Meeting the Body Mass Index Requirement for Gender-affirming Surgery Using Antiobesity Medication

Abstract

One-fourth of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients presenting for initial gender-affirming surgery (GAS) consult is denied surgery due to obesity. Many surgery centers enforce body mass index (BMI) requirements for GAS because of concerns about perioperative risks, cosmetic outcomes, and reoperation. TGD people experience gender minority stress and disparities in lifestyle factors that likely contribute to excess weight gain. Gender-affirming hormone therapy has also been associated with increased body weight. Effective and affirming weight management interventions for TGD patients with overweight and obesity are currently lacking. We report the case of a 40-year-old transgender woman with a BMI of 39.6 kg/m2 who presented for weight loss to qualify for gender-affirming bilateral breast augmentation, requiring BMI <35 kg/m2. In addition to lifestyle modification counseling, she was started on semaglutide with monthly dose escalation, leading to 13.9% weight loss with a BMI of 34.1 kg/m2 within 3 months. This case highlights the need for access to affirming weight management services for TGD patients pursuing GAS and the role of antiobesity medications in reaching presurgical BMI targets. Further studies should evaluate the needs of TGD patients in weight loss interventions and the effects of weight loss and antiobesity medications on gender-affirming hormone therapy.