Is it even possible for a transsexual to transition as a broke college kid?

[Elwood]

Hmm.
My insurance covers... at least some of the therapy. It's $50 a visit for me. My insurance probably will not cover top surgery because it is "cosmetic surgery." SRS MIGHT have some coverage... my buddy Sean had phalloplasty and he works in a parking garage. He isn't swimming in money.

My insurance should cover part of the HRT.

I think top surgery can be from $3,000-10,000+ or something. Depending on how good I am at saving money, I might take out a small loan to get it moving. The motorcycle I want is also $3,000 so I'll keep track of how long it took me to save up for it. If I have no living expenses (meaning if I stay with my dad while I'm in college) then it should take something like a year, I think. I'd have to work part time, of course.

My dad was acting like he'd help me financially with top surgery. I told him I want to pay at least half, if not more. We'll wait until I can save up the cash. I mean, seriously. He's already paying for my therapy and he said he'll pay for my hormones if I get them through Kaiser (pretty much he said he won't help me self-medicate; I need a prescription).

I do believe there is financial aid for health coverage for college students. I do know that I have insurance coverage at my school as long as I have 12 units or more per semester. I think this lasts until I'm 25, but I have to be consistent. You could also apply for scholarships at your school so you have more money set aside for medical.

I'm probably not going to be transitioned before college is over, and I'm still a freshman. Transition takes years. I plan on being a student for maybe just 3 or 4. I don't expect to have top surgery that soon. Any sooner and I'll be quite surprised.

It depends on your plan, of course, but Kaiser covers testosterone, top surgery (with their surgeons only) and hysterectomy.  I haven't heard of anyone using Kaiser for bottom surgery.

Posted on: August 28, 2008, 11:05:55 PM
It depends on your plan, of course, but Kaiser covers testosterone, top surgery (with their surgeons only) and hysterectomy.  I haven't heard of anyone using Kaiser for bottom surgery.

Hot damn. They do top? I didn't know they had a cosmetic/plastic surgery department. Are Kaiser's surgeons any good? I'd rather spend more money for a surgeon that won't give me "deflated balloons" for moobs.

[Mister]

Can't give you a solid answer on that one, Elwood.  I've seen photos, but no in person post-op Kaiser chests.  I couldn't even name one of their surgeons. 

[Elwood]

I'm probably not going to be transitioned before college is over, and I'm still a freshman. Transition takes years. I plan on being a student for maybe just 3 or 4. I don't expect to have top surgery that soon. Any sooner and I'll be quite surprised.

Does it really take that long?  I was hoping I could get diagnosed in 4 months, start hormones in another 6, and top surgery in another year.

If I get the ball rolling at a good center so I don't have to do too much dancing with people who don't have experience in trans.

That'd be under two years. How unrealistic is that?

Absolutely, if you mean the full deal (SRS, top, etc). Testosterone doesn't work overnight. And surgeries tend to have waiting lists. Not to mention saving up the money for it. Therapy for me has hit the 6 month mark. I know it'll probably be at least 3 or 4 more until I'm on testosterone. Someone please correct this if I'm wrong: I've heard that there's therapy involved with hysterectomies if you're under 25 or something... I don't really buy the idea but doctors are really sensitive about taking away a "woman's" fertility.

Under two years for full transition is completely unrealistic. My friend Sean had phalloplasty and he had two phases. There was like 3 months between the two phases. He was on a waiting list for a while, too. Not to mention he has to pee with a catheter (he has to stick it inside of his urethra) for quite some time until the urethra is strong enough not to collapse. Until that's over, he definitely won't feel "complete."

Plus there's the legal transition. Legal name changes can take months...

Transition is also a mental and emotional process. You may think you already know everything about your identity (everyone thinks that) but transition DOES change a person.

