Figuring Out Surgery

[Clarity]

After my last appointment with my therapist, we have both come to the conclusion that I'm to the point where gender confirmation surgery (GCS) is a good thing for me to be looking into getting. My main barrier keeping me from getting it at this point is the cost. I've got an idea for how I might pay for it, but it still needs some fleshing out in order to have a chance at working.

What I was thinking I would try is to start a Gofundme campaign. Before I do that, I feel like I need to have a goal as to how much money I want to raise. So, the next step for me would be to decide for sure which surgeon I want to use so I can put together an estimate of how much I'll need not only for the surgery but also for travel costs and being able to get by during the recovery period.

I know of 3 surgeons right now that have good reputations: 2 in Thailand and 1 in Montreal. Since I feel a bit uneasy about travelling to Thailand based on what I've heard about it not being a safe place to visit these days, I find myself inclined to go to Montreal. I'm also open to suggestions of other surgeons. If there is a good one in Spain, I would probably highly consider them as I loved studying abroad there 6 years ago and have really wanted to be able to go back.

Other thing I need to figure out now is how I'm going to let my fundraising efforts be know. I feel like I have a large support network of friends and family members so I feel like Facebook might be a good way to get the word out. I'll probably also link to my page on these forums as well as my personal blog.

So, I'm looking for feedback on my plan at this point. Is there anything which I haven't considered which I really need to include in my planning? Has anyone else had success using Gofundme to pay for surgery?

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Clarity,

Congratulation on reaching this pivotal point in your journey. There are certain things you need to be very conscious of with respects to surgery. Distance is one, language is another. You have some world class surgeons in the States, that really need to be considered before going abroad, particularly with respect to follow ups.

My understanding of crowd funding is you offer some recognition / products / gifts to benefactors for their "donation." What attributes / craft / skills do you have to offer in that respect. Whether crowd funding will realise a figure in the order of $20,000 within a reasonable time may be somewhat doubtful, have you considered a personal loan from a bank? Or perhaps finding employment in a company whose health plan covers GCS.

Just a few ideas. Research the topic of surgeons well. You only have one go at this, and it needs to be an experience you can look back on in total awe.

Huggs
Catherine

[stephaniec]

Hi Clarity,

Congratulation on reaching this pivotal point in your journey. There are certain things you need to be very conscious of with respects to surgery. Distance is one, language is another. You have some world class surgeons in the States, that really need to be considered before going abroad, particularly with respect to follow ups.

My understanding of crowd funding is you offer some recognition / products / gifts to benefactors for thier "donation." What attributes / craft / skills do you have to offer in that respect. Whether crowd funding will realise a figure in the order of $20,000 within a reasonable time may be somewhat doubtful, have you considered a personal loan from a bank? Or perhaps finding employment in a company whose health plan covers GCS.

Just a few ideas. Research the topic of surgeons well. You only have one go at this, and it needs to be an experience you can look back on in total awe.

Huggs
Catherine

agree with Catherine

[Clarity]

Hi Clarity,

Congratulation on reaching this pivotal point in your journey. There are certain things you need to be very conscious of with respects to surgery. Distance is one, language is another. You have some world class surgeons in the States, that really need to be considered before going abroad, particularly with respect to follow ups.

My understanding of crowd funding is you offer some recognition / products / gifts to benefactors for their "donation." What attributes / craft / skills do you have to offer in that respect. Whether crowd funding will realise a figure in the order of $20,000 within a reasonable time may be somewhat doubtful, have you considered a personal loan from a bank? Or perhaps finding employment in a company whose health plan covers GCS.

Just a few ideas. Research the topic of surgeons well. You only have one go at this, and it needs to be an experience you can look back on in total awe.

Huggs
Catherine

I don't know that a loan is a possibility for me since my student loans which have been on deferment for over a year now are likely to keep me from getting approved for much of anything. I have been doing regular writing for my blog so I was wondering if regular content updates for that could be my service for donations. I also play piano and trombone. I've considered doing lessons or private performances.

Other than that, I would need to get a much better job to get good insurance for my surgery. I seem to fall into the weird income gap where I'm poor but not poor enough to qualify for assistance like food stamps or medicaid. I have a part-time retail job and have been collecting unemployment insurance from my old job. I do have a strong degree with my chemistry/Spanish double major. Part of me feels like I've lost my confidence to work in a lab setting after my old job ended on bad terms over a year ago.

Maybe right now I should be focusing on figuring out which surgeon I want to use and getting an idea as to how much money I'll need. I really feel like I need this surgery. Even though I don't see a clear way that it is going to work out, I'm finding that once I start on something I tend to eventually figure out a way.

