It is apparent that many service providers and hospitals in Asia are behind when it comes to understanding HIV and its implications with regard to surgeries. However, it is important to be aware that there are many talented surgeons in Thailand who understand that HIV is not a contraindication to surgery under specific circumstances, which I will address below.
In recent decades, the advancement of HIV medicine has transformed the outlook for individuals living with the virus. What was once considered a deadly disease has now become completely manageable. This remarkable progress is largely attributable to the development of highly effective antiviral medications. These medications, known as antiretroviral therapy (ART), work by suppressing the replication of the virus within the body, allowing the immune system to regain strength and function.
With consistent adherence to ART, HIV-positive patients can achieve undetectable viral loads, meaning the amount of virus in their blood is so low that it cannot be detected by standard tests. As a result, they not only experience significant improvements in their overall health but also greatly reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others, including sexual partners.
This paradigm shift has led to a profound change in perception, where HIV-positive individuals can now lead normal lives, pursue fulfilling relationships, and confidently engage in sexual activity with the knowledge that the risk of transmission is minimal when viral suppression is maintained. This combination of effective medication and comprehensive care has truly revolutionized the management of HIV, turning what was once a feared and stigmatized condition into a manageable chronic illness.
When viral loads are undetectable and CD4 counts are generally 400-500 and above, the individual’s HIV infection is typically well-controlled, indicating a relatively healthy immune system. In such cases, surgery is typically not contraindicated due to the reduced risk of complications from opportunistic infections. Advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care have made it feasible to perform surgeries safely on HIV-positive individuals with well-controlled viral loads and CD4 counts. Many surgeons are performing gender confirming surgeries on patients who are HIV positive, maintain an undetectable viral load, and have CD4 counts that are within the required parameters.
Please reach out to one of our patient advocates for more information on which surgeons in Thailand perform gender confirming surgeries for such patients.
Procedures for SRS Surgeries