WPATH Standards of Care for FTM/N ‘Sex Reassignment Surgery’ WPATH The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) periodically publishes Standards of Care (SOC) based on the consensus of the best available science and expert professional studies related to the health and care of transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people. The most current edition is the Seventh Edition, released in September 2011. The SOC is an important reference to assist both individuals experiencing gender dysphoria and those in medical and other support roles who seek to understand the many varied aspects of the trans experience. The entire edition is freely available for anyone to read and download in 19 languages. …

The Informed Consent Model for Gender-Affirming Surgery Informed consent is a particularly important process for transgender, non-binary and gender-non conforming people because it gives them autonomy over their own healthcare. Historically, the trans and gender non-conforming community has had a difficult time accessing quality, gender-affirming health care in part because of gatekeeping and discrimination on behalf of mental health providers and medical professionals. Therapist-mediated support and the therapeutic process can be highly valuable in the gender transition journey. The informed consent model honors patients’ self-knowledge and ability to make informed decisions regarding medical interventions they want to access. The GCC acknowledges that, regardless of insurance coverage requirements, adults who have …

Hormone Therapy and Surgery A good place to start when looking for  more information about gender confirming surgery and other medical interventions is to review the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care (SOC), Version VIII. This edition is freely available for viewing online as a PDF. The WPATH SOC guidelines are an important reference for both individuals who desire gender affirming medical care, as well as anyone else interested in the topic or wanting to support trans loved ones.  Many US-based health insurance companies base their coverage of gender affirming medical interventions on the WPATH SOCs, so it can be helpful to be familiar with them.  …

Surgery and Health Status: Am I Eligible for Gender-Affirming Surgery? An ideal candidate for surgery is someone who is both physically and emotionally healthy. Our surgeons will be able to determine your eligibility following a free, virtual consultation and a discussion of your medical history. During your consultation, it is important to provide your surgeon with details on your current health, including any current prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, or supplements you may be taking. Certain medications may interfere with blood clotting or other medications used during surgery. Your surgeon  will let you know if any of your current medications must be discontinued prior to surgery. Our surgeons evaluate  patients on a …