V’s Gender Affirming Surgery

I’m a 23 year old trans girl asking for help covering the costs of my gender affirming surgery. It’s honestly long overdue and I’m just recently finding the courage to pursue it.

***UPDATE 2022:

In September, y’all helped me make my dreams come true with bottom surgery. Next month, I have a consultation for breast augmentation! I’m really excited to feel a little bit better about my body. Not only is this procedure important to my self image, but to my social comfort and safety.

I lost a lot of weight during my battle with meth and heroin in 2020 and for some reason, my breasts just never recovered. It’s a really disappointing reality and consequence of my addiction that I have to live with for now. I’ve taken to wearing bras whenever I leave the house, because I’m significantly less likely to be misgendered. But bras are uncomfortable! And the satisfaction of seeing a full cup size in the mirror is deeply missed. I’m looking forward to being more at-ease in public, while hopefully never wearing a bra again!!!

I’m expecting my insurance to cover most of this surgery! So, assuming that I’m correct about the costs, I’m looking to raise no more than $2000 to help with travel, time off work, and other more minor expenses.

***

2021: On April 19, 2019, I came to the sudden and jarring realization that I’m a girl. I dove head-first into my journey as a queer person and transfemme, but my progress was interrupted last year as I struggled to survive covid, meth addiction, and significant violence/discrimination based on my gender identity.

After extensive trauma therapy and several months in rehab, I’ve resumed volunteering my time in queer advocacy with various recovery communities, working at a treatment center, and devoting more time than ever to my personal affirmation, fulfillment, and recovery. I plan to legally change my name and possibly pursue other gender affirming surgeries down the road, but the next step that I’ve identified in my gender affirmation process is bottom surgery.

Gender affirming surgery would relieve the majority of my dysphoria and the most substantial block in my ability to completely love my body. I’m also looking forward to being able to shop for underwear with my girlfriends, not be anxious wearing leggings, and to not fear for my life so strongly in public restrooms, among other things.

I’m asking for help with the out-of-network coinsurance, cost of laser hair removal, and paying rent during my recovery. Thank you for your help!