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It's plumbing time

Started by Radar, June 02, 2011, 09:57:31 AM

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Radar

So now I'm preparing for the next stage of my transition. It's time to work on removing my internal female plumbing. I want to get a hysterectomy and oophorectomy. I want the oophorectomy because I hate the thought of T always having to fight with the ovaries hormonally-wise plus it removes the chance of ovarian cancer.

I've talked to a local transman and he recommended a local gyno that works with transmen in getting their insurance to cover most of it. It also helps that I've had a history of problems- some which can lead to ovarian cancer. Cancer of the female organs also runs in my family- especially my mother. I'm also past "prime" childbearing age and won't be having any.

However, I do know there's a strong chance of insurance not covering a hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy. I've done some research on doctors who will do hysterectomies and ophorectomies for transmen- insurance or not. If insurance will cover a hysterectomy but not a oophorectomy then I'll bite the bullet and just get a hysterectomy. I can either just leave the ovaries in and hope for no problems or get a oophorectomy later. But, if I can, I'd really like to get it done all at once instead of in two surgeries.

I wanted to know of any experience you guys have had on this. Are there any doctors you would recommend? What were the costs ranges? This will help me figure out how much to save- especially if Plan A fails. Thanks in advance.
"In this one of many possible worlds, all for the best, or some bizarre test?
It is what it is—and whatever.
Time is still the infinite jest."
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Janet_Girl

Maybe they might cover both if they list it as an ovariohysterectomy.  OK yes it is the term for 'spay".  But maybe they will cover it under a different name.

Good luck Radar.
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Radar

Quote from: Janet Lynn on June 02, 2011, 10:03:19 AMMaybe they might cover both if they list it as an ovariohysterectomy.  OK yes it is the term for 'spay".
Hmm... maybe I should go to a vet instead! :D Ironically I'm go to one today- but not for me.

I'll mention this term to the doctor when I see her. Since she's been successful before I hope she can help me. Some people might call it insurance fraud by tweeking the coding but I don't care. If our damn country and insurance companies cared about us they wouldn't make things so difficult and expensive for us. I don't feel sorry for them or their "loss of profit" one bit. >:(
"In this one of many possible worlds, all for the best, or some bizarre test?
It is what it is—and whatever.
Time is still the infinite jest."
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mm

I feel for you, especially since you are older and have a family history. A complete hyster would be great for you, take care of the problem nicely.  I am younger early 20's and finding a sugeon is much harder, sure would like to be rid of those parts.  Good luck in finding a surgeon.
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Radar

Quote from: mm on June 02, 2011, 02:34:19 PMI am younger early 20's and finding a sugeon is much harder, sure would like to be rid of those parts.
I've know non-trans women who couldn't get a needed hysto because they were young and might want children... even if they already had some! One woman had to get her husband's written permission for the doctor and they had 3 kids! Of course he was all for it and thought is was asinine he had to give the doctor permission to operate on his wife's body.

I've always despised and have been repulsed by these internal organs. More than anything I want them removed because them being there is just plain wrong. I don't need or want them. I'm more dysphoric of those organs than I was of my chest before top surgery.
"In this one of many possible worlds, all for the best, or some bizarre test?
It is what it is—and whatever.
Time is still the infinite jest."
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sneakersjay

I had mine done as the first step in transition because a doc had given me hysto as an option several years prior but i had not done it.  Mine was covered as all my docs and insurance were still F.

There is a guy on Live Journal FTM community who has been successful in getting insurance to cover hystos for guys who are listed as M on documents and insurance, and he's pretty vocal about it.  He may be one to contact.

Jay


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Radar

My gender's been changed to male on everything except my BC, health insurance and a few doctor's offices. Lately I've been having doctor's offices change my gender to male if their services have nothing to do with gender organs or conditions.

At the moment I've kept my gender as F on my health insurance in case any female organ problems should come up and in the hopes I can get insurance to cover the surgery.

Sneakersjay, could you tell me where on LiveJournal to find this guy and his user name? You can PM me to keep it private. I'm definitely interested in seeing what he has to say.

How was healing up from this surgery? I've talked to several people who said the healing up wasn't too bad. Would you consider the healing up process better or worse than top surgery? Healing up from top surgery ended up being harder than I thought but it was completely worth it!
"In this one of many possible worlds, all for the best, or some bizarre test?
It is what it is—and whatever.
Time is still the infinite jest."
  •  

sneakersjay

He is on LJ and also a lot of yahoo groups as well, so I don't think he needs to stay private.  His user name is prettyboicris there.  He has even helped guys get lower surgery covered by insurance as well.

It took me a good 6 weeks to recover from hysto, mostly from the lifting standpoint.  I felt pretty good other wise.  At 3 weeks post op I traveled for a conference and should NOT have been toting my heavy laptop through airports.  Realized that as I wandered through O'Hare. 

Top surgery restricts lifting and motion.  Hysto mostly restricted lifting. There was some abdominal discomfort esp. the first week, but after that I felt okay.  Just don't lift.


Jay


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Radar

Thanks for the name. His name seems familiar to me. I think he might even be a member to a Yahoo group I belong to for transmen in my state. If that's true this could help immensely.

I've been to O'Hare many times and know what you mean. It's a really big place and it always seems connecting flights are always on the other side of the airport. :-\

I have an office job and was able to return to work from top surgery after 2 weeks. I was surprised because I didn't get as tired as I thought I would at work. Do you think after a hysto I could return to a desk job after 1-2 weeks as long as I avoid heavy lifting? I know my manager had a hysto a few years ago and felt good enough to return to work after 1 week.

I ask because getting 6 weeks off where I work would be completely denied. There a two people in my department and even though the other person can do part of my job she can't do all of it. We have a few times a year (about twice) where I can take 1-2 weeks off but never 6. I'm looking for a new job but it would be hard to take 6 weeks off when you haven't been working somewhere for very long. :)

Did you have an oophorectomy too or just a hysto? I'm wondering if healing time is longer with an oophorectomy and hysto togther.
"In this one of many possible worlds, all for the best, or some bizarre test?
It is what it is—and whatever.
Time is still the infinite jest."
  •  

sneakersjay

I didn't take 6 weeks off; heck I was back for 1 day after 4 days.  If your job is relatively sedentary ie no lifting you should be good to go.  I mostly sit at a computer and do paper work and meet with clients and was fine.  Just don't think you can do any real lifting or carrying.  You may recover faster than I did, but I do recall being surprised at how long things took.  I"m impatient!!


Jay


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