Hi all, Tripp Cahill-Gordon here. Top surgery is something I’ve strongly desired--needed!--for over half my life, and it’s finally within my reach! The only barrier now is the cost. My health insurance won’t cover a single penny, so I’ll have to pay over $10k out of pocket. Then there’s my rent and utility payments to keep up on while I’m taking 2-4 weeks off from my multiple jobs to heal.

I would be most grateful for any and all help you’re willing to offer.

–Cost Breakdown–

My surgeon’s office has bundled the surgery itself (bilateral mastectomy with free nipple grafting) with minor underarm liposuction, 3 hours at the hospital, anesthesia, one post-surgical compression garment, and silicone scar gel for a discounted rate of $10,675. To secure the surgery date (April 15th), I paid $500 which goes towards the overall cost, leaving $10,175.

In addition, I will need to pay for various supplies: vitamins and supplements recommended by my surgeon to promote healing; ointments to keep the surgical sites moist; and a variety of bandages. These could add up to another $200, depending on how much of each I need to use.

My rent is currently $806/mo and utilities are $135/mo. I have high hopes that I won’t have to take more than a month off work; it could even be as little as 2 weeks if there are no complications.

Altogether, that’s just over $11,300 I need to pull together by April 1st.