,000
📍 Turkey: $8,000–$13,000
For details on the best hospitals and surgeons, keep reading. ⬇️
Table of Contents
- What Is the Best Country for Gender Reassignment Surgery?
- What Is the Best Hospital for Gender Reassignment Surgery?
- Best Gender Reassignment Surgeons
- How to Choose Where to Get Transgender Surgery
What Is the Best Country for Gender Reassignment Surgery?
Choosing where to get transgender surgery comes down to three key factors: expertise, cost, and accessibility. Some countries lead in surgical experience, others make the procedure more affordable, and some strike a balance between the two. Here’s how the top destinations compare:
USA: High standards with difficult access
💰 Cost: $25,000-$75,000+.
The US has some of the most skilled gender reassignment surgeons. They perform over 12,000 surgeries in this field each year. This number is expected to grow since it has already tripled in 5 years.
However, costs are steep, and insurance coverage is inconsistent. Wait times range from 6 months to 7 years. 65% of patients report difficulty finding a surgeon for gender-affirming care.
Thailand: Country with most transgender surgeries
💰 Cost: $8,000-$22,000 (70% cheaper than in the US).
Known as "sex change capital of the world", Thailand is the global leader in gender-affirming surgery—it boasts 200+ surgical procedures per specialist a year. In Thailand, there are 100+ gender reassignment surgeons who are members of:
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH);
- International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS);
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Thai surgical teams have pioneered modern techniques like robotic peritoneal flap vaginoplasty. Patients also benefit from short wait times (1–3 months) and an inclusive environment.
Unlike the US, Thailand offers all-inclusive packages that cover:
- consultations;
- hospital and hotel stays;
- tests and exams;
- anesthesia;
- full-board meals;
- medications;
- airport transfers;
- recovery essentials like dilators for vaginoplasty;
- additional perks like souvenirs and dinner cruises.
- Technique:
- Dr. Tanongsak Panyayvirulroj is a renowned plastic surgeon specializing in sex reassignment surgery.
- Asia Cosmetic Hospital holds prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation for maintaining high patient care standards.
- Included Services: Hotel, General anesthesia, Preoperative tests, Medications, Follow-up examination, Post-op medications, Neck pillow, Language assistance, Consultation with a surgeon, Follow-up visit, Consultation with a cardiologist, 4* Hotel, Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport.
- Stay Info: 7 Days stay in the hospital, 14 Days stay in the hotel, included in the price.
- Technique: Scrotal Skin Graft Vaginoplasty
- Saran Wannachamras has a certificate of knowledge and expertise in medical practice from Thailand.
- Wansiri Hospital provides comprehensive services, including transfer, accommodation, and language assistance for international patients.
- Included Services: Personalized beauty advice, hotel, video or text consultation, general anesthesia, preoperative tests, blood tests, medications, follow-up examination, post-op medications, language assistance, full board, hospitalization, transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport.
- Stay Info: 5 days in the hospital, 17 days in the hotel, accommodations included in the price.
- Technique: Peritoneal Pull-Through Vaginoplasty (PPV)
- Saran Wannachamras is certified by the Medical Council of Thailand in medical practice expertise.
- Wansiri Hospital has a dedicated team specializing in advanced sex reassignment surgeries.
- Included Services: Language assistance, personalized beauty advice, multiple consultations, general anesthesia, post-op medications, preoperative tests, chest X-ray, hospitalization, hotel stay, airport transfers.
- Stay Info: 10 days in the hospital, 11 days in the hotel, included in the price.
- Method: Colon Laparotomy
- Saran Wannachamras achieved a graduate diploma in clinical science from Chulalongkorn University in 1993.
- Wansiri Hospital provides comprehensive sex reassignment surgery services with advanced techniques and personalized care.
- Included Services: Personalized beauty advice, video or text consultation, general anesthesia, preoperative tests, blood tests, follow-up examination, post-op medications, chest X-ray, language assistance, full board, hospitalization, hotel stay, transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport.
- Stay Info: 7 days in the hospital, 14 days in the hotel, included in the price.
- Technique: Sigmoid colon laparoscopic
- Saran Wannachamras achieved a certificate of knowledge and expertise in medical practice in 1995.
- Wansiri Hospital serves international patients with personalized care and advanced surgical techniques.
- Included Services: Personalized beauty advice, hotel, consultations, general anesthesia, preoperative tests, blood tests, post-op medications, chest X-ray, language assistance, full board, hospitalization, transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport.
