Natal City Hall performs first masculinizing mastectomies in the SMS Natal municipal network. Natal City Hall performed this Monday (20) the first masculinizing mastectomy surgeries for trans men treated by the municipal health network. The procedures were carried out at Hospital Saúde de Todos, with resources from the city's Unified Health System (SUS), in partnership with the Brazilian Society of Mastology – Rio Grande do Norte Regional (SBM-RN). Two patients followed by the Transsexual and Transvestite Outpatient Clinic in Natal (TT Outpatient Clinic) underwent surgery in this first stage. ? Click here to follow the g1 RN channel on WhatsApp The procedure consists of removing the breasts as part of the Transsexualization Process offered by the SUS. Two other trans men are scheduled to undergo surgery on the 27th. According to nurse and specialized technical support Luís Fernando Pires dos Santos, around 70 users monitored by the TT Outpatient Clinic are able to undergo the procedure. "In this first stage, two patients underwent masculinizing mastectomy. Another two will be treated on the 27th, continuing the care for trans men regularly monitored by the TT Outpatient Clinic of the municipal network. The intention is for the surgeries to be carried out on a regular basis through the Municipal Regulation Center", he explained. The municipal health secretary, Geraldo Pinho, stated that carrying out the surgeries expands the care offered by the municipal network to the trans population. "This is an extremely important step, a successful experience in the SUS in Natal that we are starting, and the intention is that we don't stop there; we will continue to move forward with other surgeries for the transvestite and transsexual population in the city", he stated. The director of the Department of Specialized Care (DAE), Danielle Azevedo, informed that patients will have monitoring before and after the procedure, including specialized dressings and physical, mental and emotional support in the municipal network. "We have some capitals in Brazil that already perform this surgery, including in the Northeast. In Natal, however, we are carrying out the procedure 100% with municipal resources," he said. The coordinator of the TT Outpatient Clinic, Cléa Patrícia, explained that patients undergo assessment by a team made up of doctors, nurses, a social worker and a psychologist, in addition to monitoring hormone therapy with testosterone. "These users were selected following criteria such as regular clinical monitoring, up-to-date laboratory and imaging tests and up-to-date hormonal treatment, in addition to adequate clinical conditions for the surgical procedure", he explained. Mastologist and president of the Brazilian Society of Mastology – Rio Grande do Norte Regional (SBM-RN), Roberta Jales, stated that the surgery meets a demand related to patients' gender affirmation. "The breast often brings this femininity and is the object of a lot of suffering for this group. Here in Natal, the TT Outpatient Clinic operates, which provides care for the trans community, but this surgical treatment of the breast was missing. That's when people from the Society joined this project to be able to help them really feel better, be in complete health to be happy", he said. Patients report expectations regarding surgery Coordination assistant Theo Henrique, followed by the TT Outpatient Clinic since 2021, was one of the patients who underwent the procedure this Monday. He said that he used bandages to reduce the volume of the breasts, but that the method caused discomfort. "For me, it is important because I need to feel good. I'm married and my breasts cause me some frustration; I end up comparing myself a lot to other people. So, this moment is very fulfilling for me. It's not even a dream, it's beyond, it's meant to be, to be and to exist", he said. Lorenzo Leão, commercial manager and law student, also performed the surgery. He said that he received the news that he had been selected for the procedure on his birthday. "It was like a gift for me to be about to have this surgery and make this dream come true. I think it will be the turning point for me to really look in the mirror and truly recognize myself for who I am. Something to complete this guy I always dreamed I would be. I'm very happy," he declared. Transsexual and Transvestite Outpatient Clinic in Natal Opened in 2020, the Transsexual and Transvestite Outpatient Clinic in Natal serves trans people, transvestites and non-binary people. Since the creation of the service, more than 720 people have been welcomed. Currently, more than 300 users undergo hormonal monitoring for testosterone administration. The outpatient clinic operates on an open demand basis at Avenida Nascimento de Castro, nº 2024, in the Lagoa neighborhood New. Appointments can be made by telephone (84) 98846-3997 or by email at ambulatoriottnatal@gmail.com. Established by the SUS in 2008, the Transsexualization Process brings together medical, psychological and surgical procedures aimed at the trans population, depending on the needs of patients.