How many people who have had gender reassignment surgery regret it?
Asked by: Mr. Murray Volkman IV | Last update: February 26, 2026Score: 5/5 (34 votes)
A UK study of over 3,000 gender clinic attendees found a regret rate of just 0.47%. A US study involving 28,000 trans adults showed that only 8% had ever detransitioned, and 62% of them did so temporarily, largely due to societal pressure. A Danish national cohort found a regret rate of 0.06% per person-year.
What surgeries have the highest regret rate?
The percentage of patients reporting regret ranged from 0 to 47.1 % in breast reconstruction, 5.1–9.1 % in breast augmentation, and 10.82–33.3 % in body contouring. In other surgical subspecialties, 30 % of patients experience regret following prostatectomy and up to 19.5 % following bariatric surgery.
Do more people regret having children than transitioning?
A new study has found that the level of regret reported by transgender individuals following gender-affirming surgery is less than 1%, which is significantly lower than the regret associated with having children, getting a tattoo, or undergoing plastic surgery.
How common is regret after transitioning?
Historical data suggest that regret following gender transition in adulthood is rare (Blanchard et al., 1989; Dhejne et al., 2014; Lawrence, 2003; Pfäfflin, 1993; Rehman et al., 1999; van de Grift et al., 2018; Weyers et al., 2009; Wiepjes et al., 2018).
What is the 3 3 3 rule for children?
The 3-3-3 rule for kids is a simple grounding technique to calm anxiety by engaging the senses: name 3 things you see, then 3 sounds you hear, and finally, move 3 parts of your body, helping to shift focus from anxious thoughts to the present moment and regain a sense of control. It's a quick, accessible tool for emotional regulation, great for test anxiety, big feelings, or stressful situations.
What Studies Say About Transgender, Gender Dysphoria, and Gender Affirming Care
What is the least regretted surgery?
Regret after gender affirming surgery is less than 1 %. Regret after elective plastic surgery operations is significantly higher. Regret after major non-surgical life decisions is significantly higher.
What is the most failed surgery?
Disc surgeries of the spine have a failure rate greater than 50%. 10% of patients experience a worsening of symptoms after surgical intervention.
Can gender dysphoria go away without transitioning?
Yes, gender dysphoria can lessen or resolve for some people without a full transition through strategies like social changes (name, pronouns, clothing) or therapy, but for others, transitioning (social, hormonal, or surgical) provides significant relief, and it may persist lifelong, varying in intensity, as each experience is unique. Addressing the distress with professional help is key to finding what works, which could be anything from affirming self-expression to medical steps, or even acceptance of one's identity.
Is it possible to fully detransition?
Detransition is the process of halting or reversing social, medical, or legal aspects of a gender transition, partially or completely. It can be temporary or permanent.
What are the downsides of transitioning?
Trans people are at a slightly higher risk of developing some cancers that are tied to hormone use. The breasts, uterus, ovaries, prostate, lung, colon, or liver can be affected. This depends on the stage of transition. Your routine healthcare should include screenings such as prostate, breast, and pelvic exams.
At what age does a child view gender as permanent?
From this point up to the age of 6 or 7 years, their judgement of gender in pictures of clothed children is heavily influenced by appearance so that they label boys pictured in dresses as girls and boys with long hair as girls. By 7 years they recognise biological sex as constant and independent of external appearance.
What surgery had a 300% mortality rate?
Robert Liston's most notorious surgery yielded 300% mortality. The patient, the surgical assistant, and a family member bystander, each of whom felt the blade of Dr. Liston's slashing amputation knife, died of gangrene in the days following.
What is the most unnecessary surgery?
Sadly, some types of commonly performed surgeries are often later learned to have been medically unnecessary including the following:
- C-sections.
- Gallbladder removal.
- Back surgery, including spinal fusion.
- Hip surgery.
- Knee surgery.
- Tonsillectomies.
- Heart stents.
- Pacemaker installation.
What surgery is called the mother of all surgeries?
The surgery nicknamed the "mother of all surgeries" (MOAS) is Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) combined with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), a complex procedure for cancers spreading in the abdomen, like appendix or ovarian cancers, involving extensive removal of tumors and organs followed by washing the abdomen with heated chemotherapy. It's known for being extremely long, invasive, and physically demanding, sometimes likened to running a marathon.
Which hospital is best for gender change?
Max Hospital, India, is one of the best Gender Reassignment surgery hospitals in India. We provide unparalleled patient care and hospital experience in India for Gender Reassignment surgery. We have top-notch specialists and cutting- edge technology under one roof, thus ensuring quality treatment to patients.
Why are so many people detransitioning?
Frequently endorsed external factors included pressure from family and societal stigma. History of detransition was associated with male sex assigned at birth, nonbinary gender identity, bisexual sexual orientation, and having a family unsupportive of one's gender identity.
What surgery has the highest rate of regret?
There isn't one single surgery with the absolute highest regret rate, but studies point to elective procedures like cosmetic surgeries (especially breast augmentation, rhinoplasty), certain orthopedic surgeries (knee/hip replacement), and bariatric (weight loss) surgeries as having higher dissatisfaction, often due to unmet expectations, complications, or lasting pain, with rates varying widely but sometimes reaching 10-30%+. In contrast, gender-affirming surgeries generally have extremely low regret rates (under 1%), much lower than many common elective procedures, challenging misconceptions.
What is the most painful surgery a human can have?
The top 10 most painful surgeries include spinal fusion, total knee replacement, and open abdominal surgeries. Complex spinal reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, and total hip replacement are also on the list.
Can I sue for unnecessary surgery?
You can sue a doctor for unnecessary surgery in many situations. Your medical malpractice lawyer will discuss the particulars of your case with you and determine if a lawsuit is the best route. To sue, you must show that the surgeon was negligent and did you harm by means of negligence.
What are the top 3 riskiest surgeries?
The three riskiest surgeries often cited due to complexity and potential for severe complications include thoracic aortic dissection repair, craniectomy for brain injury, and complex cardiac procedures like coronary revascularization (bypass), with other high-risk surgeries being organ transplants, spinal cord surgery, and procedures for pancreatic or lung cancers, all involving delicate organs or critical conditions.
What surgery has the highest failure rate?
Spinal fusion surgeries have high failure rates, ranging from 20% to 40%. Understanding surgical failure rates is key for both patients and doctors. Surgical complication rates vary a lot across different procedures. Things like patient health and surgical technique affect failure rates.
What is the shortest surgery ever?
Dubbed “the fastest knife in the West,” Liston could complete complex surgeries in mere seconds, minimizing patient agony but often at great risk. His most notorious case occurred in 1847 during a leg amputation that lasted only 25 seconds. In his haste, Liston accidentally severed the fingers of his assistant.
At what age do children start making gender?
Gender identity typically develops in stages: Around age two: Children become conscious of the physical differences between boys and girls. Before their third birthday: Most children can easily label themselves as either a boy or a girl. By age four: Most children have a stable sense of their gender identity.
What are the long-term effects of transitioning?
Besides, transgender persons taking gender‐affirming HT may have an increased risk for depression, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, and decreased bone mineral density; therefore, antiretrovirals and or direct‐acting antivirals with minimal side effects are recommended.