Plastic Surgeons Group Opposes Youth Gender Surgeries

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons cites insufficient evidence of favorable risk-benefit ratios for gender-related procedures on minors.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:31pm

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The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has become the first major medical association to recommend against permanent gender surgeries for minors, following the first successful medical malpractice lawsuit by a detransitioner. The lawsuit victory has raised questions about potential liability for medical providers who perform gender-related procedures on minors.

Why it matters

This decision by the plastic surgeons' group highlights growing concerns about the long-term impacts of irreversible gender-related interventions on minors, and could have significant implications for the medical community and the ongoing debate around transgender youth healthcare.

The details

The ASPS position statement cited insufficient evidence demonstrating favorable risk-benefit ratios for gender-related endocrine and surgical interventions in children and adolescents. This follows recent comprehensive evidence reviews, including a 2025 HHS report and the 2024 Cass Review commissioned by NHS England. The ASPS opposed criminalization of medical care but advised members to remain aware of varying state laws on the issue.

  • In 2026, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons released its position statement.
  • In 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published a report on treatment for pediatric gender dysphoria.
  • In 2024, the Cass Review was commissioned by NHS England to examine the evidence on gender-related interventions for minors.

The players

American Society of Plastic Surgeons

A major medical association that has become the first to recommend against permanent gender surgeries for minors.

Fox Varian

A 22-year-old who was awarded $2 million after suing New York doctors who she says pushed her into a double mastectomy at age 16 when she identified as male, and later detransitioned.

Chloe Cole

An activist who underwent similar procedures as a teenager and later detransitioned, and has filed her own lawsuit against Kaiser Permanente.

Matt Sharp

Senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, who said the verdict sends a message that children harmed by such procedures 'are entitled to justice, and those that did the harm are going to be held accountable.'

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What they’re saying

“She deserves every single bit of justice that she gets, if not more.”

— Chloe Cole, Activist (NewsNation)

“This is a watershed moment to finally hold the wrongdoers accountable.”

— Matt Sharp, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom (NewsNation)

“No matter how much any of us are compensated, it is never going to bring back time. We are never going to be able to relive our childhoods or get our innocence or healthy body parts back.”

— Chloe Cole, Activist (NewsNation)

What’s next

The ASPS has committed to ongoing review of emerging evidence and said it would reassess its recommendations if higher-quality data demonstrate clear benefits with acceptable risks for gender-related interventions on minors.

The takeaway

This decision by the plastic surgeons' group reflects growing concerns about the long-term impacts of irreversible gender-related interventions on minors, and could have significant implications for the medical community and the ongoing debate around transgender youth healthcare.