[mrs izzy]

Clarity,

If you are in the states there has been many changes in the landscape for transgenders and health care. Coming this next open enrollment you are going to have a lot more options of polices that have due to recent laws and law suits have dropped the exclusions for transgenders.

You need to keep doing searches on the changing of health care for transgenders. This is now our time

I am a Montreal girl and the total package of there services is a great choice.

I wish you well

Isabell


Ps last i heard they are 19,500.00 canada $

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Clarity,

You're working through a good plan at the moment. Sure, good thing to research surgeons and ge some idea of how much you need.

A few suggestions on income. You say you have a degree in language. Could you look at interpreter services either on line or phone. What about proof reading services for college/Uni students. There are company's you make an income from by placing their advertising on you blog page. They pay for every "click through" that comes from your page. Write blogs for local service company's, nurseries, whatever your interest is. As you say, offer music lessons and/or form a group and play the local restaurants. Every dollar you earn is a dollar closer to your goal. You'll be surprised at how quickly it will mount up.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Huggs
Catherine 

[Clarity]

I know it has been a couple weeks since I updated this, but it looks like my surgery plans might end up changing since I just got offered a new job last week. Since I'm expecting to have good benefits as well as a comfortable living wage, I don't know that trying to fund-raise for surgery will be as necessary.

First thing I'll need to do is figure out what will be covered when I get on my new insurance plan. The company for which I will be working has pro-LGBT policies so I figure that there might be a chance at having my surgery covered. If not, I might be able to find a loan or payment plan with a hospital to be able to afford surgery. As for timing of the surgery, I don't know how that will work out. I know that I'll need to plan for recovery time which would likely mean all my paid time off for a year plus a few weeks unpaid. I would like to get it done by the end of 2015 if possible, but if I can't I feel like I will get there eventually.

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Clarity,

Well that's a change for the good. So pleased this is working out well for you. I would think your plan of having it complete by the end of 2015 quite doable.

Keep us updated with the god news.

Huggs
Catherine

[luna nyan]

Clarity,

I hope the new job works out for you and you end up where you need to be financially.
I was brought up to pay my own way, and personally would find fundraising for myself awkward, but kudos to you for thinking of it.  I think that definitely, teaching music on the side would be a great way to save more quickly.

Best wishes,
Luna

[Brenda E]

That's great news, Clarity.  I hope the new job works out well.

Keep up with the sideline ideas for generating more income.  I think many of us get so wrapped up in the goal of transition that we lose sight of the most pressing issue: all of this costs money.  Make sure succeeding at your current job is your number one priority because without that income, you're unlikely to meet your timeline for transition.  Don't let the desire to transition become your worst enemy, if that makes sense.  Right now, you need the job more than you need GCS, because without the job, GCS is off the table.

[Clarity]

That's great news, Clarity.  I hope the new job works out well.

Keep up with the sideline ideas for generating more income.  I think many of us get so wrapped up in the goal of transition that we lose sight of the most pressing issue: all of this costs money.  Make sure succeeding at your current job is your number one priority because without that income, you're unlikely to meet your timeline for transition.  Don't let the desire to transition become your worst enemy, if that makes sense.  Right now, you need the job more than you need GCS, because without the job, GCS is off the table.

I will admit that I'm a tad nervous about this job. I'm going into a new field for me. Obviously someone had to believe in me enough to offer me the job. At the same time, I still have a few confidence issues that I need to work on. My last full-time job still haunts me to this day. Even though it has been over a year ago and I just received a better job, I still have flashbacks of my old boss criticizing me. I even still have recurring dreams about the job. One last night in particular had me crying after I woke up from it.

That being said, moving on is a very important thing for me. I'm certain that GCS will work itself out in some way. My biggest worry about trying to get it in 2015 is that I won't have adequate paid time off work to get it. I also don't know how taking 6+ weeks off will affect my rating at the new job. I suppose the best solution would be to talk with HR to work out a plan so all can go relatively smoothly.

[Allyda]

Hi Clarity,

First, Congratulations!

Isabell is correct about things rapidly changing here in the states and exclusions being lifted for transgender health needs and surgeries. I myself just got cleared for my GCS which I'm hoping to have before the end of this year. Being I'm disabled, my GCS is covered as long as the surgeon will accept it. However, I'm finding out that many surgeons don't accept any type of insurance for GCS.

I'll be having my GCS done in Miami at the University of South Florida's Millers School of Medicine. They have an entire transgender department and very experienced surgeons, and most likely will accept my insurance. Here's a link to their webpage:
http://surgery.med.miami.edu/plastic-and-reconstructive/transgender-reassignment-surgery If your in the states, you might want to check them out.

Best Wishes!

Allie