Question for Fellow Trans Canadians

[StirfriedKraut]

I'm not sure if there's many or any Canadian trans folk here (would be awesome if any were from Alberta/Saskatchewan area, ha!) but I was just curious about a couple things if so.


I'm on the waiting list for the Grey Nun's clinic in Edmonton, my psychiatrist said it could be 9 to 12 months before I hear anything, this was 2 or so months ago. I was wondering if anyone knew of any alternatives to them. I checked a list of Albertan trans friendly psychs and there's one or two that will do appointments via Skype. Are these legit? I'd be more interested in that method than having to drive to Edmonton all of the time because I'm 2-3 hours away.

I came out at work already and the minute I choose to give them a new name they will honour it for me. I just want to make sure that I will be on the path of transitioning via HRT when i do so. I'm not very keen on relocating either as right now I am taking care of my overbearing grandmother and rent is atrocious in most places here. So as for the real life test I was wondering if you can in fact begin before seeing the Grey Nun's and if that does reduce your assessment time. I'd like to begin HRT as soon as able, but then again who doesn't right?

I was debating asking my psychiatrist if he was comfortable with letting me start HRT with assistance from my physician as my physician is fully supportive of my transition which shocked me to say the least. I'm not sure on the laws in Canada though if the psychiatrist needs a special ticket to be allowed to say "so and so is now a man/woman" for document changing. If i could avoid the Grey Nuns completely that'd be amazing, i don't mind having to pay for surgeries. I somehow see this an unlikely though, lol.

I'm also kind of curious about surgeries from Canada. Are they any good? I havent met a single trans folk let alone FTM offline before as it's a very hush hush topic in my area and there is almost no LGBT community here. I'd love to meet some trans folk offline though, it's just difficult it seems. Maybe i'm not looking in the right places, haha. Anyway, I was wondering if there was any decent surgeons for top surgery near by or if i'd be forced to go to Montreal (aka across country).

It's alright if there's no one from near here I'll figure it out as i go I'm just curious.


Cheers.

[KarenCDN]

Unfortunately I don't have any answers for you.

But I share all your questions - I am in Calgary.

[EmoAlice]

Check out Endo Dr Ted Jablonski and Psychologist Dr JJ Miles.  They have a collaborative clinic in Calgary.  (403) 228 - 8811

I've been too chicken to call and check it out for fear of being rejected, but they were recommended to me, so may be worth checking out for you and I'd be interested in finding out how it goes.

[LordKAT]

Some skype therapists are legit and worth your time. Check their credentials before starting.

[StirfriedKraut]

Oh awesome thanks. I'll check it out on my day off this week and let you guys know what I find out. I'll maybe see what my psych thinks as well on the 2nd, I quite like my psych he's pretty nice. He's not too sure on how to transition me though unfortunately, lol.

[StirfriedKraut]

Didn't get to calling that number but recent dysphoric and depressive fits landed my ass in the emergency room so I ended up talking to a different shrink and informing them of how much I need/want to transition. I have an appointment friday with my regular psych so I'll bring it up with him again. I might call to see if I can get in sooner. Either way I'll continue to post in here if I find out anything that could be of use to anyone else with the same questions to me. If I find the time/ability I'll try calling those suggested numbers and do more digging.

[james-felix]

Check out the Catherine White Holman Center here in Vancouver  - I think they do counselling appointments via skype. If nothing else, they will probably answer some questions for you.

I'm pretty sure any doctor can give you a prescription for HRT if they go through the assessment process (now I'm wondering how much of that was federal and how much provincial???). Unfortunately, most docs don't know anything about assessing people, but I'm sure CWHC will help you with that as well.

As for surgeries, they are covered under your MSP, after a similar process to starting HRT. The wait list is a bitch though, so I'd recommend doing that part at the same time as your hormone assessment.