Top surgery and T questions

[JohnAlex]

I need to make another thread.  This time I'm not ranting, lol.
But if this is too long for you still, just read the bold.

So I'm still trying to decide where I want to go to university at.  There are about a million universities that offer the major I'm going into, so that doesn't help me narrow it down at all.   I need some other factors.  First I made a thread asking for some trans-friendly areas.  But now I actually am thinking about getting top surgery while I'm in college, so I don't just need to know a trans-friendly area, I also need to know where are some good top surgeons, and I can look at universities in that area. 

tl;dr
Where did you get top surgery at and with who?   Were you completely satisfied?  Was there a good gender therapist in that same area?

Now I got a T question...
I actually don't know a lot about T, because for a while I didn't think I wanted it so I didn't care to research it, but now I realize I need it.
So I'm wondering, do you have to be on T for the rest of your life?  Or only for so many years and then you can stop?  And if you can't stop taking it, and you do, does all the changes revert or something?

I would also like to start T before I go away to college in fall 2012.  I have an appointment with a therapist, but I haven't seen him yet.  So what I'm wonder is, Do T prescriptions last forever? (or as long as needed)
My other pain prescriptions and such expire and then i have to go see my doc and get them renewed.  Because if T prescriptions don't last forever (or as long as needed), then I will also need to find a new gender therapist when I go away to university.

[LordKAT]

I am going to answer in reverse order.

Prescriptions for T, in my state at at least, are only good for 6 months. You do not need a gender therapist to get a T script. If you had one before, then talk to a doctor at your new place and you should be able to get one easily. You will have to make sure the doc is willing to work with a trans patient.

T or E is needed, either will do. Obviously E will not be helpful to you. If you have your gonads removed, then you need to add hormones. If you keep them, then your body will start making it's original hormones again and some things will revert and some won't. Hair is usually one that does not but fat distribution does. You can look up all the possibilities in the wiki.


I have no top surgery funds and therefor no top surgery. Sorry I can't help on that one.

[JohnAlex]

T or E is needed, either will do. Obviously E will not be helpful to you. If you have your gonads removed, then you need to add hormones. If you keep them, then your body will start making it's original hormones again and some things will revert and some won't. Hair is usually one that does not but fat distribution does. You can look up all the possibilities in the wiki.

Thank you for your reply.

I just wanted to clarify, so if I have my gonads removed, then I wouldn't have to take T for the rest of my life?

[HonestReflections]

How would someone find out whether their state requires a therapist to prescribe T? I found it online for like30 bucks and other transmen have used it too. Where I live there are no therapists nearby, and I couldn't afford one anywasy.

[Brendon]

Thank you for your reply.

I just wanted to clarify, so if I have my gonads removed, then I wouldn't have to take T for the rest of my life?

You've got it backwards. If you have your gonads removed, then you would have to take T for the rest of your life. You shouldn't have them removed and then not take some kind of hormone; this will lead to serious medical problems and increase your risk of osteoporosis.

If you don't have them removed, then you don't have to take T for the rest of your life if you don't want to. Not taking T will likely result in a return to 'female' fat distribution and menstruation though.

[JohnAlex]

You've got it backwards. If you have your gonads removed, then you would have to take T for the rest of your life. You shouldn't have them removed and then not take some kind of hormone; this will lead to serious medical problems and increase your risk of osteoporosis.

If you don't have them removed, then you don't have to take T for the rest of your life if you don't want to. Not taking T will likely result in a return to 'female' fat distribution and menstruation though.

Well since I absolutely DO NOT want that, lol, basically then the answer is that either way I would have to take T for the rest of my life.

[Mika]

A lot of major universities, including my own, have gender therapists on staff and doctors who will prescribe T. Often, if you have a student health plan, it's free or cheap, and then you just have to worry about buying the stuff itself. If you have any universities in mind, look up their diversity and equitable access statements, LGBT center(s), their psychological and counseling services, and health plans. I know that's probably obvious...but those are the highlights I checked when making my own decision. You might also want to learn about housing policies, if you're planning on living in a dorm: personally, I'm moving into gender neutral housing next year, but not everywhere offers that or reasonable accommodation for those who aren't legally transitioned.

As for surgeons, I'm pre-op, sorry.

[JohnAlex]

Mikah, Thank you for your reply.  It was helpful.  what university do you go to btw?

[EthanD]

For your questions related to T and other transition related issues check out Hudson's FTM guide. It breaks down all the changes that are permanent with T and which ones are not.
I am pre-op but top surgery is a personal thing. Some guys like Brownstein, some Garramone, some Steinwald, some...you get the idea...check out the trans surgery groups on yahoo and join transbucket. Take a look at results talk to guys about their experiences and research like crazy. Narrow it down to a few doctors and then talk to them to see which one would be the best fit for you.
As far as university goes...you don't have to be near surgeons. You can schedule during breaks and make a trip to the surgeon of your choice. Sometimes it takes a while to save for and schedule surgery so you don't want to end up at a university that isn't your first choice because a surgeon is in the area. If you want to be in a trans-friendly area usually more urban areas are best but my girlfriend goes to school in rural PA and her campus has been very supportive of the couple of trans guys on campus. The school is also only about an hour from NYC so there are doctors, therapists, and support groups close by. Remember that being trans is only a part of your life so concentrate on what school would be best for you in the long run. Make sure you visit before you decide where to go.
I get my T shipped to me and my doctor just calls in the prescription so I only have to go see her for my bloodwork or if I am having any issues. If my prescription is about to run out I just call my doctor and she authorizes a refill. Hope this helps!