- Stay Info: 7 days in the hospital, 14 days in the hotel, included in the price.
Turkey: Emerging hub with affordable options
💰 Cost: $8,000-$13,000 (70%-80% cheaper than in the US).
Turkey is a budget-friendly alternative for transgender surgery, thanks to lower living expenses and government-backed medical tourism incentives. Despite the lower cost, clinics adhere to international standards of surgical care, evidenced by accreditations from JCI and ISO. Turkish surgeons train internationally in the US and Europe. They hold memberships in organizations like ISAPS and ASPS.
All-inclusive packages cover all the transgender surgery essentials:
- consultations;
- medical tests and exams;
- medications;
- hospital stay and anesthesia;
- 4/5-star hotel stays;
- VIP city transportation;
- patient assistance for 1 year.
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What Is the Best Hospital for Gender Reassignment Surgery?
In gender-affirming care, finding the right hospital is just as important as choosing the country. Based on Bookimed’s ranking, the following hospitals and clinics rank among the best for gender surgery worldwide:
| Hospital | Location | Procedures & Specialties | All-Inclusive Cost | Why It’s a Top Choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yanhee International Hospital | Bangkok, Thailand | Genital surgery, gender-affirming mastectomy/breast augmentation, facial surgery, Adam's apple surgery, voice surgery. | Bottom surgery: $18,000. Voice feminization: $3,800. Adam's apple surgery: $1,200. | ✦ ISO and JCI-accredited. ✦ One of Thailand's top 15 hospitals, according to Newsweek. |
| Men’s Health Clinics | Istanbul, Turkey | Bottom surgery. | $8,500–$13,000 | ✦ Dr. Baris Nuhoglu, 27+ years of experience, 2,000+ surgeries. ✦ Urology and sexology specialists. |
| Wansiri Hospital | Bangkok, Thailand | Bottom and top surgery. | $10,500–$22,000 | ✦ 99% success rate for MTF surgical procedures. ✦ Famous patient: Fuschia Anne Ravena (Miss International Queen 2022). |
| Asia Cosmetic Hospital | Bangkok, Thailand | Bottom surgery, facial feminization, top surgery (mastectomy/breast augmentation). | Bottom surgery: $6,900–$12,500. Top surgery: $4,500. | ✦ ISO and JCI-accredited. ✦ Dr. Akkrasash Vongjirad and Dr. Tanongsak Panyawirunroj, 25+ years of experience. ✦ Personalized VIP services. |
❗According to Bookimed’s Finance Policy, the website lists direct prices from partner clinics without markups or hidden fees.
Take a closer look at each of these top-ranking hospitals for gender reassignment surgery:
Yanhee International Hospital, a prominent medical center in Thailand specializing in cosmetic and plastic surgery, prioritizes patient safety and quality. This commitment is reflected in its long-standing ISO certification (since 2000), Thai Hospital Accreditation (HA), and internationally recognized JCI accreditation.
Hospital certificates and accreditation of quality
| Sex reassignment surgery | $17300 - $24460 |
AquaHealth Clinic is a private multi-specialty medical center located in Istanbul, Turkey. The clinic's team is dedicated to urology, sexology, and gender affirmation surgery. The clinic has over 30 years of experience and specializes in transgender surgeries such as penile inversion vaginoplasty. AquaHealth Clinic serves only adults. Every year, 50 patients choose AquaHealth for medical care. Patients from Europe and the Commonwealth visit the clinic most often.
Hospital certificates and accreditation of quality
Latest review
- Achieved a 99.0% success rate for male-to-female surgery, showcasing expertise and reliability.
- Offers comprehensive aesthetic and reconstructive services, ensuring convenient one-stop care for patients.
- Utilizes global-standard medical technology and digitized operations for efficient patient care.
- Led by Dr. Saran Wannachamras, a specialist with extensive experience in sex reassignment surgery.
- Accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons Thailand, ensuring high surgical standards.
Hospital certificates and accreditation of quality
Latest review
| Sex reassignment surgery | $7654.48 - $24494.34 |
- Achieved a 0% rate of patient complications post-surgery, ensuring top-notch safety for sex reassignment procedures.
- ISO and JCI accreditations confirm high international standards and quality for sex reassignment surgery.
- Comprehensive care with procedures supervised by anesthesiologists and cardiologists for optimal outcomes.
- Hospital Accreditation (HA) highlights commitment to excellence in sex reassignment surgery.
- Provides personalized care tailored to individual needs for successful sex reassignment surgery.
Hospital certificates and accreditation of quality
| Sex reassignment surgery | $5630 - $6900 |
Best Gender Reassignment Surgeons in the World
Gender affirmation surgery requires a deep understanding of transgender health, precision, and artistry. Below are some of the best gender reassignment surgeons in the world, according to Bookimed’s research and patient reviews:
| Surgeon | Location | Experience | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Saran Wannachamras | Bangkok, Thailand | 30 years of experience. | ✦ Trained under Thailand’s first SRS surgeon. ✦ International training in USA & Japan. |
| Dr. Baris Nuhoglu | Istanbul, Turkey | ✦ 28 years of experience. ✦ 2,000+ successful surgeries. | ✦ Specializes in functional urology and bottom surgery. ✦ Member of the European Association of Urology. |
| Dr. Bugra Cetin | Istanbul, Turkey | 12 years of experience. | ✦ Board-certified urologist specializing in genital surgery. ✦ Member of the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) and the European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM). |
| Dr. Tanongsak Panyawirunroj | Bangkok, Thailand | ✦ 26+ years of experience. ✦ 10,000+ surgeries, including genital surgery, top surgery, and facial feminization/masculinization. | ✦ Studied in Taiwan, USA, Canada, and South Korea. ✦ Founder of Asia Cosmetic Hospital. |
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How to Choose Where to Get Transgender Surgery
1️⃣ Confirm the experience
A surgeon might be board-certified, but that doesn’t mean they specialize in gender-affirming surgery. Check:
✔ How many transgender surgeries they’ve performed.
✔ Their expertise in specific techniques (e.g., penile inversion, peritoneal vaginoplasty).
✔ Whether they have before-and-after photos of their patients.
2️⃣ Check memberships & training
Look for surgeons who are members of associations like WPATH, ISAPS, and ASPS. This shows:
✔ They follow global standards for plastic surgery and gender-affirming care.
✔ They update their skills with new techniques.
3️⃣ Read patient reviews
Look for:
✔ Detailed reviews about long-term results, recovery, and patient care.
✔ Mentions of complications or unexpected issues (and how they were dealt with).
4️⃣ Consider what’s included
Some clinics advertise low prices but exclude essentials like hospital stays, anesthesia, or post-op care. Ask for a detailed cost breakdown, including:
✔ Pre-op consultations & medical tests.
✔ Hospital stay & pain management.
✔ Follow-up visits & aftercare instructions.
5️⃣ Ask questions (and don’t hold back)
Before deciding where to get transgender surgery, schedule a consultation (in-person or virtual) and ask:
✔ What complications have you handled in the past?
✔ What’s the revision rate for your patients?
✔ How do you ensure results that look natural and function properly?
6️⃣ Location & recovery
If traveling abroad, consider:
✔ Legal & visa requirements for surgery in that country.
✔ Post-op recovery time & accessibility (Will you need to stay for weeks? Will you have local support?).
7️⃣ Consider communication (and trust your instincts)
Credentials, experience, and reviews are crucial, but so is your comfort and trust in the surgeon. If something feels off—whether it’s rushed answers, vague pricing, or bad communication—keep looking. Gender affirmation surgery is a life-changing decision, and you deserve the best possible care.
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Related Articles
- Sex Reassignment Surgery Guide: Everything You Need to Know from Preparation to Recovery
- How Does Male-to-Female (MTF) Bottom Surgery Work?
- How Does Female-to-Male (FTM) Bottom Surgery Work?
- How Does Top Surgery Work?
- How Much Does Transgender Surgery Cost?
- Comprehensive Guide to Facial Feminization Surgery: How FFS Transforms Lives
- How Much Does Voice Feminization Surgery Cost?
- A Comprehensive Guide to Facial Masculinization Surgery: Procedures, Costs, and What to Expect
- JAMA Network Open. (2023). National Estimates of Gender-Affirming Surgery in the US. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10448302/
- Medicine (Baltimore). (2022). Transgender gender-affirming surgery consultation among patients seeking care in the Midwestern United States. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9666111/
- The Guardian. (2023). ‘They just go to Thailand’: the long and costly wait for gender-affirming surgery in Australia. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/apr/23/they-just-go-to-thailand-the-long-and-costly-wait-for-gender-affirming-surgery-in-australia