Understanding Gender-Affirming Surgery Support Letters
Did you know that every year, about 48,000 individuals in the United States seek gender-affirming surgery? That’s a lot of people! And guess what? As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, you play a vital role in supporting patients through their gender-affirming healthcare journey.
Sometimes, a patient’s surgeon might ask you for a letter to verify the capacity of your patient to make informed consent around gender-affirming surgery. Basically, this letter is to show that the patient understands what gender-affirming surgery is all about.
This is more of a formality than anything else. You’re not deciding if your patient can have the surgery. That’s something they’ve probably been thinking about and planning for quite some time, together with their surgeon.
The Role of Gender-Affirming Surgery Letters
One crucial way you can support your patients seeking gender-affirming care is by providing a surgical consent verification letter. This document confirms your patient’s capacity to make informed decisions about their gender-affirming surgery journey.
Key Points About Gender-Affirming Surgery Letters:
- They verify patient capacity for informed consent
- Support the medical necessity of gender-affirming procedures
- Form part of the comprehensive gender-affirming care process
- Help facilitate access to essential gender-affirming healthcare
Why Use a Gender-Affirming Surgery Letter Template?
- Streamlines the documentation process
- Ensures consistent, comprehensive support for patients
- Speeds up the gender-affirming surgery approval process
- Demonstrates your commitment to gender-affirming healthcare
- Supports patients in their gender transition journey
Professional Gender-Affirming Surgery Template
[DATE]
Patient Name: [NAME OF PATIENT]
Patient DOB: 00/00/0000
Dear Dr. [surgeons name],
[NAME OF PATIENT] is a patient of mine since [date of first visit]. I am writing this letter in support of [NAME OF PATIENT] undergoing [TYPE THE NAME OF THE SURGERY]
[metoidioplasty/vaginoplasty/phalloplasty/hysterectomy/oophorectomy/orchiectomy/bilateral reduction mammoplasty with chest reconstruction/ breast augmentation]. This is a medically necessary procedure.
[NAME OF PATIENT] experiences persistent gender dysphoria, and I am in support of this gender-confirming surgery as the next step in their transition process. I have determined that [NAME OF PATIENT] has capacity to make informed consent around gender-affirming surgery.
[Include relevant psychiatric history]:
- Current diagnoses
- Recent hospitalizations or suicide attempts
- Symptom management status
- Clinical rationale for surgery timing
OR
They are currently not taking hormones because they are contraindicated by the diagnosis of [insert diagnosis].
Please call me at (111) 111-1111 with any questions or to arrange follow-up care.
Sincerely,
[NAME OF PROVIDER]
[LICENSE NUMBER]
Sample Gender-Affirming Surgery Support Letter
*Jane is not her real name
Dear Dr. A,
I have been treating Jane Doe* since October 2019 for major depressive disorder and gender dysphoria. She initially presented to me with a history of depression with symptoms fluctuating over the years since middle school. She had reported that over the past few months prior to meeting with me that her depression had been improving and, at the time, declined medication management services due to her improved mood and also upcoming orchiectomy surgery.
Much of Jane’s depression is tied to feeling her assigned gender at birth does not accurately fit her true gender. She identifies with she/her/hers pronouns.
Current Treatment Progress
- December 2019: Reported worsening depression due to voice changes and emerging masculine traits
- January 2020: Initiated sertraline 25mg daily, now stabilized at 150mg daily
- Currently engaged with both individual therapy and community behavioral health support
- Mental health is well-managed and stable
Jane demonstrates persistent gender incongruence resulting in psychological distress throughout her life. She shows clear judgment and insight regarding gender-affirming surgery risks and benefits, with full capacity for informed decision-making
Medical Consensus on Gender-Affirming Care
Major medical organizations unanimously support gender-affirming medical treatments as safe, effective, and medically necessary when clinically indicated, including:
- American Medical Association
- American College of Physicians
- American Psychological Association
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- Endocrine Society
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health
Research consistently demonstrates the significant benefits of gender-affirming medical treatments. These organizations support coverage of medically necessary gender-affirming care following WPATH Standards of Care.
Gender-affirming surgery will enable Jane to experience greater self-integration, improving confidence, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Without access to this gender-affirming treatment, she would likely experience worsening depression symptoms.
For care coordination or questions, please contact us at 123-123-1231.
Kind regards,
Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP
¹For a compilation of statements from major medical associations on this issue, see: https://lambdalegal.org/publication/fs_professional-org-statements-supporting-trans-health/
