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Find Expert Care for Gender Affirming Surgery in San Francisco 

What Is Gender Affirming Surgery?

Transitioning is the process of altering one’s presentation/expression and/or physical characteristics to affirm their gender. Transitioning is highly individual and means different things for everyone. People of all genders can decide what modes of transition and gender affirming interventions are best for them. It is best not to assume what types of medical transition or interventions an individual will want, but gender affiming surgeries exist to provide the individual with the care they need.

If you are just getting started on your path to learning more about what it means to be transgender and/or nonbinary and what medical interventions are available, we want to provide information, support, and resources for all journey options. Not everyone wants/needs hormones or surgery. Some people only want one type of surgery, and some people want to access many different types of surgeries.

The Importance of Gender Affirming Surgery

Affirming surgeries are a critical component of gender affirming care, as individuals seeking to align their physical bodies with their gender identity find relief and confidence after they are accepted as their genuine self. For many transgender and non-binary individuals, gender affirming surgery can significantly enhance mental health and overall well-being. It can alleviate feelings of dysphoria, foster self-acceptance, and improve quality of life. The importance of these procedures extends beyond the physical changes they facilitate. Access to adequate care in the San Francisco Bay Area has made it a welcoming environment for the LGBTQ+ community, coupled with the peace of mind that you will receive some of the best care available. This mix of quality treatment and compassionate support brings many patients to the San Francisco Bay Area for many types of gender affirming care procedures. 

Finding the Right Surgeon in San Francisco

The San Francisco Bay Area is home to excellent surgeons committed to gender-affirming care for all their patients. With multiple surgeons in the area, patients can consult with medical professionals and choose the person they feel most comfortable with. 

Additionally, receiving gender-affirming care in the area is easier than in many other regions of the country due to the overarching focus on inclusivity and acceptance that is part of the local culture.

Why Choose GCC?

The Gender Confirmation Center provides a caring, patient-focused approach to gender affirming procedures, which is why GCC provides :

• Free consultations with guidance from our experts
• Sought-after surgeons who have board certification and hospital privileges
• Specialized training, continuing education, and experience
• Before-and-after photos to understand expected results
• Patient reviews and testimonials for peace of mind

Types of Gender Affirming Surgeries

Top Surgery

• Chest reconstruction top surgery is offered by Dr. Scott Mosser, MD (he/him), Dr. Ellie Zara Ley, MD (she/her/they), Dr. Alexander Facque, MD (he/him), and Dr. Daniel Jacobs, MD (he/him).
• Breast reduction top surgery is offered by Dr. Scott Mosser, MD (he/him), Dr. Ellie Zara Ley, MD (she/her/they), Dr. Alexander Facque, MD (he/him), and Dr. Daniel Jacobs, MD (he/him).
• Breast augmentation surgery is offered by Dr. Scott Mosser, MD (he/him), Dr. Ellie Zara Ley, MD (she/her/they), and Dr. Alexander Facque, MD (he/him).

Facial Surgery

• Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is offered by Dr. Ellie Zara Ley, MD (she/her/they) and Dr. Alexander Facque, MD (he/him).
• Facial masculinization surgery (FMS) is offered by Dr. Ellie Zara Ley, MD (she/her/they) and Dr. Alexander Facque, MD (he/him).
• Non-binary facial surgery is offered by Dr. Ellie Zara Ley, MD (she/her/they) and Dr. Alexander Facque, MD (he/him).

Body Contouring

• Body masculinization surgery (BMS) is offered by Dr. Scott Mosser, MD (he/him), Dr. Ellie Zara Ley, MD (she/her/they), and Dr. Alexander Facque, MD (he/him).
• Body feminization surgery (BFS) is offered by Dr. Scott Mosser, MD (he/him), Dr. Ellie Zara Ley, MD (she/her/they), and Dr. Alexander Facque, MD (he/him).
• Non-binary body contouring is offered by Dr. Scott Mosser, MD (he/him), Dr. Ellie Zara Ley, MD (she/her/they), and Dr. Alexander Facque, MD (he/him).

Bottom Surgery

All bottom surgery procedures are performed by Dr. Ellie Zara Ley, MD (she/her/they).

