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Hellooo it's me, Kaine! I'm 33 years old, and my pronouns are they/he.
I've been binding on and off since the age of 18, as well as for the last four years, consecutively, to hide my chest. It's coming to a point where it's affecting my posture causing back/shoulder pain, as well as causing digestive and breathing issues from being compressed for 8 hours a day. I can't switch to the tape method to alleviate symptoms, as I'm allergic to the adhesive, so I've been taking more breaks between binding at the expense of my comfort and mental health.
After initially being quoted a 2 year wait time, I've been on the provincial waitlist to receive top surgery for the last 4 years now. It is getting increasingly unbearable to continue waiting, especially as I watch others- who started transitioning after me- bask in the glow of trans joy, and receive their top surgeries within a few months/a year of their referrals (I'm just as confused as you are)
With the current Albertan government affecting hospital wait times across the board, surgeons prioritizing private clients over public ones, and the looming fear that access to gender affirming care for trans adults may be jeopardized- I've found my only choice is to go private before my physical and mental health declines more than it already has.
While there's a chance that I'll have access to private insurance (pre-authorization pending), I still only have enough saved to either cover what insurance won't, or the first half of the installment to book the surgery in the event that I don't get approved.
If I get approved: I'd be using donations for my recovery costs, and donate the remaining back into the community- either to Skipping Stone, or directly to other fundraisers for gender affirming care (will update with receipts at time of donation)
If I don't get approved: I'd be using donations to cover the second installment due 2 weeks before my surgery.
For those unfamiliar with the procedure: "Top surgery" is the masculinization of the chest; which requires the removal of breast tissue, and can take up to 8 weeks to fully recover from. While I'm hoping to be able to do modified work duties by 3 weeks, this will be my first surgery ever, let alone my first major surgery, so I have no way of knowing how my body will take to having the procedure done.
Thank you do much for reading- Every bit helps, even if you just share the fundraiser around!
Transparency:
Surgery cost estimate:
- $10,000 with 50% due upon booking the surgery date, 50% due within 2 weeks of the surgery.
- I have $5,000 through a mixture of savings and line of credit to cover the first 50%
- I am expecting to have the surgery as early as June, 2026 and have already paid $200 for my consultation.
Insurance coverage if approved:
- 80% up to $10,000
- Which means I can expect to pay appx. $2,000 out of pocket for the surgery alone.
Cost of living/other expenses:
- Appx. $2,250 which includes rent, car insurance, phone bill, groceries, utilities etc.
- Scar tapes/creams/compression vest etc. for healing: Appx. $150-200 (I'm very lucky to already have access to things like a mastectomy pillow and other things to offer comfort during bedrest, so it would just be items necessary to assist healing)
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