locations may be suture sites; irritation of these sites may increase likelihood of infection. There are pre- and post-operative steps that can be taken to minimize complications from vaginectomy. For example, other procedures that are often performed in conjunction with vaginectomy, such as metoidioplasty and phallourethroplasty, can be performed in two stages to increase the likelihood of a favorable cosmetic outcome. Also, waiting for a period of time after completing a procedure, usually a minimum of 4 months, ensures that the person undergoing the surgery is clear of infections or risk thereof. Thus, procedures towards the end of the gender affirmation process, such as penile prosthesis placement, are usually done separately. For people with vaginal cancer, vaginectomy can be done partially, instead of radically, depending on the individual person's need as determined by the tumor's size, location, and stage. For example, some people had simple hysterectomy (a procedure that removes a uterus) and then discovered cervical cancer. At this point, upper vaginectomy - along with other suggested procedures such as lymphadenectomy (a procedure that removes lymph nodes) - may be suggested to people who would prefer to keep ovarian function intact. This is an option depending on the invasiveness and severity of the disease and is specifically for individuals with stage I cancer in the upper vagina. Techniques Vaginectomy procedures are described by the amount of vaginal tissue removed from an individual which is dependent on the reason for surgery. Removal of cancerous tissue For vaginectomy as a treatment to cancer, tissue is removed in response to the extent of the cancer. A partial vaginectomy removes only the outer most layers of tissue and is performed if the abnormal cells are only found at the skin level. For example, individuals with rectal cancer may that has spread to vaginal tissue may undergo a partial vaginectomy in which the posterior wall of the vagina near the anus is removed. A surgeon will make an incision on the abdomen in order to reach the vagina for removal. The operation to remove vaginal tissue will typically happen with at the same time as a colostomy and a abdominoperineal resection in which a portion of the colon is rediverted into a colostomy bag and the rectum is removed. A partial vaginectomy leaves much of the muscles in the vagina intact and can be followed by a vaginal reconstruction surgery. If more invasive cancer is