Gender-affirming surgery, close to home
Gender affirmation is health care. Dr. Alfredo Chama Naranjo — a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon — accompanies each person with a clinical, safe, and respectful approach, in Tijuana, minutes from the San Ysidro border crossing. Consultations and planning are bilingual, in Spanish and English, for local patients and for those traveling from the United States.
A plan defined with you, not from a catalog
Care is organized at the category level; the exact plan — which procedures, in what order, and to what extent — is defined in your evaluation. There is no single package: your anatomy, your goals, and your health are what chart the course.
Body feminization involves contouring through plastic surgery procedures: bust, waist, hips, and buttocks. Facial feminization surgery (FFS) encompasses procedures aimed at softer features of the forehead, nose, jaw, chin, and neck. Masculinization focuses on chest and body contouring. Gender-affirming genital surgery is available upon evaluation, with the scope confirmed during your consultation.
Frequently, a plan combines more than one procedure in a single surgical stage; that is also discussed with you before scheduling a date.
- Body feminization — contouring with plastic surgery procedures.
- Facial feminization surgery (FFS) — facial procedures aimed at softer features.
- Masculinization — chest and body contouring procedures.
- Gender-affirming genital surgery — available upon evaluation; scope confirmed in consultation.
A reconstructive approach, not a cosmetic catalog
Dr. Chama is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, with board certification verifiable in the official registry of the specialty body. That certification — distinct from a general medical license — speaks to current specialization in plastic surgery and is renewed periodically.
Gender affirmation is approached here for what it is: health care, with a reconstructive focus, not as a catalog cosmetic procedure. That changes how the case is planned, what questions are asked during the evaluation, and how risks are explained.
The evidence supports this path: studies show that fewer than 1% of people who undergo gender-affirming surgery regret their decision (KFF; Bustos 2021 meta-analysis, 7,928 patients). This is a confidence figure cited with its source, not a marketing claim.
Dr. Chama explains every risk, complication rate, and realistic expectation during your evaluation — before you decide. A medical website that only shows results and omits risk is not giving you complete information.
Medical tourism, without the logistics headache
The process has four steps, all explained before you make any decision: bilingual virtual consultation, planning and logistics, surgery in a hospital setting, and post-operative follow-up.
If your underlying concern is the safety of having surgery across the border, that question has a concrete, verifiable answer — not a generic promise.
- Bilingual virtual consultation — tell us your goals; the doctor evaluates and explains options from wherever you are.
- Planning and logistics — coordination of the border crossing from the U.S. and recovery lodging.
- Surgery in a hospital setting — with the support that a certified operating room provides.
- Follow-up — post-operative care, in person or remotely, depending on your case.
Real results, only with your consent
We share real patient results only with written informed consent, in accordance with Mexican official standard NOM-004. While the consent process has not been completed for each case, the gallery remains in preparation: we prefer an empty space to an image without authorization.
That same standard is the reason this site does not use patient photos as decoration or as a promise of results. What you see here is information; what determines your case is your evaluation.
Dignified, confidential care — at your own pace
Every person arrives with their own history and their own timeline. The team is here to listen before selling: there is no pressure to decide quickly and no promises of results before a real evaluation.
Your information and your process are handled with discretion at every stage, from the first message to the follow-up after surgery. Asking questions, comparing options, and taking your time is a normal part of the journey, not an obstacle.
Frequently asked questions
How much does gender-affirming surgery cost?
The plan and quote are personalized after your evaluation, because each case combines different procedures. Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll be happy to guide you, with no commitment.
Is gender-affirming surgery safe?
Like any surgery, it has risks that are explained during your evaluation. Dr. Chama operates in a hospital setting, and safety starts with an individual assessment and a plan tailored to your case.
Do you offer consultations in English?
Yes. Consultations, planning, and follow-up are all bilingual — in Spanish and English — for local patients and for those traveling from the United States.
Can I start with a virtual consultation?
Yes. The first conversation is remote: you share your goals, the doctor evaluates and explains options, without you having to travel yet.
How does the logistics work from the U.S.?
The office is at Plaza Península, minutes from the San Ysidro crossing. We can help with border crossing guidance, recovery lodging, and transportation.
Do many people regret this surgery?
The evidence says no: studies show that fewer than 1% of people who undergo gender-affirming surgery regret their decision (KFF; Bustos 2021 meta-analysis, 7,928 patients).
