Dr. Aran Yoo
Fellowship-Trained Gender Surgeon in Arizona
Dr. Aran Yoo, MD, is a dedicated plastic surgeon at The Meltzer Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, specializing exclusively in gender-affirming procedures. She and her experienced team provide inclusive, high-quality surgical care for transgender and nonbinary individuals. Dr. Yoo offers Top Surgery, as well as Metoidioplasty and Phalloplasty.
Education and Training
- B.S. in Biological Sciences and B.A. in English, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Medical degree, University of Illinois College of Medicine
- Residency, LSU Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Residency Program
- One-year fellowship in gender surgery with Dr. Toby Meltzer, a highly experienced plastic surgeon who has performed countless gender-affirming surgeries over the past 30 years.
FTM Top Surgery and Masculinization Procedures
Dr. Yoo offers the three most common FTM Top
Surgery techniques: Double Incision with
nipple grafts, Peri-Areolar, and Keyhole. She
is happy to discuss which approach best aligns
with your surgical goals.
In addition to Top Surgery, Dr. Yoo provides
Body Masculinization Surgery (BMS), a
procedure that uses liposuction to create a
more masculine body contour by targeting areas
such as the hips, buttocks, flanks, and
thighs. While not a substitute for weight
loss, BMS can refine body shape when diet and
exercise alone haven’t achieved the desired
results. When performed alongside Top Surgery,
BMS can further enhance the masculine
appearance of the mid and upper body.
If you’re considering Facial Masculinization Surgery (FMS), Dr. Yoo can help. FMS is a set of procedures designed to create more traditionally masculine facial features by enhancing angularity, definition, and prominence. While FMS is performed less frequently than Facial Feminization Surgery—since testosterone can naturally masculinize facial features over time—it can be highly effective for the right patient.
The most common FMS procedures include jawline enhancement and chin augmentation, using either facial implants or bone contouring. Non-surgical options, such as Botox and dermal fillers, can also provide subtle masculinization. While these injectables are not as long-lasting or transformative as surgery, they can be an affirming option for those who are not ready or unable to undergo a surgical procedure.
Metoidioplasty and Phalloplasty
Metoidioplasty is a gender-affirming surgery that utilizes testosterone-induced clitoral growth to create a small phallus. The procedure involves releasing the clitoral ligament to allow for greater extension, a technique known as Simple Metoidioplasty or Simple Release. When combined with urethral lengthening, it is referred to as Full Metoidioplasty.
Additional procedures can enhance the results, including Scrotoplasty (creating a scrotum), insertion of testicular implants, and Mons Resection, which removes excess fat and tissue from the mons pubis to improve the phallus’s visibility and positioning.
Dr. Yoo performs two Phalloplasty techniques: Groin Flap Phalloplasty and Radial Forearm Flap Phalloplasty. While they’re both surgeries that create a penis using tissue from a donor site, they are quite different in terms of staging, sensory outcomes, donor site scarring, and the ability to support urethral lengthening.
Comparison of Groin Flap and Radial Forearm Flap Phalloplasty
| Key Factors | Groin Flap Phalloplasty | RFF Phalloplasty |
|---|---|---|
| Donor Site & Surgical Approach | Uses tissue from both the left and right groin, shaped into a tube and gradually released from the body over multiple surgeries. | Uses a free flap from the forearm, which is completely removed and reattached to blood vessels in the groin area. |
| Number of Stages | Requires at least three stages to fully release the phallus from the body. | Often performed in a single stage (plus a second stage for implants.) |
| Sensation & Nerve Connection | Does not involve nerve connections for erogenous sensation, though some touch sensation may develop. | Provides the best opportunity for erogenous sensation due to reliable nerve connections and a high density of sensory receptors in the forearm. |
| Urethral Lengthening | Requires an additional forearm flap to construct the urethra if urethral lengthening is desired. | Supports single-stage urethral lengthening, making it the preferred option for those wanting to stand to urinate. |
| Donor Site Scarring | Has discreet scars that are easily concealed. | Leaves a noticeable scar on the forearm. |
Which Procedure is Right for You?
- Choose Groin Flap Phalloplasty if you prioritize minimal visible scarring and are comfortable with a staged approach and reduced erogenous sensation.
- Choose RFF Phalloplasty if you want the best chance of erogenous sensation and single-stage urethral lengthening, but don’t mind a visible forearm scar.
Consultations with Dr. Yoo
Phone, virtual, and in-person consultations
are available for a fee of $100. The current
wait time for consultations is approximately
three months, with surgery dates scheduled 3-6
months later.
Payment Options and Insurance
The Meltzer Clinic accepts cash, credit card,
checks, and medical financing, such as
CareCredit. They also work with several
insurance providers, including Kaiser (WA and
GA), Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna.
Surgery Requirements
Dr. Yoo is a member of the World Professional
Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
and follows the WPATH Standards of Care.
Requirements for surgery include:
- A letter of recommendation from a qualified mental health provider.
- Age 18 and over.
- Good physical and mental health.
- No smoking.
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