Wendy's Surgery Fund
Donation protected
Hello friends! I am starting a campaign to pay for an operation I have been considering since I was 12 years old, many years ago. It's for a breast reduction. It was first suggested to me by my doctor when I hit puberty, but I never thought I could choose surgery, when natural healing was so important to me.
In the last few years, this has changed. I have been having many middle back/neck issues that are a direct result of carrying this heavy load. I am squeezing into an H-cup, mainly because I can't pay over $100 for a bra. I have been able to lose some weight off and on, but not lasting, and especially through my last hormonal changes this is one part of my body that doesn't change. It's become a huge limitation to me, causing pain, and limiting my daily activities.
My current doctor supports me and completely understands the need for this, but Kaiser won't pay for it, because of weight limits I've been trying to meet for years.
I found a surgeon who I like a lot, and I have a date set of February 7th. He has successfully done the surgery with many women who haven't met Kaiser's requirements, He founded Kaiser SF's cosmetic surgery department during a two year appointment there. He also respectfully does many ftm surgeries, and I feel very comfortable with him.
This is the time for me to do this, I don't have a daily job where I'm indispensable, and I'm ready.
The surgery will cost 11,800, and I want to expect to be working minimally for 4-6 weeks, so I want to raise another $2500 for that time to cover recovery expenses.
I have never felt completely comfortable in my body since puberty. I was a total tomboy, growing up in NY my friends were boys and my toys were action figures. I'll never forget in 4th grade, shortly after moving to suburbia, being sent to the principal's office because someone had drawn a picture of my body, and it was circulating in the cafeteria. When I saw it, I burst out in nervous laughter, because that's the only way I could deal. When me and the person that drew it got sent to the office (it was my first time but not the last) I felt so much shame.
Because my breasts became so large, I got a ton of unwanted attention over the years. I was always pretty uncomfortable with it, and became very good at concealing/minimizing my figure. The cover-up has also affected my posture and freedom in my body.
If any of you have any experience with this, please reach out and let me know. If you can't contribute, words of encouragement, post-op meals, massage, etc, etc. would be greatly appreciated. It's hard to ask for money for something like this. I am starting by asking my women friends for help, because it's easier, and is a time-honored tradition.
Please share/comment privately rather than tagging me, I'm not ready for that yet!
No amount is too small. I will probably keep this up for a month or so after the surgery, so I can post updates. Thank you SO MUCH.
In the last few years, this has changed. I have been having many middle back/neck issues that are a direct result of carrying this heavy load. I am squeezing into an H-cup, mainly because I can't pay over $100 for a bra. I have been able to lose some weight off and on, but not lasting, and especially through my last hormonal changes this is one part of my body that doesn't change. It's become a huge limitation to me, causing pain, and limiting my daily activities.
My current doctor supports me and completely understands the need for this, but Kaiser won't pay for it, because of weight limits I've been trying to meet for years.
I found a surgeon who I like a lot, and I have a date set of February 7th. He has successfully done the surgery with many women who haven't met Kaiser's requirements, He founded Kaiser SF's cosmetic surgery department during a two year appointment there. He also respectfully does many ftm surgeries, and I feel very comfortable with him.
This is the time for me to do this, I don't have a daily job where I'm indispensable, and I'm ready.
The surgery will cost 11,800, and I want to expect to be working minimally for 4-6 weeks, so I want to raise another $2500 for that time to cover recovery expenses.
I have never felt completely comfortable in my body since puberty. I was a total tomboy, growing up in NY my friends were boys and my toys were action figures. I'll never forget in 4th grade, shortly after moving to suburbia, being sent to the principal's office because someone had drawn a picture of my body, and it was circulating in the cafeteria. When I saw it, I burst out in nervous laughter, because that's the only way I could deal. When me and the person that drew it got sent to the office (it was my first time but not the last) I felt so much shame.
Because my breasts became so large, I got a ton of unwanted attention over the years. I was always pretty uncomfortable with it, and became very good at concealing/minimizing my figure. The cover-up has also affected my posture and freedom in my body.
If any of you have any experience with this, please reach out and let me know. If you can't contribute, words of encouragement, post-op meals, massage, etc, etc. would be greatly appreciated. It's hard to ask for money for something like this. I am starting by asking my women friends for help, because it's easier, and is a time-honored tradition.
Please share/comment privately rather than tagging me, I'm not ready for that yet!
No amount is too small. I will probably keep this up for a month or so after the surgery, so I can post updates. Thank you SO MUCH.
Organizer
Wendy Bardsley
Organizer
San Francisco, CA