Top THAT!-Austin's Top Surgery
Hello! My name is Austin [you can call me AJ, if you like!], and I am a 20something transgendered man from Michigan. More specifically, I am a female-to-male / FTM transgender. I live with my loving husband, Andrew, and our siberian husky, Grash.
I work a part time job at a farmers market, and also do freelance work as an artist on the internet.
!!-Just to warn you, this will be a huge wall of text. But please bear with me.
I came out as transgender [to myself] in 2013, where I struggled with my identity and sexuality. In 2014 I came out to my husband, and lastly, in 2015, I came out to my parents.
After learning what transgender is and what it means to me as a person, I have desired to have a body that people will instantly link with my chosen sex. In 2014 I had purchased a binder with Andrew's help, and that kept me content for the most part. A binder is a tanktop made with a strong piece of elastic, which kind of smooshes the breasts against the ribs, making the chest look flatter. It is very uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, and can cause skin and lung damage if not worn correctly. Having top surgery will help alieviate the stress of having to wear a binder every day, and also allow me to be topless during the summer like every other guy.
In June of 2015, I went into counseling, which solidified the necessity of gender therapy, and met with a physician to begin Hormone Replacement Therapy [or HRT for short].
All this is fine and dandy, and I am quite happy with the progress I have made. Except for the minor delay in getting my first injection [still waiting].
But still there are a few things left for me to do in my transition.
The number one being [you guessed it] Top Surgery.
For those who aren't sure what that is, top surgery is the removal of the breast tissue and surgically altering the chest into a more 'masculine' shape. There are several methods on how this procedure is done, and the method I have chosen is the 'double incision' double mastectomy. This will leave two scars across my chest, and minor scarring on the nipple area. I have researched carefully on the procedure, and am 100% on board.
I have even already chosen the surgeon that I would like to work with, Doctor Charles Garramone, located in Davie, FL.
Dr Garramone is the highest rating FTM top surgeon IN AMERICA, and his results are phoenomenal! I have looked into his procedures and prices, and I can understand why other men have called him "the Michaelangelo of surgeons". He works with several methods of top surgery, and even has a procedure called "ManSculpture", where the body is 'sculpted' into a more masculine shape [via liposuction]. After seeing the results on a young man with my body type, I was sold.
Looking through the website and doing some calculating , Dr Garramone's procedure would roughly cost [deep breath, ok?]...
$7,500 USD.
This would include the standard Double Incision mastectomy and mansculpture. This does not, however, cover the hospital and anesthesia fee, nor the $1,000 non-refundable surgery date deposit. That number is also generated based on the average payment made by multiple men who have seen Dr Garramone in the past three years.
I also did not include the costs of flying to Florida [into Ft Lauderdale Airport] for two people*, the hotel room [for a little over a week], transportation to and from the surgical center, and food. I will also need to get perscription antibiotics and do necessary lab work before my surgery date.
I have attempted to work out a budget, without lowering my standards or endangering my safety/health.
It would be about $200 per person for a round-trip direct flight from Detroit to Ft. Lauderdale.
The shuttle from the airport to the hotel is about $30 one way. The hotel [the Comfort Suites] offers a discount rate for Dr Garramone's patients of $129 /night.
Food would be purchased at a local grocery store, and I am budgeting for about $100 worth.
At this current time [January 24], I have not set up a date with Dr Garramone's office. I plan to call or email them to schedule a phone consultation within the next few weeks. There we will discuss methods and treatments, in which I will receive a final price and arrange a surgery date. As stated in their before surgery information , I will need to have the remaining amount of the cost before the date of my surgery, which can be paid in cash or by credit card at the surgery center.
I know it is a lot to ask for, but every little bit really does count. Even sharing this page, and spreading the word about it will help me out! You all mean so much to me, and your support will help me be comfortable in my own skin at last.
★I am currently working on rewards for everyone who donates, including personalized thank-you cards, support pins, and various goodies! If you want to make a suggestion for donator swag, feel free to leave a comment!
*Dr Garramone requires I have someone to assist me and not leave my side for 24 hours after the procedure. This is so I do not injure myself, to keep me hydrated, help me with the toilet, and to help in case I get sick from the anesthesia.
