The use of silicone injections and other unconventional fillers like cooking oils, have gained traction within the transgender community as a method for body enhancement. These substances \u2014 often used in non-medical settings \u2014 are offered as cheaper, quicker alternatives to professional, medically supervised, gender-affirming procedures. While these treatments may seem like a lifeline for some people, their consequences are far more complex.<\/p>\n
Imagine living a life wearing a suit that doesn\u2019t quite belong to you, explained Dr. Natalia Zhikhareva, better known as\u00a0Dr. Z<\/a>, a gender psychologist based in Los Angeles. <\/p>\n Every day, they step outside, and people see a body\u2014responding, interacting and defining based solely on what they perceive. Inside that body, there\u2019s someone else. Someone with a different gender identity, and each time people misgender them based on that outer shell, it makes them feel like they\u2019re being punched. It\u2019s not just uncomfortable, but also painful, and a constant reminder that who they see, doesn\u2019t match who they are. <\/p>\n This psychological distress is known as gender dysphoria<\/a>. For many transgender individuals, altering their appearance can be an essential part of alleviating\u00a0 dysphoria, allowing them to feel more at home in their own bodies and engage with the world in a way that authentically reflects who they are.<\/p>\n According to a 2023 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law<\/a>, \u201c81% of transgender adults in the U.S. have thought about suicide.\u201d This statistic highlights the need to address the systemic inequalities and societal pressures that transgender individuals face. From discrimination in healthcare, to pervasive stigma in everyday life, transgender people are navigating a world often hostile to their identity.\u00a0<\/p>\n The emotional and physical impact of body enhancements<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cI started to transition when I was about 19. At that time, they were using cooking oil [for body enhancements]. And I had that procedure done on my body. I got the oil injections because I looked at my trans friends, who were so beautiful and slender. It was easy for me to agree to do it,\u201d Maria Roman-Taylorson, vice president & chief operating officer of the TransLatin@ Coalition<\/a>, said in Spanish.\u00a0 <\/p>\n The procedure involved injecting oil into different body areas, creating pockets under the skin.\u00a0Her body later rejected the procedure and she found herself in the emergency room. <\/p>\n \u201cIt seems either the liquid was infected or the technique was flawed, and I got infected all over my lower back and hip,\u201d she explained. \u201cThe doctor had to cut each pocket to drain it, which was incredibly painful.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Why trans people turn to these methods<\/p>\n Dr. Z explains that many people endure prolonged mental anguish to the point where they are willing to sacrifice their physical health to recover their peace and sense of self. She reflects on how access to gender-affirming care is both limited and costly, and in the current socio-political climate, it is becoming even more restricted. Dr. Z noted that in her practice, she has witnessed individuals taking extreme measures to alleviate their distress, such as self-administering silicone injections or traveling to other countries without knowing if the practitioners are qualified, all in a desperate effort to find relief. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen society doesn\u2019t provide treatment options, people have no choice,\u201d she stated.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe trans community is part of society. I pay taxes. I contribute and as such, I should have a place where they can provide me with services that respect my life and focus on helping and offering me with the best quality of services,\u201d affirmed Roman-Taylorson.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dr. Z believes that some people struggle to understand the complexities of gender, mainly because many of them don\u2019t think about it in their daily lives. However, just because some may not fully grasp the concept, it doesn\u2019t mean it doesn\u2019t exist, nor does it negate the profound pain and unhappiness it can cause for some individuals. People often seek concrete facts\u2014like a specific gene or medical evidence\u2014to explain gender identity, but she feels this is the wrong approach.\u00a0<\/p>\n Instead, she emphasizes the importance of recognizing when a fellow human being is in deep distress and pain, even to the point of contemplating suicide. Dr. Z believes that when witnessing such suffering, the compassionate response is to offer help in whatever way possible. For her, gender-affirming care is one of the most effective means of providing that support.\u00a0<\/p>\n