Surgeons Who Use Informed Consent
What Is Informed Consent?
Informed Consent is a healthcare model that empowers patients to make decisions about their own bodies, identities, and medical care. Widely used by providers around the world, it recognizes every individual’s right to self-determination and bodily autonomy.
Traditionally, many people seeking Top Surgery have been required to obtain a letter from a mental health professional confirming a gender dysphoria diagnosis and that they are psychologically ready for surgery. However, a growing number of surgeons reject the outdated notion that being transgender is a mental illness. These surgeons follow the Informed Consent model, which focuses on patient autonomy rather than gatekeeping.
Under this model, surgeons ensure patients receive clear, comprehensive information about the procedure—including techniques, duration, risks, recovery, and long-term outcomes. Patients then sign a consent form confirming they understand the procedure and are making an informed, voluntary decision to proceed.
Important Note: If you're using insurance to cover Top Surgery, most insurance providers still require one or more mental health letters to approve the procedure—even if your surgeon uses Informed Consent. Be sure to check your plan's requirements.The surgeons listed below practice Informed Consent. They do not require therapy or a letter from a mental health professional as a precondition for surgery.
California
Gender Confirmation Center
The Gender Confirmation Center is a San Francisco–based, multi-surgeon practice founded in 2013 by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Mosser. The practice focuses heavily on gender-affirming top surgery, offering procedures such as double-incision, peri-areolar, and keyhole, as well as less common incision types such as fishmouth and lollipop. They are an early adopter of sensory nerve preservation techniques in double-incision top surgery, which aims to improve the return of chest and nipple sensation after surgery. The practice maintains a dedicated insurance advocacy team that has secured coverage for over 90% of their patients, helping make top surgery more accessible. Throughout the top-surgery process, the team emphasizes informed consent, trans-competent communication, and a highly affirming environment for local and out-of-town patients alike.
Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, the Gender Confirmation Center is a multi-surgeon practice focused on gender-affirming top surgery for trans and gender-diverse patients. They are early adopters of sensory nerve preservation in double-incision top surgery, and provide affirming, informed-consent–based care from consultation through recovery.
Gender Confirmation Center
450 Sutter St, Ste 1000
San Francisco, California 94108
855-398-7778
www.genderconfirmation.com
Board-certified; WPATH members; FREE in-person or virtual consultations; use informed consent (no letter requirement); wait list 2-3 months following consult.
- Medical Financing
- Private / Employer Insurance
- Medicaid (some CA plans)
- Medicare
Align Surgical Associates
Founded in 2018, Align Surgical Associates is a multi-surgeon, gender-affirming surgical practice with offices in San Francisco and Santa Monica, California, dedicated exclusively to the care of transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse patients. Top surgery is a major focus of the practice: their surgeons offer a range of techniques, including double-incision with nipple grafts, peri-areolar/keyhole, inverted-T/anchor and buttonhole approaches. Consultations are used to review goals, anatomy and technique options in detail, and the care team guides patients through pre-operative preparation and a structured recovery plan. The environment is intentionally designed as a “sanctuary” and home away from home, with all staff specifically trained in the nuanced techniques and support needs associated with gender-affirming, trauma-aware care from first contact through long-term follow-up.
Founded in 2018, Align Surgical Associates is a multi-surgeon, gender-affirming surgical practice in San Francisco and Los Angeles that devotes its work to trans, non-binary and gender-diverse patients. For top surgery, the team offers a full range of masculinizing chest procedures—double-incision, keyhole/peri-areolar, inverted-T and buttonhole—delivered in a highly supportive, sanctuary-like environment with staff specifically trained in gender-affirming care.
Align Surgical Associates Inc.
2299 Post St, Ste 207
San Francisco, California 94115
415-530-5335
www.alignsurgical.com
Board-certified (except Dr. Jedrzejewski, who is board eligible); WPATH members; use informed consent (no letter requirement); wait list 3-6 months following consult.
- Medical Financing
- Private / Employer Insurance
- Medicaid (some CA plans)
- Medicare
Dr. Lin is a fellowship-trained Plastic Surgeon in San Francisco who performs Top Surgery. His expertise in microsurgical breast reconstruction has shaped his approach to gender-affirming care and led to the co-development of a novel nerve transfer technique designed to preserve chest sensation after Top Surgery. He joined the Buncke Clinic and the San Francisco Transgender Institute in 2017. More »
Fellowship-trained, exceptionally skilled plastic surgeon with deep expertise in gender surgery.
