Hi, my name is LJ, and I’m a trans man raising funds for top surgery.

Transitioning has been one of the most important — and life-saving — things I’ve ever done. It’s allowed me to feel present in my own life in a way I never could before. I’ve grown so much, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. But there’s still one final step in my journey that I’m working towards.

Living with chest dysphoria affects me every single day. To manage it, I wear a binder daily — a very tight compression top.

While it helps me feel more comfortable socially, it comes at a cost. I deal with constant tightness in my chest, back and rib pain, skin irritation, and difficulty breathing properly, especially after long or physically demanding days. Over time, that physical strain builds up, and so does the mental toll.

There are days when I struggle to look at myself in the mirror. It’s hard to feel at home in your body when something feels so out of alignment. I avoid certain clothes. I hesitate before social situations. I hold myself differently. It’s exhausting carrying that quiet discomfort all the time.

Because NHS waiting times for trans healthcare are so long, accessing this surgery through the NHS isn’t currently realistic. As trans people are left waiting many years for essential care. Like anyone else, we deserve timely and compassionate healthcare. For me, private surgery is the only viable option.

I often feel like parts of my life are on hold while I wait for this step. The physical pain, alongside the constant background noise of dysphoria, makes it hard to fully relax or chase the things I want to achieve. All I want is to feel free in my own body — not trapped in it.

After top surgery, I imagine waking up and feeling calm. Breathing deeply without tightness, Moving freely without pain, Swimming without hesitation. Looking in the mirror and recognising myself — not flinching, not rushing past it, but actually standing there and feeling at ease. I imagine going on holiday and feeling confident and comfortable as a man, instead of restricted and self-conscious.

More than anything, I truly believe this surgery will allow me to finally step fully into my life. Not surviving it. Not managing it. But living it.

I’m sharing this page in the hope of raising funds to make this possible. Any donation, share, or support truly means more than I can say. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for helping me move toward this next chapter.