Transition related medical expenses

I am a married Transgender Woman who is trying to raise money for gender related surgeries.

I began my gender transition in late August 2016.  While I was nearly 40 by this point, I remember knowing I should have been female since I was in the first grade.  

The first round of surgery would consist of removing a significant amount of skin I have remaining from a significant surgical weightloss.  Additional steps will be performed during this proceedure to create a more feminine hour-glass shape.

A second round of surgery (likely a year later than the last) would cover expenses relating to top surgery, and excess skin removal from my arms.

A third round of surgery will cover gender reassignment.  

The anticipated expense from these surgeries will exceed the goal amount.  A more emcompassing goal would have been closer to $60,000.  

I have no established time frame for completion, it'll happen when I save enough on my own, or the generosity of others facilitates these operations.

I have been maintaining a blog about my transition and encourage anyone curious about my story or transition in general to read about my experiences.

The Transition Transmission

There has been a lot of talk about the expenses related to the costs of transitioning.  It should be mentioned that these costs are prohibitive because it's all out of pocket expenses.  Having previously had a gastric bypass proceedure, I can tell you that the amount charged to my insurance was double the amount I am hoping to raise here!  Additionally, the total time spent in the hospital for that surgery was one and a half days!

Relativiely speaking, all transition related expenses can fall below the total cost of many typical procedures such as an appendectomy or a bypass surgery.  Again, it's only prohibitive because it isn't typically covered by most insurance plans.

If you are unfamiliar with the process of Transition, here is a brief overview;

  Patient addresses gender incongruity with a counselor.

  Patient attends regular sessions for at least 6 months before being given a letter from their counselor stating that they are actually suffering with Gender Dysphoria and that HRT (hormone replacement therapy) is recommended.

  Patient takes letter to a qualified physician (typically and Endocrineologist) who will prescribe a regime of hormone blockers and hormone replacement.

  After an additional 6 months in counseling, the counselor provides a letter stating that the patient is ready for the next step in their medical transition.  Typically this is a "top surgery" but could also consist of facial feminization or tracheal shave.

  After another year in counseling, they will receive a 2 year letter.  This letter is typically supported by a back-up letter by another counselor indicating that the patient is now ready for gender reassignment surgery (sometimes called gender confirmation surgery or sexual reassignment surgery).

As you can see, it is not a process that is done quickly or with lack of oversight.  This is all laid out in the WPATH Standard of Care.  If you have additional questions about the intricacies of that process, please visit wpath.org .