If top surgery is the end of the road for you... I'd say 2 years is the fastest you could hope for. It's been 6 months of therapy for me... it took something like 4 or 5 for me to get officially diagnosed. But my situation is a bit different; I moved during the 1st or 2nd month of therapy. It shouldn't however, have started me over. I have a medical record. The ONLY reason it started over it because Kaiser has two separate divisions in California; Northern and Southern. I STILL haven't had my old records transferred up here, according to my psychiatrist. :/

Posted on: August 29, 2008, 05:14:11 PM

Can't give you a solid answer on that one, Elwood.  I've seen photos, but no in person post-op Kaiser chests.  I couldn't even name one of their surgeons. 

Crap. I'm not sure if I should work with them, then. I really want a guarantee on this surgery, no matter the cost. I'll work for the money.

[Mister]

I haven't heard anything of therapy for a hysto under the age of 25.  Have you any sources?

Put a post on the baboyz list asking for surgeon info at Kaiser.  Look 'em up on transster of the FTM surgery groups on yahoo.  Since I do not have Kaiser, there was no point in my looking at their surgery results, thus I am mainly useless on this particular topic.

Posted on: August 29, 2008, 05:18:33 PMThe only reason the two year timeline is not doable is that most reputable surgeons require you to be on testosterone for 2 years before bottom surgery to maximize any growth potential.  If OP put bottom surgery into the 2 year constraint, I might've missed it.  If so, apologies. 

[Elwood]

No sources. It's just something I heard. If you haven't heard of it, it's probably bull->-bleeped-<-. It'd be a pretty big deal, you know?

Okay, I'll ask @ BABOYZ. And all that other stuff, lol.

I don't think he mentioned bottom surgery. Does that 2 year rule apple to medioplasty, too?

[Mister]

No sources. It's just something I heard. If you haven't heard of it, it's probably bull->-bleeped-<-. It'd be a pretty big deal, you know?

Okay, I'll ask @ BABOYZ. And all that other stuff, lol.

I don't think he mentioned bottom surgery. Does that 2 year rule apple to medioplasty, too?

Yup, applies for meta.  At the very least, Bowers, Meltzer, McGinn, Petrovic (the dude who operates in Belgrade & Thailand) and a few others stand by the 2 year rule, but as always, YMMV.

[Rhye]

Not unrealistic at all.  I came out in May, had my lone therapy session in September (which i cancelled twice due to illness. it was originally scheduled for June), started testosterone four days later, had top surgery in January and a hysto in late April.  One year and I'm done.

That's exactly what I'm hoping to accomplish. Thank you, that made me feel so much better.

Under two years for full transition is completely unrealistic. My friend Sean had phalloplasty and he had two phases. There was like 3 months between the two phases. He was on a waiting list for a while, too. Not to mention he has to pee with a catheter (he has to stick it inside of his urethra) for quite some time until the urethra is strong enough not to collapse. Until that's over, he definitely won't feel "complete."

Plus there's the legal transition. Legal name changes can take months...

I'm not interested in bottom surgery at all. I probably should've mentioned that. All of our options suck to me.  Peeing out a catheter for months? And not even having a "real" penis in the end? No thanks.

Full transition to me will be testosterone, sex change on birth certificate/social security, probably hysterectomy, and top surgery. No SRS and no name change because I don't mind being a guy called Lindsey. Sorry for leaving that out.

I've heard that there's therapy involved with hysterectomies if you're under 25 or something... I don't really buy the idea but doctors are really sensitive about taking away a "woman's" fertility.

I heard that too.. but what I'm not sure about is, do they enforce that if you're getting it for transgender reasons? Sure they're weird about ridding a woman of her babymaker, but what use does a man have for it?

If top surgery is the end of the road for you... I'd say 2 years is the fastest you could hope for. It's been 6 months of therapy for me... it took something like 4 or 5 for me to get officially diagnosed. But my situation is a bit different; I moved during the 1st or 2nd month of therapy. It shouldn't however, have started me over. I have a medical record. The ONLY reason it started over it because Kaiser has two separate divisions in California; Northern and Southern. I STILL haven't had my old records transferred up here, according to my psychiatrist. :/

2 years is what I'm hoping for, and I'd be happy with that. The people in charge of your medical record sound like idiots, what the hell? That's stupid and incompetent.

