Finished transition over a decade ago, thinking about phalloplasy, no therapist

[Shortman]

Hello everyone,

I transitioned back in the late 90s, and got my gender legally changed after chest surgery and a hysterectomy.  There was no formal therapy program in my area i.e. no letters, I pretty much got what I needed by paying for it.  I knew I'd need to find someone to write letters if I wanted a phalloplasty, but I didn't worry about that since I wanted a house more than a phallus.

Now the years have passed, and I have a house, which I love.  Which means I can start thinking of other things.  I was peeking in on what things were like these days and I was pretty impressed by the stuff I saw on http://www.savaperovic.com/

And bam, after living my life as I see fit all this millennia, I'm confronted with the need to get a hold of two therapists who could write letters to confirm that I have been happy as a man since the 90s, and have no regrets about being on hormones and the surgeries I had.  I haven't been able to Google any appropriate therapists in my area to add insult to injury.

Is anyone, or has anyone been in this boat before?

"Hi I am a man, the government considers me a man too, but I was wondering if you could write me a letter stating that I will be able to cope with having a penis."

And just to be fun, after I had finished the laws were changed to require bottom surgery for gender designation change.  So I am not keen to draw attention to myself.

I'm kinda hoping that a letter from my GP outlining my medical history, and the fact that I have clearly been at this for about 15 years will count for something with the surgeon, but I'm not optimistic.

Shortman

[Simon]

Hey man, first of all welcome to the site.

I am not positively sure but I am thinking that a letter from your GP should suffice if worded correctly. Also, is there any way you could get letters of recommendation for the phallo from the surgeons who performed your other surgeries? That would probably help immensely. I say that because I haven't had a therapist for years and my hysto surgeon is writing me letters to have my gender marker changed and for my remaining surgeries. It's worth a shot.

[Arch]

I think he needs the usual two psych letters--isn't that still the HB standard?

[Simon]

It depends on the surgeon really. When I recently contacted Dr. G about top he told me he would do it if I got a letter from my hysto surgeon. I just told him the situation and he could make accommodations based on my specific needs.

I *think* most now go by the WPATH standards. Their site has a wealth of info. http://www.wpath.org/index.cfm

In your situation I would email the surgeon or facility and tell them exactly what is going on in detail. They might accept you with little documentation based on where you are already with transition. If not then at least you'll know what next step you need to take.

[Jayr]

If I was in your situation;

I would first find the surgeon I want to go with, explain my situation and go from there.

[chuck]

hey bud

I was in a similiar boat. Transitioned a while ago and not particularly keen on therapy. Graham Peveller is an online therapist who will do a few sessions and write the letter for you.

[Arch]

It depends on the surgeon really. When I recently contacted Dr. G about top he told me he would do it if I got a letter from my hysto surgeon. I just told him the situation and he could make accommodations based on my specific needs.

Top surgery is different--bottom surgery generally requires you to jump through more hoops.

[Arch]

I *think* most now go by the WPATH standards.

Sorry, I actually meant WPATH. Suffering from initialism overload and lack of sleep.

[aleon515]

Top surgery is different--bottom surgery generally requires you to jump through more hoops.

I'm guessing that's true. I believe they perform a form of top surgery on people who identify as genderqueer and even people who identify as women with chest dysphoria. But bottom surgery is more serious. OTOH, here is a person who is living as a guy, legally a guy, for quite a number of years. Seems like he could talk with the surgeon.

--Jay

[Shortman]

Thanks guys

Yeah, I'm going to try emailing them and letting them know I can show a male birth certificate issued in 2000, and will be able to provide a medical history from a GP showing when I did things.

None of my surgeries were done by official transgender oriented surgeons.  I don't even remember the name of the person who did my chest, I'd found him through another guy who'd been a DIY transition.  It was a private clinic in a house.  Officially I paid for male gynocomastia correction (I was one of those lucky buggers who barely filled out an A cup).  When I fainted in the washroom due to blood loss and lack of food, the nurse said I should have sat to pee rather than stand...  The hysterectomy was a standard doctor in the local hospital, and they didn't care as long as I understood I had to pay for it.  I know he retired not long after.  On the upside I got everything for under 5 grand.  On the down side, I had jack for follow up care.

Thanks for the tip of an online therapist Chuck.  It's good to have a fall back option if they get sticky on the standards of care.  I've never been much on needing someone else to judge who I am.

Shortman

BTW is there a post limit on when you can reply to private messages?  I got one, and can't find a reply button.