More Teens get Breast Implants than Trans Top Surgery
Across the country, Republican legislators have pushed to limit or completely ban gender-affirming care for transgender individuals.
Those hit hardest by the restrictions are also the youngest members of the community — trans teenagers.Just this year, Arizona and Alabama have passed laws criminalizing gender-related surgery on patients under the age of 18.
Florida is currently considering a similar ban, with Gov. Ron DeSantis claiming that doctors should be sued for “disfiguring” children, despite medical institutions explicitly condemning transgender healthcare restrictions.While genital surgery on minors is exceptionally rare, top surgery, the practice of breast augmentation or reduction, is becoming more common.
Many studies conclude that mastectomies are an "invaluable" tool for transgender men, but research on the effects in trans youth is not yet widely available due to the infancy of the practice.The small studies that have been conducted on masculinizing chest surgery largely suggest that the operation "alleviates suffering and improves functioning" in transgender youth, though medical professionals have been unable to reach a consensus on minimum age guidelines for the procedure.A study on chest reconstruction and dysphoria in transgender minors from the pediatric gender clinic at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles concluded: "Professional guidelines and clinical practice should consider patients for chest surgery based on individual need rather than chronologic age."The study surveyed 136 transgender patients, ages 13 to 25, half of whom had top surgery.
