In a move that is already reshaping one of the most contentious debates in American medicine, a major professional group of surgeons has urged doctors to delay gender-related surgeries for minors until they reach adulthood. The recommendation, issued in early February, reflects growing uncertainty within parts of the medical community about how best to treat young patients experiencing gender dysphoria.
The guidance came from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the largest organization representing plastic surgeons in the United States. In a new position statement, the group advised that gender-related chest, genital, and facial surgeries generally be postponed until patients are at least 19 years old.
The organization said its recommendation was based on what it described as insufficient evidence showing a clear balance of benefits over risks for these procedures in adolescents. It pointed to concerns about the irreversible nature of surgery, the still-developing bodies and minds of young patients, and what it called low-certainty data on long-term mental-health outcomes.
The statement marked a notable shift in tone for a large U.S. medical association. According to reporting, the surgeons’ group acknowledged that its new position diverges from the approach taken by some other major organizations, which continue to support individualized treatment plans for transgender youth without strict age cutoffs.
The plastic surgeons’ guidance is not a binding clinical rule. Instead, it serves as professional advice to the group’s more than 11,000 members as they navigate a politically and medically charged issue.
The American Medical Association, the nation’s largest doctors’ group, signaled partial agreement, saying that surgical interventions for minors should generally be deferred to adulthood due to limited evidence.
Despite the intensity of the debate, gender-related surgeries for minors remain relatively uncommon. Most medical interventions for transgender youth involve counseling, social transition, or hormone-related treatments rather than surgery.
Still, the issue has become a political flashpoint. Several U.S. states have passed laws restricting youth access to gender-affirming treatments, and federal policymakers have proposed limits on public funding for such care.
The surgeons’ recommendation also reflects a broader international trend. Countries including the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Finland have moved toward more cautious or research-focused approaches for minors after reviews of available evidence.
Not all medical groups agree with the new recommendation. Organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health continue to support carefully managed, case-by-case care for adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria.
These groups argue that treatment decisions should remain individualized and based on each patient’s circumstances, mental health, and clinical assessment rather than a fixed age threshold.
The plastic surgeons’ statement itself emphasized that it was not intended to deny the experiences of transgender patients. Instead, the organization said its goal was to balance compassion with scientific evidence, developmental considerations, and long-term welfare.
The new guidance arrives amid lawsuits, policy changes, and political battles across the United States, suggesting that the question of how and when to provide gender-related medical care to minors will remain a central issue in both medicine and public life.
Sana A. is a medical student, writer, and journalist with a strong passion for healthcare reporting and a deep commitment to covering current events across the United States. As a contributor to Los Angeles Headlines, she focuses specifically on medical news, health policy, and emerging trends in the healthcare industry.
