About That Caitlyn Jenner Report… Is ‘Detransition’ a Typical Thing?
After Jenner’s rep denies a report that she regrets her transition, a doctor she once consulted with tells TheWrap how often “detransitioning” actually happens
Itay Hod | May 12, 2016 @ 3:27 PM
Last Updated: May 13, 2016 @ 11:05 AM
Caitlyn Jenner asks Dr. Marci Bowers about sexual reassignment surgery on E!'s "I Am Cait"
Caitlyn Jenner’s representative swiftly denied a biographer’s claim that she has considered transitioning back to a man, a process often described as “detransitioning” or “sex-change regret.”
“It’s extremely rare,” Dr. Marci Bowers, who has performed transgender surgery for 12 years and is transgender herself, told TheWrap. “I’ve done about 1,500 surgeries and only two people have expressed desire to detransition.”
Dr. Bowers, who advised Jenner on sexual reassignment surgery during an episode E!’s “I Am Cait,” says that even in the rare instances when detransitioning does occur, it’s not because of a wrong diagnosis.
“Detransitioning usually happens for two reasons: One, the person can’t find a job and thus can’t make a living. The other is usually because the person is lonely and can’t seem to find love and decides to go back,” Bowers said. “Transitioning is not made on a whim. Most people who transition have spent three quarters of their life trying to fit in into their [assigned] gender before transitioning. They’ve transitioned because it was like trying to fit a circle into a square.”
Detransitioning can happen both before and after someone goes through sexual reassignment surgery. But recreating a male organ, also known as phalloplasty, is a bit tricky. Bowers describes the end result as “functional but not particularly realistic.”
Dr. Bowers says that knowing Jenner, she doesn’t believe biographer Ian Halperin’s contention that she wants to return to being a man.
“I would be shocked,” Dr. Bowers said. “People need to know that this is not an impulse decision. Ninety percent of those who transition have been thinking about it since they were six years old. Almost no one regrets their decision.”
Caitlyn Jenner Dons Sexy Lace Gown for 'I Am Cait' Shoot (Photo)
Caitlyn Jenner is looking confident as ever. In a photo shoot for her E! docu-series "I Am Cait," the former Olympian donned a floor-length black gown with lace details.
The 65-year-old paired the look with a messy up-do, pink nails and and subtle jewelry.
Jenner came out as transgender in an interview with ABC News' Diane Sawyer in April. In June, her Vanity Fair cover shoot became an Internet sensation. Since then, she has become an ongoing, trending topic and a fresh face for the transgender movement.
Promotional clips from the series show Jenner speaking to groups of teenagers and empowering them to struggle past their own situations.
"I Am Cait" will also focus on her relationship with the Kardashian-Jenner family. Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and a host of Jenner's other family members will be featured on the show.
She is slated to receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award as the ESPY Awards on July 15. From this photo shoot, expect Jenner to make a statement at the red carpet.
The docu-series premieres Sunday, July 26 at 8 p.m. EST.
See the photo below.
E!
The Transformation of Caitlyn Jenner: From Olympic Gold Medalist to Vanity Fair Trans Cover Star (Photos)
From her days as a U.S. track and field athlete to her marriage to Kris Jenner, Bruce's look has changed in terms of her hairstyle, her face and, now, her gender.
Fan Fuego/Getty Images
Caitlyn was born Bruce Jenner was born on October 28, 1949 in Mount Kisco, New York. She earned a football scholarship to Graceland College, but a knee injury stopped her from pursuing it. Then, she veered towards decathlon and graduated in 1973 with a degree in physical education.
Where are they now – Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego
At the Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada, in 1976, Jenner placed first in the decathlon, setting the world record of 8,616 points and seen here crossing the finish line.
Where are they now – Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego
In 1976, Jenner was awarded the James E. Sullivan award presented to the "outstanding amateur athlete in the United States."
Where are they now – Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego
Jenner speaking at the 2001 Service America Awards Presentation Ceremony on June 11.
Getty Images
Jenner took part in the Celebrities Race to Make Dreams Come True in August 23, 2003.
Getty Images
Jenner and her two daughters, Kendall and Kyle, at the film premiere of the "Teacher's Pet" on January 12, 2004.
Getty Images
Jenner and now ex-wife Kris at the HollyRods Designcure 7th Annual Benefit on July 9, 2005.
Getty Images
Jenner at the 2006 ESPY Awards on July 12.
Getty Images
Jenner and family at the "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" premiere on Oct. 9, 2007.
Getty Images
Jenner and family at the "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" Season 2 Launch on March 19, 2008.
Getty Images
Jenner attended the event where Lamar Odom launched Rich Soil at Kitson LA on October 21, 2009.
Getty Images
Jenner and ex-wife Kris at the Endless Youth & Life Store Opening Celebration, November 11, 2010.
Getty Images
Jenner with ex-wife Kris at the City of Hope Honors Shelli and Irving Azoff with the 2011 Spirit of Life Award event on May 7, 2011.
