62 - Breaking News - Medical Associations Change Course
Over the Rhine, a singer-songwriting duo, has a lyric “I’m looking forward to lookin’ back on this day.” This is one of those days when we have something good to look back on.
In a groundbreaking announcement, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) posted on Feb. 3rd that it no longer recommends plastic surgery and casts doubts on hormonal interventions for minors in an attempt to resolve their insecurity or discomfort with their gender. The full position statement can be read here.[1]
A few highlights include the consideration of systematic reviews revealing little evidence for the effectiveness of these procedures:
During this period, clinical practice progressed amid growing patient demand and an evolving understanding of the evidence base, particularly with respect to long-term outcomes in pediatric and adolescent populations. More recently, a number of international health systems and professional bodies initiated formal re-examinations of earlier clinical practice assumptions in response to changes in patient presentation and a growing uncertainty about the benefits of medical and surgical interventions. Systematic reviews and evidence reassessments have subsequently identified limitations in study quality, consistency, and follow-up alongside emerging evidence of treatment complications and potential harms.[2]
Consideration is also given to what benefits these individuals in the long run:
This position statement does not seek to , in one day, minimize the reality of any patient’s distress, and it does not question the authenticity of any patient’s experience. Instead, ASPS affirms that truly humane, ethical, and just care, particularly for children and adolescents, must balance compassion with scientific rigor, developmental considerations, and concern for long-term welfare.[3]
It is as if the adults have finally entered the room.
A list of ethical risks is given:
1. Clarity of indication and uncertainty of natural history. (Referring to the lack of a definitive or verifiable diagnosis for “gender dysphoria.”[4])
2. Claimed primary benefit. (Surgery has taken precedence over less invasive treatment to address psychological/psychosocial issues, exposing children to risky procedures.)
3. Direction of uncertainty and ethical implications. (Notice has been given of the harms of these plastic surgeries.)
4. Irreversibility and long-term medical dependency. (These procedures cannot be reversed and lead to the need for continued medical care.)
5. Relationship to adolescent development and capacity for informed consent. (Children cannot provide informed consent about things they cannot understand.)
6. Urgency framing and ethics of delay. (There are faulty assumptions pressuring individuals to agree to these procedures.)
“…pediatric gender-related interventions are sometimes characterized as ‘life-saving,’ including claims that withholding or delaying the intervention substantially increases suicide risk.27,28 Because the best available evidence indicates suicide deaths are fortunately rare29,30 and the incremental impact of surgery on suicide prevention is unknown31, ethical decision-making should not be driven by crisis claims. Instead, the ethically appropriate posture for plastic surgeons is greater caution.”[5]
Clearly outlining these things brings a breath of fresh air to those who have seen the massive mistake being made by those pushing “gender affirmative care.” (A report on the devastating nature of these surgical procedures will be in an upcoming edition of R4R.).
Here is the conclusive statement of the ASPS in their position paper:
“…in light of recent publications reporting very low/low certainty of evidence regarding mental health outcomes, along with emerging concerns about potential long-term harms and the irreversible nature of surgical interventions in a developmentally vulnerable population, ASPS concludes there is insufficient evidence demonstrating a favorable risk-benefit ratio for the pathway of gender-related endocrine and surgical interventions in children and adolescents. ASPS recommends that surgeons delay gender-related breast/chest, genital, and facial surgery until a patient is at least 19 years old.[6]” [Emphasis theirs.]
In further good news, later that same day, the American Medical Association (AMA) was quoted by the National Review to concur with the ASPS:
The AMA said in a statement to National Review that because “the evidence for gender-affirming surgical intervention in minors is insufficient for us to make a definitive statement… the AMA agrees with ASPS that surgical interventions in minors should be generally deferred to adulthood.”
The AMA supports “evidence-based treatment,” including other types of gender-affirming care for minors, the organization added.[7]
For years, activists have leaned on the fact that “all the major medical associations agree” with the medicalization of children who have insecurity or confusion about their gender. Now in one day two of these major organizations have changed course.
Five days before the ASPS and AMA’s announcements, a New York jury decided for the plaintiff, Fox Varian, who underwent a double mastectomy when she was 16 years old in 2019 in an effort to “affirm” her gender. After regretting this procedure, she sued both her psychologist and surgeon, who were found liable for malpractice. Varian was awarded $2 million in damages after the jury determined the providers rushed the surgery, failed to address underlying mental health issues, and did not obtain adequate informed consent.[8] This was the first victory in such a case, with up to 28 more cases currently active across the US.[9]
While there is no direct connection between the success of the Varian lawsuit and the decisions of the ASPS and AMA to change their recommendations, the timing certainly is interesting.
Please pray for those who have unfortunately undergone these procedures, who have or will come to regret their decision. Pray also for their families and friends, and for Christians in their circles to point them to Jesus. Let us keep those medical and mental health associations that have not yet changed course to do so soon, and for their recommendations to avoid medicalization to be extended to adults with gender confusion/insecurity as well.
[1] https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/health-policy/positions/2026-gender-surgery-children-adolescents.pdf
[2] Ibid. pg 1
[3] Ibid. pg 2
[4] Ibid, pg 5: “…there are currently no validated methods that allow clinicians to reliably distinguish children and adolescents whose distress will persist from those whose distress will resolve without medical or surgical intervention.”
[5] Ibid. pg 4-5
[6] Ibid.
[7] https://www.nationalreview.com/news/first-major-medical-org-comes-out-against-trans-surgeries-for-minors/
[8] https://nypost.com/2026/01/31/us-news/detransitioner-wins-2-million-against-new-york-docs-who-pushed-double-mastectomy/
[9] https://www.christianpost.com/news/first-detransitioner-malpractice-lawsuit-leads-to-2m-award.html
