Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Just a question.  I have been on hormones for 8 years. At the same time, I have never been able to do the hysto surgery.  My insurance will not pay for it, unless it is a life or death situation. And even though I have tried to save up money for that surgery, I have'nt been able to save anything.  Having 2 senior citizen dogs, takes all I have.   I know most guys are able to get that surgery done early on in their transition.  Well, I don't have the bucks.  And I have these times that I worry about it.  There is no information out there about the long term effects of doing T without doing the hysto surgery.  And, here I am, working on getting my life back....and wondering if I have this black cloud hanging over my head.  That being on T for so long and not being able to afford the hysto, will do me in. 

I've heard the recommendation that you should at least have had one by the time you reach ten years on T. 

I've heard too many conflicting opinions on this. I don't think there's all that much medical evidence to go on. However, I think Nick Gorton's book recommends early hysto; he references Robert Eads and some others who had cancer down there (cervical? ovarian? can't remember, and I'm too lazy to look it up). I don't know how common such cancers are in trans men as compared to women, so I have no idea whether the reported trans cases are statistically significant.

If you are worried about this, you should be pretty active about getting checkups every year. A clean bill of health can do wonders to ease your mind.

In the meantime, look into medical loans, review your financial situation, see if you can save up for the next few years. I don't know what your situation is, and I would not presume to tell you how to live. But hysto sounds like a major goal to prioritize in the next couple of years.

There is a guy on live journal who helps people get hystos and other trans surgeries covered by insurance.  You might consider contacting him.  He is very vocal over there about it.

I'd recommend it.  Even though nobody knows if we are at increased risk of cancers or not, just having those parts there that are unused is a risk (family member passed from ovarian cancer).  For that reason I'm an advocate of losing the parts as soon as possible if you don't want or need them.


Jay

@mowdan6: 10 years without a hysto and still healthy? I hope it stays that way for you if your unable to get one. Do you have dysphoria with that part of your body?

This was a surgery I never planned on getting, and don't plan on getting, and I don't go for check ups either...

This link talks about it a little, might be helpful?
http://www.originalplumbing.com/2011/07/13/dr-t-answers-to-cut-or-not-to-cut/ (http://www.originalplumbing.com/2011/07/13/dr-t-answers-to-cut-or-not-to-cut/)

This was something I researched a bit but from everything I read the biggest issue is guys not going to get regular exams which puts even people not on T at a higher risk. Do you have a regular doc that you could go to and explain your situation to get some advice?

The way I understand it, Robert Eads wasn't getting himself checked out on a regular basis. I don't want to argue about what he should or could have done, but by the time he sought medical attention, he was, well, in the emergency room. If at all possible, get regular checkups and start saving now, any amount you can. I know not everyone can--and I'm not assuming that you can--but a lot of people do have a few little luxuries like smoking or Starbucks that we can give up.

There's a trans surgery scholarship...I can never remember the name. You might do some Google searches or hunt through Susan's. Anyone remember what it's called? I have to admit that it's a long shot; lots of people apply for that. However, there might be other scholarships that I haven't heard about. In addition, some trans-related businesses will sponsor you and contribute to your surgery fund--TranZwear used to do this, but I don't know if they still do.

Also, unless you're stealth, maybe you can start doing a little activism with your company and ask it to cover such surgeries. Other people have done it, and more and more companies are covering trans-related surgeries. I don't know the first thing about this path, and it's probably a long shot and a serious pain in the ass to try to do, but some trans sites might have more info on how to lobby.

You talk about trying to get your life together. You might not be in a position to do any of these things right now. But I hope someone here can give you good ideas.

Mowdan, you said in an earlier post that you are on a low dose. Surely that brings down your risk level?

Thanks guys for the replys.  Yea Arch, I had to go on low dose because my red blood cell count was off the charts.  I do try to keep up to date with the physical stuff.  I do have a PCP that is trans friendly, but still have a hard time doing the complete physical exam.  And, now that my gender markers have all been changed to male, to do the internal exam stuff is an out of pocket expense.  Which, until I am in a better financial position, is not financially something I can afford.  I know most guys get the hysto done early.  I know there is not much info about the long term effects of 'T' without hysto.  I just keep wondering given that, and my age, if I am sitting on a time bomb that I can do nothing about.  Sucks!  So much for insurances saying they pay for preventative measures. 

Quote from: mowdan6 on August 20, 2011, 12:29:23 PM
So much for insurances saying they pay for preventative measures.

Oh, they kick and scream even for stuff that is absolutely imperative. Business is business.

Planned Parenthood and other places do a sliding scale, but the trans issue is still there.

Heh. My local LGBT center recommends PP, so I called PP and specifically mentioned trans issues. PP gave me a couple of phone numbers--and then told me they were the center's numbers. Thanks a lot, guys. ::)