Reconstructive surgery often uses tissue from 1 area of your body to repair another area. For example, head and neck surgery might change the shape of your jawbone. So your surgeon may take some bone from your leg to repair your jaw. This can restore the shape of your jaw and help it work normally.

What does reconstructive surgery include?

Reconstructive surgery repairs parts of your body affected by defects you were born with, defects that have developed because of disease, or defects caused by an injury. Cleft lip and palate repair and breast reconstructions are examples of reconstructive surgery.

How does gender reconstructive surgery work?

In male to female surgery, the testicles and most of the penis are removed and the urethra is cut shorter. Some of the skin is used to fashion a largely functional vagina. A "neoclitoris" that allows sensation can be created from parts of the penis. Men retain their prostates.