Support Lee's Top Surgery
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Hello friends!
My name is Lee and I'm a non-binary trans masculine graduate student living in Ithaca, NY. For the past eight years, I've been trying to get top surgery and I FINALLY have a have a surgery date: March 10th! WILD.
I'm hoping to raise some funds and if you have the means to help me on this adventure, please read on!
The journey:
Since 2014, I've attempted to get top surgery--a gender affirming surgery for chest masculinization--from three other surgeons, each time involving research, consultations, letters from my therapist and doctor, and waiting for insurance approval. And each time, the surgeon went out of my insurance network right before I was able to book a surgery date. The last of those attempts would have worked out if it weren't for covid.
During my first attempt, my amazing friend Elizabeth secretly raised funds to help me cover the surgery date deposit, and I received donations and incredible messages of support in the mail from my college friends. When that surgery date fell through, I used those funds for a consultation with the next surgeon, which also ended up not working out in the end. Nonetheless, my friends' support early on motivated me to keep trying, despite the disappointments. I've been revisiting those letters recently and I'm so grateful to have their support, as well as the support of family, new friends, and trans acquaintances online over the years.
Well, fourth time's a charm! I was able to book a date with Dr. Bluebond-Langner in NYC, an excellent surgeon with a supportive team. She usually has a years-long wait list, but I lucked out.
The surgery:
I'm very fortunate to have insurance, and to live within driving distance from the hospital, but there are/have been many overall costs:
- Extending my student insurance while being unemployed ($1700)
- Lodging in NYC for one week for initial recovery ($500)
- Rental car for one week in NYC and one follow-up appointment ($1200)
- Post-op supplies and grocery delivery ($300)
- Out-of-pocket for surgery, hospital, and anesthesia fees ($3000)
How you can help:
I'm hoping to raise $1500 to help out with upcoming costs while I wait for unemployment benefits, and anything I might raise beyond that will go toward my out-of-pocket costs. I know these are difficult financial times for many, so if you can afford to donate, please know that I am so appreciative. Regardless, thanks for reading!
With so much gratitude,
Lee
My name is Lee and I'm a non-binary trans masculine graduate student living in Ithaca, NY. For the past eight years, I've been trying to get top surgery and I FINALLY have a have a surgery date: March 10th! WILD.
I'm hoping to raise some funds and if you have the means to help me on this adventure, please read on!
The journey:
Since 2014, I've attempted to get top surgery--a gender affirming surgery for chest masculinization--from three other surgeons, each time involving research, consultations, letters from my therapist and doctor, and waiting for insurance approval. And each time, the surgeon went out of my insurance network right before I was able to book a surgery date. The last of those attempts would have worked out if it weren't for covid.
During my first attempt, my amazing friend Elizabeth secretly raised funds to help me cover the surgery date deposit, and I received donations and incredible messages of support in the mail from my college friends. When that surgery date fell through, I used those funds for a consultation with the next surgeon, which also ended up not working out in the end. Nonetheless, my friends' support early on motivated me to keep trying, despite the disappointments. I've been revisiting those letters recently and I'm so grateful to have their support, as well as the support of family, new friends, and trans acquaintances online over the years.
Well, fourth time's a charm! I was able to book a date with Dr. Bluebond-Langner in NYC, an excellent surgeon with a supportive team. She usually has a years-long wait list, but I lucked out.
The surgery:
I'm very fortunate to have insurance, and to live within driving distance from the hospital, but there are/have been many overall costs:
- Extending my student insurance while being unemployed ($1700)
- Lodging in NYC for one week for initial recovery ($500)
- Rental car for one week in NYC and one follow-up appointment ($1200)
- Post-op supplies and grocery delivery ($300)
- Out-of-pocket for surgery, hospital, and anesthesia fees ($3000)
How you can help:
I'm hoping to raise $1500 to help out with upcoming costs while I wait for unemployment benefits, and anything I might raise beyond that will go toward my out-of-pocket costs. I know these are difficult financial times for many, so if you can afford to donate, please know that I am so appreciative. Regardless, thanks for reading!
With so much gratitude,
Lee
Organizer
Lee Tyson
Organizer
Ithaca, NY
