This is mixed news. On one hand, transsexuality is a medical problem and it's good to see formal guidelines to address it. On the other, the tone of this article makes me suspect that it's a set of restrictions that people must navigate through. I suspect it will end up prohibiting a lot of people from attaining the surgery.

Here in the US, there are guidelines known as the SOC, but they are not really understood or followed by health care providers. They require three months of therapy before getting on hormones, and a year of living in the desired gender before surgery. As I understand it the transgendered feel they are dreadfully unfair requirements, but they seem pretty reasonable to me.

katgal, my initial reaction was disagreeing with you about the restrictions, that people should be who they are/who they feel they are, but I realize that any surgical procedure is complicated and gender reassignments are complicated, invasive, and dangerous, and I am ok with restrictions being in place to make sure people get the proper pre-surgery care --- I think people who get plastic surgery should have a little bit of emotional counseling beforehand just about their intentions etc.

Yes, I totally agree with that. I've been open on this board before about having had breast augmentation. I am all for people chancing their bodies to feel better about themselves, but agree that psychological and educational screening is a good idea.

I had to watch a bunch of videos and answer several qizes for my BA, which was reasonable. The section on "how to use a mouse" made me wonder about the other women who have a BA done, though.

so weird, I've met with surgeons recently about a breast reduction! I know it will help my back/neck pain and posture, etc etc, but I also worry since I've been The Girl With Huge Boobs since fifth grade when they started growing (jerks... )... I don't know, some sort of identity crisis or whatever.

I had the opposite, similar problem. I didn't hit puberty until 3 years after everyone else, and was always the tall, flat-chested girl. I bought a gorgeous, backless BCBG dress last week, and didn't even think until I put it on "Oh crap! I have to wear a bra now!" It's a shift for me too.

Thats cool Space I'm planning on getting one, why did they ask you if you knew how to use a mouse?

Because all the videos that taught you about the procedure were on the computer, as were the tests to make sure that you understood the procedure. I really shudder that anyone doesn't understand how to use a mouse in 2009.

You don't have any idea how much you use your pectoral muscles until you do it, but it's really no big deal. I'm glad I did rice tests before I went to the doctor to figure out placement and size. I'm also glad I stayed smaller at just a B cup.

I don't think these requirements are too extreme, or even that strict, but I believe doctors should be imposing them, not government.

I agree with most of the restrictions except for being single and telling your family. I disagree with the latter only because this stop many from even attempting to try. IF their family is against it can they petition and have the procedure denied?