Gender-Affirming Surgery

Gender-Affirming Surgery Program

At Temple, the gender-affirming surgery program is managed through Temple’s urologic, gynecologic, and plastic surgery teams. You have an entire team of surgeons, healthcare providers, and social workers well-versed in trans and gender diverse specialized care, dedicated to supporting your transition based on your individual healthcare needs and goals. We are here to answer your questions, provide resources, and support you along the way.

Gender-Affirming Language

Language is changing all of the time, and our goal is to use the most inclusive language. To better reflect the diversity of trans, non-binary, and gender expansive people’s identities, bodies, or experiences, we use “feminine/non-binary” and “masculine/non-binary” to categorize our gender-affirming surgeries.

How We Talk About the Body

We use the universal medical standard term for each body part. Talking about bodies in this way allows us to share important and relevant information without the presence of gender or sex.

What Is Gender-Affirming Surgery?

Gender-affirming surgery refers to a medical procedure that alters your physical appearance to more closely align your body with your inner sense of self/gender identity. These surgeries are typically divided into top surgeries, bottom surgeries, and other procedures such as facial gender confirmation surgery (FGCS).

Understanding Your Goals: Affirming Who You’ve Always Been

You will work closely with your surgical team to determine the best approach for your goals. When deciding whether gender-affirming surgery is right for you, it is important to know your options and to understand the potential benefits and risks.

Navigating Insurance

Our team is here to help you understand the insurance process by answering your questions and providing resources so that you can self-advocate.

We accept Medicare as well as most PA Medicaid plans, and commercial insurances. We will confirm whether your insurance is accepted during registration. To get more information on your specific coverage benefits, you can call the member services number listed on your insurance card and ask about the coverage specifics for the services you desire. You also have the right to request a copy of your medical policy.

For more resources on insurance and coverage for trans-related health care, check out the Transgender Legal Defense and the National Center for Transgender Equality’s resources pages.

Pathway to Surgery: Understanding WPATH Standards of Care and Eligibility Requirements

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) created Standards of Care (SoC) based on the best available research and expert professional consensus. The goal of SoC is to provide health professionals with clinical guidance to maximize the overall health, well-being, and self-fulfillment of transgender and gender-diverse people seeking gender-affirming healthcare.

Most insurance companies follow/adhere to WPATH SoC, and Gender-Affirming Care at Temple Health is guided by WPATH SoC 8.

Learn more about masculine/non-binary surgery and feminine/non-binary surgery options at Temple.

Ready for an Appointment?

Request an appointment, or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) today. Ask to schedule for gender-affirming care.