The Gender Surgery Program B.C.
- Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9
- Fax: 604-875-5075
What happens next
We understand that preparing for surgery can be stressful for you and those who care about you. View our patient guide to learn more about a patient’s journey through gender surgery.
Cost
MSP pays for surgery at GSPBC for BC and Yukon residents. Unfortunately, we do not see patients from out of country or other provinces. Please note that while the surgical procedure, and all appointments (including physical therapy and hand therapy) are covered by MSP, we do not have funding for your travel to/from Vancouver, local accommodations, or medical supplies.
We ask that patients stay in Vancouver for various lengths of time following their surgery, depending on the type of surgery. Please visit your procedures surgery specific guide for more information on the length of your anticipated stay in Vancouver, local accommodations, or medical supplies.
Our social worker will meet with you one-on-one closer to the time of surgery to help determine if you qualify for any financial support. More information on resources can be found in our patient guide to gender surgery, if you wish to begin planning prior to your social work appointment.
Wait times and waitlist
Unfortunately, we cannot provide an exact timeline of how long each patient will wait from date of referral to receiving surgery. Multiple factors influence movement through each program stage, making wait time extremely hard to predict.
The first waiting period is for an intake and first surgical consultation. This timeline varies based on the volume of referrals and number of surgeries being completed. Current wait times for an intake appointment are 12-16 months.
Certain surgery times may also require hair removal. The length of time spent in the hair removal period can vary depending on the type of surgery, and individual patient factors.
Once you are deemed ready for surgery, you will be added to the final waiting period, which is the surgical waitlist. This waiting period can vary greatly due to the unpredictability of amount of surgical time available to the GSP. Wait times may also vary by procedure type. Please see your procedure's page for further information on anticipated wait times. We aim to give you 2 - 3 months' notice before an available OR space for your surgery. We may offer an OR date on shorter notice should there be cancellations.
Hair removal
Those electing to undergo vaginoplasty or phalloplasty may undergo medically necessary hair removal, depending on their consultation with the surgeon. This is to limit or prevent post-operative hair regrowth in places where hair removal would be difficult or impossible, such as deep inside the vagina or inside the urethra. Electrolysis or laser hair removal is utilized as these are the two types of hair removal deemed to be permanent. Your hair removal provider will determine the type of hair removal you receive in partnership with your surgeon’s assessment.
After you meet with a surgeon, you will receive information on if you are required to undergo hair removal and which areas you may need hair removal. If you are deemed to need hair removal, the clinic will provide you with a template as well as a list of hair removal providers that Trans Care BC has approved. All medically necessary hair removal will be covered and funded.
We recognize that some individuals may wish to begin their hair removal before their surgical consultation. Hair removal can be self-initiated, but please note hair removal completed before surgical consultation will be paid out of pocket and not reimbursed or covered. If you do wish to self-fund hair removal before your surgical consult, please contact the GSPBC clinic, and a hair removal template will be provided.
The clinic team
The GSPBC consists of a multidisciplinary team of nurses, surgeons, and allied health providers, such as a physiotherapist and a social worker, who will work together to support you through the various stages of your surgical journey. All our clinicians are experienced in working with transgender and gender-diverse individuals.
VCH partners in care
Our team strives to provide you with high quality care. Quality care is best achieved when you, the patient, along with your friends and family, become “partners in care” with us, your health care providers. Please review what you can expect from us, and what we expect from you in the VCH partners in care document found here. Please note, deviating from this may result in reduced care and discharge from the program.
