Performing Surgery to Reverse FGM (Excerpt from ‘The Cut That Heals’)

VICE News

16 Feb 201503:25

Summary

TLDRIn the Sano Surgery Center, Dr. Marcy Bowers performs clitoral plastic surgery to restore the genitalia of women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM). This centuries-old cultural practice has left many with lifelong complications. The surgery not only addresses urinary and menstrual issues by enlarging the constricted openings but also aims to restore sexual sensation through a procedure called clitoroplasty. Dr. Bowers believes in the importance of sensuality and sexuality as a basic human sense, and her work seeks to give back what FGM has taken away.

Takeaways

🚑 The script describes a surgical procedure called clitoroplasty, which is a type of clitoral reconstruction surgery performed on women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM).
🌐 FGM is a cultural tradition that involves forced cutting or scraping of the genitalia in young girls, leading to lifelong complications for most.
🔍 The patient in the script is part of a small but increasing number of women choosing to undergo surgery to restore their genitalia.
👩‍⚕️ Dr. Marcy Bowers is a surgeon who dedicates a portion of her practice to helping women with FGM, performing surgeries that can restore normal genital function.
✂️ The initial incision in the surgery involves cutting through scar tissue to expose any remaining genitalia, addressing issues of constriction and narrowing.
💧 One of the immediate benefits of the surgery is the ability to urinate comfortably, which was previously hindered due to the small opening caused by FGM.
🤰 Another benefit is the potential for women to give birth naturally instead of via C-section, which was not possible due to the small genital opening.
🩸 The script highlights the restoration of menstruation comfort, which was also affected by the FGM.
❤️ Dr. Bowers performs a procedure called clitoroplasty, which aims to expose sensitive clitoral tissue to restore sexual feeling, emphasizing the importance of sensuality and sexuality as a basic human sense.
🔄 The surgery not only corrects physical damage but also uncovers the hidden, healthy genitalia underneath, which can be very helpful for the patient's overall well-being.
🎶 The script concludes with a musical note, symbolizing the positive impact of the surgery on the patient's life, giving back a sense that was previously taken away.

Q & A

What is the medical condition described in the transcript?
-The medical condition described is a result of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), where the clitoris has been sewn shut, causing complications such as difficulty in urination and menstruation.
What is FGM and what does it stand for?
-FGM stands for Female Genital Mutilation, which is a centuries-old cultural tradition involving the forced cutting or scraping of the genitalia in young girls, leading to lifelong complications.
Why are some women opting for surgery to restore their genitalia?
-Some women with FGM are opting for surgery to restore their genitalia to alleviate complications such as difficulty urinating, menstruating, and to restore sexual feeling.
Who is Dr. Marcy Bowers and what role does she play in this context?
-Dr. Marcy Bowers is a surgeon who has a small part of her practice devoted to women with FGM, performing surgeries to restore their genitalia.
What is the first step Dr. Bowers takes in the surgery described?
-Dr. Bowers' first step in the surgery is to make an incision through the scar tissue to expose any genitalia left underneath.
What is the purpose of the defibrillation procedure performed by Dr. Bowers?
-The purpose of the defibrillation procedure is to address the problem of constriction and narrowing of the genital area, allowing for normal function.
What benefits does the surgery offer to women who have undergone FGM?
-The surgery can offer benefits such as the ability to give birth naturally, urinate and menstruate comfortably, and restore sexual sensation.
What is the significance of the clitoris in the context of the surgery?
-In the context of the surgery, the clitoris is significant because it contains sensitive tissue that, when exposed through a procedure called clitoroplasty, can help restore sexual feeling.
What distinguishes Dr. Bowers' work from other surgeons who perform defibrillations?
-Dr. Bowers' work is distinguished by the inclusion of a procedure called clitoroplasty, which aims to expose sensitive clitoral tissue to restore sexual feeling.
What is Dr. Bowers' personal belief regarding the importance of sensuality and sexuality?
-Dr. Bowers believes that sensuality and sexuality are fundamental human senses, akin to sight, sound, smell, and touch, and restoring these senses through surgery can be enormously beneficial.
What is the final outcome expected for the patient undergoing the surgery described in the script?
-The expected final outcome for the patient is the restoration of normal genital function, including the ability to urinate and menstruate comfortably, and the potential for restored sexual sensation.

