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Top Surgery for Ruán

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Hi, I'm Ruán. I'm a gay, Irish, trans man living in London.

I came out to friends as transgender about age 16 and I came out to my parents and family at age 21 - two years ago. Now, at age 24, I am finally 6 months on HRT, and it has been such an amazing change for me. Top surgery is the next step in my medical/physical transition.

I bind my chest most days, often for longer than the recommended 8 hours. It hurts, I overheat, and it could have negative long-term effects on my body. However, most days wearing a binder isn't really an option, either for my own safety or for my own mental wellbeing. Waking up every day and looking at my body brings an onset of depression and dysphoria, and it's never a nice start to my day.

I was referred to the Irish public system for HRT, and it took 8 months to get my first letter from them, confirming that they had even received my referral. I then moved to the UK, but had I started from square one on the NHS waiting list, it would be at least 3 years until the first appointment, and that, unfortunately, could be a life or death wait for me. I was lucky enough that I was then able to afford to get HRT privately.

Knowing this, I don't think that the amount of time I would have to wait to get top surgery on the public system is feasible for me and my mental health; 3-4 year wait minimum. This is why I have decided to go privately.

After doing lots of research and form-filling, I'm set up to have a consultation for top surgery with Dr. Lembas in Poland next February. I was all good with my savings until I unexpectedly become unemployed at the end of September. This has left me worried on whether top surgery will be feasible at all for me next year at this point as I am still unemployed.

Getting top surgery will be an incredible quality of life operation for me, it would be life changing. No more binding every day. No more dysphoria every time I look down at myself. No more worry for how others perceive me. No more worries about fainting in heat because of my binder.

What will the funds go towards? The surgery itself, flights, staying in Poland post-op, medical supplies, and help for the recovery period where I will not be able to work (assuming I have a job at all at that point).

If you have any spare cash at all, any amount is deeply appreciated. If you cannot donate, any sharing on social media is also helpful to me.

If you have any questions, please send me a message.

Thank you so much in advance,

Ruán.

Organizer

Ruán M
Organizer

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