Dr. Walter Lin, MD
The Buncke Clinic
45 Castro St, Ste 121
San Francisco, California 94114
415-684-5206
www.buncke.org
Board-certified; WPATH member; in-person or phone consultations; accepts insurance and CA Medicaid; uses Informed consent (doesn't require a letter); wait list one month.
Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Champaneria has extensive training, with a special focus on gender-affirming chest procedures. He accepts insurance and will operate with Informed Consent. Dr. Champaneria practices in San Diego, California. More »
Dr. Manish Champaneria, MD
Scripps Clinic Del Mar
12395 El Camino Real, Ste 112
San Diego, California 92130
858-554-9950
drmanishchampaneria.com
Consultation fee $75; accepts financing and insurance; uses informed consent (no letter requirement).
Colorado
Dr. Steinwald has performed hundreds of Top Surgeries over the last 25 years. He is known for pioneering the Inverted-T procedure, a method designed to preserve as much nipple/areola sensation as possible. People come from around the world to see Dr. Steinwald and to have this specific procedure done. More »
More than 25 years of experience performing Top Surgery. Based in Denver.
Dr. Paul Steinwald, MD
501 S Cherry St, Ste 900
Denver, Colorado 80246
Toll-free: 877-255-2600
Local: 303-278-2600
www.topftmsurgery.com
Double-board certified; accepts financing; uses informed consent (no letter requirement) for those 18 and over; consultation fee $75; minimum age 15 (with parental support); pioneered the Inverted-T procedure.
Connecticut
Dr. Chandler is a Harvard fellowship-trained plastic surgeon who has received specialty training in Top Surgery from some of the best experts in the field. Based in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Dr. Chandler provides personalized care for a diverse range of patients, up to 90% of whom are transgender or non-binary. More »
Specialty training in Top Surgery, Connecticut practice dedicated to gender-affirming care.
Dr. Laurel Chandler, MD
Chandler Plastic Surgery
777 Post Rd, Ste 304
Darien, Connecticut 06820
203-423-3132
www.topsurgeryconnecticut.com
Fellowship-trained; board-certified; WPATH member; accepts financing, insurance and CT Medicaid (Husky); no BMI limit; uses informed consent (no letter requirement); wait list 2-3 months; $200 consult fee.
Florida
Dr. Elliot W. Jacobs, MD, FACS
Sanctuary Plastic Surgery
4800 North Federal Hwy, Ste C101
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Georgia
Dr. James Parker, MD
1181 Langford Dr, Bldg 300-105
Watkinsville, Georgia 30677
Hawaii
Dr. Shim Ching, MD
Shim Ching, MSc, MD, FRCSC, FACS
Asia Pacific Plastic Surgery Inc.
1401 S Beretania St, #888
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Michigan
Dr. Weinman is a fellowship-trained surgeon in Lansing, Michigan who has a dual background in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Cosmetic Surgery. She brings a distinctive blend of clinical expertise and aesthetic precision to her work. Dr. Weinman is deeply committed to serving the transgender and non-binary communities and focuses her practice on gender-affirming Top Surgery and Body Sculpting.More »
Dr. Lena Weinman, DO
Aqua Body Lab
1219 E Saginaw
Lansing, Michigan 48906
517-230-8437
www.aquabodylab.com
Cosmetic Surgeon; accepts medical financing; does not accept insurance, Medicaid or Medicare; informed consent (no letter required).
Dr. Kenneth Wolf, MD
6615 Commerce Rd, Ste 100
West Bloomfield, Michigan 48324
Uses informed consent (no letter requirement); payment plan available.
North Carolina
Dr. Sherie is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who has extensive training in Top Surgery. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Sherie completed a 1-year Fellowship with a focus on transgender surgery in 2012-2013. Since then, Dr. Sherie has performed over 1000 top surgeries. Prior to launching her private practice, she served as an active duty Air Force surgeon. More »
Highly experienced, personalized care, leading top surgery practice in Charlotte NC.
Dr. Hope Sherie, MD, FACS
The Cosmetic Concierge
325 Arlington Ave
Charlotte, North Carolina 28203
980-938-0459
www.cosmeticconciergemd.com
Board-certified cosmetic surgeon; WPATH member; accepts financing; 10% military discount; accommodation package available; BMI limit 40; uses informed consent (no letter requirement).
