ABSTRACT

Body modification, self- or other-administered, invasive or non-invasive, lasting or temporary, has a long history and is conducted in many cultures and contexts. Advances in biotechnology, surgical techniques, opportunities for intervention and the rapid expansion of social media and their use have thus to some extent foregrounded and 'normalized' public discussions on body modification. Migration as the accompaniment of bodily intervention has been particularly relevant to women at whom many practices concerning bodily interventions are directed, not least in the context of genital re/constructive surgery. Both in the American and in the European contexts, 'medical necessity' as opposed to 'elective' or aesthetic bodily interventions is a key distinction that has been taken up extensively in the context of re/constructive surgery. Gender reassignment surgery involves the construction of embodied gender identities that either augment or establish the patient's preferred gender. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.