Eli’s Gender Confirmation Surgery

Hi! My name is Eli Teel and I’m female to male transgender. I started my medical transition in October 2019 with hormone replacement therapy. Each change that I experience puts me one step closer to feeling comfortable in my body. The next step in my transition process is chest masculinization surgery (AKA top surgery). I am in the process of scheduling my surgery with Dr. Scott Mosser and hope to set my surgery date for June 2020. This surgery is super important to me and would have such a positive effect on my life.

Since my biological sex doesn’t match up with the gender I identify with, I experience something called gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is defined as a feeling of extreme discomfort or distress due to a mismatch between ones biological sex and their gender identity. This condition has caused me to isolate myself from others and withdraw from almost all social aspects of my life. One of the things I enjoy most in life is running. Due to my discomfort with my body, I struggle to continue to be an active member of my cross country team.  As a very social person, this isolation has been detrimental to my mental health and overall well being.

As a college student with loans building up by the minute, the cost of this surgery presents a large financial difficulty for me. I work a minimum wage job at my school dining commons but unfortunately that doesn’t quite cut it. Juggling school and my mental health doesn’t leave me with much time or energy to work many hours. Fortunately, my insurance will cover a portion of the surgery costs but I’m still going to be left with $3,200-3,400 to pay out of pocket so I’m turning to my community for financial support. I would be so thankful for any contribution that you can manage and if you don’t have the financial means to contribute, spreading the word would be equally as meaningful. Thank you so much for your time.

- Eli