About the Surgeon’s Pre-Conference

November 7—9, 2026

The WPATH Surgeon’s Pre-Conference is an intensive, in-depth educational experience designed to advance excellence in gender-affirming surgical care. As a cornerstone of the WPATH 29th Scientific Symposium, this multi-day pre-conference offers comprehensive training across the full spectrum of gender-affirming surgery and sets the foundation for continued learning throughout the main symposium.

Developed for surgeons and multidisciplinary surgical team members, the program delivers a robust curriculum reflecting the latest clinical advances, new research, evolving standards of care, and real-world surgical decision-making. Sessions are led by internationally recognized experts and emphasize both technical mastery and patient-centered, outcomes-driven care.

Content spans a wide range of procedures and practice considerations, including (but not limited to) metoidioplasty, phalloplasty, vaginoplasty, chest and reconstructive procedures, body contouring, facial surgery, perioperative planning, complication prevention and management, and strategies to optimize long-term patient outcomes. The program also highlights emerging techniques, innovation in surgical practice, and interdisciplinary approaches that strengthen continuity of care.

Integrated Symposium Learning: Dedicated surgical tracks during the main symposium build on the pre-conference, deepening discussion and fostering ongoing collaboration, peer exchange, and networking.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the Surgeon’s Pre-Conference, participants should be able to:

• Describe current approaches and evolving best practices for gender-affirming surgical care.
• Apply best practices in preoperative assessment, perioperative planning, and postoperative management to optimize outcomes.
• Identify common complications across gender-affirming procedures and implement effective prevention and management strategies.
• Evaluate surgical techniques and clinical decision-making considerations across a range of procedures, including facial, body, genital and chest surgeries.
• Integrate interdisciplinary, team-based approaches that support continuity of care and patient-centered outcomes.
• Discuss emerging techniques, innovations, and opportunities for quality improvement in gender-affirming surgery.

Who Should Attend

Designed for professionals involved in surgical gender-affirming care, including:

• Surgeons providing or expanding into gender-affirming procedures
• Surgical fellows, residents, and trainees
• Anesthesiology and perioperative care teams
• Nursing staff, advanced practice providers, and operating room personnel
• Multidisciplinary clinicians supporting perioperative and long-term follow-up care

Note: CME/CE information will be shared when available.

Surgeon Program Subcommittee