Identity and Healing: An Anthropological Study of Post-Surgical Health Journey of Transgenders – A Qualitative Approach
Authors :Sarithamol.T.S
Abstract
Gender-affirming surgery is not simply a medical intervention for the transgender, it’s a profound milestone for them living legitimately, it’s deeply their personal step towards living in their own body that reflects their true gender identity. Now a days the government hospitals are offering the sex- reassignment surgery free of cost as a part of a significant step towards the health equity. Yet, the voice of whom undergone the surgery are rarely recorded. This qualitative study with Sahodaran NGO an LGBT based organization in Chennai, Tamil Nadu help to sought to listen their voices. Through in-depth interviews with 25 transgender women,where 15 who underwent surgery in both government facilities in India and private hospitals abroad. Their narratives reveal that while medical complications and inadequate follow-up care remain pressing issues, the deeper wounds often stem from structural barriers, a lack of gender-sensitive training among healthcare providers, and persistent stigma within public health spaces. Those who underwent surgery in Thailand often described smoother recoveries, supported by structured aftercare and respectful engagement, underscoring the contrast in healthcare cultures. Findings revealed that life after surgery of transgender individuals is shaped far more than healing of surgical wounds. While medical complications and insufficient follow-up care remain real challenges, the deeper difficulties often stem from the absence of gender-sensitive healthcare training, the structural constraints of public hospitals, and the weight of ongoing social stigma. Participant stories reveals that true recovery is not only about restoring physical health but also about being respected and supported in one’s own gender identity. Only through holistic approaches healthcare of transgender people heal fully with dignity.