[Elwood]

Under two years for full transition is completely unrealistic. My friend Sean had phalloplasty and he had two phases. There was like 3 months between the two phases. He was on a waiting list for a while, too. Not to mention he has to pee with a catheter (he has to stick it inside of his urethra) for quite some time until the urethra is strong enough not to collapse. Until that's over, he definitely won't feel "complete."

Plus there's the legal transition. Legal name changes can take months...

I'm not interested in bottom surgery at all. I probably should've mentioned that. All of our options suck to me.  Peeing out a catheter for months? And not even having a "real" penis in the end? No thanks.

Full transition to me will be testosterone, sex change on birth certificate/social security, probably hysterectomy, and top surgery. No SRS and no name change because I don't mind being a guy called Lindsey. Sorry for leaving that out.

Yeah. It really sucks. Although, I think if they can make phalloplasty LOOK like a penis, and if they can add erectile tissue to the procedure so that it will erect, then I'd go for it. Sure, it wouldn't be a home-grown penis, but if it looked exactly like one and acted exactly like one, I don't see why I wouldn't go for it.

I think my transition will be somewhat the same, except without a penis I always won't feel complete. I also find a name change mandatory. I know a transguy who is also named Lindsey and he passes because it can be a guy's name. My birth name is Sara and just isn't going to work...

I've heard that there's therapy involved with hysterectomies if you're under 25 or something... I don't really buy the idea but doctors are really sensitive about taking away a "woman's" fertility.

I heard that too.. but what I'm not sure about is, do they enforce that if you're getting it for transgender reasons? Sure they're weird about ridding a woman of her babymaker, but what use does a man have for it?

I have a feeling that it's different for us guys and that if we're on T they'll let us have hysto for health reasons. I think it's guys who want it taken out before therapy or HRT who have trouble. You've gotta do things in a somewhat systematic order.

If top surgery is the end of the road for you... I'd say 2 years is the fastest you could hope for. It's been 6 months of therapy for me... it took something like 4 or 5 for me to get officially diagnosed. But my situation is a bit different; I moved during the 1st or 2nd month of therapy. It shouldn't however, have started me over. I have a medical record. The ONLY reason it started over it because Kaiser has two separate divisions in California; Northern and Southern. I STILL haven't had my old records transferred up here, according to my psychiatrist. :/

2 years is what I'm hoping for, and I'd be happy with that. The people in charge of your medical record sound like idiots, what the hell? That's stupid and incompetent.

It is. I really need them to figure this ->-bleeped-<- out. If they don't, I'm going to pick up my records MANUALLY in December when I go down to Southern California. I'll have to hand deliver the paper records. As for the digital records, I don't know how I'll manage to get those transferred. But I certainly will be barking at their department...

[iFindMeHere]

I'm going to college in New York next year, and hopefully can claim citizenship there by the end of 2010.

They haven't publicised this but federal Residency laws have changed--if you come into college as a non-resident, I don't think ti changes anymore. I was banking on that when I moved to Seattle this summer and I'm taking fulltime Distance courses from my old school right now.

[Aiden]

Just be careful.  I found out after I started school at ITT that most grants will not accept you if you haven't lived in state for 6+ months before starting college.  I ended up with a bunch of loans because I couldn't get much in way of grants.  (Plus my scholarship I got in high school only worked in Kentucky)

It may be different in states other than PA but may want look into it to make sure.

[Rhye]

Although, I think if they can make phalloplasty LOOK like a penis, and if they can add erectile tissue to the procedure so that it will erect, then I'd go for it. Sure, it wouldn't be a home-grown penis, but if it looked exactly like one and acted exactly like one, I don't see why I wouldn't go for it.

I think my transition will be somewhat the same, except without a penis I always won't feel complete. I also find a name change mandatory. I know a transguy who is also named Lindsey and he passes because it can be a guy's name. My birth name is Sara and just isn't going to work...

