The financial cost of metoidioplasty surgery will depend entirely on the country you choose. The costs relating to this surgery will also vary depending on the type of metoidioplasty that you wish to have.
For example, if you opt to only have stage one aka the simple release, then this will of course be cheaper than choosing to have multiple stages, such as the optional urethral lengthening or scrotoplasty.
Metoidioplasty Surgery
If you are unsure what exactly this surgery involves, then check out my post, ‘What is Metoidioplasty’. In this article, I’m explaining the basics of this surgery as well as what to expect during the surgical processes. I also talk about what to expect once you have healed from metoidioplasty.
If you have any questions relating to this surgery, then feel free to drop me a message.
How Much Does Metoidioplasty Cost?
As I said, the price of the surgery will largely depend on the country in which you wish to undergo the surgery. Below you can find current information regarding the cost of metoidioplasty in different countries.
It is worth keeping in mind that added costs are not included in the figures given below, such as travel, accommodation, and medical supplies. It will often also be the case that a therapist may have to give permission for the surgery to go ahead, in which case you will have to pay for these appointments also.
Click below to jump down to the relevant section on each country:
Is Transgender Surgery Covered by Insurance?
Your gender-affirming procedure may be covered by your health insurance in certain circumstances. This will naturally vary depending on the type of cover that you have, and also the country in which you live.
Side note: All of this information was correct at the time of publishing – June 2021 – but prices will likely fluctuate with time.
United Kingdom
If you are a UK resident and willing and able to wait for an NHS referral (a process that will generally take several years) then you will (probably) eventually be able to have this surgery for free.
If you are having more than one stage, then the process from start to finish will take several years given the current length of NHS waiting lists. This is a factor that prompts some people who are financially able to explore other options.
St Peter’s Andrology Clinic in London is currently the only clinic in the UK offering this surgery. The price is reportedly £35,000 for those who wish to pay privately.
United States
The cost of this surgery varies wildly in the US, mostly depending on the approach the patient wishes to take.
For the simple release, patients can expect to pay a minimum of around $4,000. This can increase to up to $30,000 if additional surgeries are required. These additional surgeries may involve urethral lengthening, hysterectomy, vaginectomy, or testicular implants.
Some states in the US are required to cover transgender healthcare by law, but many are not. So depending on where you live in the States, you may have your costs covered.
If you are not a resident of the US, then you will always have to cover the costs yourself.
Canada
Canadian residents have access to a free healthcare system, and this generally includes transgender surgeries. However, this seems to vary depending on the province in question.
Although certain gender-affirming surgeries are covered by the system, medications and mental health provisions are not generally offered for free. This can cause barriers to this surgery for some people.
I am still awaiting confirmation of the average cost of metoidioplasty surgery in Canada. Check back soon if you’re looking for this information.
Thailand
Regardless of if you are a Thai resident or not, you will have to fund the procedure yourself.
The average price for metoidioplasty with urethral lengthening is around £4200 UK GBP / $6,000 US Dollar / 18,6840 Thai Baht (THB). These are approximate conversions and will vary.
The price for metoidioplasty including a hysterectomy is around double the price, so $12,000 US / £8400 UK.
If you are travelling to Thailand for surgery, then I recommend Preecha Aesthetic Institute (PAI). Thi is where I had my top surgery in 2015.
Serbia
There are a number of clinics in Belgrade, Serbia, that are offering metoidioplasty surgery.
Miro Djordjevic, one of the most well-known metoidioplasty surgeons, operates in Serbia.
A notable potential advantage of having surgery with Djordjevic is that he often uses a technique that takes the skin graft from the labia minora. This is in contrast to other surgeons who take the skin graft from the mouth.
The cost for a metoidioplasty with urethral lengthening + vaginectomy and testicle implants is around £12,000 (GBP). The cost will likely be less if you are want to only have the simple release surgery. You can get confirmation of this by having a consultation.
Additional Destinations for Metoidioplasty Surgery
I will be continuing my research and adding more information as I do so. If there is a country you are curious about then please reach out to me and I will investigate!
Additionally, if you have more up-to-date information about the price of metoidioplasty, then please share this information with me.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering having this procedure then it’s totally normal to have a lot of questions. Read on for some answers to frequently asked questions about metoidioplasty surgery.
How big can a metoidioplasty phallus get?
One of the most common questions people have about metoidioplasty surgery, is “what size will the new phallus be once the surgery site is healed?”
In answering this question, it is important to keep in mind that the final size will depend on what each patient has to work with in the first place.
The average length of the phallus following successful metoidioplasty surgery is 4 to 5 centimetres in length, however, it has been reported that lengths of between 3 and 8 centimetres are also possible. It is uncommon that the phallus will be smaller than three centimetres or bigger than eight centimetres.
For those who use the imperial measurement system, that is approximately an average of between 1.5 and 2 inches, with the potential to be between one inch and three inches.
Which is better, metoidioplasty or phalloplasty?
The answer to this question totally depends on what your post-surgical expectations are.
If you want the final result to closely resemble a cis-gendered penis than phalloplasty might be the best option for you. This is also generally going to be the best choice for penetrative sex.
If the size is less important to you, and your goal is to be able to stand to urinate, then metoidioplasty with urethral lengthening could be the best option.
What is the metoidioplasty surgery recovery time?
This will naturally vary from person to person, but you should be able to largely resume normal activities after three to four weeks.
Once your catheter has been removed, you will likely feel much more mobile and comfortable with day-to-day activities.
Where can you find metoidioplasty before and after photos?
The appearance of the final result will naturally vary, so it is not always possible to be certain in your own outcome. It can be helpful to look at before and after photos from people who have already undergone the procedure.
Transbucket is a great place to find before and after photos of a range of gender-affirming surgeries.
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