How do you afford FFS?

[Michelle S.]

Please feel free to move this if it's inappropriate here.

Hey everyone,

If you don't mind me asking - how are you affording such expensive FFS? It's causing me a huge amount of stress thinking about it. I want FFS so bad, I feel like my life will be much easier with it, but $10..15..20,000??? Is there something I'm missing because I make like ~40k a year, so budgeting half my income into a surgery while I also have a family to raise is impossible for me. Any insight would be so appreciated!!

[ZoeM]

I think the general idea is, A. Don't do what you don't need (EG don't go for doctors/procedures you can't afford) and B. Be willing to save up over several years.

That, or wait for a transgender-specific provision to be added to Obamacare, in five years or so.

[Beth Andrea]

I'm saving for it, and will use some credit.

The big thing about how much to save per month, depends on how soon you want FFS...let's assume $12k will get what you want, any loose ends = credit.

FFS in 3years = $4000/year = $340/ month. Tight, but do-able on a middle-class income. Four years is a lower monthly savings, about $250/month.

Good luck!

[Jen-from-IL]

No FFS here. I have no desire to have anything done to my face. Too much risk and I don't want to look 'fake'.

[Beth Andrea]

Also Michelle...you already have a very good face imho. I don't think you need much FFS, if any. Now me, I need several areas and am looking at $12-15k...but one always should look at any adaptive surgery (like FFS) with a "do only as needed."

[Dahlia]

No FFS here. I have no desire to have anything done to my face. Too much risk and I don't want to look 'fake'.

That's not the question the TO asked, isn't it? She has a desire not to look masculine. An entirely different matter.

I held 2 jobs to save money over a period of 3 years, starting in 2001 and having had (partial) FFS, forehead reconstruction only at the end of 2004.
I did a lot of research during these 3 years of saving money and had successful FFS with dr Chettawut in Bangkok.

[Lampsace]

I too am massively stressing out about being able to afford FFS. Saving up over several years for me just isn't an option - call me impatient, but I want it done by the end of this year at the latest.

I'm a student and will be for another 4 years so, even if I get a part time job there would barely be anything to save, and I've kind of mentally come to a point where I can't stand not looking how I should anymore and it's having a hugely negative impact on my life. Wish there was some kind of magical solution, alas there is not.

The only thing I could suggest to you is a loan if you're able to get one, it seems like the easiest way to do it. If it were a choice for me I'd do it straight away. Otherwise, try to hang in there and keep your motivation going!

[Nicolette]

I had a very good relationship with my mother, and still do. At your age, she lent me the money for the little FFS I needed. Family is one option.

[Tristan]

Just grant money and stuff like that

[Michelle S.]

I think the general idea is, A. Don't do what you don't need (EG don't go for doctors/procedures you can't afford) and B. Be willing to save up over several years.

That, or wait for a transgender-specific provision to be added to Obamacare, in five years or so.

Definitely. I really don't want to do anything at all but I'm reconsidering on a couple masculine things I don't like.

Also Michelle...you already have a very good face imho. I don't think you need much FFS, if any. Now me, I need several areas and am looking at $12-15k...but one always should look at any adaptive surgery (like FFS) with a "do only as needed."

Thanks, that means a lot

That's not the question the TO asked, isn't it? She has a desire not to look masculine. An entirely different matter.

I held 2 jobs to save money over a period of 3 years, starting in 2001 and having had (partial) FFS, forehead reconstruction only at the end of 2004.
I did a lot of research during these 3 years of saving money and had successful FFS with dr Chettawut in Bangkok.

Yeah, she's right. I only want to do one or two little things to help my face seem less masculine.

I too am massively stressing out about being able to afford FFS. Saving up over several years for me just isn't an option - call me impatient, but I want it done by the end of this year at the latest.

I'm a student and will be for another 4 years so, even if I get a part time job there would barely be anything to save, and I've kind of mentally come to a point where I can't stand not looking how I should anymore and it's having a hugely negative impact on my life. Wish there was some kind of magical solution, alas there is not.

The only thing I could suggest to you is a loan if you're able to get one, it seems like the easiest way to do it. If it were a choice for me I'd do it straight away. Otherwise, try to hang in there and keep your motivation going!

Yeah, I've been doing the same. I seem to pass fine but I don't feel like it and I don't see it in the mirror either :/ . My girlfriend constantly tells me I pass and is quite upset whenever I doubt myself. People pretty much always gender me female and my gf says she sees guys checking me out a lot. But, while she says all this and people may say she or miss, I still get dirty stares from people when I'm out. My gf says I'm being paranoid but they don't seem random. I just don't like the extra attention, my girlfriend and I both  have always been terrified of being out in public.

Just grant money and stuff like that

Like school grant money? I've considered just taking as much school loans out since a) I'm pretty much guaranteed approval and b) the low interest.

[Michelle S.]

I had a very good relationship with my mother, and still do. At your age, she lent me the money for the little FFS I needed. Family is one option.

Yeah, I have a great relationship with her and she's supportive but questions it from time to time. Also she's a very hippieish, be true to you and mother nature kind of person. She'd probably tell me I look fine and it would be just a waste. My dad on the other hand supports me and doesn't care at all, but he'd probably laugh and say it's stupid to get FFS. On the other hand, I'm holding off hoping to see if they could help GRS. Rather that than FFS.

[Nicolette]

Yeah, I have a great relationship with her and she's supportive but questions it from time to time. Also she's a very hippieish, be true to you and mother nature kind of person. She'd probably tell me I look fine and it would be just a waste. My dad on the other hand supports me and doesn't care at all, but he'd probably laugh and say it's stupid to get FFS. On the other hand, I'm holding off hoping to see if they could help GRS. Rather that than FFS.

My mum is/was kind of hippieish. She's very accepting and non-judgemental about most things. Her group of friends is made up of the whole social strata and ethnicities. She used to be a nurse before getting married, then became a professional cleaner (cleaning toilets and stuff) working for a rich clientèle. She then became a social worker. Growing up, we were so poor, however, she was a master at budgeting. Somehow, she managed to lend me that money. I'm so glad your parents are cool about it too. Yes, GRS is a different matter and I can see why you may get more support for that, judging from your photos and avatar.

[Tristan]

Yeah. I used a little of my free grant money from cheer and the sorority foundation but the clinic helped me come up with the rest since it was there idea

[Joanna Dark]

OP, how long have you been on HRT for? I don't see many masculine features. I have one option for my surgeries: a grad school that offers trans inclusive insurance. Maybe a sugar daddy. Men apparently really like me. Hopefully though I am able to get back into my field and start making bank again. The only thing I want is a little nose surgery, maybe a lip lift and some skin resurfacing. I don't think that will run me more then $5,000 tops as the lip lift is not necessary.

[Dahlia]

The only thing I could suggest to you is a loan if you're able to get one, it seems like the easiest way to do it.

That's a silly advice.....TO writes about having a familiy to raise.

[Dahlia]

as the lip lift is not necessary.

Ehm, yes, quite unnecessary even since there's actually a too short distance between your lips and nose.
Your nosetip needs to be raised a bit, it's hanging over making the distance between your lips and nose way too short.

[Devlyn]

That's a silly advice.....TO writes about having a familiy to raise.

People raising families can't get loans? News to me....

[Dahlia]

People raising families can't get loans? News to me....

Going into debt and spending all the money on yourself while raising a family is news to you too?

That would be a very, very selfish thing to do, wouldn't it?

Oh, that's not news to you of course ;-)

[Devlyn]

Your agenda is showing.

[aibeecee]

I'm going to ask my bank to grant me a loan, refundable over several years in small installments at 150-200 Euros per month.