Dr. Daniel J. Freet
Gender-Affirming Masculinizing Surgery in Iowa City
Dr. Daniel J. Freet, MD, FACS is a board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon who offers the full spectrum of masculinizing gender-affirming surgeries at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. As part of the nationally recognized University of Iowa Health Care LGBTQ Clinic, Dr. Freet provides Top Surgery, Phalloplasty, and Facial Masculinization Surgery in a compassionate, multidisciplinary setting.
Dr. Freet is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the >World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). With years of advanced microsurgical training, Dr. Freet performs complex gender-affirming procedures and is actively involved in resident education and research.
Masculinizing Surgeries
Dr. Freet offers a wide range of gender-affirming surgeries, customized to each patient’s anatomy and goals:
Top Surgery
- Keyhole & Peri-areolar – Ideal for individuals with smaller chest size and good skin elasticity.
- Double Incision with Free Nipple Grafts – Most common option for medium to large chest sizes.
- Inverted-T / Anchor Incision – Best for patients with significant skin laxity or ptosis.
Phalloplasty
Dr. Freet offers multiple flap options for phalloplasty, each tailored to your anatomy and preferences:
- Radial Forearm Free Flap (RFF)
- Anterolateral Thigh Flap (ALT)
- Abdominal Phalloplasty
- Combined Abdominal/Forearm Phalloplasty – A hybrid approach using abdominal skin and forearm urethral tissue to reduce donor site burden while preserving urethral function.
- Musculocutaneous Latissimus Dorsi (MLD) Flap
- Groin Flap
- Fibula Flap (for specialized cases)
Phalloplasty procedures may include:
- Glansplasty – Creation of the glans (head of the penis)
- Urethroplasty – Urethral extension for standing urination
- Scrotoplasty – Creation of a scrotum using local tissue flaps
- Testicular Implants – Silicone implants placed within the scrotum
Body Masculinization
- Body Contouring & Liposuction
- Mons Resection – Reduces pubic mound fullness and enhances phallic projection
Facial Masculinization Surgery
Procedures to masculinize facial features, which may include forehead lengthening, jaw and chin augmentation, and Adam’s apple enhancement.
Multidisciplinary Surgical Team
Dr. Freet works alongside a coordinated team that includes:
- Gynecologist – Performs Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy
- Urologist – Assists with urethral and genital reconstruction
- Allied health providers – For hormone support, counseling, and perioperative care
Surgery Requirements
Dr. Freet follows the WPATH Standards of Care. Most procedures require one or two letters from qualified mental health professionals recommending surgery.
Insurance Accepted
The University of Iowa accepts a broad range of insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Patients are encouraged to confirm coverage details with the UI Health Care billing department.
Booking a Consultation
Dr. Freet is available for both virtual and in-person consultations. During the consult, you’ll discuss your gender goals and surgical options in detail. A surgery date can usually be booked within weeks of your consultation. Contact Dr. Freet's office to arrange your consultation.
Patient Testimonials
"Dr. Freet and his team did an incredible job on my FTM Top Surgery, and were very patient with my ever-changing financial situation. He answered all of me and my wife's questions and really put us at ease before and after the surgery. If I have any questions they're always answered within a day. He's incredibly mindful of patients comfort with being touched/looked at. A nurse even told me that he pushed the whole hospital to learn how to care for transgender patients." - Jonah A.
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