re visit to doctors

[tammygirl2]

a while back i went to see my gp told them how i feel in the hope i could see a specialist to see about having a sex change.
The doctor said she was referring me to a specialist and that it shouldn't take too long now its been a few months i still haven't heard anything.

not sure if i should go back and see my gp .she said if i ever need to go and have a longer chat to her about how im feeling i can.

could you guys please give me some feedback.Would like to know what you think.

[tinkerbell]

a while back i went to see my gp told them how i feel in the hope i could see a specialist to see about having a sex change.
The doctor said she was referring me to a specialist

When you say specialist, do you mean an endocrinologist?

tinkerbell

[Stormy Weather]

Honey, it could take months to get a reply. The local health authority have to get involved and letters can take a while to go back and forth between GICs and doctors. There's also been an Xmas break as well. You have to have some patience.

But go back and see your GP, though. Just to have a chat at the very least.

Just as a comparison, it took me almost a year to get to see my endocrinologist (hormone doctor) for the first time through Charing Cross and I was already post-op. So these things can take a while, depending on where you are in the country.

[tammygirl2]

a while back i went to see my gp told them how i feel in the hope i could see a specialist to see about having a sex change.
The doctor said she was referring me to a specialist

When you say specialist, do you mean an endocrinologist?

tinkerbell

yes a endocrinologist i think.

I think i will go back too see my doc just for a chat.
I honestly had no idea how long it all could take but no matter how long it takes it will be worth the wait.

thank you for your reply s.

[Steph]

Here in Ontario, Canada I had to wait 7 months to get in to see my endo, so it seems that long wait times are common everywhere.

Steph

[tammygirl2]

just want to thank you all again for your reply s.

i do have one more question.

Could you just have the op and have Breast Implants instead of starting on hormones if so would it make that much difference or would you still just look more like a man?.

i really want to op etc but when it comes to hrt i think its too risky.
I am a smoker and i do weigh a lot online on wiki it said that there is more risk for people who smoke and who are obese.

i weigh like 266 pound.

[Kate]

I am a smoker and i do weigh a lot online on wiki it said that there is more risk for people who smoke and who are obese..

The endo my therapist works with refuses to prescribe HRT to anyone who smokes. He feels THAT strongly about it.

Kate

[Kimberly]

Any of the surgeons I have looked at require a time on HRT.
^*nudge*
HRT is the best part of this mess dear, don't write it off

[LynnER]

Also just about every surgon Ive read about requires that you dont smoke inorder to have pretty much any form of surgery *with the acception of emergency surgery in the hospital*  Smokeing can increase your healing time by as much as 20 times and your more likely to scar, and get an infection and so many other things.....     Here in the US, and even some Thiland doctors require you quit smokeing for atleast a month before surgery and yes.... they can tell if youve been cheating.... <No smokeing, no patches, no gum, no nothing....>  so you may want to beat the habbit ASAP.....

Also Hormones are like the best part of transition.... not the physical changes but the mental/emotional ones....

[tammygirl2]

I can give smoking up. As crazy as it sounds im not addicted to them i can pick them up and put them down.
I know what your thinking if im not addicted then why smoke.the answer to that question i do not know.

im not sure how things work here in the uk. I'm 100% sure that i want a sex change etc but hrt i would be ok with i just worry about the health risks. I just wouldn't want to end up being unwell or worse but i guess thats a risk u have to take.

I will have to talk it over when my appointment comes through.

[Melissa]

Additionally, I believe many surgeons will not operate on you if you wiegh over a certain amount.  I know on one surgeon's website I was looking at (I don't remember which, but could probably find it), the weight limit for under 45 years old and under 6 feet was like 230 pounds.

Oh yes, I just found it.  It was Dr. Chettawut: http://www.chet-plasticsurgery.com/FAQ.html

Melissa

[tammygirl2]

I'm not sure about the uk but i did have a op 6months ago and it went ok.would have thought if was over weight they wouldn't have operated so they might operate for srs.

But putting that aside i am going to try and lose weight.I don't over eat i just don't get much exercise.I don't think it will be hard to lose weight. I could take up bmx riding again and the weight wont take long to go.

It takes a heck of allot of energy to ride a bmx more then your average bike as it has no gears and after a while it takes its toll on your leg muscles. Also if i watch what i eat i should be fine. In theory.

[Melissa]

I don't know about your other op, but I was specifically referring to SRS, which takes a BIG toll on the body, so you want it to be in optimal health.  If I were you, I would take advantage of the male metabolism to burn off as many calories as possible before starting hrt, because afterwards, it becomes an uphill battle.

Melissa

[tammygirl2]

I will all i can do it try.

[Melissa]

Yeah, exercising as male is something I did.  I lost about 40 pounds quite a while before transition and since then, I have only gained back 15 of those (10 before hrt and 5 more after), so I'm ahead.    If this is something you really need to do, then I suggest doing all the research and learning you can.  Look at surgeon's sites and figure out who would work.  Look at requirements, FAQs, etc.  There really is A LOT of information to digest in order to transition successfully.  Fortunately, learning is my specialty (it really is).

Melissa

[Suzy]

Hey, Tammygirl!

Besides what has already been said, if you don't overeat and are still overweight, see a doctor and talk about it.  There may be underlying reasons, like a thyroid problem or diabetes/hypoglycemia, etc.   I know I feel great after losing 34 lbs.   Only 8 more to go.  I walk as much as I can during the day and then every evening.  I never take elevators any more, and eat smaller, more frequent meals, low fat and low carb whenever possible.  It's amazing how much better this is on the body.  Find an exercise that you like and maximize your opportunities each day not to take the easy way out.  None of these require big changes, and I know you can do it.

Best of luck!
Kristi

[Danielle_oc_ca]

Have you considered going outside the system. I am a Canadian living in the USA and I think Canadian medicare is great. But it is iffy whether it is covered by insurance anyway in Canada or the UK. ANd the private insurance in the USA rarely covers it.

Here in LA, going outside the system, I booked an appointment at an endochronologist with an excellent reputation and I saw him within a month. It took 3 weeks to see him only because he does all his TS work only on the second saturday of every month. So within 3 weeks of calling I had the hormone pellets implanted in my butt and was on my way. You can also get a monthly booster shot but you can get these "to go" so if you are from out of town you can get them injected where you live.

Yes, it cost me $600 to start and about $2000 a year to keep it up. But if that is what it takes, thats not too bad really. Is this not worth at least that much to you. Because if it is not, then you don't want this badly enough.