Girl undergoes sex change operation at 17

After living as a girl for 17 years, Bhavika is going to get a new life - she will become a male and will be known as Naresh. She has to undergo a three-stage surgery to get the new life.

Bhavika hails from Magharvada village in Keshod of Junagadh district. For 17 years she was living a girl’s life before the doctors found that genetically she is a male and not a female.

“The surgery is divided into three stages and can be classified as ‘cosmetic’ and hence is a costly procedure,” says the medical practitioner connected with the process.

Bhavika will be present at Rajkot on Wednesday at a press conference called by Dr. Jitendra Amlani, the urologist who performed the surgery.

Medical science says that the earlier the genetic problem is identified and cured the better it is for the person’s physical and mental well-being.

Dr Amlani says: “There are chances that Bhavika will also have a functional reproductive system.” He adds, “The entire sex change operation takes 5 to 6 months. We have completed the first phase and she will have to wait for another two before the sex is changed.” Dr. Amlani has performed two similar operations in the past.   

(Names changed)