Regret

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Richman on February 20, 2024. 

Regret in surgery refers to negative feelings that occur about some part of the post-operative period. It is usually temporary but may also be long-lasting. To better understand regret after a gender-affirming procedure, it can be helpful to think about it in three forms: true gender regret (regret at having transitioned), social regret (caused by external pressure often placed on trans people by their families and wider society) and medical regret (resulting from something like an unforeseen medical complication). Regret, dysphoria and detransition are separate phenomena that should not be automatically associated.

Incidence of Regret:

According to the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care Version 8, rates of regret after gender surgery are exceedingly low at around 1% incidence. A total of 27 studies including a total of 7,928 transgender patients who underwent any type of Gender Affirming Surgery were used to record the percentage of regret. Conversely, general rates of regret for all medical and cosmetic surgeries is reported around 14%. For transgender patients, it is suggested that rates of regret have decreased over time as treatment options and methods have improved. In order to provide comprehensive care, according to the WPATH, despite regret being uncommon, patients should be aware of the potential risk.

A study, published in ‘Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery’, the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, found that 99.7% of trans people who had undergone surgery experienced satisfaction with the outcome. The study also concluded that an environment that normalizes authentic gender expression, affirming each individual’s surgical goals without any judgment, is fundamental in mitigating against regret.

Providing Support:

At the GCC, we strive to create a safe and inclusive space for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or expression. Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive care, including support for individuals who express feelings of regret. While we at the GCC often do not have control over external or societal factors that may contribute to regret, we are committed to providing support every step of the way. Before surgery, it is important for patients to have discussions with their surgeon and care team to ensure they have realistic expectations about their surgery, including discussions on outcomes, risks, benefits, and recovery. We offer free, virtual consultations with our board-certified surgeons to make these conversations more accessible. At the GCC we follow the informed consent model. We take patient surgical education very seriously to make sure that the individuals we treat are able to make the best decisions for themselves. Regular post-operative check-ins are utilized for all patients to provide ongoing care. Should further support be necessary, a multifaceted approach including mental health support, medical support, and peer/home support should be utilized. Not to mention, the high-caliber of care we provide has made us a destination for many trans and gender non-conforming patients seeking a revision.