1, From your General Practician (from now on GP) to Gender ClinicEveryone who lives in the UK is registered with a GP. Even if you're a newcomer, after getting your National Insurance Number, you can register with one. I made an appointment with mine, I explained that I'm transgender and that I'd like to transition. GP referred me to a psychiatrist who did a one-time assessment and referred me to the Gender Clinic in the southern part of London.
2, The Gender ClinicDepending on a lot of things, you'll first see two consultants/psychiatrists at two different times to do an initial assessment. My first appointment was 8 months ahead, my second was 6 months after the first one, so there is a long waiting list, but hey, it's for free. It's a very friendly environment and it's exclusively for transgender and transsexual people.
3, HormonesIf everything goes well, you'll get prescribed hormones after your second or third visit which you will be able to get re-prescribed by your GP. I was prescribed Sustanon 250mg injection every 4 weeks and after the nurse taught and supervised me, I was able to continue self-injecting after the 5th time.
4, SurgeryTo be eligible for chest surgery, you'll have to be on hormones at least 6-7 months. If both of your consultants agree, you will be given your permission to have the top surgery. Then they send a letter to a surgeon (can be of your choice) and you will be given an appointment with said surgeon and from then on, they take over your case.
Normally, to be eligible for hormones or anything else, you'll have to have lived 2 years in your preferred gender, including coming out to family, work, school etc and having had a name change. Even if you have not completed the two years, they still offer all sorts of therapies and services to help you through your hardest times. My experience:I first went to the Gender Clinic I think around Sept 2013. I've had two appointments with two different people who essentially asked me the usual, same questions. They just had to make sure that I am emotionally ready for transitioning. My case was relatively easy for them as I've started hormone therapy previously in the country I came from and had a lot of papers from different hospitals and psychologists, psychiatrists for the 4 previous years, proving I was openly transgender for a good while.
Once I had both signatures from my consultants in December 2014, I received a letter in January 2015 that I would shortly see Ms Catherine Milroy, a plastic surgeon. I met her at St George's Hospital in South London on 1st of May and she asked me if I'm available for surgery on short notice. I said yes and on the 6th of May I received a phone calll; they had a spot for me on the 27th of May.
Normally, this procedure would cost around £5000 alone, plus the stay at The New Victoria Hospital where Ms. Milroy operates costs £650 a night, but since I've got my whole thing done through the Gender Clinic, it was free for me.
The New Victoria Hospital is a private hospital and as you can guess from its price, it is pretty serious and professional. There's a huge variety of food available on the menu, the staff is caring and nice, and the overall experience with them was just amazing.
Name Change:Do not worry about the name change if you are not a UK citizen. I am not, either (yet). You can have a simple name change by Deed Poll which enables you to use a preferred name (you can change your title, first name, middle name, last name, etc), the catch is that you have to always have your original passport with you at all times. For example: I have had a name change, but as I'm not a UK citizen, there's a different name in my passport, but I am officially using my Deed Poll new name everywhere including bank, university, work, etc and no one ever asks anything.
The New Victoria Hospital Website
http://www.newvictoriahospital.co.uk/Ms Catherine Milroy's Website
http://www.catherinemilroy.com/ ,
https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/people/ms-catherine-milroy/Some pictures available here
http://imgur.com/a/wU1zy#0More pictures coming soon, the hospital is also taking before-after photos from different angles for research purposes.
If you have any questions, you can message me here, but bear in mind I might forget checking my inbox so you'd be better off emailing me at
alwayshappyneversaddesu@gmail.com
