Crunch Time and Still No Decision

[MaxAloysius]

This is bugging me so very much!

I'm now at a point in transition where I pass 100% as male, but where all of my paperwork still says female, and it's killing me. The worst though is trying to decide what to do about my status with Medicare, Australia's healthcare system. All they require for me to change my gender with them is a note from the doc, or I'm fairly certain I could even just go in and say 'Look, you can see me right? Fix it' and they'll do it. The problem though is that while I'm legally down as female, a hysterectomy et al is 100% covered. Obviously, the minute I change that to male the money for the surgery will have to come solely out of my pocket, and that's a lot of money for an unemployed 19 year old, especially considering I'm still trying to save for the second stage of my chest surgery.

I keep puting changing my gender with Medicare off, thinking that soon I'll get the surgery done, BUT! I'm still hopeful that one day in the future they'll be able to take what I've got and make something better of it, and as my insides aren't overly bothering me, I wouldn't really mind leaving them there until such a situation occurs. The fact that my family has a history of cervical cancer is weighing on me quite heavily though, especially considering I refuse to have tests done. That said, are they worth keeping? I just can't decide! But time is running out and I need to figure this out, but I'm still no closer to a decision than I was months ago!

So what do you guys think? Is it worth risking having to pay for the surgery myself in future in the hopes that one day my ovaries can be put to good use, or should I say farewell to them while the one-way trip is free?

[Morgan.]

A fellow Aussie with Medicare troubles! I suddenly feel less alone.

I've been wondering about the same thing. I had been reading on FTM Australia some personal stories of surgery which included estimated costs with and without private health cover. I read that apparently being on Medibank Private can take down the cost of my top surgery significantly.. ah well. Not quite there yet.
If you don't mind me asking - who did you go to for your surgery/how much did it cost? If you don't feel comfortable saying, that's all good.

Personally, I think I'd probably go with getting the hysto right away. I don't have an insane interest on working on stuff down there, but I guess everyone's preference is different with that. I was going to suggest getting tests and what not until I read that you refuse to have them done - I'm in the same boat. Never had one. But then again, I don't know of any cervical cancer history in my family. I can imagine your concern towards that.

That said, you're 19 - we are similar ages, both unemployed lol. I don't think I'd have enough money saved up for a hysto for a long time yet, but I'm still at TAFE etc. etc. so I probably won't have a stable income for a while longer. Perhaps you should speak to your GP or family (if this is possible/comfortable/etc) or anyone else you would go to advice about who might be able to give you a personal opinion based on their understanding of your situation from the perspective of someone you have a close relationship with.

[mm]

I can easily see where you have a decision to make.  I am in the US where we have private insurance or none.  I have none presently being a student.  I would sure like a hyster as I will never have any use for the parts and then I would be rid of my monthly pain and mess.  But it will be years before I have the money or hopefully a job with insurance that would pay for it.  I think now I want top surgery first when I have the money.  Good luck however you decide to go.  I am F on all my paperwork.

[King Malachite]

I can't say I fully understand but I'll try to chime in. 


If I had to face the choices you are going through then I would personally get the hysterectomy done while it's free.  I'm with mm on that part.  I would LOVE to get it done for free and if I had a chance to do so then I would.  I don't plan on having any children and I plan on being on T for the rest of my life when I get to that point.  I have no need for those internal organs and they should have never been there in the first place.  Plus I don't want to have to get pap smears.  Plus if my family had a history or cervical cancer that would be the deciding factor for me.  I don't want the chance of anything becoming cancerous.  I would take this offer while I still have a chance.

Then again that's just what I would do considering I will probably be broke by the time I transition.  In the end you just have to assess what's more important to you. 

Best wishes in whatever you do comrade.

[MaxAloysius]

Ah, I just realised I never clarified! By 'put to good use' I meant somehow turned into testes etc. So something that is medically a very long way off, not children. I have no interest (ugh, gross, I wanna stop talking about this!) in having children that way, not even via egg implant --> surrogate, so I'm not concerned about that aspect of it.

And thanks for all the advice guys. It's just such a hard decision!

[wheat thins are delicious]

Ah, I just realised I never clarified! By 'put to good use' I meant somehow turned into testes etc. So something that is medically a very long way off, not children.

Unfortunately, I think that by the time that is medically possible your ovaries would have been ruined by the testosterone, and likely not usable.