American Society of Plastic Surgeons denounces sex change surgeries for those under 19

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has disavowed sex change surgeries on those younger than 19 years of age in a newly published statement. The shift comes after the first court case involving medical malpractice ruled in favor of a woman who had her breasts cut off at 16 after being fast-tracked on trans surgeries. 

The statement, published on February 3, 2026, stated in part, "Overall evidence base for gender-related endocrine and surgical interventions is low certainty, and 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," the statement added.

The position is a massive shift, as up to this point the organization had not endorsed a position "for the treatment of children or adolescents with gender dysphoria."

It later adds that most children if they experience gender dysphoria, will "experience resolution or significant reduction of distress by the time they reach adulthood, absent medical or surgical intervention."

The statement from the ASPS also comes a little over a year after the United Kingdom announced a ban on the use of puberty blockers as well as cross-sex hormones for minors.

The Department of Health and Human Services commended the ASPS for taking the position. “We commend the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for standing up to the overmedicalization lobby and defending sound science,” Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said. “By taking this stand, they are helping protect future generations of American children from irreversible harm.” 

“Today marks another victory for biological truth in the Trump administration,” said Deputy Health and Human Services Secretary Jim O’Neill. “The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has set the scientific and medical standard for all provider groups to follow.”