Inept doctors bungling sex-change surgeries in city

"The pain was too bad after the surgery. It took a long time to recover," said Sujatha (name changed), who was a transperson and underwent sex reassignment surgery (SRS) to become a woman.

The surgery was conducted in a clinic near her home. "They have been practising it for a while. So, I got it done there," she added. The surgery cost Rs 3 lakh. A corporate hospital would have charged her up to Rs 6 lakh.

Sujatha is just one of many in the city who have been witnessing complications after undergoing sex reassignment surgeries.

Doctors say many opting for the SRS end up in clinics where those conducting the surgery are neither experienced nor qualified. "There are no specific guidelines for these surgeries," said Dr H Veerabhadrappa, president, Karnataka Medical Council (KMC).

According to him, no special authorisation is given to doctors to conduct the surgery. "It is usually conducted by a team of doctors, which includes a urologist and a plastic surgeon, as the procedure involves a lot of cosmetic surgery," he said.

What counts for the success of these surgeries are the expertise and training of these doctors. "I do not think clinics can conduct them as they need a team of experts," Veerabhadrappa added.

Speaking about the complications involved in the surgery, Dr Premkumar K, consultant urologist and renal transplant surgeon, Fortis Hospital, said the surgeries could take place in a day or two or could last up to months.

"Hormonal therapy, breast enlargement, converting physical appearances, implantation, etc are among the procedures involved in the surgery," he said. He, however, said the surgery cannot completely change one's gender though changes can be made on the basis of the patient's requirements.

Transgenders usually approach a medical practitioner whom they would know for years. Even if complications or infections arise after surgery, they usually do not go to a recognised hospital for treatment.

Kumar, zonal coordinator, Karnataka Sexual Minorities' Forum, said the practice of castration (conducted by practitioners without a medical licence) was prevalent in Karnataka, including Bengaluru. "There are no guidelines and it is not legal either," he said.

According to him, many people have attempted suicide due to the side effects of undergoing castration. He agreed that a recognised doctor can give them counselling, giving them a better understanding of the procedure.

Soumya, president of Payana, an NGO which works for transgender rights, said: "There are no expert doctors for the SRS in Bengaluru. The breast removal surgery sometimes remains incomplete. Almost 70% of transwomen face urinary infection and kidney failures after undergoing the surgery."