A gender clinic in Austin, Texas, known as the Crane Center for Transgender Surgery, has come under scrutiny for performing hundreds of unconventional genital surgeries that many experts consider dangerous. Dubbed 'Frankenstein's lab' by critics, the center offers procedures for non-binary individuals, who do not exclusively identify with one gender.

The surgeries offered at the clinic range from constructing both a penis and a vagina to completely removing sex organs, leading some to compare the procedures to 'Barbie-dolling your genitals.' The center's director, Dr. Curtis Crane, has proudly stated that he has fulfilled every surgical request that patients have made. The complex surgeries come with price tags ranging from $10,000 to $70,000.

Supporters of the clinic argue that these operations benefit the mental health of patients within the LGBTQ community. However, opponents believe that these surgeries exemplify the extreme nature of gender-affirming treatment. Jay Richards of the Conservative Heritage Foundation describes the procedures as revealing the "sheer madness of gender ideology," suggesting that the definition of "gender identity" has become disconnected from biological realities.

Though the Crane Center for Transgender Surgery is not the only clinic offering these surgeries, Dr. Crane claims that his practice is a world leader in the field. However, from 2017 to 2019, the clinic faced eight lawsuits in California alleging incorrect and unnecessary surgeries, as well as complications that resulted in hospitalization and debilitating pain. While all the lawsuits were dismissed, the controversies surrounding the clinic persist.

The clinic has performed over 1,000 phalloplasties and hundreds of non-binary procedures since 2012. Dr. Crane, who boasts extensive training in plastic surgery, urology, and transgender surgery, has garnered both praise and critical backlash for his innovative techniques.

Among the lesser-known procedures offered by the clinic is penile splitting, a form of body modification that divides the penis into separate sections to enhance sexual pleasure or to alter its appearance. However, it is unclear whether the clinic offers this procedure.

Experts consider the newer non-binary surgeries experimental, as there is limited research on their long-term outcomes and potential side effects. Critics argue that surgical interventions for non-binary identities may cause more harm than good, pointing out that extreme body modifications such as nullification (genital removal) should not be undertaken solely based on a patient's desires.

Despite the controversies, patients seek these surgeries to align their physical appearance with their gender identity. The procedures involve taking tissues from different parts of the body to construct new genitals and may include the implantation of erectile devices. Complications can arise, such as fistulas and urethral issues, both of which require further surgeries.

While insurance coverage is available for approximately 85 to 90 percent of the clinic's procedures, adhering to insurance rules can be cumbersome. Cash-paying patients have more flexibility in terms of requirements for mental health evaluations and hormone therapy.

The Crane Center for Transgender Surgery, with nearly a dozen practitioners across multiple locations, remains a prominent player in the field. However, ongoing debates surrounding the ethical implications and potential risks of these unconventional surgeries continue to spark discussion among medical professionals and society at large.

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