ASPS Opposes Transgender Surgeries for Minors
On Tuesday, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) expressed its opposition to transgender surgeries for minors. They stated that irreversible procedures for individuals experiencing gender dysphoria should be postponed until at least age 19.
In its revised guidance, the ASPS noted growing uncertainty regarding the advantages of medical and surgical treatments for transgender youth. They highlighted deficiencies in research quality, consistency, follow-up, and new findings about potential complications and risks associated with these treatments.
The organization’s document asserts, “ASPS concludes that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate a favorable risk-benefit ratio for gender-related routes of endocrine and surgical intervention in children and adolescents.” It then recommends that surgeons delay gender-related surgeries related to breast/chest, genital, and facial modifications until patients reach 19 years old.
Member physicians, totaling over 11,000 globally, found that many children diagnosed with gender dysphoria before puberty may experience relief or significantly reduced distress as they transition into adulthood, often without needing medical or surgical intervention.
Additionally, ASPS referenced a previous Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) article stating that the rapid establishment of clinical protocols for pediatric transgender medicine lacks adequate scientific and ethical grounding.
While ASPS continues to advocate for medical freedom and opposes criminalizing medical practices, they urged plastic surgeons to be mindful of state laws concerning transgender and gender-diverse individuals.
HHS praised the ASPS for its lawsuit regarding denied treatment for children’s sexual refusal, with Department of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. commending the organization for resisting an overly medicalized approach and promoting sound science. He emphasized the need to protect future generations of children from irreparable harm.
In the broader context, Mehmet Oz, an administrator at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, stated that ASPS is “on the right side of history by opposing these dangerous and unscientific experiments.” He drew a comparison between current methods of treating minors and historical practices like lobotomies.
Recently, 27 states have enacted laws limiting young people’s access to transgender medical care. Out of these, 24 impose penalties on healthcare professionals who conduct transgender-related procedures on minors. However, most of these laws face legal challenges, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
