Regrets, Regrets, Regrets … I Have A Ton Of Them.

But I’ll tell you one thing I don’t have any regrets about, my transition.

However, if you listen to the Republicans you would think that we are all living in a sea of regrets. But a new study out there shows that we don’t have many regrets about being trans.

Transgender and nonbinary patients have no regrets about top surgery, small study finds

CNN

By Jen Christensen

August 9, 2023

Some arguments in favor of laws that restrict gender-affirming care claim that patients may some day regret any irreversible or semi-irreversible part of their transition, but a small new study found that satisfaction with one such surgery is significant, even over the long term.

The study, published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Surgery, shows that people who had a gender-affirming mastectomy, sometimes called top surgery, had extremely low rates of decisional regret and extremely high levels of satisfaction with their decision to have the procedure.

The results are “overwhelmingly positive compared to other medical and nonmedical decisions,” the study said.

[…]

For the study, researchers surveyed 235 people who had a gender-affirming mastectomy at the University of Michigan. When the survey was conducted last year, the participants were between two and 23.6 years past their surgeries.

[…]

Of the participants, 139 – nearly 60% – answered the survey accurately and returned it to the researchers. Their median Satisfaction With Decision Scale score was 5 on a 5-point scale, indicating the highest possible level of satisfaction. The median Decision Regret Scale score was 0 on a 100-point scale, meaning not a single patient regretted their choice to have the surgery.

Critics of the survey cite the study size but you have to remember our numbers are small less than 10 percent of the population.

“I was thinking we’d see a little bit of higher regret numbers like we sometimes do with other kinds of surgeries,” said Manrique, a plastic surgeon at the University of Rochester Medical Center School of Medicine and Dentistry. “I believe the main reason, especially here in the US, the regret rate is so low is because there’s strict guidelines with these surgeries.”

This survey was only about the guys top surgery not about bottom surgeries nor our surgeries. An article in Them about this survey reported,

This is far from the first time that medical evidence has supported the long-term positive effects of gender-affirming surgeries. A 2021 review of multiple studies found that only around 1% of patients who received gender-affirming surgeries regretted their decision. And as the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund notes, almost every major medical association has recognized gender-affirming care as a medical necessity.

Trying to find more data about surgical regret is hard, it seems like the medical community keeps the data close to their chests. The National Institute of Health website “Pub Med” has a research article.

Regret in Surgical Decision Making: A Systematic Review of Patient and Physician Perspectives

Results: Of 889 studies identified, 73 patient studies and 6 physician studies met inclusion criteria. Among the 73 patient studies, 57.5% examined patients with a cancer diagnosis, with breast (26.0%) and prostate (28.8%) cancers being most common. Interestingly, self-reported patient regret was relatively uncommon with an average prevalence across studies of 14.4%. Factors most often associated with regret included type of surgery, disease-specific quality of life, and shared decision making. Only 6 studies were identified that focused on physician regret; 2 pertained to surgical decision making. These studies primarily measured regret of omission and commission using hypothetical case scenarios and used the results to develop decision curve analysis tools.

Conclusion: Self-reported decisional regret was present in about 1 in 7 surgical patients. Factors associated with regret were both patient- and procedure related. While most studies focused on patient regret, little data exist on how physician regret affects shared decision making.

So there seems to be a lot of regrets for regular run of the mill surgeries.

I went to AI and ask it; “Which surgeries with the most regrets?”

Google Bard:

The surgeries with the most regrets are those that are elective, meaning they are not medically necessary. These surgeries are often done to improve a person's appearance or to correct a cosmetic problem. Some of the surgeries with the highest regret rates include:

• Breast augmentation: The regret rate for breast augmentation is estimated to be between 5% and 20%.
• Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty): The regret rate for rhinoplasty is estimated to be between 3% and 15%.
• Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): The regret rate for blepharoplasty is estimated to be between 2% and 10%.
• Liposuction: The regret rate for liposuction is estimated to be between 2% and 10%.
• Cosmetic tattooing: The regret rate for cosmetic tattooing is estimated to be between 10% and 20%.

It is important to note that these are just estimates, and the actual regret rate for any given surgery may vary. There are a number of factors that can contribute to regret after surgery, such as unrealistic expectations, poor communication with the surgeon, and complications from surgery.

It is also important to remember that even if a surgery is not technically "successful," it does not necessarily mean that the patient will regret it. Some people may be happy with the results of their surgery even if it does not completely achieve their desired outcome. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to have surgery is a personal one that should be made after careful consideration of all the risks and benefits.

Here are some additional factors that may increase the risk of regret after surgery:

• Having unrealistic expectations about the results of surgery.
• Not being fully informed about the risks and complications of surgery.
• Having a history of mental health problems, such as body dysmorphic disorder.
• Feeling pressured by family or friends to have surgery.
• Having a poor relationship with the surgeon.

If you are considering having surgery, it is important to talk to your doctor about all of your concerns and to make sure that you are fully informed about the risks and benefits of the procedure. You should also get a second opinion from another surgeon before making a decision.

ChatGPT:

Surgery regrets can vary widely from person to person and are often influenced by individual circumstances, expectations, and outcomes. While there isn't a definitive list of surgeries with the "most" regrets, some procedures have been associated with a higher likelihood of patient dissatisfaction or regret. It's important to note that the majority of surgical procedures have successful outcomes and satisfied patients, but here are a few examples of surgeries that some individuals have reported experiencing regrets about:

1. Cosmetic Surgeries: Procedures such as breast augmentation, rhinoplasty (nose job), liposuction, and facelifts are considered elective and are primarily performed for aesthetic reasons. Some individuals may experience regret if their expectations were not met or if they were unhappy with the results.
2. Bariatric Surgery: Weight loss surgeries, like gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery, can lead to significant weight loss but also involve significant lifestyle changes. Some individuals may struggle with the long-term adjustments required after these surgeries and could experience regret if they're not fully prepared for the challenges.
3. Genital Surgery: Surgeries like penile enlargement or vaginal rejuvenation are sometimes sought for cosmetic or personal reasons. Due to the sensitive nature of these procedures, individuals might experience regret if their expectations aren't met or if complications arise.
4. Unnecessary Surgeries: Cases where surgeries were performed unnecessarily or without proper medical justification could lead to regrets. Examples might include unnecessary tonsillectomies or back surgeries.
5. Hair Transplants: Hair restoration surgeries can have variable outcomes, and some individuals might be disappointed if they don't achieve the desired level of hair regrowth.

It's important to emphasize that the vast majority of individuals who undergo surgical procedures are satisfied with the results and experience improved quality of life. Surgeons typically conduct thorough evaluations and discussions with patients before procedures to manage expectations and address concerns. If you're considering any surgical procedure, it's crucial to have open and honest conversations with your healthcare provider, thoroughly research the procedure, understand the potential risks and benefits, and have realistic expectations about the outcomes.

So it looks like that once again the Republicans are twisting facts and use their "Alternative facts" to disprove reality for their political agenda.