Is the entire process confidential?
Yes. Your information and your process are handled with discretion at every stage, from the first message to the follow-up after surgery.
What specific procedures do you perform?
We provide body feminization, facial feminization, masculinization, and gender-affirming genital surgery available upon evaluation. The exact scope of your plan is confirmed in consultation, based on your anatomy and your goals.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about gender-affirming surgery
What is gender-affirming surgery?
It is a set of procedures that help align a person’s physical characteristics with their gender identity. It may include top surgery, bottom surgery, and feminization or masculinization procedures. It is not a single surgical event, but a plan that is developed with you and your healthcare team based on your goals.
Am I a candidate? At what age or in what cases?
Candidacy is defined through an individual evaluation: your overall health, your goals, your medical history, and any multidisciplinary support you already have in place. In Mexico, these procedures are performed on adults and usually require a prior evaluation period and, in many cases, a period of accompaniment. During your consultation, we review your specific situation and explain clearly what is possible in your case.
Do you require letters or a mental health evaluation?
Yes. Gender affirmation is a multidisciplinary approach, and mental health evaluations or letters from qualified professionals are typically requested, along with endocrinology assessments depending on the procedure. This is not a bureaucratic requirement — it serves to confirm that the decision is well-supported and that you arrive at surgery in the best possible conditions. During your evaluation, we tell you exactly which documentation applies to your case.
How is it performed? What type of anesthesia and where?
Most of these procedures are performed under general anesthesia, in a hospital setting, with a dedicated anesthesiology team. The technique and duration depend on the specific procedure within the affirmation plan. Everything is defined and explained during your evaluation before any surgery is scheduled.
What is the recovery like?
It varies significantly depending on the procedure: top surgery and bottom surgery have very different recovery paths. In general, there will be a period of rest, swelling, and specific care instructions provided in writing. The exact days of rest are defined in your evaluation based on the technique and your health status. We accompany the post-operative period with scheduled follow-up visits.
Does it hurt?
During surgery, you will not feel pain due to the anesthesia. Post-operatively, some discomfort and swelling are normal, managed with the prescribed pain medication plan. Most patients describe it as manageable discomfort rather than intense pain, and it subsides as recovery progresses.
Does it leave a scar? Where?
Every surgery leaves a scar; the location depends on the procedure and is planned to be as discreet as possible based on the technique. During your evaluation, we show you where the scars would be in your case and how to care for them to support healing. Being honest about this is part of setting realistic expectations.
How long do the results last?
The structural changes from these surgeries are permanent. That said, the final result becomes visible over time as swelling subsides and tissues heal, and it depends on each person. During your evaluation, we discuss what to expect realistically in your specific case, without promising identical results for everyone.
What are the risks?
Like any surgery, there are risks: related to anesthesia, bleeding, infection, scarring, and depending on the procedure, other specific risks that are explained in detail. These are reduced with a careful evaluation, a hospital setting, and post-operative follow-up, but no surgery is risk-free. That is why informed consent and your prior evaluation are a central part of the process.
I’m coming from the United States — how does the crossing and recovery work?
We frequently treat patients who travel from the U.S. We can start with a virtual consultation to understand your case and organize the timing of the crossing, surgery, and post-operative care before you travel. We coordinate how many days you should stay nearby for your first follow-up appointments; that period is defined based on your procedure during the evaluation.
Can I start with a virtual consultation?
Yes. A virtual consultation is a good way to start: we review your history, your goals, and what documents or evaluations you need to gather, without you having to travel yet. If there is a surgical indication, an in-person evaluation is done later before scheduling any procedure.
How much does it cost?
The cost is defined after your evaluation, because it depends on the specific procedure and your individual plan within gender affirmation. Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll be happy to guide you on the next steps and schedule your consultation.
Consultation
Schedule your consultation
Direct attention from Dr. Alfredo Chama's team, board-certified plastic surgeon in Tijuana. Message us or call to schedule your appointment.
or if you prefer, directly:
Your Care Continues After Surgery
- Follow-up appointments with Dr. Chama
- Conveniently located near the San Ysidro border crossing
- Direct line for any post-op questions: +52 664 585 1602
- Detailed recovery guide before you travel home
Your safety and recovery are Dr. Chama's priority — before, during, and after your procedure.
Last updated: September 12, 2026