Fellowship Trained Surgeon Specializing Exclusively in Gender Affirmation Surgery
Dr. Ashley N. DeLeon, MD, FACS is a board-certified general and trauma surgeon who specializes exclusively in Gender Reassignment Surgery. Dr. DeLeon is fellowship trained in gender-affirming procedures and has vast experience with pelvic and breast surgery. Dr. DeLeon practices in Austin, Texas at the Crane Center for Transgender Surgery, one of the busiest gender surgery practices in the world, where she focuses specifically on Vaginoplasty, Orchiectomy, masculinizing Top Surgery and Phalloplasty procedures. Dr. DeLeon also teaches at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School.
Dr. DeLeon obtained her undergraduate and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees at the University of Kansas. While completing post-doctoral work at The University of Texas at Austin Department of Graduate Studies, she also taught at both the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Pharmacy and School of Nursing. After practicing as a clinical pharmacist at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Dr. DeLeon returned to the Austin area to attend Medical School at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, graduating with Honors in the top 10% of her class. Dr. DeLeon completed her surgical residency at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, and went on to practice general surgery, including advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, and complex abdominal, pelvic and breast procedures. An avid sports fan, Dr. DeLeon also started working at the Formula One track in Austin providing specialty trauma surgery for drivers and continues to do so.
After developing a special interest in transgender surgery, Dr. DeLeon pursued advanced fellowship training with Dr. Curtis Crane, with her expertise in pelvic anatomy and breast surgery serving as an excellent foundation for understanding these complex procedures. After the completion of her training, Dr. DeLeon joined the Crane Center for Transgender Surgery, specializing in Vaginoplasty, Orchiectomy, and FTM Top Surgery. She also started offering RFF and ALT Phalloplasty in 2021.
Dr. DeLeon is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH.)
“Dr. DeLeon is an amazing surgeon, with a huge heart. She performed my MTF gender confirmation surgery on July 31st, and I’ve never been so confident in a physician. Her work is amazing, she puts a lot of effort into this surgery, and loves working with the trans community. I’d send anyone to her!” — Cora in Pittsburgh
Dr. DeLeon performs the following Gender Affirmation Surgery procedures:
- Top Surgery – Double Incision with Nipple Grafts, Keyhole
- Phalloplasty – RFF (forearm) and ALT (thigh)
- Facial Feminization Surgery: Tracheal Shave
- Orchiectomy
- Vulvoplasty
- Vaginoplasty – Penile Inversion
Dr. DeLeon operates at Arise Austin Medical Center and Westlake Hills Surgery Center, both in Austin, Texas.
“Dr. DeLeon, and her entire practice are some of the kindest, most professional people I’ve met in my entire life. Trans-surgery is the only thing these angels do. I recently had my MTF Vaginoplasty done with them and the team at Westlake Medical Center in Austin. I’m still absolutely in love with the work Dr. DeLeon did.” – Vaginoplasty patient, RealSelf.com
Surgery Requirements
Dr. DeLeon follows WPATH guidelines for surgery:
- You will need to provide two referrals from qualified mental health professionals for genital procedures; one referral for other procedures unless otherwise specified by insurance.
- A letter from your hormone specialist stating you have been on 12 months of continuous hormones for genital procedures, unless clinically contraindicated.
- Additionally, patients must be 18+ years of age.
Financing & Insurance
Dr. DeLeon accepts credit/debit cards, cashier’s check, money order, wire transfer and medical financing via CareCredit. She also accepts insurance and is in-network with Cigna PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Commercial United Healthcare PPO, and Employer Health Network (Whole Foods). The Crane Center has also had success billing as an out-of-network provider with Aetna, Group Health, Harvard Pilgrim, HealthPartners and Medica.
Dr. DeLeon does not work with the following insurance providers: Medicare, Medicaid, Tri-Care, Kaiser, Ambetter and Oscar Health.
Booking a Consultation
Dr. DeLeon is available for phone or in-person consultations in Austin. If insurance is out-of-network, then the cost of the consultation is $200. If in-network, the consultation fee is the specialist co-pay. An in-person consultation is not required for booking a surgery date. Contact Dr. DeLeon’s office to book your consultation and you’ll hear back with more details.
Current wait list: 4-6 weeks for a consultation, 5-6 weeks for a surgery date (after all requirements, such as letters and hair removal, are met.)
