Surgical Assessments
And support from start to finish.
Patients who are interested in surgical assessment(s) are encouraged to join our waitlist. Estimated wait time is approximately 3-6 months.
What Are Assessments?
For some people, surgeries are a part of gender-affirming care. To get surgery, you’ll need to have an assessment. Sometimes you’ll need two.
Assessments let you and your clinician talk through the risks, recovery and outcomes of surgery. They also make sure you’re able to consent, which is important because transition-related surgeries have some outcomes that are irreversible.
In Alberta, the surgical assessment and approval process varies depending on which surgery you'd like to get.
Navigating this can be overwhelming, which is where we step in!
Assessment Steps
Top Surgery
Mastectomy and Breast Augmentation*
* Breast augmentation is only covered if you have had little to no breast growth after 12 months of continuous hormone therapy.
Orchiectomy & Hysterectomy
Bottom Surgery
Vaginoplasty, vulvoplasty, phalloplasty & metoidioplasty*
*These procedures are only performed out-of-province at GRS Montreal.
FAQ
What happens during my assessment?
During your assessment, you’ll be asked about your gender history, your health history and your medication history. For most transition-related surgeries, you’ll need a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. Even though some people don’t identify with this label, it’s still required by surgeons and Alberta Health (if you’re applying for coverage).
You’ll also be asked how the surgery will impact your life, where you’d get surgery and what your recovery plan is. Because of this, it’s a good idea to do some research in advance. For example, bottom surgeries are performed out of province so you’d need to make some travel plans. Bottom surgeries covered by Alberta Health are performed at GRS Montreal.
Who does my assessment?
Foria provides assessments for top (breast or chest) surgery, gonadal surgery (orchiectomy and hysterectomy), and bottom (genital) surgery.
Foria’s assessments are done by our Alberta-based physicians. For bottom surgery, you’ll need two assessments.* For top surgery, you’ll only need one.
For minor surgeries that aren’t covered by Alberta Health, like hair transplants, your surgeon may do the assessment themselves. For these procedures, you can reach out to your surgeon and ask what their protocol is.
*The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) released guidelines in September 2022 that recommend only one assessment for all gender-affirming surgeries. At the time of writing, Alberta Heath hasn’t updated their requirements to reflect this.
What surgeries are covered by Alberta Health?
Alberta Health will cover some but not all transition-related surgeries. The procedures that can be funded are:
Vaginoplasty (includes orchiectomy, clitoroplasty, and labiaplasty)
Phalloplasty (includes vaginectomy, urethroplasty, glansplasty, and penile and testicular implants)
Metoidioplasty (includes vaginectomy, urethroplasty and testicular implants)
Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
Salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of the tubes and ovaries)
Orchiectomy (removal of the testicles)
Mastectomy/chest reconstruction (includes removal of breast tissue, excess skin, proper positioning of nipple and areola, and chest contouring)
Breast augmentation (after 12 months of continuous hormone therapy with little to no breast growth)
What surgeries are not covered by Alberta Health?
There are some transition-related surgeries that Alberta Health doesn’t cover. There are also some costs related to surgery that you’ll have to pay yourself. These are:
Breast augmentation (for people who don't meet criteria above)
Facial masculinization
Facial feminization
Electrolysis
Laser hair removal
Hair transplants
Tracheal shave
Voice modification surgery
Body contouring (e.g. liposuction, BBL)
Chin, nose, cheek, or buttock implants
Travel and accommodation costs related to surgery*
Supplies related to post-surgery care
* If you are getting surgery at GRS Montreal, you will coordinate your stay with them,.
What are the criteria for getting approved?
If you’re applying for Alberta Health funding for surgery, you’ll need to meet these criteria:
You have a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. This can be a previous diagnosis or the clinician can make the diagnosis in your appointment, based on your history.
Other health conditions (like diabetes) are treated and/or under good control.
You do not have a mental health condition that is symptomatic or likely to become so.*
You’ve considered the alternatives to surgery, like binding for chest surgery.
Surgery could help you achieve the goals you have.
You understand the risks and benefits of surgery and can give consent.
You’ve been on hormones for at least a year (for bottom surgeries and breast augmentation).
You have had one year of “real-life experience” of your gender.*+
You have a good support network and a stable lifestyle.
Your gender identity has remained stable over time.*+
You’re over the age of 18.
* These are outdated requirements that do not reflect the lived experience of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people. However, they are unfortunately still part of the approval process in Alberta. If you have any questions about specific approval criteria, we suggest reaching out to your assessor ahead of time.
+ These are only required for bottom (genital) surgeries that take place out of province. These surgeries are vaginoplasty, vulvoplasty, phalloplasty and metoidioplasty.
Have health costs that aren't covered? Connect Fund can help.
Connect Fund is a non-profit organization partnered with Foria that provides financial assistance for 2SLGBTQ+ healthcare costs.
Any community member with healthcare costs that are not covered by provincial health insurance can apply – this includes surgeries, travel and accommodation for surgeries, and counselling.