Female to Male Surgery (Metoidioplasty / Phalloplasty)

What female to male surgery involves

Female-to-male (FtM) bottom surgery is not one operation but a set of choices. Metoidioplasty releases the testosterone-enlarged clitoris to form a small phallus with its own erectile tissue and full sensation, optionally with urethral lengthening so that you can stand to urinate, and scrotoplasty with testicular implants. It is a single operation, quoted individually on request; the surgeon sets the length of the hospital stay at consultation.

Phalloplasty builds a full-size phallus from a skin flap; the donor site and technique are decided by the surgeon with you at consultation. It needs microsurgical expertise and is done in stages. Dr. Gürlek's programme completes full genital reconstruction in three stages, over three separate trips: the first stage is the longest, and the later stages — which complete the reconstruction, including the scrotum and, where planned, an erectile implant — are shorter. A fourth visit is sometimes needed, decided case by case. Hysterectomy and oophorectomy, if not already done, are planned with the surgical team before or at the first stage. The surgical team explains both routes at consultation and does not push you toward the larger operation.

Who is eligible

Gender-affirming surgery follows the WPATH Standards of Care (version 8). The surgical team will ask for: proof that you are 18 or older; a letter from a mental-health professional confirming persistent gender incongruence and capacity to consent (two letters for genital surgery); and, for genital and chest surgery where relevant, documentation of hormone therapy. Requirements are set by the surgical team, not by us, and we tell you exactly what is needed before you pay a deposit. There is no court process for international patients — the Turkish court procedure applies to Turkish citizens only.

For metoidioplasty, a minimum of twelve months of testosterone is needed for adequate clitoral growth. Smoking stops at least six weeks before phalloplasty — flap surgery and nicotine do not coexist. Bring imaging or operative notes from any previous pelvic surgery.

Why Istanbul, and why through us

Phalloplasty is one of the most technically demanding operations in reconstructive surgery and needs a surgeon with microsurgical experience. Your surgeon is Dr. Ali Gürlek, who operates at Medivia Hospital in Çengelköy, on the Asian side of Istanbul — a hospital authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health for international health tourism. Prices are a fraction of Western Europe and there is no waiting list — patients in Italy, Germany and the UK regularly wait two to four years for a first consultation at home.

You deal only with our team, one private hospital and one surgical team. Your name, your photos and your medical file are shared with nobody outside that circle. We have accompanied LGBTQ+ patients from Italy, Germany, France, the UK and the Netherlands, and every member of our team who talks to you has been briefed on names, pronouns and discretion before the first message.

For staged surgery this matters twice over: the same coordinator manages every trip, keeps your file, and books your return so that you never restart the story with a new person. Partners and same-sex couples are welcome to travel and stay together throughout.

Recovery and follow-up

First stage: fifteen days in Istanbul — eight nights in hospital and seven in the recovery hotel, with the donor-site dressing managed by the team before you fly. The second and third trips are shorter; your written plan gives their length. For metoidioplasty, the stay is set individually. A suprapubic catheter stays for three to four weeks after urethral lengthening. Desk work resumes at four to eight weeks depending on the route. The surgical team remains reachable on WhatsApp between stages, and we coordinate any local wound care at home.

Cost of female to male surgery in Turkey

The published price covers Dr. Gürlek's complete three-stage programme of full genital reconstruction (phalloplasty route): the operations of all three stages, hospital and recovery-hotel nights on the first trip, transfers and coordination. Hotel nights on the second and third trips are added to your written quote; if a fourth visit is needed, it is set out in writing before you commit. Metoidioplasty as a single operation is quoted individually on request. Top surgery and hysterectomy can be combined in the same trip at a reduced rate. Flights are never included. You receive a written, itemised quote before paying a deposit.