I am a transgender man with my clitoral glans pierced. Would I have to remove the jewelry when I have top surgery?

Question

The piercing would probably close up quickly and it's not something I can get repierced too easily, since it is my actual glans. I also have two hood piercings and a few others that I'm less worried about since they probably won't close quickly. Would I be able to put something in the piercing to keep the hole open while in surgery? It's a piercing that I got to reclaim my body after domestic abuse, and it would be devastating to lose it.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Top Surgery: preparation for the procedureRemoval of metal is often required by the surgery center to avoid and unintentional burns.I replace piercings in the operating room at the end of the procedure

Keith M. Blechman, MD · Answer

Metal piercings are typically removed for surgical procedures where an electrocautery is used to control bleeding (such as for top surgery).  If metal is touching the skin when the device is in use it could cause a burn.  Once surgery is over you should be able to put your piercings back in.  You could talk to your doctor about replacing the piercing with a plastic substitute during surgery -- alternatively, you would likely be able to put the piercing back in if you only remove it for the time of the procedure, as top surgery should only take a few hours to complete, and that's probably not enough time for the hole to close. In order to get a qualified, ethical, and expert opinion on your surgical options and expectations, schedule an in-person office consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Best of luck,Keith M. Blechman, MDNew York, NY

Sheldon Lincenberg, MD · Answer

The use of electrocautery during surgery sends a current through your tissue from the point where the cautery touches the tissue to the contact pad that grounds you. Today's electrocautery machines will not operate without a grounding pad stuck to your skin. This prevents electric current from short-circuiting your heart or spreading through out your body. The piercings (and rings, dental implants, metal orthopedicdevices, etc.) that must be removed during surgery are the ones that are directly in the surgical area. My anesthesiologists do not require all metal objects to be removed, nor is it possible, and we have not experienced burns at the locatin of these objects.
I would recommend that you discuss this question with your surgeon.

Praful Ramineni, MD · Answer

Since the piercing is far from the surgical site (no chance of electrocautery arcing) and is not constricting (like a ring), you should be able to keep the piercing in through surgery.  As always, you should seek out a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who has experience with top surgery in FTM patients.

I am a transgender man with my clitoral glans pierced. Would I have to remove the jewelry when I have top surgery?

Answers (4)

Answer: Piercing Removal

Answer: Piercing Removal

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I am a transgender man with my clitoral glans pierced. Would I have to remove the jewelry when I have top surgery?

Answers (4)

Answer: Piercing Removal

Answer: Piercing Removal

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Everything you need to know about Masculinizing Top Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.