American Society of Plastic Surgeons Warns Against Transgender Surgeries for Minors

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has reaffirmed its position against performing transgender surgeries on minors, extending its previous guidance. Dr. Sheila Nazarian emphasized this update aligns with a growing trend towards prioritizing scientific evidence over ideological motivations. She explained, “They are truly evaluating the evidence which shows that the benefits do not outweigh the harms, and the current evidence is of low or poor quality.”

This updated guideline from ASPS, released on Tuesday, advocates for delaying irreversible gender-related surgeries until individuals reach at least 19 years of age. Supporting their stance with data from European studies, the ASPS detailed concerns regarding the long-term outcomes of these procedures on minors.

“These are kids we’re talking about,” said Dr. Nazarian during her appearance on “Fox & Friends.”

Adding to the conversation, Dr. Nazarian pointed out that several “progressive-leaning” countries in Europe, such as England, Sweden, and Finland, have already limited such surgical procedures for minors based on long-term research, which also influenced the ASPS’s stance.

When questioned about the previous allowance of these procedures without strong evidence of their mental health benefits, Dr. Nazarian shared her initial belief in their propriety until she inquired further about supporting data. She discovered the decision to proceed with surgeries often prioritized financial and ideological motives, rather than patient wellbeing.

“Hospital systems and physicians performing these surgeries have profited significantly,” she contended. Dr. Nazarian also expressed concern regarding the lack of adequate informed consent given to many minors undergoing these procedures, particularly for those with coexisting mental health or developmental conditions.

She criticized the narrative presented to parents, suggesting it was emotionally manipulative. Citing statistics, Nazarian revealed, “Between 30 to 60% of these children also had concurrent medical, mental, or behavioral diagnoses like autism, depression, or anxiety.” She added that parents were often misled into believing that the only options were accepting a transgender child or risking greater harm.

“There’s no evidence proving these procedures reduce suicidality,” she stated, concluding that those affected may have grounds for legal action.

Taylor Penley contributed to this report as an associate editor at Fox News.