[Robert Scott]

My strongest suggestion to you regarding school is go where you feel it most comfortable and right!  Most colleges are very accepting of transfolks and have plans already in place.  The more metro the area the more likely you can find doctors & therapist but plenty of transfolks go through the process in rural areas.  My son is an ftm and goes to a very small college in Iowa.  The university has been very accepting of him - even gave him a private room in the men's dorm once he socially made the transition. 

As for young & trans I can only say the Twin Cities is an awesome place to transition.  There is RECLAIM - a nonprofit business that focuses on 16-22 year olds and provides income based counseling and support group.  There is a couple support groups.  We have the shot clinic that offers to give you your shot if your unable to do it yourself & free needle exchange.  We have two doctors who do top surgery - Tholen & Buckley.  One of them works hard with insurance companies to get the surgery covered --- the other will do top surgery without a letter.  We have numerous therapist and doctors who will prescribe T.  Annually there is a national transgender health conference where doctors from all over the USA fly in and give free consultations.

Overall though --- I would say picking a school that feels right to you and has the culture/community that you like is the best thing you can do for yourself

[Mika]

I go to Ohio University. It's really trans-friendly on campus in terms of resources, and it's also like 45 minutes from Columbus where TransOhio is located, with a lot of free support and medical services.

[Cameron James]

I'm a graduate student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. They've got a whole division of their Medical Center/School dedicated to transgender issues. They have a whole program that can take you from gender therapy to hormones to both top and bottom surgery (which includes metoidoplasty or phalloplasty). I'm enrolling in their therapy program in the Fall - which is free to students with the university's health insurance.

[Darth_Taco]

I not sure I'm qualified to answer anything since I'm pre-everything xD. I do have a link you might want to check out though :'P.

http://www.hrc.org/issues/transgender/college-university-transgender-benefits.htm

Just so you know, these aren't the only schools that offer this kind of help, but I have no idea what makes this special. It's 5:50am my time, so I can barely think XP. I also have no idea why almost all of these universities are in California. It's California though, there's plastic surgeons freaking everywhere :'P. Hell, there's one just a few blocks from me and I live in a poor neighborhood in Long Beach xD.

[JohnAlex]

I'm a graduate student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. They've got a whole division of their Medical Center/School dedicated to transgender issues. They have a whole program that can take you from gender therapy to hormones to both top and bottom surgery (which includes metoidoplasty or phalloplasty). I'm enrolling in their therapy program in the Fall - which is free to students with the university's health insurance.

Wow, that sounds awesome.
Do you know how much it costs to get surgeries there?  I mean is the same as anywhere, or does their health coverage help with the cost?

[Cameron James]

Wow, that sounds awesome.
Do you know how much it costs to get surgeries there?  I mean is the same as anywhere, or does their health coverage help with the cost?

All procedures are eligible to be covered by the U-M medical insurance plans. I'm getting GradCare (which is grad-specific and geared towards student employees) since I'm working at the university's Spectrum Center and it'll pretty much cover everything I could ever want.

Here's an excerpt from my insurance benefits booklet:

8.27 Transgender Surgery

Transgender Surgery, also known as transgender transition services, involves the changing to a
different sex (gender) through a surgical alteration to the genital area of the body. These
procedures are typically done only after thorough evaluation and confirmed diagnosis of gender
identity disorder. All services require preauthorization by BCN. Covered Services are limited
to:

 Surgical reconstructive procedures of the genitals, also known are sexual reassignment
surgery.
 Breast reduction and chest reconstruction for reassignment from female to male.
 Genital electrolysis or laser hair removal for reassignment from male to female only.
 Mental health support services consistent with an authorized gender assignment
treatment plan.

Coverage:
Level 1 – Covered in full
Level 2 – Not Covered
Level 3 – Not covered

Exclusions include but are not limited to:
 Reversal of transgender surgical procedures.
 Cosmetic procedures involving the face, breasts, abdomen, hips and other non-genital
areas; including speech-language therapy, vocal cord procedures; electrolysis; and breast
surgeries for male to female, unless as stated otherwise in Section 9.

Level 1 is providers within the GradCare Service Area - which is pretty much limited to the U-M Medical Center and some affiliated doctors. Which means all surgeries would be free for me as long as I went through the Medical Center. And they've got a pretty good reputation there, so I'm OK with that.

I'm not sure about the undergraduate insurances, but I'm under the impression that they're very good as well.

[JohnAlex]

Oh, wow, all surgeries completely free.  that sounds awesome

What does it mean if it's "grad-specific"?

[Cameron James]

By grad-specific I meant that the particular insurance plan that I'm getting (which is the one I quoted) is for graduate students only. The school offers another insurance plan through Aetna (insurance company) that will cover everything (therapy, hormones, surgeries) that is available to undergraduates, graduate students, and post-grad/doctoral students.