Post-ops, where/how did you get money to operate?

[Evolving Beauty]

I'm just curious, where/how did you get money to do SRS? How long did you save? Any obstacle? Can you give details? Do you mind sharing your story?

[Jenna Marie]

(copying a comment I left elsewhere)

My story isn't all that exciting, really. In fact, my wife did most of the hard work of managing the saving aspect; basically, for three years we didn't buy anything we didn't need, and what we did buy, was on sale. I'm still honestly not sure how she pulled it off, as the $20,000 price tag was only a little less than my net income for a year from my day job.

I also did freelance work at two additional jobs, which helped, although it wasn't a lot of money by itself.

I started transition in July 2009, finished in June 2010, and had GRS in the summer of 2012. No regrets, except that of course I wish I could've managed to pay for surgery sooner. We could've taken out a second mortgage, and we did have that as a fallback option, but I *would* have regretted that.

[mrs izzy]

I was saving through a HSA. It is a good way to have health insurance and also save money for GCS.

I did end up getting my GCS paid by goverment health system. It had a few extra things i had to do but was just seeing a few more doctors.

If you live in the states and do some leg work you will find states that are making the insurance companies cover GCS. With the new ACA it will open doors to many if they go looking for it. It will just not drop in your lap.

Izzy

[Northern Jane]

I had surgery at age 24 and had been saving since my first job at 14. I still wouldn't have had enough if Dr. Biber hadn't given me a "special price" (bless his soul!) and I wouldn't have survived. Next spring will be 40 years since SRS 

[Vicky]

Well, after recovery from a $400US/month alcohol addiction issue, and realizing that I actually could get a refinance on my house that would make my Income Taxes better, I had the money at hand to get my body and my house fixed up.  This coming January, at my 1 year anniversary, GCS will be covered by my health Insurance --- TRIPLE RATZZZ!!  Oh well I have a tax deduction two ways!!

If you check on the prices, GCS (formerly known as SRS) is about the same price as a new car, and when I had bought my last car with a Credit Union loan paid by payroll deduction and when I had paid my last car off, I just had kept the money going into a savings there at the Credit Union, since I did not see it in payroll cash to spend, it does not exist until I want to see it.      I still have darn near enough for another GCS trip in that acccount now!!  I know, I can go clothes shopping!!

[Jill F]

Pre-op here, but it's theoretically covered by my insurance.   

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

Re: Post-ops, where/how did you get money to operate?

It was donated by a kind and compassionate NZ government, from the tax payer's (of which I am one) coppers...

"What goes around -comes around"

Metta Zenda

[Tristan]

The state helped to pay for mine. But I did get some extra money through school grants

[Monaluv]

Thank goodness for health insurance, had to go through some hoops but at the end both tracheal shave and srs was coverd, breast aumemtantion will also be covered...

[Saskia]

My best friend paid for mine, or should I say loaned me the money. Back then it only cost 4500 UK Pounds. I since paid her back every single penny. By paying for my SRS it drastically cut down my waiting time to zero since I'd already done my RLE.

[makinmagic]

An offer for 11K loan from Discover came in VERY handy and at the right time and with great APR Another $2500 came from credit card and another $7500 + misc expenses like hotel etc is my own money that I earned.

[calico]

Work, and getting rid/parting out something loved and had a lot of fun with, also ebay, and the occasional odd job and car investment than sell's.

It was a big choice at thee time for me, and I miss it (the thing I parted out) but it was a choice and sacrifice that was more than worth doing and I would do it again.

[livinit]

90% of the amount was left to me (as a condo), by a close friend who passed away. Though it was a struggle, I was able to keep him alive and care of him for ten months (beyond what they said he had), before his COPD took over. We met in art school and partied together for years before I had the privilege to take care of him. He left me an immeasurable gift. I miss him.

[Roberta W]

Hi ... My SRS was 28 years ago ... Back then there wasn't much choice.  There were no insurance, State or Loan options at that time.  In my case I had to work long enough to save up for it myself ... That's why I had to wait a good 7 years before I could start ... But then the therapists (even then) thought that it was good to wait and really digest the decision.  The good news was that back then the cost was about half what it is today, but then so were wages!  The bottom line:  Saved up for it by myself.  Roberto.

[lilacwoman]

I'm in UK an dour National Health Service paid for most of it and will pay a heck a lot more when my case gets to court.

[Agent_J]

 My first way was to use a loan against my 401(k) and have SRS as soon as my RLE was done in the spring of 2012. I'd have been able to repay the loan with two years.

Unfortunately, my therapist felt that plan was unacceptable and delayed my surgery letter enough that I had to wait an extra 13 months. I worked as much on-call time as I could get to save for it.