Open AccessBody Mass Index Requirements for Gender-Affirming Surgeries Are Not Empirically Based
Author(s) -
Lisa M. Brownstone,
Jaclyn DeRieux,
Devin A. Kelly,
Lanie J. Sumlin,
Jennifer L. Gaudiani
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
transgender health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2688-4887
pISSN - 2380-193X
DOI - 10.1089/trgh.2020.0068
Subject(s) - body mass index , comorbidity , index (typography) , medicine , psychology , computer science , psychiatry , world wide web
Body mass index (BMI) requirements for gender affirmation surgery (GAS) are ubiquitous and vary across providers. Requirement variation is not surprising given little data to suggest an association between BMI and GAS outcomes. Implementation of subjective BMI requirements limits access to GAS and negatively impacts patient health and safety. We outline the literature on BMI and GAS outcomes, discuss clinical utility of GAS, and summarize dangers of prescribing weight loss as a prerequisite for surgery. We propose that providers use empirically supported indices of health and comorbidity instead of BMI to determine surgical eligibility for all patients considering GAS.