← Back to Null Surgery

Nullification Surgery - FAQs

I'll be upfront with you—I don't get "frequently asked" anything. However, there are some bits of information that I feel are helpful to have if you're someone who's only just heard of the surgery's existence, and you might not be sure what the process even looks like. There are also questions that I had in my own pursuit of nullification, that I felt were important yet couldn't find the answer to anywhere.

Please note that I am speaking as a patient born only with "feminine" anatomy (ovaries, uterus and the like). As elaborated upon elsewhere on this site, the majority of information available out there already is relevant mainly (or even exclusively) to AMAB patients, and consequently, there's not much out there for patients of my anatomy. Below I will include only answers that I can confirm with from my personal, unique experience.

Obligatory disclaimer that I am not a medical professional, and any information here cannot replace advice or direction given to you by a doctor, surgeon or other licensed professional.

Sections

The Surgery Itself

Can nullification be done at the same time as removal of internal organs?

Yes. Nullification can be done either after a hysterectomy, etc. has already been performed, or at the same time. I opted for the latter, since I would only have to go through the consultation process/travel/recovery/etc. only once.

What parts does nullification surgery remove?

For a patient starting with my anatomy, the surgery involves removing the Fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vaginal canal and opening, labia, and optionally, the clitoris. The technical terms for my surgery were "total laproscopic hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, total vaginectomy, cystoscopy, and HOV/nullification."

Can the ovaries be removed with everything else?

I was told that keeping the ovaries is ideal to preserve hormone levels and avoid problems such as osteoporosis later in life. For patients for whom ovaries cause dysphoria, apparently, one ovary can be removed and one can be kept. If they are removed, lifelong hormone replacement is recommended.

How long does a nullification surgery take?

In my case, all procedures together will total about 7 hours.

How much does the surgery cost?

I pursued nullification surgery without health insurance. Align Surgical quoted me ~$30,000 USD before anesthesia and facility fees. Meltzer Clinic quoted me ~$35,000 USD including anesthesia; the hysterectomy portion (done by separate doctors) was an additional ~$5,000 USD.

To my knowledge, many patients successfully receive insurance coverage for their nullification surgeries; from what I understand, of course, it involves a lot of additional documentation, communication, and waiting.

Preparation and Recovery

Does nullification require special preparation?

In my particular case, I was told to perform a bowel cleanse the night before, similar to how one might before a colonoscopy; speaking with the surgery support group I'm in, it seems this is up to the surgeon's discretion and may not be done for all nullification. I was also told not to shave the area for at least a week beforehand, to avoid any potential infection.

What should I have on hand for recovery?

Some items I found useful to gather before surgery, so that I'd have them ready, are:

How long does recovery take?

I will spend two days and nights in the hospital after the surgery. I will stay near the clinic for the next week; after my 1-week post-op, I will be safe to travel.

Does recovery involve any special steps?

One element of recovery that may squick out some patients is that a catheter is necessary to keep the surgical site clean and free of infection. I am told that the catheter is removed a few days to a week after the procedures. (Will update this section with my experiences in September 2026!)

When can I go back to normal activities after surgery?

I am told to avoid exercise, heavy lifting, or activity raising my blood pressure for 4 to 6 weeks afteward. I work a desk job, and therefore anticipate going back to work after 2 to 3 weeks of recovery.

Life After Surgery

Can you feel anything after null surgery?

For patients still wishing to experience sexual stimulation, the head of the clitoris can be left and buried. Given that this sensation itself was a source of dysphoria for me, I've opted to remove it. I will update this section after my procedure in 2026 with what exactly I can feel, if anything.