The internet has become the first source of information for most trans people who are considering gender-affirming surgery. Forums, social media, personal experience videos, and websites offer thousands of details, but not always verified, accurate, or reliable. This overload of information can create confusion, false expectations, and even put health at risk when decisions are made based on incorrect or misleading information.

In this article, we want to help you recognize the most common mistakes when researching trans surgeries online, and give you the basic tools to distinguish trustworthy sources of information from those you should be cautious about.

When we talk about surgeries such as vaginoplasty, phalloplasty, metoidioplasty, mastectomy, or facial feminization, having accurate and professional data is key to making a well-informed decision.

Unreliable Sources That Create Confusion

Another common mistake is trusting low-quality sources that have not been verified or that exist mainly for marketing purposes:

Forums and social media groups

While forums and groups can be very useful for sharing experiences, they should never replace medical information. Every gender-affirming surgery must be addressed from a completely individualized perspective, because what works for one person may not apply to another.

Individual testimonials

Reading or watching someone’s personal experience can be inspiring and informative. However, we should not treat that experience as an absolute truth. Every body, surgery, and recovery is unique and depends on many personal factors.

Websites without medical authorship

If there is no specialist’s name, references, or an accredited team, the information lacks credibility.

AI-generated information

Although it represents great progress and provides a large amount of information, AI learns from many different sources, and some are not always reliable. It is estimated that between 10% and 20% of AI-generated content today is inaccurate.

Misleading clinic advertising

Phrases like “scar-free,” “one-week recovery,” or “100% natural results” are usually marketing hooks that do not reflect medical reality.

How to Spot Reliable Information About Gender-Affirming Surgeries

When browsing online, distinguishing between rigorous information and misleading content can be tricky. To avoid mistakes, it helps to apply a kind of “personal filter” or checklist so the information you find is as accurate as possible. Some tips:

  • Revisa la autoría: ¿el texto está firmado por médicos o un equipo de cirujanos especializados en cirugía trans? ¿Hay un equipo experto detrás de la información? Si la respuesta es no, sería una señal de alerta.
  • Busca referencias científicas: estándares como los de la WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) o publicaciones en revistas médicas ofrecen mayor fiabilidad que aquellas que solo se basan en testimonios.
  • Actualización del contenido: la medicina evoluciona. Si el texto tiene más de 5 años y no ha sido revisado, probablemente esté desactualizado. Sobre todo en cirugías como la faloplastia o las técnicas de vaginoplastia, que han avanzado mucho en poco tiempo.
  • Valora la transparencia: mostrar fotos reales (respetuosas y con consentimiento) de resultados de cirugías de género, explicar cómo es la recuperación, detallar las posibles complicaciones… Todo esto aporta credibilidad.
  • Desconfía de promesas absolutas: la medicina no es exacta, cada cuerpo responde de manera distinta y siempre existen limitaciones. Si un texto sólo habla de ventajas, si solo habla de lo positivo de la cirugía y promete resultados “perfectos” sin complicaciones, es posible que se trate más de publicidad encubierta, que de información veraz.
  • Compara varias fuentes fiables: un único blog o vídeo nunca es suficiente para tomar decisiones de salud.
Results after vaginoplasty recovery

Consequences of Misinformation

Trusting incorrect information not only creates confusion, but can also harm the physical, emotional, and social health of a trans person. Some of the problems that misinformation can lead to include:

    • Unrealistic expectations: For example, believing metoidioplasty always guarantees penetrative sex or that vaginoplasty recovery takes only a week. These misconceptions often lead to frustration that affects emotional well-being.
    • Choosing unsuitable techniques: Deciding without medical assessment can result in outcomes that don’t meet personal goals.
    • Rushed decisions: Some people, convinced by advertising or testimonials, travel abroad for surgery without knowing the medical standards or safety protocols. This raises the risk of complications and makes follow-up care harder.
    • Real medical risks: Some clinics, especially in countries with little regulation, offer low prices but no safety guarantees. This can lead to serious complications. Choosing an inexperienced clinic can cause severe issues such as infections, necrosis, loss of sensitivity, visible scars, or poor functional results. Often, the only solution is corrective surgery—bringing higher financial, physical, and emotional costs.

Where to Find Reliable, Verified Information

Although the internet is full of noise, there are also trustworthy resources with accurate and verified information. You can also find safe and professional guidance through:

    • International guidelines and standards: WPATH’s Standards of Care are the global reference for trans healthcare. They are created by a multidisciplinary team and regularly updated to reflect scientific advances. Trust in them and in clinics or medical teams that follow and contribute to their training.
    • Specialized clinics with proven experience: Centers such as IM GENDER, specialists in trans surgery for over 25 years, publish open, clear, and accessible information about the techniques they perform, recovery timelines, and possible complications. Transparency and experience are guarantees.
    • Trusted, experienced professionals: A surgeon specialized in gender-affirming surgery with an expert team (other surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, gynecologists, urologists, aesthetic doctors, etc.) not only provides technical expertise but can also answer questions personally, adapting information to each patient’s situation.
    • Trans associations and organizations with medical backing: Many groups collaborate with healthcare professionals and provide high-quality materials to guide people starting their transition journey.
    • Medical consultations beforehand: Before deciding on surgery, a personalized medical assessment helps debunk myths and provides a realistic understanding of what to expect.

We must keep in mind that while the internet has democratized access to information, it has also created confusion and misinformation. Avoiding the most common mistakes when researching trans surgeries is key to making safe decisions and maintaining realistic expectations.

At IM GENDER, we have a multidisciplinary team specialized in gender-affirming surgery.
If you are considering surgery and want to resolve your questions with clear, accurate, and professional information, contact us.