Outlines

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🏥 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Restoration Surgery

The script introduces a patient undergoing clitoral plastic surgery to restore her clitoris that was sewn shut due to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). FGM is a cultural tradition involving forced cutting or scraping of young girls' genitalia, causing lifelong complications. The patient is part of a growing number seeking surgical restoration. Dr. Marcy Bowers, a surgeon specializing in FGM cases, performs the procedure to cut through scar tissue and expose any remaining genitalia. The surgery addresses issues like constriction, allowing for natural childbirth, comfortable urination, menstruation, and the restoration of sexual sensation. Dr. Bowers emphasizes the importance of sensuality and sexuality as basic human senses, aiming to restore what was taken away by FGM through a procedure called clitoroplasty.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡FGM

FGM stands for Female Genital Mutilation, which is a culturally rooted practice involving the forced alteration or removal of female genitalia. It is a significant issue due to the severe physical and psychological harm it causes. In the video, FGM is the central theme as it discusses the impact on the patient's life and the surgical procedure to address its consequences.

💡Clotoplasty

Clotoplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to restore the clitoris by exposing sensitive clitoral tissue. It is a part of the broader surgical approach to repairing the damage caused by FGM. In the script, Dr. Bowers performs clitoroplasty to help restore sexual sensation, which is a critical aspect of the patient's recovery and quality of life.

💡Defibrillation

In the context of this video, defibrillation refers to the surgical procedure that involves cutting through scar tissue to expose and restore the genitalia that were constricted or narrowed due to FGM. It is a crucial step in the surgical process to alleviate the physical complications experienced by the patient.

💡Urethral Opening

The urethral opening is the external opening through which urine is expelled from the body. In the script, it is mentioned that due to FGM, the patient's urethral opening was severely constricted, causing her to urinate abnormally. The surgery aims to restore this opening to a more normal state, allowing for comfortable urination.

💡Surgical Restoration

Surgical restoration in this context refers to the medical procedures performed to repair the damage caused by FGM. It includes not only the physical reconstruction of the genitalia but also the improvement of the patient's ability to urinate, menstruate, and potentially restore sexual sensation.

💡Sensuality

Sensuality is the capacity to experience and enjoy physical sensations, including sexual pleasure. In the video, Dr. Bowers emphasizes the importance of restoring sensuality as a basic human sense, which has been compromised by FGM. The surgery aims to give back this aspect of human experience to the patient.

💡Sexual Feeling

Sexual feeling refers to the sensations and pleasure derived from sexual activity. The script discusses the impact of FGM on a woman's ability to experience sexual pleasure and how the surgical procedure can help restore this aspect of her life.

💡Scar Tissue

Scar tissue is the fibrous tissue that forms as a result of healing from an injury or surgery. In the context of the video, the scar tissue is a result of FGM and needs to be cut through during the surgical restoration process to expose the underlying healthy genital tissue.

💡C-Section

A C-section, or cesarean section, is a surgical procedure where a baby is delivered through an incision in the mother's abdomen. The script mentions that one of the benefits of the surgical restoration is the potential for women to give birth naturally instead of having to undergo a C-section due to the constriction caused by FGM.

💡Menstruation

Menstruation is the monthly shedding of the uterine lining in women, which is a part of the reproductive cycle. The script discusses how FGM can make menstruation uncomfortable and how surgical restoration can help alleviate this issue.

💡Dr. Marcy Bowers

Dr. Marcy Bowers is the surgeon featured in the video who specializes in performing surgical restoration for women affected by FGM. She is highlighted for her dedication to restoring not only the physical aspects but also the sensual and sexual aspects of the patients' lives.

Highlights

A patient with female genital mutilation (FGM) is undergoing clitoral plastic surgery to restore her genitalia.

FGM is a centuries-old cultural tradition involving forced cutting or scraping of young girls' genitalia.

Complications from FGM often persist for the rest of the victims' lives.

Dr. Marcy Bowers is a surgeon specializing in restoring genitalia for FGM victims.

Surgery involves cutting through scar tissue to expose any remaining genitalia.

Defibrillation addresses the constriction and narrowing issues caused by FGM.

The surgery can enable women to give birth naturally and urinate comfortably.

Menstruation and sexual feeling can be restored through this procedure.

The hidden damage from FGM is revealed to be extensive but repairable.

Dr. Bowers performs clitoroplasty to expose sensitive clitoral tissue and restore sexual sensation.

Sensuality and sexuality are considered basic human senses by Dr. Bowers.

The surgery aims to restore what was taken away by FGM, akin to restoring sight.

The procedure is likely to be very helpful for the patient's quality of life.

The clitoris is largely intact and can be restored through surgery.

The surgery's impact is profound, giving back a sense of self and humanity to the victims.

A growing number of women with FGM are opting for this restorative surgery.