Juana Summers

I'm Juana Summers.

For a 15-year-old in California, gender-affirming top surgery was on the horizon until recently.

Fearing for his safety, he spoke to NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin under the condition we don't use his name.

Getting gender-affirming surgery may become even harder for teens like him now.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, or ASPS, released a statement this week recommending that surgeons delay gender-related surgeries for patients under 19 years old.

ASPS tells NPR this is an update, not a reversal of its previous stance on gender affirming care for minors.

They say there is insufficient evidence that the benefits of these surgeries outweigh the potential risks for youth with gender dysphoria.

Still, the 15-year-old in California has a hard time believing these guidelines come in good faith at the same time the Trump administration is limiting transgender care.

Consider this.

The Trump administration is describing the ASPS announcement as a watershed moment, but gender-affirming surgeries in minors are rare.

So how much will this change?

From NPR, I'm Juana Summers.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons announced this week that it recommends surgeons delay gender-related surgeries until a patient is at least 19 years old.

The Trump administration celebrated the move in a press release.

Deputy Health and Human Services Secretary Jim O'Neill said that the move, quote, marks another victory for biological truth in the Trump administration and that the group, quote, has set the scientific and medical standard for all provider groups to follow.

NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin is here to put this news into context.

Hi there.

Hi, Iwona.

So, Selena, just to start, is this statement from the plastic surgeons a change from their previous position?

Just putting this into focus a bit more, how many people would this affect?