Boy has sex-swap operation aged just 16

**Mooley** · 12-01-2010, 11:44 PM

A 16-YEAR-OLD Spanish boy has become one of the world's youngest transsexuals after having an operation to become a girl.

The teenager underwent surgery at a hospital in Barcelona after convincing family, doctors and a judge he was a girl trapped inside a boy's body.

The youngster is recovering after last week's operation, paid for by his family, in the city's Hospital Clinico.

Dr Ivan Manero, who has been treating the teenager with hormone therapy for two years, said shortly before the surgery: "When the family contacted me he was 14 years old.

"During the last two years he has received treatment and he is totally prepared for the surgery.

"It is preferable to operate before the patient is 18, because at that age it is more minor operation because the patient is not so well developed."

Dr Manero, head of the hospital's Gender Disorder Unit, added: "He is not the first person under 18 to have come for sex change advice, but he is the first one whose parents where prepared to confront the Justice system so their child could be happy."

Under Spanish law under-18s cannot have a sex change without the permission of a judge, which has never previously been granted.

But a judge gave their consent last November after reading extensive medical and psychiatric reports in favour of the surgery.

The teenager had told doctors: "I have always felt like a girl trapped inside a boy's body."

A group of specialist doctors and psychiatrists will monitor and assist the youngster over the coming months.

Last year 25 sex change operations were carried out in Barcelona, but all of the patients were over the age of 18.

Fifteen of those were men who changed their sex to become women.

In February 2009 German teenager Tim Petras became the world's youngest transsexual when she had a sex change aged 16 and changed her name to Kim.

Kim, who was born a boy but began calling herself a girl when she was two, has since launched a modelling career, landing a job as a model for a nationwide German hair salon chain.

Her surgery was paid for by the German health service.

**Session9** · 13-01-2010, 03:25 AM

I saw that on the news a fair while ago...I think it's wrong... Can't drink legally at that age, why should someone be allowed to make a decision like that? Even with parental consent.

Although it probably makes a better looking female than male by the looks of that photo.

**hadmad** · 13-01-2010, 05:34 AM

very wrong at that age its so very wrong

**7thsinger** · 13-01-2010, 02:59 PM

Medically speaking, it's damn foolish to have that kind of operation at that age. The average male's body doesn't not reach full maturity until 18-22 years of age. He's still growing, his hormones are power dumping right now, and he tampers with it? Absolute insanity at that age.