Group of trans women devastated as ‘bottom surgeries’ suddenly cancelled
Some trans women have had surgeries cancelled [stock image] (Getty Images)
A number of trans women who were awaiting a vaginoplasty, or ‘bottom surgery’, in Massachusetts have been left in limbo after their surgeries were cancelled with no explanation.
According to WGBH, UMass Memorial Hospital abruptly cancelled all upcoming appointments with Dr Ashley Alford, who is highly regarded for the gender-affirming procedure, and the patients were told that they would not be able to reschedule.
Speaking to the outlet, one patient, using the pseudonym Avery, said: “I’m crushed. I can’t stop crying.
“This surgery was life-changing because it finally gives me the body that’s right for me. It has been ripped away with no explanation or follow-up plan.”
Avery shared that she had spent months preparing for the surgery, which was booked almost a year ago, and she had even changed to a new, costly insurance plan that would cover the procedure.
WGBH reported that it had spoken to six of Dr Alford’s patients, and each one had shared that they received calls over the last two weeks telling them that the appointments at UMass Memorial were cancelled, with hospital staff telling them that rescheduling was “not possible right now”.
In a statement, the hospital said: “Although appointments may at times need to be cancelled or rescheduled due to the availability of a specific provider, nothing has changed in UMass Memorial Health’s commitment to providing comprehensive, evidence-based health care, including gender affirming care, to all members of our community.”
WGBH News contacted Dr Alford but she said she was unable to comment on the story.
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