With only one clinic in Canada, wait for transgender surgery often months long

[traci_k]

With only one clinic in Canada, wait for transgender surgery often months long(Potential Trigger warning)

CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Thursday, May 28, 2015 10:00PM EDT

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/with-only-one-clinic-in-canada-wait-for-transgender-surgery-often-months-long-1.2396678

There is currently only one clinic in Canada where transgender people can seek transition surgery and the wait times can stretch to two years.

James Gardner would like to see that changed.


Three years ago, the 56-year-old Victoria, B.C., radio announcer with CFAX transitioned from being "Sheila" to being "James." While Gardner is glad to have finally made his transition public, what he wants now is genital surgery to complete the change.

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Interesting read. What I found amazing is the report that 77% of Transgender folk consider suicide and 45% attempt. Also some comments from Dr Brassard.

[Sapphire87]

This is what i'm wating on myself right now. referrals been sent out and Montreal has received confirmation that my province will be paying for the surgery. I'm just waiting for a date. For myself though i'm ok with waiting that extra time since I don't have to pay for any of it, but at the same time its still nerve-wracking with all the waiting. Really hoping i can get in before the end of this year. Would be perfect timing

[iKate]

It also gets more complicated because Brassard will only take perfectly health patients, eg if you have diabetes he won't work on you.

[Sapphire87]

It also gets more complicated because Brassard will only take perfectly health patients, eg if you have diabetes he won't work on you.

Luckily for me as far as I know I have nothing wrong with me.

[iKate]

Luckily for me as far as I know I have nothing wrong with me.

Totally.

But some Canadian girls have no choice but to seek care outside of the country for this reason, and I'm guessing pay out of pocket too.

It's a sad situation when there is only one surgeon available, especially when in the US we have many, and quite a few renowned one (eg Bowers, McGinn, Meltzer). Brassard did say that it is not taught, and it should be.

[Sapphire87]

Totally.

But some Canadian girls have no choice but to seek care outside of the country for this reason, and I'm guessing pay out of pocket too.

It's a sad situation when there is only one surgeon available, especially when in the US we have many, and quite a few renowned one (eg Bowers, McGinn, Meltzer). Brassard did say that it is not taught, and it should be.

It is really unfortunate that there isn't another one in canada somewhere in the east but nothing we can do about it. and in regards to paying out of pocket. I think their province may still pay for the surgery but will not cover the cost of travel. but i'm unsure on that, it may even be the other way around

[qwerty108109]

I can't believe the system is so backed up in Canada.

[Sapphire87]

Unfortunately that's just how it is. With only one place that does it and people from all over the world come to see him, it becomes a lengthy process