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A therapist problem, any advice?

Started by LatrellHK, December 02, 2015, 03:36:05 PM

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LatrellHK

So after asking about top surgery and T someone reminded me that some doctors may require a therapists note or letter of referral. Now I'm a little concerned cause the last time I saw a therapist relating to my trans stuff was a little over two years ago but I've saw her for almost two years before moving. If I do need something from a therapist, can I just contact her or does it have to be recent? If so what am I supposed to exactly do? Go to a therapist and say "so I'm trying to get approved for top surgery/testosterone and I need to talk to you about it."? What do I do or say or go about it? I know my gender identity and all, so I'm incredibly confused on what I'm supposed to say and do if I actually need to see a therapist for whatever reason.
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Laura_7

#1
Here were some hints concerning online therapists:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,187135.0.html

Here is a list of some surgeons:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,197983.msg1761263.html#msg1761263

Baseline I'd say talk to the surgeon first...
You might say as convincingly as possible how long you are on hrt... have gender disphoria... etc...
so they might not need too much paperwork  :)


hugs
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Dena

I would think you might need a letter from a therapist for some of what you want but the best thing to do is ask the doctor you have picked out what they require. State laws differ as well as the standards the doctor follows so we really can't say for sure.
Rebirth Date 1982 - PMs are welcome - Use [email]dena@susans.org[/email] or Discord if your unable to PM - Skype is available - My Transition
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Bimmer Guy

Quote from: LatrellHK on December 02, 2015, 03:36:05 PM
So after asking about top surgery and T someone reminded me that some doctors may require a therapists note or letter of referral. Now I'm a little concerned cause the last time I saw a therapist relating to my trans stuff was a little over two years ago but I've saw her for almost two years before moving. If I do need something from a therapist, can I just contact her or does it have to be recent? If so what am I supposed to exactly do? Go to a therapist and say "so I'm trying to get approved for top surgery/testosterone and I need to talk to you about it."? What do I do or say or go about it? I know my gender identity and all, so I'm incredibly confused on what I'm supposed to say and do if I actually need to see a therapist for whatever reason.

1) See what your surgeon of choice requires.  Most likely they will require a therapist letter, but sometimes you will find a surgeon who will accept a letter from your PCP
2) There is no problem with contacting your old therapist and see if she will write a letter for you.  Find out the requirements for the letter from your surgeon of choice before you call them, so you can tell them what you need.  It is possible they will want to see you once so they can feel comfortable writing the letter.
Top Surgery: 10/10/13 (Garramone)
Testosterone: 9/9/14
Hysto: 10/1/15
Stage 1 Meta: 3/2/16 (including UL, Vaginectomy, Scrotoplasty), (Crane, CA)
Stage 2 Meta: 11/11/16 Testicular implants, phallus and scrotum repositioning, v-nectomy revision.  Additional: Lipo on sides of chest. (Crane, TX)
Fistula Repair 12/21/17 (UPenn Hospital,unsuccessful)
Fistula Repair 6/7/18 (Nikolavsky, successful)
Revision: 1/11/19 Replacement of eroded testicle,  mons resection, cosmetic work on scrotum (Crane, TX)



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FTMax

Agree with Bimmer Guy.

Check with the surgeon you're going to go with and explain the situation. See what they will or will not accept. I found out after the fact that mine would've accepted a letter from doctor.

If they need a therapist letter, you could always contact your old therapist and see if they would write one for you. If she was willing to discuss trans stuff with you two years ago, I don't see why she wouldn't now.
T: 12/5/2014 | Top: 4/21/2015 | Hysto: 2/6/2016 | Meta: 3/21/2017

I don't come here anymore, so if you need to get in touch send an email: maxdoeswork AT protonmail.com
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LatrellHK

I have a consultation with them next Friday, so hopefully I find the answers I need. Thanks for the advice, however. Really helpful!
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Bimmer Guy

Quote from: LatrellHK on December 03, 2015, 05:29:39 PM
I have a consultation with them next Friday, so hopefully I find the answers I need. Thanks for the advice, however. Really helpful!

Good luck!  :)
Top Surgery: 10/10/13 (Garramone)
Testosterone: 9/9/14
Hysto: 10/1/15
Stage 1 Meta: 3/2/16 (including UL, Vaginectomy, Scrotoplasty), (Crane, CA)
Stage 2 Meta: 11/11/16 Testicular implants, phallus and scrotum repositioning, v-nectomy revision.  Additional: Lipo on sides of chest. (Crane, TX)
Fistula Repair 12/21/17 (UPenn Hospital,unsuccessful)
Fistula Repair 6/7/18 (Nikolavsky, successful)
Revision: 1/11/19 Replacement of eroded testicle,  mons resection, cosmetic work on scrotum (Crane, TX)



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Jak

I don't know if you're coming down for a consult with Tholen, but he does not require a therapist's letter. Good luck, regardless!
Top surgery: 14 December 2015
T-pellets: 23 December 2016
Androgel: 30 January 2018
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Muscle Matt

I had to see a therapist for a few weeks in order for my doctor to give me T (even though she ended up prescribing it without even talking to my therapist, guess I really didn't even need to go). I just told them straight up I was only there for the T. I didn't actually have any issues to discuss, and so most of my appointments ended up being shorter than normal (one was only 25 minutes long 'cuz my therapist ran out of things to even ask me about). Once I got my script, I never even called the therapist back. Maybe sounds a little rude, but I told them I don't do therapy, and the few weeks I did go I felt even more horrible about myself just having to talk about my situation (with a stranger, no less).

I hope my surgeon doesn't have an issue with that, because I'm not going back and making my mental health worse just because some stranger thinks that it'll help me. I'm scheduling my consultation for next month if I can, so I guess I'll find out then what she thinks. Hopefully the fact that I'm on T (and obviously very committed to my decision, as I have to drive 45mins to my dr office every 2 weeks for shots) makes her feel more comfortable with performing surgery on me. I guess it's all just the surgeon's call. I've seen girls online who simply don't like having boobs get top surgery, so hopefully in this day and age, someone like yourself who's been to therapy and dedicated to starting transition won't have too many problems.
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LatrellHK

In regards to top surgery, the Dr. I saw doesn't care. He didn't when I informed him I've been living full-time for almost three years now and technically part-time for a few months before then. By part-time, I meant just having people call me by a more masculine name and never correcting people if they used male pronouns. He said okay and just went on to explain the surgery I'll be getting when the time comes.
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