Study of life quality and body image improvement of Chinese transgenders by gender-affirming surgery

This retrospective study aimed to explore the overall quality of life (QOL) and self-esteem of post-surgical transgender individuals in China. It was conducted between January 2016 and December 2021 ​at a tertiary general Hospital in Shanghai, China. Patients consulting for gender-affirming surgery (GAS) were invited to participate. The inclusion period was from January 2016 to December 2021. A retrospective study was performed between January 2016 and December 2021 ​at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital. All patients diagnosed with gender dysphoria who presented to the clinic for a GAS consultation were invited to participate. Their ages ranged from 26 to 43 years (M=30.24, SD=4.99). There were 11 transgender females and 9 transgender males. The Perceived Discrimination Scale, Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI), and general information were collected and analyzed before and one year after surgery. The questionnaire was sent to the patients via WeChat before and one year after surgery. Data analysis was performed using the statistical program package SPSS 21.0. One-way ANOVA was used to compare two continuous variables, and the chi-square (χ 2 ) test was used to compare two nominal variables. Two-tailed P -values were calculated at a significance level of 0.05. A total of 21 patients participated in our study, 1 was lost due to personal reasons. There were 11 transgender females and 9 males. GAS treatment decreased the Perceived Discrimination Scale score from 22.90 ​± ​5.68 to 19.52 ​± ​4.19, F=−0.329, P =0.039. The total MBSRQ and BIQLI scores were significantly higher after GAS. Transgender Chinese patients experienced less discrimination after GAS, and their overall QOL and self-esteem improved. Transgender individuals exhibited greater satisfaction and confidence in their appearance after GAS. GAS and related surgeries proved to have beneficial effects not only on physical appearance but also on confidence and QOL.