Hello, I'm Jameson and I'm a 32-year-old trans man living in north central FL. A decidedly red-leaning area.

I often consider myself a little late to the game regarding my transition. Only finally cracking my egg in 2023 after a few decades of arduously slow self-discovery. I can say without any hesitation that I finally recognize and love the person I see in the mirror now, but my struggles aren't over.

As everyone knows, Florida is not the most welcoming state for trans folks. I'm incredibly lucky to be cis-passing in day-to-day life but doing so has required me to bind my chest to an extreme every time I go out in public. HRT has reduced the size of my chest somewhat, but I'm unfortunately still left with large, unmistakably feminine breasts. (My chest still fits DD sized bras).

To even achieve a somewhat believably flat chest, I wear two binders at a time, which is strongly advised against, and I've had to do this for years as I've hemmed and hawed over top surgery.

But I no longer feel I have the time to dance around that financial decision.

As I dread every warm day knowing I must wear at least three layers of clothing to conceal my chest. As I watch more and more attacks get lobbed against trans healthcare nationwide and in my own state. As I feel more aches and pains linger in my shoulders, ribs, and chest. I realize that I have to do this now because 'later' might not be possible.

I don't like asking for help, and I don't like the thought of asking for people's money for selfish reasons like an arguably elective surgery. But I'm doing so now.

I have a consultation scheduled with Vado Plastic Surgery at the beginning of March.

Their estimate for their top surgery procedure, what they call a partial mastectomy, ranges from $8,560 to $10,535. I was told the expected pricing is around $9,950 but this figure changes based on the results of the consultation. I'm certainly hoping for a lower figure.

This price is all-inclusive, covering a free nipple graft, anesthesia, the surgery suite and hospital time, and (hopefully) I assume, any aftercare. I'm expecting to end up with drains for some time post-surgery.

This is all out of pocket. Vado takes no insurance but does offer their own financing options. However, I'd like to be left with as little debt as possible.

The quote I'll receive at my consultation will be valid for 30 days, and if I choose to go with them, the $100 consultation fee I've already paid will be put towards the total cost of the surgery.

I have read, but will confirm at my consultation, that if I schedule my surgery within 2 months of the quote, Vado offers a 10-23% discount on the highest surgical expense. However, they do not guarantee this. Depending on what my quoted price ends up being and whether this discount could be applied, this will factor into my decision on a potential surgery date.

I've set the goal a little lower than the stated expected pricing as I'm hopeful that it will not be higher. If so, so be it.

I'm still going to be doing everything I can to fund as much of this on my own as possible. As I said, I don't like asking for help. But I will be so grateful for anything that can be spared.

And should whatever is raised through here surpass what I need to pay, it will be donated to Florida LGBTQ+ charities.

I will update this information in March after my consultation.