Having been refused a breast augmentation by the doctor due to her muscular area, a lot of fatty tissue, no mammary glands, and bleeding complications that could be life-threatening, An Nhi accepted the risk.
"No one who is healthy would go to the operating table, but to live my life, I have no choice," Nhi, currently a model in Ho Chi Minh City, said on October 2.
The surgery took place last year, lasted two hours, and left Nhi in pain as if she were "dying over and over again". According to doctors, the difficulty in breast augmentation surgery for male-to-female transgender people is strong chest muscles and tight skin and muscle tissue in the chest area. Compared to men, women's breasts are round and their nipples are larger, so they need to be reduced and reshaped. Therefore, intervention takes more time, which means the patient will suffer more pain.
In Nhi's case, she used to exercise at the gym. Her shoulder and chest muscles were strong and her bones were large, making the surgery more difficult. The doctor must remove excess fatty tissue and recreate the bone structure. To limit complications, the specialist makes an incision in the armpit and skillfully inserts the breast implant. Because there are no mammary glands or large pectoral muscles, the doctor meticulously dissects them, taking a lot of time, risking infection, bleeding, and post-operative scarring.
 |
| After transitioning, Nhi worked as a professional makeup artist and photo model. Photo: Provided by the character |
Khoa Vuong - Nhi's companion during the surgery was nervous and worried. Before that, the two had researched and planned carefully. He also determined that this was a dangerous surgery, Nhi had many disadvantages compared to other cases. However, Vuong still chooses to stay by your side to take care of and support you.
"No one can force themselves forever, so they have to argue with 'the lady' to live their own life," the man said.
After surgery, Nhi returned to work, but had to wrap her chest in bandages so she was often in pain and tightness. Every day, she cleans the incision as directed, and occasionally massages it to prevent hematoma or bruising in the chest area. Children limit their movements, wear corsets that don't move, even when going to sleep. In return, the surgery was successful, Nhi was satisfied and confident in wearing women's clothes.
Before that, Nhi had hormone injections once a week to make her body softer and more feminine. However, hormones make her tired, exhausted, sleepy, and have prolonged migraines. Currently, Nhi is taking care of her health to continue having genital surgery.
Normally, male-to-female transgender people will undergo at least two major surgeries, including breast augmentation, removal of male genitalia, and replacement female genitalia. At the same time, they must use the hormone estrogen for life if they want to maintain the full surgical results. Hormones help transgender women have clearer and higher voices, lose muscle mass, enlarge breasts, have smooth and bright skin... In addition, they will have additional cosmetic surgeries such as lip augmentation, eyelid surgery, and fillers. chin, lower cheekbones, for a beautiful, feminine look.
 |
| An Nhi before transgender. Photo: Provided by the character |
Diep An Nhi, 27 years old, was born male but has female gender identity. Gender identity is a person's subjective perception of their own gender, which may or may not be consistent with their natural sex.
Since childhood, Nhi was weaker than her male friends, white, and emotional. Afraid of being discriminated against, Nhi goes to the gym to build a strong and muscular body, "trying to hide her secret". When she got home and looked at herself in the mirror, she burst into tears. "That's not the person or life I want, but I have no other choice," Nhi said.
Nhi is one of the transgender people who goes through a frustrating time, with feelings of stress, pain and discomfort when their gender identity (a person's feeling about the gender they belong to) is not compatible with their gender. biology (determined based on genitalia).
Research report on Current state of experience medical and the need for gender reassignment of Vietnamese transgender people (iSEE, 2018) shows that the frequency of experiencing gender dysphoria (another name for gender dysphoria) among transgender men (FTM) is nearly 94% and among transgender women (MTF) is 68%.
Gender dysphoria combined with a lack of social support can cause emotional distress and other problems. Sufferers can suffer from depression, anxiety, substance abuse, self-harm, and even suicide. In one study, more than 48% of participants with gender dysphoria had had suicidal thoughts and nearly 24% had attempted suicide at least once.
This psychological state makes Nhi determined to have gender reassignment surgery at all costs, including opposition from relatives, or risking her life expectancy. Her efforts paid off, when her new body made Nhi happier, more confident, and supported by her family. Her biggest wish is for the Law on Gender Change to be quickly passed so that she can be female even on paper.