Most of us here have at least one thing in common. We have either had, or wish to have, gender reassignment surgery.

In my case, it will likely never happen, I'm very sad to say. My personal health situation precludes any such surgery, so I can only sit back and admire you gurls who have been fortunate enough to have gone under the knife.

One deciding factor for many is the costs involved with SRS (Sexual Reassginment Surgery). They vary widely, with the United States being one of the costliest.

The other major factor is the skill level and expertise of the surgeons. There's an old expression that states: That which is good, isn't cheap, and that which is cheap, isn't good. But that's not necessarily the case in this situation.

In the US, which has some of the best surgeons in the world, the National Institute of Health detailed the average costs for various surgeries in a 2022 study:

"The per-episode payer costs of gender-affirming surgeries ranged from $6,927 for orchiectomy to $45,080 for vaginoplasty and $63,432 for phalloplasty. As vaginoplasty and phalloplasty were frequently multi-episode procedures, the total average cost of these procedures per person was $53,645 and $133,911, respectively."

Not specified were the more common breast implant surgeries. According to an article in MS. MAGAZINE last year, you can expect top surgery to be in the range of $7,500 to $8,000. That sounds about right from the gurls I know who've had this done.

Thankfully, the costs can be mitigated depending upon the laws in the state you live in, and your insurance coverage. In our state of Michigan, people on Medicaid can get surgeries if it is determined that the patient meets certain criteria. A psychological evaluation is part of the determination process and a doctor has to agree that it is a necessity.

Private insurers also are to provide coverage in Michigan, but of course, those insurers are not free.

But what about other countries? Are their viable options elsewhere that are both safe and affordable?

And the answer is "Yes!"

It depends upon the source, but most lists of the Best Countries for Gender Affirming Surgery, place Thailand at the top.

"Thailand has earned a reputation as a pioneer in gender reassignment surgery. Renowned for its world-class medical facilities and a cadre of skilled surgeons, Thailand offers a safe and comfortable environment for individuals seeking GRS. The country's medical tourism infrastructure is well-developed, with Bangkok serving as a hub for transformative surgeries."

This shouldn't be surprising. Thailand has long been known as a welcoming, safe haven for trans gender people. This is partly due to the fact that trans are not as marginalized as they are in most of the Western world (although, they still are to an extent). But much of the acceptance of trans people comes from the explosion of sex workers post-WWII and especially in the Vietnam War era. You are probably familiar with the term "ladyboy," (kathoey in Thai) which, while a slur used here in American porn, is not considered such in Thailand.

There are further cultural reasons why that country is so trans-friendly, but the upshot is that such acceptance has made it the gender affirming care center of the world. And, once you get there, the cost of surgery is far less than in the US. One clinic lists their costs ranging from $10,000-$17,000 depending upon the procedure. Compared to their American counterparts, that's a deal.

And to make it even more enticing, some clinics offer packages which include the hotel stay, transportation to an from the hotel to the clinic, as well as the surgery itself.

Obviously, Thailand isn't the only country you should consider. One list ranked Germany, Canada, Brazil, Netherlands, Belgium, India, Argentina and South Korea in its top ten along with the US and Thailand.

You may have your reasons for choosing one country over the other. One acquaintance of mine is adamant about going to Mexico for her surgeries, mostly because of the cost savings.

Personally speaking--if I had the opportunity, I'd opt for Brazil. I've always wanted to have the butt and boobs you see on their gorgeous trans women!

--- Anni