“It Has Transformed Living for Me”: The Trajectory of Alignment, Comfort, and Social Connectedness After Gender-Affirming Surgery

Gender-affirming surgery can reduce distress about gender incongruence among transgender and gender-diverse adults, contributing to improved mental health and quality of life. However, a greater understanding of the psychosocial changes after surgery that influence well-being is needed to maximize these outcomes. In this analysis of interviews (conducted in New York City, January 2023-February 2025) with individuals in the first year after gender-affirming surgery, we identified one such mechanism: an increased sense of connection to one's body fosters the stability, comfort, and environmental awareness to live freely and connect with others. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. 2026;116(2):205-209. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308263).