Getty Images
Jenner at the 5th Annual George Lopez Celebrity Golf Classic on May 7, 2012.
Getty Images
Jenner at the Annual Charity Day Hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC on September 11, 2013. Here, Jenner looks younger, and is sporting a longer hair do.
Getty Images
At the time, this was one of the most highly-talked about photos of Jenner, taken in January of 2014. Here, she was seen wearing a bandage around her throat, which many speculated was because she had her Adam's apple reduced.
AMTV
Jenner at the 13th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Gala on April 4, 2014.
Getty Images
The former Olympian introduced herself as Caitlyn Jenner in an exclusive cover shoot for the July 2015 issue of Vanity Fair magazine.
Vanity Fair
1 of 19
The athlete formerly known as Bruce underwent dramatic changes to both her public image and physical appearance leading up to the announcement of her transition
From her days as a U.S. track and field athlete to her marriage to Kris Jenner, Bruce's look has changed in terms of her hairstyle, her face and, now, her gender.
The former Olympian is all dressed up with plenty of places to go
Caitlyn Jenner is looking confident as ever. In a photo shoot for her E! docu-series "I Am Cait," the former Olympian donned a floor-length black gown with lace details.
The 65-year-old paired the look with a messy up-do, pink nails and and subtle jewelry.
Jenner came out as transgender in an interview with ABC News' Diane Sawyer in April. In June, her Vanity Fair cover shoot became an Internet sensation. Since then, she has become an ongoing, trending topic and a fresh face for the transgender movement.
Promotional clips from the series show Jenner speaking to groups of teenagers and empowering them to struggle past their own situations.
"I Am Cait" will also focus on her relationship with the Kardashian-Jenner family. Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and a host of Jenner's other family members will be featured on the show.
She is slated to receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award as the ESPY Awards on July 15. From this photo shoot, expect Jenner to make a statement at the red carpet.
The docu-series premieres Sunday, July 26 at 8 p.m. EST.
See the photo below.
E!
The Transformation of Caitlyn Jenner: From Olympic Gold Medalist to Vanity Fair Trans Cover Star (Photos)
From her days as a U.S. track and field athlete to her marriage to Kris Jenner, Bruce's look has changed in terms of her hairstyle, her face and, now, her gender.
Fan Fuego/Getty Images
Caitlyn was born Bruce Jenner was born on October 28, 1949 in Mount Kisco, New York. She earned a football scholarship to Graceland College, but a knee injury stopped her from pursuing it. Then, she veered towards decathlon and graduated in 1973 with a degree in physical education.
Where are they now – Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego
At the Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada, in 1976, Jenner placed first in the decathlon, setting the world record of 8,616 points and seen here crossing the finish line.
Where are they now – Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego
In 1976, Jenner was awarded the James E. Sullivan award presented to the "outstanding amateur athlete in the United States."
Where are they now – Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego
Jenner speaking at the 2001 Service America Awards Presentation Ceremony on June 11.
Getty Images
Jenner took part in the Celebrities Race to Make Dreams Come True in August 23, 2003.
Getty Images
Jenner and her two daughters, Kendall and Kyle, at the film premiere of the "Teacher's Pet" on January 12, 2004.
Getty Images
Jenner and now ex-wife Kris at the HollyRods Designcure 7th Annual Benefit on July 9, 2005.
Getty Images
Jenner at the 2006 ESPY Awards on July 12.
Getty Images
Jenner and family at the "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" premiere on Oct. 9, 2007.
Getty Images
Jenner and family at the "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" Season 2 Launch on March 19, 2008.
Getty Images
Jenner attended the event where Lamar Odom launched Rich Soil at Kitson LA on October 21, 2009.
Getty Images
Jenner and ex-wife Kris at the Endless Youth & Life Store Opening Celebration, November 11, 2010.
Getty Images
Jenner with ex-wife Kris at the City of Hope Honors Shelli and Irving Azoff with the 2011 Spirit of Life Award event on May 7, 2011.
Getty Images
Jenner at the 5th Annual George Lopez Celebrity Golf Classic on May 7, 2012.
Getty Images
Jenner at the Annual Charity Day Hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC on September 11, 2013. Here, Jenner looks younger, and is sporting a longer hair do.
Getty Images
At the time, this was one of the most highly-talked about photos of Jenner, taken in January of 2014. Here, she was seen wearing a bandage around her throat, which many speculated was because she had her Adam's apple reduced.
AMTV
Jenner at the 13th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Gala on April 4, 2014.
Getty Images
The former Olympian introduced herself as Caitlyn Jenner in an exclusive cover shoot for the July 2015 issue of Vanity Fair magazine.
Vanity Fair
1 of 19
The athlete formerly known as Bruce underwent dramatic changes to both her public image and physical appearance leading up to the announcement of her transition
From her days as a U.S. track and field athlete to her marriage to Kris Jenner, Bruce's look has changed in terms of her hairstyle, her face and, now, her gender.
Fan Fuego/Getty Images
Where are they now – Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego
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