The term sex change surgery is quickly becoming outdated.  The new terminology is sex reassignment surgery (SRS) or gender reassignment surgery (GRS).  While this type of surgery tends to get a lot of publicity, the reality is that only about 1,000 gender reassignment surgeries are performed each year in the United States.

Very few surgeons perform gender reassignment procedures, making locating a surgeon challenging, but not nearly as challenging as raising the tens of thousands of dollars necessary to pay for the procedures.

Employers Paying For Sex Reassignment?

Have you ever heard about a pitcher having Tommy John surgery and wondered what that means?  Have you wondered who Tommy John is? Wonder no more!

Tommy John was a professional pitcher who injured his elbow in what should have been a career ending injury.  He had a groundbreaking new procedure that healed his elbow and revolutionized surgically saving a pitching career. For that reason, the procedure is now commonly known as Tommy John Surgery.

It took 8 months, but between his parents and the staff at Cardon Children's Medical Center, 3-year-old Tristan Pastrano was well-prepared for surgery on his heart.  The people caring for Tristan were aware of one very important fact: preparing a child for surgery is never easy, but when the child in question cannot speak, the process becomes even more complicated.

Preparing Children For Surgery 101

In Tristan's case, many different techniques were used. One of the most popular is using a stuffed animal as a proxy for the child, to demonstrate what will happen. In Tristan's case, a stuffed Elmo would wear a face mask before Tristan himself would wear it. Tristan's room was also decorated extensively in Elmo balloons and stuffed animals, all in an effort to comfort him. He was also engaged in medical play, using toy versions of medical tools (such as a stethoscope), which helps children see medical instruments as non-threatening.

Read more about Tristan and the techniques that helped him (and may help your child!)

Bidhan Barua, 21, wants to have gender reassignment surgery.  He has saved thousands of dollars for the procedure that will make his exterior match what he feels inside--that he is a woman--and is ready to have surgery.  He has undergone psychological testing and has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, which is another step towards the procedure.

So what is stopping Barua from having the surgery that will finalize the transition from male to female?  His parents. Bidhan's parents are going to Bombay's high court to put a stop to the procedure.  Barua's surgeon refuses to move forward until the court case is done, leaving the 21-year-old ready and able to have surgery but stuck waiting until the court makes a decision.

Who Pays For Gender Reassignment Surgery?