Plastic surgeons’ group recommends delaying trans procedures

A leading group for the plastic surgery industry recommended that surgeons delay gender-transition procedures until a patient is 19 years old. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, known as ASPS, published a position statement on Tuesday on transgender procedures, including gender-related surgeries on the face, genitals, breasts, and chest. The ASPS said there was substantial uncertainty on whether the benefits outweigh the risks for children’s gender-related surgical interventions and hormonal gender-affirming care. The group represents more than 11,000 physicians globally.

ASPS’ statement follows just days after a New York jury awarded $2 million to a detransitioned woman in a medical malpractice case.

Why did the ASPS recommend waiting for transgender procedures? The group said that evidence showed a substantial number of children with gender dysphoria have a significant reduction of distress by the time they reach adulthood. Also, the ASPS pushed back on the idea that patient preference should lead in the treatment of minors. Patient autonomy is the right of a patient to accept or refuse appropriate treatment, the ASPS said. It does not create an obligation for a physician to provide gender-related surgical interventions.

The group based its position on a review from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the U.K. Cass Review. Both studies have been divisive, receiving praise from some medical experts and criticism from others on their methodology.

What has the response been to the group’s recommendation? The Trump administration praised the ASPS for protecting children from harmful sex-rejecting procedures. In a statement, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. said the ASPS is protecting kids from irreversible harm. Deputy Health and Human Services Secretary Jim O’Neill added that this marks a victory for biological truth.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Black’s report on the investigation into Johns Hopkins’ transgender procedures on children.