Hysto and Age

[kaiju]

I've been looking into getting a full hysto in preparation for bottom surgery, as well as for my own comfort. The doctor that monitors my t levels has tried to refer me out to different surgeons, who have all refused to see me as I'm not "old enough". I'm a legal adult who has been on testosterone for almost two years now, and has had top surgery and all my documents changed. I recognize the fear of legal action, that I'll change my mind, etc. But it's frustrating as I need this for my well being and I keep hitting roadblocks. Has anyone else in their early 20s dealt with this issue before, and can you offer any advice?

[Alexthecat]

You just need an open minded surgeon. It's all because doctors were taught to preserve the baby making and not to get rid of it.

[mrs izzy]

Have you thought about Dr. Marci Bowers in Ca. She is a OB/GYN. Not sure about McGinn in Phila if she does them or someone on her team?

Isabell

[kaiju]

I've heard of Dr. Bowers, but she's a little far. I'd prefer not to travel too far, but it looks like I might have to if it comes down to it. Dr. McGinn doesn't do hystos herself, but the other surgeon she works with turned me away, unfortunately. :/ Even with the requirements.

[King Malachite]

There have been several suggestions of trans-friendly surgeons that does hysterectomies in this thread: 

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=142445.0

Perhaps you could look into a couple of those surgeons.

[overdrive]

I know what you mean. I'm older than that now but I found out in early 20s that I had endometriosis and while I wanted surgery at that time, Drs refused to treat it surgically insisting that I would want biological children. I spent years on different meds to keep it "manageable" until finally found a Dr that trusted I knew what I wanted. But it wasn't until a decade later. I hope you have better luck than I did!

[Make_It_Good]

Gosh, really? That really surprises me that they've said that to someone in your 20's. I would understand if maybe you were in your teens. I had the hysto as part of the first stage of lower surgery, and I was 21 at the time. I had no problem and nothing was brought up. To be honest, the issue of children was never brought up and no options for me were discussed.

[Sebryn]

I am in my early 20s as well and have had a total hysterectomy, including ovary removal. My mother's gynecologist did this for me and coded it for pelvic inflammatory disease. Basically complain and complain of pelvic pain to anyone who will listen to get the constant complaints on record and that's all it takes to get a hysterectomy on the ground of a last ditch effort to relieve the pain due to PID.

If CA is too far the surgeon who did my surgery is in central TX. You can PM if you want more detailed info.

[Felix]

Good luck. I begged doctors in several states for a decade just to get my tubes tied, even after it was obvious that I was male-identified and deeply in poverty. I finally got someone to agree to do it after I was well into transition, and the doctor asked me not to tell anyone that she did it. There's a bizarre drive in our society to believe that female-bodied people are too irrational or fickle to make their own reproductive plans.

I know that's more ranting than a helpful answer, but I do wish you the best of luck in going forward with this. I want to get a hysterectomy, but I've been too chicken to push very hard for it, and so far I've been rebuffed any time I bring it up.

Don't forget (sorry if I'm a broken record on this) that you can find things on Susan's most easily by going to google and typing your search terms plus site:susans.org. That might help more with specific names and locations of useful surgeons.

[SX0877]

I guess we are the similar age. Going to get hysto this summer. Some GYNs told me "we have never treated men before, so we do not know how to provide service to make you comfortable etc. etc." but they never said my age would be an issue.

[Felix]

I guess we are the similar age. Going to get hysto this summer. Some GYNs told me "we have never treated men before, so we do not know how to provide service to make you comfortable etc. etc." but they never said my age would be an issue.

When I got my tubes tied, I was asked about pronouns and my comfort (my voice had dropped and name was changed) but I think the nature of the surgery kinda got in the way. All the nursing staff used "she" and "her" after the first few minutes. I let it go and it was not a big deal but I think if I had had family members or friends around I might have gotten angry about it.