Qualitative study reveals that post-surgical bodily alignment fosters interpersonal connection in transgender adults, highlighting psychosocial mechanisms that improve quality of life.
Gender-affirming surgery can reduce distress about gender incongruence among transgender and gender-diverse adults, contributing to improved mental health and quality of life. However, a greater understanding of the psychosocial changes after surgery that influence well-being is needed to maximize these outcomes. In this analysis of interviews (conducted in New York City, January 2023–February 2025) with individuals in the first year after gender-affirming surgery, we identified one such mechanism: an increased sense of connection to one’s body fosters the stability, comfort, and environmental awareness to live freely and connect with others. ( Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print November 13, 2025:e1–e5. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308263 )
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Gaedecke et al. (2025) studied this question.
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