The 29-year-old Russian monk Karma did not grow up with this name. He took this name when he decided to take a life-changing decision. Karma landed in Bengaluru two months ago on the suggestion of a friend and underwent sex reassignment surgery at Karo Clinic in Aveksha Hospital, Bengaluru.
“I have always been on my own. A friend from the transgender community suggested me to go to Bengaluru for surgery and that is how I got here. I had taken my vow to Buddhism by the end of 2018. As a child, I didn’t identify as a girl. I always wished I was a boy. By the time I reached adolescence, I had a clear picture of my sexuality by looking at trans-people around me, Karma told News18.
“I haven’t come to my parents yet. There is no such elaborate process in a safe environment in Russia. That’s why I chose India. Also had to work on financial things. My family lives in Russia, so I Didn’t want to get surgery there. The center here has also given me a discount. My friend from the LGBTQ community told me it’s cheap in Bengaluru. It’s true,” he said.
Happy with his decision, Karma says that he feels free now. “I’m more independent than an average person. I’ll definitely continue to keep my vows and still learn about my body. But I’m happy with the decision I made.”
Destination Bangalore
The doctor helping Karma through the transformation is Dr. Roshan Shetty, a plastic surgeon at Karo Clinic at Urge Hospital, North Bengaluru. His team includes a urologist, three plastic surgeons, a psychiatrist and an endocrine specialist. Dr Shetty performs sex reassignment surgery with another plastic surgeon Dr Karthik Vishwanath.
Karma heard about the doctor and the clinic through a friend, and is one of many who are going to Bangalore to opt for sex reassignment surgery.
Elaborating on Bengaluru emerging as the preferred destination for surgeries, Dr Roshan Shetty said, “First of all, it is the quality of healthcare. Bangalore is a favorite of those seeking a range of specialized surgeries due to the quality of holistic healthcare. Indian doctors are favored by a large part of the world as we attend to 20 times more cases than the US or Europe. Therefore, skills are better. “
“Also, the experts here are highly qualified and well trained abroad. The overall cost of health care is also very low. It’s about 1/5th to 1/10th of the cost elsewhere. Medical tourism is also a factor here. People can get their procedures done during the holidays. Cosmetic procedures are in highest demand,” he said.
Travel
However, sex reassignment surgeries differ from others in view of the psychological weight of the decision.
“It is not an easy process for anyone to just go to the clinic and get the surgery done. There is a very strict protocol for international patients seeking sex reassignment surgery,” said Dr Karthik Vishwanath.
Elaborating on the protocol, he said, “First of all, the patient opting for surgery should undergo hormonal therapy for six months. Then they should change their name to suit the chosen gender. agrees or disallows.”
He said patients should seek psychological opinion next time. “There are two psychiatric disorders associated with cases that experts diagnose. Gender dysphoria (a condition that describes a person’s feeling of discomfort due to a mismatch between their biological gender and their gender identity) and body dysmorphic disorder (where one cannot stop thinking of themselves as the other sex). The psychiatrist will treat them accordingly and then issue a letter giving consent that the person is mentally ready and fit to undergo surgery. “
The patients then travel to the desired destination and an affidavit is made. Another psychological approval is recommended before going for the surgery. The patient must also travel on a medical visa.
Rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty, breast augmentation, hair transplant and scar removal are the most common procedures a plastic surgeon is asked to perform. But there is also a demand for breast removal and genital realignment among people opting for sex reassignment.
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