Transfeminine and non-binary patients who were assigned male at birth may be eligible for the following procedures:

• Orchiectomy (removal of the testicles) and scrotectomy (removal of the scrotal sack)
• Penectomy
• Vaginoplasty
• Vulvaplasty (“zero-depth vaginoplasty”)
• Labiaplasty

Transmasculine and non-binary patients who were assigned male at birth may be eligible for the following procedures:

• Vaginectomy (removal of the vaginal canal)
• Metoidioplasty
• Phalloplasty

Please note that oophorectomy (removal of one or more ovaries) and hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) are not offered at the Gender Confirmation Center (GCC) at this time. You can find a gender-affirming gynecological surgeon here. 

How to Find Care in the San Francisco Bay Area and Beyond

Finding care in the San Francisco Bay Area is easy with the proper support. The Gender Confirmation Center is here to offer a range of care and treatment options that will fit your needs, but if you would like additional support from trans-competent providers, feel free to visit the WPATH provider directory or the LGBTQ+ healthcare.

 Bay Area Support:

• QueerCare
• SF Community Health
• Maitri
• SF LGBT Center
• Oakland LGBTQ Center

Travel Tips and Resources for Gender Affirming Surgery in San Francisco

As a surgery patient, you must stay in town for seven to 10 days after surgery, or more, depending on your procedural requirements and recovery time. Confirm with your surgical team and check in with them about went you will generally be cleared to travel home. In total, you should expect to be in San Francisco for 12 to 15 days minimum.

When looking for flights, consider Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Ticket prices vary, and sometimes you can get a better deal at one airport than at the other. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train runs from both airports and can drop you off at designated BART stations.

If you do not have someone to travel with you and provide care and support during the post-op part of your stay, consider Maitri or QueerCare. Other options include T4T Caregiving, Health at Home, or the trans services offered by San Francisco Community Health Center.

Often, staying outside San Francisco is cheaper than finding lodging within the city limits. Patients traveling from out of town can view the BART map to find an option close to a BART station, which will minimize transportation spending. Anywhere within a 45-minute to one-hour journey from our offices is suitable for lodging. 

Options for staying outside San Francisco include:

• San Bruno (south of San Francisco, the city nearest to the San Francisco Airport)
• Millbrae (south of San Francisco)
• Oakland (in the East Bay)
• Berkeley, Emeryville, or El Cerrito (in the East Bay)

Financial Considerations

The cost of facial surgery varies widely, depending on the number and type of procedures you undergo. Besides the specific procedures, patients are billed for surgeons’ fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees, hospital fees, and/or any medical exams they must undergo before surgery. 

After your surgical consultation, your surgeon’s office can provide a precise quote for your procedure. Costs vary due to geographic location, surgeon experience, the amount of time you will need to be put under anesthesia, whether or not you will need to spend a night in the hospital after surgery, and other factors.

Many of our patients can significantly reduce the cost of surgery by securing insurance coverage for their medically necessary, gender-affirming procedures with the help of our insurance concierge. Whether or not you have health insurance coverage, we have various grants and medical financing resources that may help.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gender Affirming Surgery in San Francisco

What is the first step to getting gender-affirming surgery in San Francisco?

The first step in any surgical journey is reaching out to a board-certified surgeon for a consultation. At the GCC, all of our providers offer consultations free of cost to patients. This is your space to ask questions about the procedure(s) you’re considering and to create a unique surgical plan to meet your goals and needs.

Will insurance cover my gender-affirming surgery?

Most insurance providers in California cover gender-affirming surgeries that treat gender dysphoria. Patients will need to provide a support letter from a licensed mental health professional with a gender dysphoria diagnosis. Likewise, for all procedures except chest reconstruction top surgery, most insurance providers require patients to undergo a continuouscontinuos 12 months of hormone therapy to get coverage.

At the GCC, our insurance advocacy team has a 90% success rate in securing coverage for interested patients. We can help you free of cost once you request your free surgical consultation.

What if I have to travel to the San Francisco Bay Area for surgery?

We recognize that many transgender and non-binary patients have to travel for high-quality gender-affirming medical care. We have compiled a free travel guide for patients with trans-friendly resources and tips for cutting costs on travel for surgery.

Additional Resources

Have questions? The following educational resources and additional materials can help provide you with more information on gender-affirming care options, along with the full range of answers to common questions & recommendations for pre- and post Op care.

• Pre-Op Information and Prep
• Procedural Options
• Post-Op Recovery Timeline
• Before and After Photos 
• Informed Consent and Eligibility
• Age and Health Status
• Emotional Recovery
• Where to Start