Surgeon Apologizes for Silence on Gender Surgery for Minors
A plastic surgeon who trained at NYU Langone Health has expressed regret for not speaking out while observing minors, specifically 13-year-olds, undergo what he described as “irreversible” gender reassignment surgeries.
“As a father of three young kids and a physician dedicated to non-harm, it was tough to stay quiet. I appreciate President Trump for clarifying this issue,” Dr. Ira Savetsky stated during an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”
His remarks came shortly after a Manhattan hospital halted its transgender treatment program for young patients, a move prompted by threats from the Trump administration to withdraw federal funding for such treatments.
Savetsky shared that he had reservations about these procedures but chose not to vocalize them due to a culture that discourages dissent in top medical programs like NYU Langone Health.
“Being in the top plastic surgery program creates a certain pressure. You’re just thankful to be there. There’s little room for your own voice,” he explained. “You work hard to achieve this and prefer not to stir the pot.”
He also conveyed concern about the intense pressure that medical institutions place on the parents of children questioning their gender identity, often implying that these children might resort to suicide if they don’t receive transition-related treatments.
“I can only imagine what these parents are experiencing. They are often told that without surgery, their child could take drastic actions,” he commented.
“These families are under immense stress. They’ve dedicated themselves to what they believe is best for their child. Unfortunately, there seems to be a significant financial interest driving these institutions,” he added.
An NYU Langone spokesperson refrained from addressing Savetsky’s statements, reiterating that the hospital would cease its transgender treatment program for minors.
“Due to the recent resignation of our medical director and the current regulatory climate, we’ve made the tough choice to discontinue our Transgender Youth Health Program. We remain committed to supporting our patients as they navigate this change. Our pediatric mental health care program will continue uninterrupted,” the spokesperson concluded.
