"I Am Jazz: Big Trouble In The Big Apple"
Although born male, Jazz Jennings is a transgender female and has been living as a girl since kindergarten. Her parents have spent years finding doctors to treat their daughter, while fighting the discrimination and misconceptions associated with what it means to be transgender. Now at 17 years old, Jazz has learned she needs to lose 30 pounds to be eligible for bottom surgery. She commits to losing weight and heads to New York City for a consultation with Jess Ting, MD, surgical director at Mount Sinai's Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery and assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Jazz was referred to Dr. Ting by Marci Bowers, MD, a pelvic and gynecologic surgeon at Mount Sinai's Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Ting explained to Jazz that he has concerns with her having this operation because she is younger than anyone he's operated on at the Center. "This is a big step and you want to make sure the patient is prepared, understands what they're doing and is making the right decision for themselves," said Dr. Ting. Dr. Ting recommended inserting a tissue expander in order to stretch the skin to prepare for bottom surgery.
- Jess Ting, MD, Surgical Director, Mount Sinai's Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, Assistant Professor, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Marci Bowers, Professional Lecturer, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Pelvic and Gynecologic Surgeon, Mount Sinai's Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery