Getting T With Informed Consent? Trans Friendly Doctors In Orlando?

[xAndrewx]

Skip to the next paragraph if you want to avoid my rant. Alright so I've been waiting since June to get put on my mother's insurance and I just found out it would cost me over $200 a month so that's now out of the question which means I'll be getting insurance through someone else and will no longer have to wait around for the enrollment period.

That being said I've been living full time (dress, pronouns, and out to everyone except family) for about 4 years now. Wow, sophmore year does not seem like it was that long ago... Anyways I'm sure about wanting hormones and my co-pay for a therapist is going to be about $100 per session which I won't be able to afford unless someone will finally hire me which is why I'm wondering what the process of informed consent is. I looked through threads but the one's I found were older and didn't answer exactly what I'm looking for. 

What is the process? How do I approach the subject with my doctor? Do I just need to go in, explain that I'm trans, and he prescribes T? How do I find a doctor that will, do I just call around?

A long post and a lot of questions I know, sorry. Last but not least does anyone have suggestions on trans friendly Docs in Orlando? Oh and uh sorry last question. Will Garramone accept a letter from a doctor instead of a therapist if I go through informed consent or would I still have to see a therapist before I could get top surgery? Sorry for all the questions. It's just so close finally! Although I've been researching and learning a lot I want to make sure I know what I need to so that I can start things as soon as I get an insurance card.

[Darrin Scott]

http://www.drgarramone.com/

That's his website. I think I've read what he requires for top surgery.

[Carson]

Dr. Garramone will work with you depending on what route you go in your transition. He doesn't require that you be on T. He usually requires a therapist letter but you can talk to him and explain the situation and he will work with you.

[Robert Scott]

http://www.fenwayhealth.org/site/DocServer/Informed_Consent_-_Testosterone_Therapy.pdf?docID=2202

This is a form I found about informed consent.  I plan to take it to my doctor next week -- she has been my doctor for 5 years and I see her frequently b/c I have several medical problems.  She knows me far better than any therapist working with me for 3 months would ever know me.  She has also been the one to manage my depression.

[xAndrewx]

Thanks everyone I looked over his requirements and although informed consent doesn't seem to be mentioned I could always see a psychiatrist before I'm ready if he really needs a letter I guess. Thanks for the form Rob I'll make sure to bring it up if my doctor mentions it once I find a good doctor.

[Leek]

Problem is, it seems most general practitioners just don't know enough about trans folks.

You're probably going to have to see a therapist; talk to Andy about his--he has some sort of sliding scale for students.

(Oh, and btw, here I am. Surprise.)

[xAndrewx]

Hey thanks Leek. It is a surprise   Yeah, I did talk a little to him about it. I'll need three months of sessions though and then on top of that will have to try to afford the doctors visits and the bloodwork visits. Will if I have to, just trying to avoid that if I can find informed consent. Ya know?