Dr. Sherman Leis bills himself as "one of the world's leading transgender surgeons." Also, when I was a kid, he once put a couple plastic stitches in the bridge of my nose (freak golfing accident), and he did a lovely job. So I was interested to read what he had to say about what Chelsea Manning faces in her transitioning process.

Recently, many in the news media reported about Bradley Manning identifying as a transgender woman and wishing to be called Chelsea Manning. Many of the stories seemed to imply that a wish and a name change is all that’s needed for a transgender person to transition. This over simplification is likely to create a misleading impression among those unfamiliar with transgender people and the transitioning process, even trivializing the heart-rending journey that often begins with coming to terms with the fact that one is born of a gender in the wrong body and the search for balance.

Observed Dr. Sherman Leis, one of the world’s leading transgender surgeons and founder of The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery, “If only saying so could make transitioning happen. Gender dysphoria is a serious human condition. If more people could understand the heartache endured by so many pre-surgery transgender people, we might dramatically reduce the extraordinarily high suicide rate among this group. So powerful a fix is transgender surgery that once it happens, this rate drops to near normal and most transgender people become relatively happy, normal people. If only we could make transitioning available to all who need it.”

I've posted Dr. Leis' whole press release after the jump, in which he outlines the process his patients go through. It's not particularly detailed from a surgical perspective, but it's a good starting point for those who want to understand the various steps.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NOT SO FAST, CHELSEA MANNING . . .
3 REQUIREMENTS BEFORE TRANSGENDER SURGERY,
ACCORDING TO DR. SHERMAN LEIS, ACCLAIMED TRANSGENDER SURGEON


(Bala Cynwyd, PA) Recently, many in the news media reported about Bradley Manning identifying as a transgender woman and wishing to be called Chelsea Manning. Many of the stories seemed to imply that a wish and a name change is all that’s needed for a transgender person to transition. This over simplification is likely to create a misleading impression among those unfamiliar with transgender people and the transitioning process, even trivializing the heart-rending journey that often begins with coming to terms with the fact that one is born of a gender in the wrong body and the search for balance.

Observed Dr. Sherman Leis, one of the world’s leading transgender surgeons and founder of The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery, “If only saying so could make transitioning happen. Gender dysphoria is a serious human condition. If more people could understand the heartache endured by so many pre-surgery transgender people, we might dramatically reduce the extraordinarily high suicide rate among this group. So powerful a fix is transgender surgery that once it happens, this rate drops to near normal and most transgender people become relatively happy, normal people. If only we could make transitioning available to all who need it.”

Although every transgender person knows deep inside that they are born one gender in the body of the opposite gender, bringing that conflict into balance can be a lengthy and complex process. The journey starts with one’s personal recognition and admission, and ends with living as you were intended to be. Transgender surgery is an important part of that process.

Transgender surgery is usually discussed in relation to 3 parts, facial feminization, top, and bottom surgery. Top surgery includes reconstructing chest features in favor of the proper gender. Bottom surgery includes reconstructing the genital area to become consistent with the specified gender. It is also called genital reassignment surgery (GRS), sex reassignment surgery (SRS), or gender confirmation surgery (GRS).

Many times, people begin with facial feminization surgery. For male-to-female (MtF) transgender people, facial feminization includes the removal of facial hair, elevation of the brows, flattening of the forehead, nasal refinement, chin contouring, and Adam’s apple reduction. Also, many MtF individuals also reove chest hair and augment the breasts. For female-to-male transitioning (FtM), hair growth is stimulated with hormones, facial features can be strengthened, and breasts are masculinized. During this time, the patient is also usually undergoing counseling as well as hormone therapy.

Bottom surgery or GRS involves the construction of realistic looking genitals appropriate for the patient’s mental gender. According to Dr. Leis, “Although I don’t require any time or hormone requirements prior to facial feminization or top surgery, before we schedule a patient for bottom surgery, they must usually satisfy 3 requirements (although there is some flexibility with these factors depending on each patient’s requirements):
1) to have letters of recommendations from at least two mental health
specialists, experienced professionals in transgender issues, who
can support them and guide them through this process.
2) to be in hormone therapy for one’s gender for at least a year prior
To surgery,
3) and to live and present one’s desired gender full-time, also for at
Least one year prior to surgery.
Conforming to these pre-surgery standards helps to assure us that each patient is ready for transgender surgery and will probably have a successful outcome both emotionally, socially, and physically.”

Said Dr. Leis, “For American society to embrace transgender people as a normal part of it, as it does any other community, it must first understand the people, the challenges, and the motivations. Transitioning is not a trivial process that can be wished away by a simple name change. Once mainstream America becomes familiar with the truth about transgender people, they will appreciate how we can all thrive together as a society that celebrates our diversity.”

Dr. Sherman Leis is one of the world’s pre-eminent transgender surgeons and founder of The Philadelphia Center For Transgender Surgery, in Bala Cynwyd, PA. It is recognized as one of the leading facilities in the world
specializing in gender reassignment surgery. It was founded to be a single source of information and expertise in medical care for the transgender individual. The Philadelphia Center For Transgender Surgery offers a uniquely supportive environment where one can connect with Dr. Leis’ surgical and non-surgical team of dedicated specialists - surgeons, psychologists, endocrinologists, aestheticians, speech therapists, legal experts, and others.

The Philadelphia Center For Transgender Surgery is located in suburban Philadelphia at 19 Montgomery Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Phone: 610-667-1888. Website: www.thetransgendercenter.com

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