Media Release
Udupi, Jun 19: Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, successfully carried out its first gender-affirming surgery for a transgender woman on June 10. The surgery went well, and the patient is now recovering under the hospital team’s care. The hospital stated that this is an important step in its efforts to ensure every patient, regardless of their background, feels welcome and well cared for.
The plastic surgery department at the hospital has been performing gender-affirming procedures for some time, including facial feminization and breast augmentation, helping several transgender patients over the years. However, this marks the first time the team has carried out a full gender-affirming genital surgery, working closely with the urology department. The hospital sees this as a progression of a service it has been steadily building, rather than a one-off event.
Many transgender individuals grow up feeling that their bodies do not align with their true identity. This goes deeper than everyday body-image concerns, representing a profound sense that their gender does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. Doctors term this gender dysphoria, a condition that can affect a person’s mental health, relationships, education, and work life, sometimes for years before they find appropriate help. Gender-affirming surgery can ease this distress and help individuals feel more comfortable in their own skin, often making a significant difference to their confidence and daily life. In India, transgender people often struggle to find hospitals that treat them with respect and offer this specialized care close to home. Many travel long distances or forgo care entirely because they feel unsafe or unwelcome. A step like this from a well-known regional hospital sends a strong message that such care is available and that patients do not need to feel isolated when seeking it.
The surgery was led by Dr Joseph Thomas, professor and head of plastic surgery, and Dr Harshavardhan Shetty, associate professor, along with their team. Dr Anupam Choudhary from the urology department was also a crucial part of the surgical team. The procedure took several hours and required close coordination between the two departments. The patient is currently receiving comprehensive care, including proper pain management, wound care, and counselling support, as part of a structured recovery plan implemented by the hospital. The team also acknowledged the contributions of all involved departments at Kasturba Hospital, noting that their collective effort and shared knowledge made this milestone possible.
“Most patients who come to us for this surgery have waited a long time, sometimes years, to feel comfortable in their own bodies,” said Dr Joseph Thomas. “This surgery requires careful planning, and the teamwork across departments here at Kasturba Hospital made a significant difference in ensuring a smooth process. Beyond the surgical approach, what matters equally is how we prepare patients before the operation—understanding their journey, making sure they know what to expect physically and emotionally, and continuing that support throughout recovery. When a patient tells us they finally feel like themselves, that is when we know it was all worth it, for them and for us.”
The plastic surgery team also expressed gratitude to Dr Anupam Choudhary and the urology department for their roles in the surgery's success, highlighting that such inter-departmental teamwork was essential for bringing this procedure to the hospital.
“For patients undergoing this, surgery is only one step in their care journey,” said Dr Sudhakar Kantipudi, chief operating officer, MAHE Teaching Hospitals. “They also need privacy, psychological support, and an environment where they will not feel judged, from their first visit to long after they have gone home. This involves training our staff across all departments to care for these patients without making them feel singled out. This is not a one-time initiative for us; it aligns with how we aim to treat every patient who walks through our doors, including those who have often found it difficult to receive this kind of care elsewhere. We hope this encourages more people from the transgender community to come forward and seek the care they need, knowing they will be treated with respect here.”
The hospital emphasized that the patient’s care does not end with the surgery. Follow-up visits, physiotherapy if required, and ongoing counselling are integral parts of the future care plan, with the medical team checking in regularly to monitor physical and emotional recovery.
This surgery represents a new chapter for Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, as it continues to develop inclusive healthcare services, particularly for patients who have historically faced challenges in accessing such specialized care. The hospital stated its commitment to expanding this service, ensuring that more patients across the region can access gender-affirming care closer to home.