Finding a doctor in NJ area

[MissJamie]

Greetings all!

I'm looking to schedule my first visit with a doctor for hormones. I'm hoping that some people might be able to share the experiences they have had with doctors in my area. I'm looking for places from Philadelphia, PA to NYC, NY. So far I've been looking at Callen Lorde in NYC; Papillion Center in New Hope, PA ; and Mazonni Center in Philadelphia. However I'm open to anywhere if you have

A little on me: I'm a 28y/o trans woman living in NJ. I've been questioning for years but finally sought out a gender therapist in May and soon after accepted myself. I came out to my friends and immediate family a while after. I'm living on my own and working, but money isn't exactly plentiful. I have health insurance but I'm pretty sure it won't cover any trans healthcare, except maybe some blood work.

[Wolfy]

Callen Lorde is a great place to start off at and so is the mazzoni center. I don't go to either but I will switch to Callen Lorde within a year. I go to mount sinai in nyc on 94th street in manhattan. But for you your best bet is either the PA clinic or the NYC clinic. I do know there is a waiting list for callen lorde or so im told. its about 3 months? but once you're in it shouldnt take long to start. Not too sure on the Mazonni center.

[MissJamie]

Yah I heard the same 3 month estimate from people in my support group. That is why I want to get it started. I'm not quite ready for them this moment but it seems like I will be soon, and the thought of waiting after I'm ready is unpleasant.

[Bimmer Guy]

I go to the Mazonni Center.  Great people and easy to get started.  They follow the informed consent model.

It is 4-6 weeks until the first appointment (usually 4), and then 3-4 weeks to get your first shot that they show you how to do in the office.  They do your blood work in the office at the first appointment.  They have a sliding scale if you don't have insurance.

Connected to the center is a Walgreens that has discount hormones.  The physicians you work with are not Endos, but are Primary Care Physicians (and Advance Practice Nurses).  You can also see them as your primary care doc as well.  The appointments are charged as a primary care appointment, not a specialist appointment.

[GnomeKid]

I go to the mazzoni center in philly for all hormones and general check-up type of things (primary care I suppose?).

I had my top surgery through the Papillon center with Dr. Christine Mcginn (Couldn't have asked for a better surgeon.  She is also a trans woman which was nice/comforting.). 

I would highly recommend both facilities. 

[MissJamie]

Thanks for sharing! I'm checking with Papillion for more information on cost, it would be nice if it worked out because it is reasonably close to work for me. Mazzoni sounds very promising but the drive down and into Philly is a bit daunting. If anyone else is willing to share I'd still love to hear from you.

Thanks all!

[Shodan]

Thanks for this thread, too! I just moved to NJ and I've been hunting around for an endo as well. I'm going to try a PCP close by here to handle my every day needs (like my Diabeetus) but we'll see how well they handle me being TG.

[Shodan]

So. Just booked an appointment with Callen Lorde for early November, so about four weeks out. That's not so bad, all things considered. And they take my insurance which is a bonus.

[Sydney_NYC]

So. Just booked an appointment with Callen Lorde for early November, so about four weeks out. That's not so bad, all things considered. And they take my insurance which is a bonus.

Congratulations!!!!! They have been great from HRT to helping with changing name and gender on documentation, even in NJ.

[GnomeKid]

Thanks for sharing! I'm checking with Papillion for more information on cost, it would be nice if it worked out because it is reasonably close to work for me. Mazzoni sounds very promising but the drive down and into Philly is a bit daunting. If anyone else is willing to share I'd still love to hear from you.

Thanks all!

I will say that while I'm relatively used to philly by this point i do empathize with the stress of unfamiliar city driving.  I've been lost in philly before the days of GPS and it was NOT fun.. Getting to the Mazzoni Center, however, is fairly straightforward - only 1 turn once you get off of 95.  If you take 95 to the broad st exit you just stay on broad until you make a right onto locust.  It doesn't have you winding through/getting lost in a maze of city streets.  If you're coming from the north, though, Papillon is probably still closer.