Yeah, by "real penis" I meant in appearance and function. I don't want to bother if I can't pee standing up, or have sex without using a damn pump. Maybe in another ten years, who knows?

I got lucky with my name, my sisters both have really girly names that could never work for a dude. Lindsey's pretty girly too, but at least I know there are men who have it.

I have a feeling that it's different for us guys and that if we're on T they'll let us have hysto for health reasons. I think it's guys who want it taken out before therapy or HRT who have trouble. You've gotta do things in a somewhat systematic order.

Ah right, it won't be a problem for me then.. I want HRT first (can't wait for it), and that seems like the natural order for this stuff, so it's all good.

It is. I really need them to figure this ->-bleeped-<- out. If they don't, I'm going to pick up my records MANUALLY in December when I go down to Southern California. I'll have to hand deliver the paper records. As for the digital records, I don't know how I'll manage to get those transferred. But I certainly will be barking at their department...

Give them a swift kick in the ass from me, okay?

They haven't publicised this but federal Residency laws have changed--if you come into college as a non-resident, I don't think ti changes anymore. I was banking on that when I moved to Seattle this summer and I'm taking fulltime Distance courses from my old school right now.

Oh really? Do you know if that counts for college students who live off-campus? Thanks for the info, I'll do more looking at that later.

Just be careful.  I found out after I started school at ITT that most grants will not accept you if you haven't lived in state for 6+ months before starting college.  I ended up with a bunch of loans because I couldn't get much in way of grants.  (Plus my scholarship I got in high school only worked in Kentucky)

It may be different in states other than PA but may want look into it to make sure.

Yeah, I heard about that.. was seriously considering moving first and starting college a year later, actually; it's gonna depend on where I get accepted and what kind of grants I could get.

[iFindMeHere]

I got lucky with my name, my sisters both have really girly names that could never work for a dude. Lindsey's pretty girly too, but at least I know there are men who have it.

LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM from Fleetwood Mac. Nobody could deny he's a man.

They haven't publicised this but federal Residency laws have changed--if you come into college as a non-resident, I don't think ti changes anymore. I was banking on that when I moved to Seattle this summer and I'm taking fulltime Distance courses from my old school right now.

Oh really? Do you know if that counts for college students who live off-campus? Thanks for the info, I'll do more looking at that later.

Just be careful.  I found out after I started school at ITT that most grants will not accept you if you haven't lived in state for 6+ months before starting college.  I ended up with a bunch of loans because I couldn't get much in way of grants.  (Plus my scholarship I got in high school only worked in Kentucky)

It may be different in states other than PA but may want look into it to make sure.

Yeah, I heard about that.. was seriously considering moving first and starting college a year later, actually; it's gonna depend on where I get accepted and what kind of grants I could get.
[/quote]

sounds like youve got that handled then.

[Elwood]

Although, I think if they can make phalloplasty LOOK like a penis, and if they can add erectile tissue to the procedure so that it will erect, then I'd go for it. Sure, it wouldn't be a home-grown penis, but if it looked exactly like one and acted exactly like one, I don't see why I wouldn't go for it.

I think my transition will be somewhat the same, except without a penis I always won't feel complete. I also find a name change mandatory. I know a transguy who is also named Lindsey and he passes because it can be a guy's name. My birth name is Sara and just isn't going to work...

Yeah, by "real penis" I meant in appearance and function. I don't want to bother if I can't pee standing up, or have sex without using a damn pump. Maybe in another ten years, who knows?

I got lucky with my name, my sisters both have really girly names that could never work for a dude. Lindsey's pretty girly too, but at least I know there are men who have it.

I'd be okay with the pump if it wasn't so socially awkward... It can very quickly ruin the mood.

Yeah. Although, even though it's a name men can have, you can still change it if you don't feel it suits you. I know a guy who was named Alex but chose a different name. Isn't there a guy like that on these forums too?

