Benn's Chest Reconstruction Surgery
Donation protected
Hello there!
My name is Benn Marine. I'm a transman (meaning I was born female bodied but identify as a man) and I am working to raise the funds necessary for me to have reconstructive chest surgery.
This is important to me because it is the one area of my life that causes severe anxiety and often bouts of deep depression. I am currently a large chested person which means it's very difficult for myself and others to view me as the man I feel I am. I can rarely fit into mens dress shirts, even when wearing a binder. In order to wear dress shirts and other clothing that I feel more comfortable in I need to wear a binder which flattens my chest, but it also restricts my breathing and can be incredibly painful to wear. Even as painful as it is to wear, it is often more comfortable than going without it. Often, I'll wear my binder for over twelve hours out of necessity, the recommended max time for wearing a binder is at most 6-8 hours.
The good news, there is a rememdy for this dysphoria. There are surgeons all across the country that perform the kind of chest reconstruction that I am looking to have done. I am saving to go to Dr. Garramone in south florida as he is one of the best in the country at one of the most affordable price points. Dr. Garramone has an estimated cost of roughly $7,000 with all the hospital and surgical fees included. Once the surgery is complete I have to return to Dr. Garramone's office a week later to have him remove the dressings and drains. During that week post op I will be heavily medicated and won't be able to lift my arms so I will need some one to care for me during this time. This means that in addition to the $7,000 for the surgery I need to raise $1500 to cover the travel for myself and one other person for one week from Maine to Dr. Garramone's office in South Florida. Once my top surgery is complete I will feel like my whole self and my transition will feel complete. That means the total I need to raise is $8,500. I'll start by making the $8,500 the goal on this site and as I personally add money to my savings account for top surgery I'll decrease the total goal to accurately reflect what's left to raise.
My goal is to raise these funds by April 5, 2015 so that I can have my surgery on May 11, 2015 (Dr. Garramone requires full payment 4 weeks before the surgery date).
Every little bit helps, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity,
Benn
My name is Benn Marine. I'm a transman (meaning I was born female bodied but identify as a man) and I am working to raise the funds necessary for me to have reconstructive chest surgery.
This is important to me because it is the one area of my life that causes severe anxiety and often bouts of deep depression. I am currently a large chested person which means it's very difficult for myself and others to view me as the man I feel I am. I can rarely fit into mens dress shirts, even when wearing a binder. In order to wear dress shirts and other clothing that I feel more comfortable in I need to wear a binder which flattens my chest, but it also restricts my breathing and can be incredibly painful to wear. Even as painful as it is to wear, it is often more comfortable than going without it. Often, I'll wear my binder for over twelve hours out of necessity, the recommended max time for wearing a binder is at most 6-8 hours.
The good news, there is a rememdy for this dysphoria. There are surgeons all across the country that perform the kind of chest reconstruction that I am looking to have done. I am saving to go to Dr. Garramone in south florida as he is one of the best in the country at one of the most affordable price points. Dr. Garramone has an estimated cost of roughly $7,000 with all the hospital and surgical fees included. Once the surgery is complete I have to return to Dr. Garramone's office a week later to have him remove the dressings and drains. During that week post op I will be heavily medicated and won't be able to lift my arms so I will need some one to care for me during this time. This means that in addition to the $7,000 for the surgery I need to raise $1500 to cover the travel for myself and one other person for one week from Maine to Dr. Garramone's office in South Florida. Once my top surgery is complete I will feel like my whole self and my transition will feel complete. That means the total I need to raise is $8,500. I'll start by making the $8,500 the goal on this site and as I personally add money to my savings account for top surgery I'll decrease the total goal to accurately reflect what's left to raise.
My goal is to raise these funds by April 5, 2015 so that I can have my surgery on May 11, 2015 (Dr. Garramone requires full payment 4 weeks before the surgery date).
Every little bit helps, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity,
Benn
Organizer
Benn Marine
Organizer
Cumberland Center, ME
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