Advocacy group says breast implants save the lives of transgender people

[xchrom]

http://lgbtweekly.com/2011/12/28/advocacy-group-says-breast-implants-save-the-lives-of-transgender-people/

The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL) says that breast implants are a life and death matter for transgender people who need the operation to function in their new identity. In their study, the group found that transgender people who are denied the operation are more likely to commit suicide than others who go through breast implant surgery.

“Breast implants for transgender women are in many cases an very important measure for them to function with their new identity and allow them to fit in as women in everyday life,” the advocacy group said in a statement. Findings were published in a petition to the National Board of Health and Welfare.

RFSL warns that transgender people who are denied the procedure often result in “alarmingly” high rates of suicide and other psychological problems, Sweden-based The Local is reporting.

“Plastic surgery for transsexual patients, to a large extent, saves lives,” advocates for the group say. Suicide rates for transgender patients who are denied breast implants reach nearly 30 to 40 percent, compared to 1.6 percent for the general Swedish population.

[HillWilliam]

1. Providing implant surgery should be a no-brainer

For the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would be denied surgery that would demonstrably improve their self-image and psychological health. It's more than improving one's quality of life: QED it's about saving lives.

K&R

[Zenlitened]

3. Agree totally.

[Zenlitened]

2. Very true. This procedure is not merely "cosmetic" for TG women.

It is corrective.

[Evasporque]

4. I am in an insurance exclusion battle with my employer

for simply seeing a therapist and receiving primary care related to HRT....

[Zenlitened]

5. Stay strong!

Do you feel you have good info available to make your case?

Some good resources at WPATH, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health:
http://www.wpath.org/

Their updated Standards for Care is available as a PDF:
http://www.wpath.org/documents/Standards%20of%20Care%20V7%20-%202011%20WPATH.pdf