Dr. Marci Bowers has performed over 600 gender-reassignment surgeries in the "sex-change capital of the world": Trinidad, Colo. In the documentary drama Sex Change Hospital on WeTV, the audience got to go behind the scenes and see the real story. Bowers has been in the news lately for agreeing to pay for the sexual-reassignment surgery of Isis King, the transgender former America's Next Top Model contestant.
Windy City Times: Hi, Marci. I just watched your show the other night for the first time and learned so much. It made me want to know more about you and your life. What is your history?
Marci Bowers: Well, I am a Midwestern product. I was born in Chicago. I grew up in a small town west of Milwaukee and went to college in Madison, Wis. I eventually entered medical school at the University of Minnesota. I was class and student body president there. I went to do my residency in Seattle, Wash. My first 12 years in practice were spent there. About two-thirds of the way through that, I went through my own transition.
I don't identify anymore as trans because before I broke out into the open with my personal life, I was known pretty much as a woman practitioner back then. It was something I really didn't talk about.
Along the way, I married someone I met in college. We married in 1985 and we are still married. We are married not in a traditional sense, [ but ] more of a 21st-century sense. We have three kids together, two homes and our finances are all tied together. We live separate lives but remain best friends.
The kids are teenagers [ aged ] 17, 16 and 12. I have a partner here—a woman as it turns out. I moved to Trinidad with a man. Most of my partners have been men since the transition, but my partner right now is a woman. I tell everyone she has more testosterone than most of the men that I dated!
WCT: And you are the first transgender surgeon to perform this surgery, correct?
MB: Technically I am not the first one. The first one was a doctor by the name of Sheila Kirk. She started late in her career, in her mid-60s. She didn't perform too many.
So, I guess I am the first one that has had much success.
WCT: You are really busy; that's for sure. How many surgeries do you perform a week on average?
MB: Usually five of the male to female vaginal plastic surgery. [ They're ] actually pretty difficult so that's quite a number.
WCT: Is it more complicated to perform a female-to-male operation or the other way around?
MB: It depends on what surgery you are doing. The cosmetic and functional results are better male to female. The other is not more complicated. There are just more multiple procedures and that sort of thing.
You are using natal tissue. You are not borrowing from the forearm or doing a big skin graft from a jelly roll to create a penis. It's just using the local tissues. That's what I prefer, and increasing numbers of transmen are starting to go with that, too.
WCT: Does the patient have to go through psychological testing before they even meet with you?
MB: Yes. That is what's called "the standards of care," which means they are required to meet some minimal criteria in order to proceed with permanent surgery.
The problem with this is that it gives a mixed message to society. They think it means that they are crazy or that this is some sort of mental disorder.
The larger issue is that it's good to have the psychological counseling. That it's a huge deal and there are many ramifications that go along with it: family, job, etc.
The fact is that most patients have known where they were at a long time ago. Transitioning is difficult. You don't want to jump into it without knowing what you are getting into.
WCT: Are these surgeries covered by insurance?
MB: About 10 percent of employers cover this. Insurance for this is employer-mandated. So, we are finding that some of the more progressive companies—especially Internet companies such as Microsoft, Intel and IBM—do also. Companies that rely on a diverse workforce are increasingly mandating coverage for transgender care. Sadly, most people are still forced to pay out-of-pocket.
WCT: I noticed on the shows that I watched that many people have the surgery later in life.
MB: Well, that was just the show. It's random. Keep in mind the show was filmed about two and half years ago. What's happened since that time is that it was a self-selected group of people that were willing to come out. The reason that they were older [ was ] because those people are out and proud and just don't care what people think. The younger ones are infinitely more passable. They tend to hide. When you tell someone that you are trans you subject yourself to large amount of discrimination. It's not for the faint of heart.
WCT: So you do all different ages?
MB: Yes, from 17- to 75-year-olds. The average age is the mid-40s.
WCT: How long is the recovery time after these operations?
MB: It's a long recovery period. Twelve full weeks is the usual the amount of time.
WCT: I was really impressed by your bedside manner. Since you have been through it yourself, that must make it easier to connect with a patient.
MB: I am definitely more sympathetic to how difficult it can be for people.
WCT: What have you learned from being part of the show Sex Change Hostpital?
MB: That it takes a really long time to be a part of network TV.
WCT: So it was a long process. What's in the future for you?
MB: We have talked about doing a second season. It's always a challenge doing what I do. It's certainly not mainstream yet. I think we have done a good job with educating the world. People at least have a stand now on whether they like or don't like the procedure.
WCT: What inspired you to do the surgery for Isis from America's Next Top Model?
MB: I got interested in Isis, first from her appearance on an MSNBC special [ and then from ] following her journey on America's Next Top Model ( ANTM ) . I think the jolt I got was when I heard she was living in a homeless shelter when approached by ANTM. Then, when Tyra's producer approached me about a potential episode, we collaborated on this idea. I think the surprise effect was very special and I give the Tyra's folks enormous credit—even though I'll be the one with the challenges at surgery!
WCT: What was Isis' reaction when she found out the news that you would be performing the operation?
MB: She cried! When Tyra asked "Do you know this person ( referring to me ) ?" Isis began nodding immediately ... so that was cool to be known for what my work means to people. When I said to Isis that we'd like to evaluate her for the steps necessary to complete her surgery, she again nodded and cried.
WCT: How soon could all this happen?
MB: We have a surgery date! Isis is also getting her letters of evaluation together and we are working with our hospital to get them on board for media participation.
WCT: Well, I think you are a hero to many people and it is definitely an honor talking to you. I learned a lot from watching your show.
MB: We all have a cross to bear but I think, in some ways, transgender people have it worse. When someone makes an attempt to understand, it makes the world a little bit better place.
The show will air Dec. 23 and 24 on WeTV. Visit www.wetv.com and www.marcibowers.com .
