VietNamNet Bridge – While it helps deal with sexual dysphoria, sex reassignment surgery is not an option to be jumped at, Professor Doctor Tran Thiet Son, director of the Plastics Surgery Department of the Ha Noi Medical University tells the Khoa hoc & Doi song (Science & Life) newspaper.

Professor Doctor Tran Thiet Son.

Would you agree that the draft law on Gender Change will open up a new horizon for transgender people?

Under Article 37 of the Civil Law, from January 1, 2017 transgender is officially recognised as a gender in Vietnam.

It is estimated that between 100,000-300,000 people want to have their gender changed. Recently, the Ministry of Health began gathering public feedback on the draft law that deals with sex reassignment surgery. If the law is approved by the National Assembly, any individual wanting to have his/her gender changed surgically must meet the following four conditions: “biological gender completeness” (normal reproduction systems);  pass psychological evaluations; be over 18 years old; and be a single man or woman.

My personal opinion is that if the NA approves the law, we might be pushing these (transgender) people into a blind alley. Reassignment surgery is a double-edged sword. A transgender person loses the natural functions of a father or a mother. It can affect their sexual life (premature climaxing – they can’t enjoy intimacy for more than 20 seconds) and have other impacts.

But it would be a dream come true for transgender people to be who they really are, don’t you think?

I’m sorry to say that until now no one has ever conducted a study on the psychology of people who have undergone sex reassignment surgery or on other changes in their lives after the surgery. But I should say that the longevity of trans people is shortened as they have to take hormone drugs for the rest of their lives. Their biological clock gets seriously affected. Their longevity will be shortened by 25 per cent; i.e., they could depart this world at 45-50 years of age.

Would the four conditions laid out for having the sex reassignment surgery be a hindrance for those who want it?

The four conditions aim to ensure safety, for the trans people and society as a whole.

Anyone wanting a sex reassignment surgery, has to undergo many procedures, including legal matters; psychological evaluations; hormone tests; auxiliary surgeries and others.

In many countries, only plastic surgeons trained specifically for sex reassignment surgery can undertake this work. But, in Vietnam, the law is not specific enough. In my opinion, this is a loophole in the current law.

In many countries, if a man wants to have a sex reassignment surgery to become a woman, he has to undergo at least 30 operations – on his eyes, nose, mouth, face and other physical features to make him look like a woman. It is not just about the sex organ.

To conduct a sex reassignment surgery a surgeon needs to have comprehensive knowledge of the human body and the professional skills for conducting sex reassignment surgery from a surgeon.

What happens after the surgery?

For a sex reassignment surgery to be successful, it is very important to follow thoroughly all required steps before and after it takes place, including psychological counselling and care.

In the beginning, many trans people are happy after their sex reassignment. However, it has been seen that they can become depressed later, and even become suicidal.

What advice would you give to lawmakers and those wanting to have sex reassignment surgery?

I think we need synchronous rules across relevant sectors, and transgender people should get comprehensive information about the positive and negative aspects before making their decision on sex reassignment surgeries.

My message for transgender people looking to have a sex reassignment surgery is this: Think twice before making a decision, as it will not only affect you, but your family and society as a whole. 

Source: VNS