Dr. Keelee MacPhee, MD
Renaissance Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
5826 Fayetteville Rd, Suite 209
Durham, North Carolina 27713
Pennsylvania
Dr. Gupta is a cosmetic surgeon in Philadelphia who is pleased to provide gender-affirming care for his transgender and non-binary patients. Dr. Gupta completed cosmetic surgery fellowship training at the renowned Marvel Cosmetic Surgery in Nashville and is board-certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS). More »
Dr. Aneesh Gupta, MD, MPH
Shiloh Cosmetics
1528 Walnut St, Ste 200
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
215-999-6695
www.shilohcosmetics.com
Board-certified; short wait list; free virtual or in-person consultation; uses informed consent (no letter requirement); no BMI limit; accepts financing.
Tennessee
Dr. Laffoon is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon based in Nashville, Tennessee, with a growing reputation for her expertise in masculinizing chest surgery for transgender men and nonbinary individuals. With a background in general and cosmetic surgery, she blends technical precision with a warm, affirming bedside manner. Dr. Laffoon approaches each case with the goal of helping patients feel more aligned and confident in their bodies. More »
Dr. Allison Laffoon, MD
Marvel Cosmetic Surgery
329 18th Ave N
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
615-861-8174
MarvelCosmeticSurgery.com
Board-certified Cosmetic Surgeon; FREE phone or in-person consultations; uses informed consent (no letter requirement); wait list 1 month following consult.
Texas
Dr. Dustin Reid a double board-certified plastic surgeon in Austin who has experience performing Keyhole, Peri-Areolar, and Double Incision Top Surgery. In many cases, Dr. Reid is able to do a "drain-free" procedure. Dr. Reid is committed to providing expert surgical care and guidance throughout your Top Surgery experience. More »
Dr. Dustin Reid, MD, FACS
Restora Austin Plastic Surgery Centre
901 W 38th St, Ste 401
Austin, Texas 78705
512-371-8817
www.restoraaustin.com
Double board-certified; WPATH member; accepts financing; uses informed consent (no letter requirement); $150 consultation fee; wait list 3-4 weeks; no drains!
Dr. Gary Lawton, MD
525 Oak Centre Dr., #260
San Antonio, TX, 78258
Utah
Dr. Cori Agarwal, MD
Dr. Isak Goodwin, MD
Dr. Dana Johns, MD
University of Utah Health
Transgender Health Program
30 North 1900 East, Suite 3B400
Salt Lake City, Utah 84132
Washington
La Belle Vie Cosmetic Surgery Center
La Belle Vie Cosmetic Surgery Center is a Seattle-area practice led by Dr. Tony Mangubat, MD, and Dr. Lena Weinman, DO, both of whom provide gender-affirming top surgery. Dr. Mangubat is recognized as one of the most experienced top surgery surgeons in the USA, and together he and Dr. Weinman bring extensive expertise to their work with trans and gender-diverse patients. Patients typically begin with an in-depth consultation where the surgeons review goals, discuss technique options, and outline expectations for recovery. Surgeries are performed in an accredited surgical facility, with structured pre- and post-operative support designed to ensure safety, comfort, and optimal results. The team emphasizes individualized care, trauma-informed communication, and an environment where trans and gender-diverse patients feel respected, understood, and supported throughout the entire top-surgery process.
La Belle Vie Cosmetic Surgery Center is a Seattle-area practice led by Dr. Tony Mangubat, MD, and Dr. Lena Weinman, DO, both of whom provide gender-affirming top surgery. Dr. Mangubat is recognized as one of the most experienced top surgery surgeons in the USA, and together he and Dr. Weinman bring extensive expertise to their work with trans and gender-diverse patients.
La Belle Vie Cosmetic Surgery Center
16400 Southcenter Pkwy, Ste 101
Tukwila, Washington 98188
206-575-0300
labelleviecosmetic.com
Board-certified Cosmetic Surgeon & WPATH member (Dr. Mangubat); use informed consent (no letter requirement).
- Medical Financing
- Private / Employer Insurance
- Medicaid
- Medicare
Canada
Dr. Kathleen Armstrong, MD, MSc FRCSC
Dr. Ammara Ghumman, MD, MSc, FRCSC
GraceMed x McLean Clinic
50 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, #343
Mississauga, Ontario
Last updated: 01/13/26