Change Your Sex, Break Your Bank

Wired News published a story of mine today about how some places -- including New York City -- are making it possible for people to officially change their sex without having to go under the knife.

Of course, some folks will still choose to, um, go from an innie to an outtie (or vice versa).

In the story, I wrote that male-to-female surgeries -- the most common kind -- cost $37,000 or more, while female-to-male surgeries are even more expensive. Dr. Becky Allison, a transgendered cardiologist quoted in the article, emailed some more information after the story's deadline:

Most American surgeons are in the $20,000 to $25,000 range for male-to-female sex reassignment alone. In Canada it's slightly less, and in some places in Thailand it's much less. But the quality may not be as standard in Thailand as it is here.

Then the facial surgeries/tracheal shave/breast augmentation are in addition, and many people spend over $50,000 on that combination. It's very difficult for most people to raise that kind of money!

Female-to-male people have even more expenses -- their surgeries are sometimes close to six figures.

Thanks to Dr. Allison for the info.