Time required to be accepted forSRS

[Gracie]

Forgive me for asking a question that has probably been answered many times.  But, this is my first post since I was active on this site,under a different name, in the '90s.  I'm a really slow learner.  After months of psycho therapy, starting with other issues, the penny dropped and I realized that after 60 years of development, I am a woman.  I turned 75 years old yesterday. You don't want to know the whole story for so many years. You've each had your own, just hope that you are not as slow in accepting yourself as I have been.

The question:  is the old standard of one year of real life experience before SRS still in effect? Are mitigating circumstances such as age considered?  Over the last two years I have spent many days days out in public, with friends and by myself.  Six years ago, I created a character, an outrageous,funny old fashioned nurse who entertains in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and have performed in that role over 130 times. I am happiest when I am myself, Gracie.  I am now coming out to close friends and family and plan to start living full time once that is complete, no later than August first and hopefully sooner. I hope to start hormone therapy ASAP. I have the full support of my wife, my therapist, and of my primary care doctor.  Any advice would be appreciated. At my age, life is too short to waste time meeting unnecessary legalistic procedures.

[Ms Grace]

It may vary from country to country but I believe the standard is usually one year's FTE.

[iKate]

One year full time real life experience and you need two referrals. If you have had 5 years RLE some surgeons do not require referrals. This is based on WPATH standards of care.

[Mariah]

Generally the 1 year of HRT is also required unless it's not possible, but somehow SRS is. Whichever of the two dates is later is generally the one they will go with when using the 1 year measurement. Hugs
Mariah

[Naeree]

Basically, they would require at least a year of continue living as a woman and hrt, occasion dress up doesn't count, that is because doing srs is consider a treatment to cure the Gender Identity Disorder symptom. In easy word that they have to see that you can not be able to be a man in any mean so they have to physically change your body to match real you. And living full time for years will show that you are really sure to live the rest of your life as woman, and you are able to live as a woman, socially , financially and etc. That's the concept of it, but the procedure may vary due to places and countries.

[AnonyMs]

The "standard" 1 year RLE is really up to the surgeon. Its not a law or anything like that. You'd probably need to ask around if you're really determined to do it that way. I'm pretty sure you'd still need a psych letter though. I'd be more concerned about your age though, as some surgeons have limits on that.

[Gracie]

Thanks to all.  Guess I'll learn more at meetings with my local transgender support group. This indicates that I need to begin the FTE ASAP.  I'll certainly be looking for ways to expedite the process. As I understand it, The Standards are Guidelines, not rules.Hope that common sense might play a role, e.g. someone who has been fighting accepting herself for so many years should not be subjected to the same rules as a child or adolescent.  all of us have the right to self determination.

After being active as Janice Halifax on Susans for several years in the '90s, I spent a weekend with two other girls in Las Vegas.  Stupidly, even though it was so liberating and I had a ball, I thought that I was "cured" and purged. (let's see, that was about Purge No. 3, and, fortunately, the last.)  Only, the desire and compulsion to express my self came back stronger and deeper.  I have dreamed of being a woman off and on for at least 40 years.  Over the last two years, having spent so much time out in the world doing day-to-day things, I now know the peace and completeness that brings me.  But, I just did not want to do this to children and the woman I've loved for so long. But, it is inescapable and MUST be done for me to finish my years as the person I really am.  She understands that i am exhausted from a life of hiding and my ability to care for her as we age is impaired by having to play a role as a male. So far, all, except for one person, have been so understanding, loving , and supportive of my announced intent to transition as quickly as possible.

Finally, thank GOD for Caitlyn Jenner. What a serendipity moment that all this occurred just as I realized that I am in the same place!

[LizMarie]

These are guidelines, not laws. They can be done in different ways under various circumstances.

I am having SRS after 10 months full time. Before that I was almost full time except 2 days a month, for a full year. I've also adapted so well that my therapist is 100% behind me. And so far, my second psychiatrist appears to be as well.

Dr. Chettawut is a well known, respected SRS surgeon and he requires two letters. The letters do not have to be after a full year. As I said, mine will be at 10 months. I know another woman who got her letters done and surgery at 8 months. And I know one case of a child of 15 who was granted SRS because of severe body dysphoria (she'd attempted self mutilation and suicide over it) almost immediately.

In short, circumstances do matter but in general, 1 year full time and 2 letters are what are required.

But I emphasize again that these are guidelines, not laws written in stone.

Your situation would have to be assessed and determined by your mental health professionals.

[OCAnne]

Hello everyone, as others have stated there are no rules just guidelines.  Everyone involved in the process has to be OK with moving forward with SRS at a quicker pace when warranted.

In my case I was suffering 'intense transsexllism' or 'intensely transsexual', gender dysphoria did not play a part.   My condition hampered work and interactions with society.  Not to mention inability to experience my full sexuality and happiness.  Only real clinical treatment for condition is SRS.

Long story short:  I underwent SRS (May 22nd) in Los Angeles at 10 months on HRT and 4 RLE/RLT months after court ordered legal name and gender change.  I am sure a documented past was considered 'time served'.  My transition was also well documented online with a Twitter and YouTube account.  All I am sure helped speed up the process.

I had 'letters' sent to 4 surgeons, one with a $1,000 deposit before deciding to stay in home area to undergo SRS.  Date could have been moved up a couple months if my schedule would have allowed for it.

So it really depends on how fast a person wants it, ongoing suffering and quality of life issues.

In closing, I have not experienced a moment of regret.  I am happy and free!

Thank you

[iKate]

That said I am in no rush whatsoever.

[Auroramarianna]

In my country, you need two years of real life experience, which means full time and hormones, I think. That said, your age may or not be a concern for surgeons to operate on, I am not sure, because of the healing time. Discuss this with surgeons and doctors.

[Gracie]

Thanks again to everyone. I so much appreciate your help. Today, I  had a consultation with my primary care physician. He, like my therapist, is 100% supportive, but he is not experienced in hormone therapy for a transitioning person. So he is undertaking a search for an experienced person to lead that part of the process. 

From what has been said here, it seems to me that I should initiate a name change ASAP.  My wife just came up with her preferred middle name for me.

I had wondered if a daily time stamped photo might constitute adequate documentation of the RLE.  It seems to me that there really has to be some level of trust by the health practitioners as to whether or not the RLE requirements are satisfied.

Thanks again to everyone.

[LizMarie]

Generally, the most key thing that confirms you are full time is legal name change and gender marker change on whatever documents you can do before surgery. In most states that is driver's license or other state id. You can also update social security without surgery and also get a passport without surgery. Both do require a court ordered name and gender change though, as well as other documents.

Specific therapists may agree to begin counting full time in other ways, but that will vary by therapist. The simplest answer is to ask your therapist for how they prefer to measure it.

[Katie]

Standards? Ha. I never went to a therapist ever except two days before SRS when I told the therapist I thought it was stupid for me to have to talk to him.

I did it MY way. I didn't ask anyone for permission, I didn't care what they thought. I just did my thing. It took me a year and a month from start of hormones to getting SRS. One year after that I got FFS.

Again I never went to a therapist and I didn't ask people for their permission or acceptance. I did what I KNEW I HAD TO DO because I am a woman.