Abbie's Gender Affirming Surgeries

Hello, my name is Abbie.

Over two years ago I started my gender transition after spending the majority of my life struggling with not knowing who I was, why I felt like I did and with what I now know to be called Gender Dysphoria.

Since being referred to the Gender Identity Clinic in Leeds I am still to have my first appointment with them. I was initially informed that this would be approximately a 3 year wait, 2 and a half years after my GP referral, this wait appears to have increased and is looking more like a 5+ year wait.

In the time I have been on this waiting list I have managed to achieve a number of things myself, for example:

• Acquiring a Gender Dysphoria diagnosis report - £500.

• Fertility storage - £1,542 and then £28.50 pcm whilst storage continues.

• Body/facial laser hair removal £5,479.66.

• Facial hair electrolysis - treatment kindly

donated by friend/family member.

• Vocal training - £400 (£80 per session).

• Starting a hormone replacement therapy bridging prescription through my GP - NHS prescription.

• 2x Gender Confirmation Surgery referral reports - £750.

• Non-surgical gender affirming items, such as prosthetics (pre hormone therapy), transgender specific swimwear and underwear - £862.

In total over the past couple of years I have spent £9,533.66 on the steps I’ve managed to accomplish. This has truly been a struggle, especially with the cost of daily living and this increasing month by month. These steps were so critical for my happiness, that I found any means possible to achieve them. The way I have mainly managed to afford the completed steps has been through paying by pay monthly finance options or split payments.

For me to be able to live happily and truly feel like the woman I am, I desperately need to undergo the below procedures. These are the surgeries that I am reaching out for your help and support to fund;

• Gender Confirmation Surgery:

- Initial Consultation £270

- Hospital fee £16,800

- Surgeon fee £9,360

- Anaesthetist fee £1,840

Total £28,270.

•Vocal Surgery and Tracheal Shave:

- Initial consultation £500

- Hospital fee £4,155

- Surgeon fee £2,150

- Anaesthetist fee £825

Total £7,630.

For me to be able to make these procedures possible without having to rely upon the astronomical waiting times off the NHS which are forever growing, I need to raise £35,900 to pursue these surgeries privately in the UK.

Vocal Surgery and a Tracheal Shave are not offered through the NHS and are only accessible privately. Also from my findings I have worked out that If I were to wait and have my Gender Confirmation Surgery through the NHS, I most probably wouldn’t have a surgery date until I am approximately 50 years of age, I am currently 32. This is why it is crucial and truly means more to me than I could ever express to raise the funds for private care.

So here I am, writing this page, reaching out in desperation and asking for help. I’m hoping and praying that there are people out there that would be happy, willing and in the position to help me fund and achieve these steps that would allow me to live the rest of my life happily.

I cannot stress how much your help and kindness would mean to me and how much it would change my life. I truly thank you for taking the time to read my plea and for your kindness, support and donations.

Thank you

Abbie xxx