Transgender Surgeries in US Nearly Tripled in 3 Years

Transgender Surgeries in US Nearly Tripled in 3 Years
"Gender-affirming" surgeries have become lucrative business, but that raises ethical questions as research reveals problems with complications and quality of life.UfaBizPhoto/Shutterstock
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Transgender surgeries nearly tripled in the United States between 2016 and 2019, with breast and chest procedures accounting for 56.6 percent of all operations, results of a study published Wednesday in the JAMA Network Open show.

Close behind was genital reconstruction, making up 35.1 percent, followed by facial and cosmetic procedures at 13.9 percent. The greatest number of procedures overall were undergone by women, 19- to 30-year-olds, people with private insurance, and people with higher incomes. Most procedures occurred in the West and were performed in urban teaching hospitals.

Mary Gillis
Mary Gillis
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Mary Elizabeth Gillis is a health reporter and cardiopulmonary specialist with over a decade of experience. After graduating with her doctorate in applied physiology, she earned a master of science degree in journalism from Columbia University.
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