Gender-Affirming Surgery for Transgender Individuals: Perceived Satisfaction and Barriers to Care

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived satisfaction and barriers to care for transgender patients after they decide to undergo gender-affirming surgery (GAS).

A survey consisting of 21 multiple-choice and short-answer questions was distributed to transgender organizations and online forums across Canada and the United States. The data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics.

There were 32 participants, 12 who identified as female to male and 20 as male to female. The mean age was 36 years, with a range of 18 to 81 years. The mean age of their first GAS was 33 years, and the range of wait time was 6 months to 7 years. Most of the participants received information about GAS from transgender websites and transgender surgery clinics (91% and 50%, respectively). Most participants (74%) felt like they had access to appropriate care and 89% felt like their surgeons provided enough information about GAS. There were 38% of participants who would change their experience with GAS. Participants stated several barriers toward receiving GAS: financial (73%), finding a physician (65%), and access to information (63%). Surgical transition was important to the quality of life for 91% of participants and 100% were happy with their decision to undergo GAS.

Transgender participants demonstrated that GAS is important to their quality of life and this study showed significant barriers to GAS.