GRS Referral Criteria (U.S.A)

[Blanche]

I'm Swiss but will have GRS in July 2008 with Dr. Bowers, she requires two psychiatric evaluations, usually by a psychologist or psychiatrist.  She also has other requirements for surgery, e.g. an HIV test, complete medical records, not smoking & a healthy weight to avoid complications post-GRS.

[Berliegh]

I'm Swiss but will have GRS in July 2008 with Dr. Bowers, she requires two psychiatric evaluations, usually by a psychologist or psychiatrist.  She also has other requirements for surgery, e.g. an HIV test, complete medical records, not smoking & a healthy weight to avoid complications post-GRS.

That's the problem I have over here in the U.K, I have been trying to get two referrals for the last 5 years. The main problem is the time frame between appointments (one every 6 months) and it could take anything up to 10 years if you end up having to go through a new attachment with the NHS. I know I will have to get out of the U.K if I want to progress with my transition..

[BCL]

Suporn has varies requirements depending on age.

He also has a associate Physchaiatrist who can evaluate patients on arrival.

I suggest you look at the requirements on his web site.

Rebecca

[Hypatia]

My American therapist keeps telling me of a stipulation I haven't come across anywhere else!

He says I have to divorce before he'll write the letter. Either that, or have my wife sign a statement that she doesn't object to my surgery. This has nothing to do with my qualifications and everything to do with covering his own ass.

[seldom]

My American therapist keeps telling me of a stipulation I haven't come across anywhere else!

He says I have to divorce before he'll write the letter. Either that, or have my wife sign a statement that she doesn't object to my surgery. This has nothing to do with my qualifications and everything to do with covering his own ass.

That SHOULDN'T be a requirement at all.  It has nothing to do with him covering his own ass either.  That is something he shouldn't be requiring at all.  Its a very archaic demand. 

In Virginia a divorce is forced anyway with sex change. 

[Shana A]

My American therapist keeps telling me of a stipulation I haven't come across anywhere else!

He says I have to divorce before he'll write the letter. Either that, or have my wife sign a statement that she doesn't object to my surgery. This has nothing to do with my qualifications and everything to do with covering his own ass.

That's an extremely antiquated viewpoint. It used to be common that a person desiring SRS would have to get a divorce before surgery, but I haven't heard of anyone suggesting such a thing in many years. I'd find another therapist if at all possible.

y2g

[Cire]

If the therapist is good, if that person has helped you, what's your issue with helping him not get sued?

A simple letter is all that is needed.

[Kate]

He says I have to divorce before he'll write the letter. Either that, or have my wife sign a statement that she doesn't object to my surgery.

Check out the EVALUATION AND DIAGNOSIS section in our resources article STANDARDS OF CARE AND HORMONE THERAPY FOR TRANSSEXUALS: ISSUES AND CONSIDERATIONS

I've heard of it being a requirement in the distant past, but rarely hear of it these days. According to "True Selves," transsexuals were once urged to move away and never contact their children again too.

Although, I must admit that I'm convinced that my own therapist is waiting for me to "resolve" my marriage as well. And to be fair, I'll admit that two heterosexual women being married isn't exactly the optimal relationship. But it is what it is, and while we would never enter into such a relationship NOW, knowing what we know, ending an existing relationship isn't quite so simple a decision.

~Kate~

[seldom]

My American therapist keeps telling me of a stipulation I haven't come across anywhere else!

He says I have to divorce before he'll write the letter. Either that, or have my wife sign a statement that she doesn't object to my surgery. This has nothing to do with my qualifications and everything to do with covering his own ass.

That's an extremely antiquated viewpoint. It used to be common that a person desiring SRS would have to get a divorce before surgery, but I haven't heard of anyone suggesting such a thing in many years. I'd find another therapist if at all possible.

y2g

To say its antiquated is an understatement, that was one of the problems with what is now considered the bad old days.  I have not heard a therapist requiring this in a long time.  I know the therapist you are seeing and that is VERY problematic viewpoint for him to have in this day and age.  It should not even come up. 

Also Bowers does not require two Doctors.  She follows the standards of care, it could be a LCSW and a Doctor (Ph.D, Psy.D. or MD).  I know this because one of my friends who is seeing Bowers two letters came from a LCSW. 

[Hypatia]

In Virginia a divorce is forced anyway with sex change. 

I hadn't heard that. Who or what implements this divorce-forcing, and by what means? (and by what right?)

Posted on: November 23, 2007, 10:03:33 PM

I know the therapist you are seeing and that is VERY problematic viewpoint for him to have in this day and age.  It should not even come up. 

Yeah, he's a good guy in all other respects, so I'm awfully conflicted. It's kind of late in the game for me to switch therapists now. I'm wondering how to handle this now because my surgery is finally on the horizon.

The information I'm getting here that he's out of line is very valuable to me. To run statements through the communal bull->-bleeped-<--meter and verify for truth. He told me explicitly that it's to guarantee that he doesn't get sued by angry spouses. He also insisted to me that all surgeons will demand this as a prerequisite--I think he even said Thai surgeons require it.

[seldom]

He is way off base with regards to this.  No surgeon has it as a pre-requisite.  End of story.  Years and years ago this was the case, but no longer. Like it was said, very antiquated thinking.   

The court voids the marriage by the way.  Thats what you heard right VOIDS.  No two people of the same sex can be married in Virginia. 

[Berliegh]

They view marriage the same way in the U.K. If you are still married you need to get consent from your wife..

That isn't my problem as I've never had a wife. I have complied with all the protocols including 5 years RLT but I still cannot get a referral for GRS in the U.K...