It is. I really need them to figure this ->-bleeped-<- out. If they don't, I'm going to pick up my records MANUALLY in December when I go down to Southern California. I'll have to hand deliver the paper records. As for the digital records, I don't know how I'll manage to get those transferred. But I certainly will be barking at their department...

Give them a swift kick in the ass from me, okay?

Yes, sir. I will as soon as possible. 

[Aiden]

Yeh a peice of skin attached to your pelvic that can't be used for anything is just a piece of skin.

[Elwood]

Yeh a peice of skin attached to your pelvic that can't be used for anything is just a piece of skin.

Well, I don't know about that. I know guys who are very happy with phallo. It has sensation, it can ejaculate, and when pumped, it can be used to penetrate. It's just a little defective/ugly.

I was thinking... thinking of studying biology and pursuing possible methods of adding erectile tissue into phalloplasty... then it would just be an ugly dick, but a dick! That WORKS! But... I don't think I can commit myself to that sort of study, or afford it. I might study the idea in my own time, unprofessionally.

[Mister]

it can ejaculate

um, WHAT?  I think you're mistaken on that one, Elwood. What does it ejaculate?  Where does it come from? 

[Elwood]

it can ejaculate

um, WHAT?  I think you're mistaken on that one, Elwood. What does it ejaculate?  Where does it come from? 

I have heard that vaginal tissue is implanted, which seeps "vaginal moisture." It supposedly provides a half-assed ejaculation. No, it doesn't spray across the room, and you can't write how much you love your penis in the snow with it, but I hear it does ooze a bit.

[Mister]

it can ejaculate

um, WHAT?  I think you're mistaken on that one, Elwood. What does it ejaculate?  Where does it come from? 

I have heard that vaginal tissue is implanted, which seeps "vaginal moisture." It supposedly provides a half-assed ejaculation. No, it doesn't spray across the room, and you can't write how much you love your penis in the snow with it, but I hear it does ooze a bit.

"vaginal moisture"?  Aside from the bit of sweat in your vag, the rest is a kind of mucus produced in your uterus.  Are there uterus chunks in the phallus?  My brain is seriously not seeing how this is possible.  Do you have a link to such a procedure? 

[Elwood]

"vaginal moisture"?  Aside from the bit of sweat in your vag, the rest is a kind of mucus produced in your uterus.  Are there uterus chunks in the phallus?  My brain is seriously not seeing how this is possible.  Do you have a link to such a procedure?

I don't. I read about it somewhere. Maybe some crackpot posted it and confused me. As I said, whatever I read implied that vagina (or I guess uterus, according to you) tissue was somehow implanted in a way where that moisture that's generated (by some sort of gland) would transfer through the phallus. Yes, now that it's being typed by me, I realize how stupid it sounds.

Either way, I don't care about "skeet skeet skeeting" all over a girl's face. Not really a very nice thing to do, anyway. The only reason I want to cum is so I can be a father, and not even Harry Potter can make me do that.

Although, I also find ejaculation quite erotic. But we can't have everything we want.

[Mister]

"vaginal moisture"?  Aside from the bit of sweat in your vag, the rest is a kind of mucus produced in your uterus.  Are there uterus chunks in the phallus?  My brain is seriously not seeing how this is possible.  Do you have a link to such a procedure?

I don't. I read about it somewhere. Maybe some crackpot posted it and confused me. As I said, whatever I read implied that vagina (or I guess uterus, according to you) tissue was somehow implanted in a way where that moisture that's generated (by some sort of gland) would transfer through the phallus. Yes, now that it's being typed by me, I realize how stupid it sounds.

Either way, I don't care about "skeet skeet skeeting" all over a girl's face. Not really a very nice thing to do, anyway. The only reason I want to cum is so I can be a father, and not even Harry Potter can make me do that.

Although, I also find ejaculation quite erotic. But we can't have everything we want.

Hmmm...  if you find something reputable on this, please do send a link.  i'm not in the market for a phallo, but i like to keep current.