Help Tristan Get Gender Affirming Top Surgery!

Greetings!

My name is Tristan Gassner, and I am a transgender man who needs all the help he can get. I turned 18 this past September and I am a freshman in college! Those of you who personally know me and have aided me throughout my transition thus far, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I recently had my top surgery consultation with the surgeon who I chose to perform this life-saving surgery for me. Originally, the cost expectation of this surgery was around $8,000; however, that estimation was based off prices of pre-covid times. The actual bill for my surgery is $12,000, which is 4 grand more than my original estimation, including in travel fees. I am currently in the process of approving this surgery with my insurance, but until then I won’t know how much they’ll cover.

One more thing before I get into my transition journey:

Although I have not faced any backlash or negative interactions based on my identity thus far in college, I would very much appreciate it if those who do know of my transgender identity would allow me to come out myself. Although I am not ashamed to me transgender, I do not want it to define me or cause anyone to look at me/think of me/treat me as anything other than a man (AMAB). It is a main source of dysphoria when people know I am transgender without me coming out to them first; basically, the ones who get it, get it. I expected college to feel like a “clean slate,” a place where nobody knew who I was before, somewhere that I could complete my transition without anyone catching the hint. Luckily, I was partially correct.

Here is my transition story so far:

Since my 8th birthday, I’ve known that I am a man trapped in a “different body.” I transitioned socially when I was 12 and, with the help of my fantastic community, I have been on hormone replacement therapy for over 2 and a half years! Getting the funds together for top surgery has been almost impossible, due to being a freshman in college.

Now that I have graduated high school, turned 18, and started college, I want to fufill the final stages of my transition. This surgery will be life saving and life changing. I can be one step closer to being comfortable in my own skin, enjoying my life to the fullest!

One of the main reasons why it’s essential that I get this surgery is because continuous binding and exercising while binding is dangerous for me considering my lifestyle. I am a proud member of the Toledo Rocket Marching Band, and I would be heartbroken if I had to give up what I love for the sake of my health, for doing what I must to limit my gender dysphoria. I’m tired of holding myself back from what I love and skipping out on amazing experiences to avoid damage.

My surgery has been scheduled (hooray!!) for June 26th, 2024. This date was set so that I have plenty of time to recover before my second RMB season and sophomore year of college begins.

I am asking for your help. It isn’t something that comes easily to me, but this is something I cannot achieve on my own. Anything you can spare toward this fund is a step closer to finally feeling that I am who I am supposed to be, both inside and outside. Even the smallest donation makes the biggest difference. Please share my GOFUNDME if you can!

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I appreciate everyone who donates/shares the link!