Hi, I'm Stephanie

[StephShan]

I just want to introduce myself. My name is Stephanie and I am a 65 year old trans woman. I have been living openly for seven years. I have legally changed my name and gender markers. I have been trying to get my gender affirming surgery done for the last six years with no success.   
I hope to post more in the near future about my journey. This seems like a warm, accepting community.
Take care
Steph 

[Northern Star Girl]

  @StephShan
Dear Stephanie:
Thank you for following the LINK that I provided for you in my Welcome Message as a reply
to your very first posting that you submitted yesterday.

Now that you are here on the INTRODUCTIONS FORUM and other members are aware of your arrival to
the Forum you can expect more interaction, give and take, and more exchange of thoughts and
comments with other like-minded members. 

More than likely you will find new friends here as you get more involved.

Please be sure to read over the informative LINKS and rules of the Forums that I had attached at the
end of my Welcome Message to you.  The information there will help you to safely navigate around the
forum and enjoy the features here. 
Please be involved as much or as little as you feel comfortable doing.

Thank you again for becoming a member and for telling us more about yourself with your introduction.
Best Wishes,
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
The Forum Administrator                cc: @Sarah B  @Lori Dee

I just want to introduce myself. My name is Stephanie and I am a 65 year old trans woman. I have been living openly for seven years. I have legally changed my name and gender markers. I have been trying to get my gender affirming surgery done for the last six years with no success.   
I hope to post more in the near future about my journey. This seems like a warm, accepting community.
Take care
Steph 

[Lori Dee]

Welcome Aboard, Steph!

I sympathize with you. I have been trying to get surgery for almost five years now. I'm 67, so I know the feeling that the clock is ticking. I am afraid we will have to be resourceful in doing what we need to do to get things done.

Some foundations and other organizations offer grants and loans, but their funding is limited and there is a lot of need out there.

My first step is to get my passport before the end of the year. The next step will be to migrate to the jungles of Minnesota where they have state laws that protect our rights and insurance coverage. I don't know yet what their insurance would cost, but it may be an option. If bans become federal law and all funding dries up, I hope to have the finances by then to leave the country.

For now, we wait and see what is going to happen.

Hang tough, Sister. We are all in this boat together.

[Paulie]

Hi Steph,

Welcome to Susan's.

I have been trying to get my gender affirming surgery done for the last six years with no success.   

Just curious, are you trying to do this through Medicare or private insurance?  You don't need to answer this if you're not comfortable with the question.

Warm Regards,

Paulie.

[StephShan]

Hi Paulie,
I am (was) trying to do this through Medicare. I just turned 65 in November so that is now my insurance. Before that, I had employer sponsored insurance and was never able to complete it by that avenue due to my employer constantly changing plans, and unending roadblocks (it's a long story). I was very close to having Medicare provide coverage for the surgery; I had gone with the "best" Medicare supplement ("G"), but then we all know what happened. 
(I actually have an appointment with a surgeon for a consult on 1.21.2025 that I made some time ago) Too little too late......
Thank you for the warm welcome.
Steph S 

[Moonflower]

STEPHANIE! HANG IN THERE!

Keep your appointment. Change hasn't happened. Change might take time to implement. You're so close. Don't give up the chance to luck out. You know what is possible. Focus on what you want because what you want is possible.

[Lori Dee]

STEPHANIE! HANG IN THERE!

Keep your appointment. Change hasn't happened. Change might take time to implement. You're so close. Don't give up the chance to luck out. You know what is possible. Focus on what you want because what you want is possible.

THIS!

It could take years for any changes to take effect. I expect this to get tied up in court for a long time. If the consult goes well, you could get approved and be ready to go while the courts sort it out.

You are SO close. Don't give up!

[ChrissyRyan]

Hi!

Welcome Stephanie!


Chrissy

[StephShan]

Hi everyone
I just wanted to thank everyone for their encouragement.
Stephanie S.