The moment the bandages were removed to reveal a trans man’s chest as he cried with joy has been caught on camera.

Sol Hall, 22, underwent gender-affirming surgery on February 17; his reaction was recorded after the operation in Melbourne.

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The clip shows the nurse unzipping the protective padding and bandages as Sol looks down to suddenly lie his head back in a wash of relief in what was the biggest hurdle in his transition.

The nurse asked Sol “have you been waiting for this for a while?” as he nods his head in confirmation with tears streaming down his face.

Sol said: “I’m lying in my hospital bed as a nurse unzips my post-op binder and pulls away the padding underneath, revealing my post-op chest for the first time.

“This was the biggest (and, for now, the final) hurdle in my transition.

“Immediately I felt a massive burden lift from my shoulders, metaphorically and literally.

“Relief washed over me and it felt like I could breath and relax for the first time in a long time.

“I realised that, although it felt completely surreal, it also felt so natural.”

Sol cried with joy as the bandages came off. Credit: Caters News Agency / Caters News Agency

Sol had been struggling with gender dysphoria, especially with his chest, and knew that the surgery would the final breakthrough in his transition.

He has been on HRT for 11 months and legally changed his name in October 2019, with the surgery another huge step for him in being his authentic self.

Sol will start university this year brimming with confidence.

Sol and Xan. Credit: Caters News Agency / Caters News Agency

He continued: “Seeing other people’s surgery reveals is what made me initially realise that my assigned gender at birth didn’t align with my true identity.

“I am already almost 11 months on HRT, and I legally changed my name back in October 2019, so for me to truly live as my authentic self, this was the last significant step for me to take.

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“My dysphoria was always the worst when it came to my chest and it stopped me from experiencing life to the fullest for so long, whether I directly knew that or not.

“I am already extremely hopeful for my future, which is something that I haven’t felt for a very long time.”