It Has Transformed Living for Me”

The Trajectory of Alignment, Comfort, and Social Connectedness After Gender-Affirming Surgery

Bibliographic Data

ID11020742
AuthorsTyler Gaedecke (0009-0009-0694-6239, Tyler Gaedecke, Kasey Jackman, Maureen George, and Walter Bockting are with the Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY. Kasey Jackman is also with New York–Presbyterian Hospital, New York. Miriam Ryvicker is with the Center for Home Care Policy & Research, VNS Health, New York, NY. Walter Bockting is also with the New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia Psychiatry, New York.), Kasey B Jackman (0000-0001-9906-380X, Tyler Gaedecke, Kasey Jackman, Maureen George, and Walter Bockting are with the Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY. Kasey Jackman is also with New York–Presbyterian Hospital, New York. Miriam Ryvicker is with the Center for Home Care Policy & Research, VNS Health, New York, NY. Walter Bockting is also with the New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia Psychiatry, New York.), Kasey Jackman, Maureen George (0000-0001-9234-7842, Tyler Gaedecke, Kasey Jackman, Maureen George, and Walter Bockting are with the Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY. Kasey Jackman is also with New York–Presbyterian Hospital, New York. Miriam Ryvicker is with the Center for Home Care Policy & Research, VNS Health, New York, NY. Walter Bockting is also with the New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia Psychiatry, New York.), Miriam Ryvicker (0000-0002-7339-080X, Tyler Gaedecke, Kasey Jackman, Maureen George, and Walter Bockting are with the Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY. Kasey Jackman is also with New York–Presbyterian Hospital, New York. Miriam Ryvicker is with the Center for Home Care Policy & Research, VNS Health, New York, NY. Walter Bockting is also with the New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia Psychiatry, New York.), Walter Bockting (0000-0003-2650-7726, Tyler Gaedecke, Kasey Jackman, Maureen George, and Walter Bockting are with the Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY. Kasey Jackman is also with New York–Presbyterian Hospital, New York. Miriam Ryvicker is with the Center for Home Care Policy & Research, VNS Health, New York, NY. Walter Bockting is also with the New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia Psychiatry, New York.)
Year2025
Volume116
Issue2
Pagese1-e5
Publication date2025-11-13
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.2025.308263
PMID41232051
OpenAlexW4416180779
LanguageEN
References cited10

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 )

Association (psychology) · Distress · Mental health · Psychosocial · Public health · Social connectedness · Social support · Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Sex and Gender in Healthcare

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