Patient guide to gender surgery

MSP pays for surgery at GSPBC for BC and Yukon residents. Unfortunately, we do not see patients from out of country or other provinces. Please note that while the surgical procedure, and all appointments (including physical therapy and hand therapy) are covered by MSP, we do not have funding for your travel to/from Vancouver, local accommodations, or medical supplies. 

Our social worker will meet with you one-on-one closer to the time of surgery to help you plan. The following information will help you get a head start on your planning! 

All surgeries take place at either Vancouver General Hospital or the University of British Columbia Hospital, both located in Vancouver. All clinic visits will be at the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre at the VGH Campus. Telehealth and zoom are available when appropriate, but in-person visits will be required both pre and post-surgery so a clinician can complete a full assessment. 

We require you to stay close by for one to two days before surgery. The length of time we require you to stay close by after surgery depends on the surgery you received: 

• For vaginoplasty, the hospital stay will be approximately seven days, and we ask that you stay close by for an additional two weeks after hospital discharge. 

• For phalloplasty, the hospital stay will be approximately seven days, we ask that you stay close by for an additional six weeks after hospital discharge. 

• For metoidioplasty and vulvoplasty, the hospital stay will be approximately three to five days, and we ask that you stay close by for an additional week after hospital discharge. 

We ask that your local accommodations are within the lower mainland or < 60 minute drive away from Vancouver General Hospital. This is so you are able to access the specialized care of the surgeons in case of emergency after surgery. Unfortunately, communities such as Vancouver Island, are deemed too inaccessible from VGH to be considered as local.  

Patients are responsible for finding their accommodations around the time of surgery, with support from our social worker. Please feel free to explore the following resources on accessing no-cost or reduced-cost options. 

Travel and accommodation resources:

• Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) 

• Hope Air 

• First Nations Health Authority Medical Transportation Benefit 

• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction – Person with Disabilities 

• Places to Stay Guide  

• Easter Seals House 

• Medical Travel (Yukon) 

You may also wish to ask relatives or friends if you can stay with them, begin putting aside money, or organizing fundraisers for yourself. When planning for your stay, it is important to note that we require having a supportive person, such as a partner or family member, to stay with or near you in Vancouver. This person must be able to provide in-person physical and emotional support to you. It is helpful to begin to think of friends, family, or partners who could provide this support to you.   

In addition to planning for the cost of travel and accommodation, we also encourage you to consider financially planning for time away from work while recovering from surgery. 

• Vaginoplasty patients are typically off of work for at least 8 weeks 

• Phalloplasty patients are typically off of work for at least 12 weeks 

• Metoidioplasty and vulvoplasty patients are typically off of work for at least 6 weeks

We suggest you consider these estimates in your financial planning for your surgery. The exact timelines of return to work will depend on the type of work you do (labour vs desk-based) and your healing. It is helpful to begin planning for this as early as possible. This can include budgeting and saving up to be comfortable while off work or researching if you are eligible for employment insurance or private medical leave. 

Financial planning resources:

• EI Sickness Benefit 

• Fair PharmaCare - prescriptions, dispensing fees, and some medical devices & supplies 

Having both emotional and physical support around the time of surgery is essential. You will require physical support while you recover for support with housework, grocery shopping, and travelling to appointments. As mentioned previously, we ask that one of your support persons join you for your stay in Vancouver. It is also essential to consider who in your network can provide mental and emotional support during your surgical journey. This could include a network of friends, family, partners, counsellors, therapists, or any other trusted person who provides you with regular support. 

Social support resources:

• Trans Care BC’s Peer Support Directory