Susan's Place Transgender Resources

So, in normal life I don't ask people how much things cost. I feel it's their business and unless I'm helping to pay, I have no reason for asking, and vice-versa. But how much did your transition cost and what exactly did you have done?

I feel I'd probably get away with just my chin and brow as far as facial work goes. I'd need my adams apple shaved. Then I'd need a little hair transplant to restore some recession on my hairline and also to thicken it a bit more across my entire scalp. Then I'm assuming I'd need top surgery and I'd definitely want bottom surgery as well. I'd probably need fat transfers from my waist/back to my hips and butt too. I don't have a deep voice, but I feel I'd want VFS also. Oh, and I'd also be in need of electrolysis.

Hope nobody minds me asking. I'm just trying to get some kind of reference. Thanks in advance...

First off I consider myself as a pre-op and may never change from that status. So with that being said, I won't be going under the knife for any expensive surgeries. So my transition hasn't cost me an exorbitant amount. I've so far paid $130.00 for wigs various amounts for clothes, makeup and accessories. Thanks to my accident of 1978 and the Trech that they had to do, I have lost the protrution of my Adam's apple, so that does help with making me more passable.  :)

43K including FFS, VFS, megadose pellet HRT, and wardrobe + makeup.

soon to add 23K to that with SRS (including trip costs)

It's a lot in total, but I'd pay twice that if I had to in order to do everything the same way again. Money is really just stored up potential- it holds no actual value on its own. I guess that very opinion is what makes me so terrible at saving money :P

25k so far, give or take - including pill copays, new wardrobe, and SRS. I doubt I'll be spending more than I have to date - I'm pretty much set after next month, new clothes aside.

Quote from: ZoeM on May 24, 2014, 01:23:48 PM
25k so far, give or take - including pill copays, new wardrobe, and SRS. I doubt I'll be spending more than I have to date - I'm pretty much set after next month, new clothes aside.

So excited for you Zoe! That date is coming up soon huh? :)

Wow. That would make me horribly depressed had I never really gone far into puberty. Never before have I felt so gratefull to my various medical conditions. I would find it easier to build a ladder to the moon than get that kind of money. I won't go into specifics there. I thought body/facial hair diminished with HRT...and shaving is cheaper than electrolysis...perhaps not long term over like 60 years... but yeah... Good luck with getting the funds.

*Offers you a huggle* I hope when you can it all goes well for you.

Quote from: Rayne on May 24, 2014, 03:52:31 PM
Wow. That would make me horribly depressed had I never really gone far into puberty. Never before have I felt so gratefull to my various medical conditions. I would find it easier to build a ladder to the moon than get that kind of money. I won't go into specifics there. I thought body/facial hair diminished with HRT...and shaving is cheaper than electrolysis...perhaps not long term over like 60 years... but yeah... Good luck with getting the funds.

*Offers you a huggle* I hope when you can it all goes well for you.

Well, I'm rich, so money won't be a problem.  Nah, I'm joking, I'm not rich and yeah, I am horribly depressed about it all.  Like family calling and getting me admitted into a psych ward a few weeks ago depressed.  I don't really sleep anymore.  I sort of get extra depressed at night and kind of just cry and think of what could have been, oh, and I scream into a lot of pillows; so I have that going for me.  I punched myself in the head last night and now I'm all swollen.  I do that pretty often, so, needless to say I'm a mess.  I'm really not dealing so well at all, not even remotely.  But thanks for the hug; I'll accept.  And no, hair won't diminish much in my case.  I really don't have body hair, or even much arm or leg hair for that matter, but my face got hit pretty hard.  Sorry for the melancholy.  I'm hoping I'll be OK.  I am trying.

Just take it one step at a time. Getting the body dysphoria out of the way with procedures only helps the body dysphoria.. There is still the whole mental acceptance game to play which is arguably the biggest hurdle of all. Alas, I understand why you are curious about costs and such. For a lot of people it is a huge burden because the body dysphoria part seems to take precedence.

My suggestion, try to have fun at whatever stage you are at and know that good things will come the more you look for them. Saving money and working towards goals takes time, sometimes a lot. Every day in life you gain experience, and even in the minutest form become a better human being. How you equate that progress is sometimes difficult, because we are shrouded in that mist of general dysphoria. Try to embrace the good, and look forward to being able to take those forward steps with utmost confidence and grace. You will get there!

Quote from: TheQuestion on May 24, 2014, 11:15:24 AM
So, in normal life I don't ask people how much things cost. I feel it's their business and unless I'm helping to pay, I have no reason for asking, and vice-versa. But how much did your transition cost and what exactly did you have done?

I feel I'd probably get away with just my chin and brow as far as facial work goes. I'd need my adams apple shaved. Then I'd need a little hair transplant to restore some recession on my hairline and also to thicken it a bit more across my entire scalp. Then I'm assuming I'd need top surgery and I'd definitely want bottom surgery as well. I'd probably need fat transfers from my waist/back to my hips and butt too. I don't have a deep voice, but I feel I'd want VFS also. Oh, and I'd also be in need of electrolysis.

Hope nobody minds me asking. I'm just trying to get some kind of reference. Thanks in advance...

Thankfully I don't need any facial feminizing but the cost of doctors is going to be a little expensive.  That was the advantage of self medicating I only had to pay for the meds but now I have to pay for doctor visits because insurance won't pay for it.  The meds aren't bad though.  The spiro is dirt cheap and the estrogel was about $50. Is that a violation?  Anyway the only thing that might be expensive for me is breast implants.  I'm really flat chested and don't know if the estrogen will give me much.

Quote from: Jennygirl on May 24, 2014, 04:33:31 PM
Just take it one step at a time. Getting the body dysphoria out of the way with procedures only helps the body dysphoria.. There is still the whole mental acceptance game to play which is arguably the biggest hurdle of all. Alas, I understand why you are curious about costs and such. For a lot of people it is a huge burden because the body dysphoria part seems to take precedence.

My suggestion, try to have fun at whatever stage you are at and know that good things will come the more you look for them. Saving money and working towards goals takes time, sometimes a lot. Every day in life you gain experience, and even in the minutest form become a better human being. How you equate that progress is sometimes difficult, because we are shrouded in that mist of general dysphoria. Try to embrace the good, and look forward to being able to take those forward steps with utmost confidence and grace. You will get there!

thanks, I just really need to get on hrt I guess. I definitely think I'd feel better just seeing some changes.

Oh heck yes :)

I didn't know you weren't on HRT, I would have recommended that first!

Transition is really a life thing.

When you sit down and count the cost of any life thing, You'll be amazed at how much money you've had and dumped into things. So don't get too head over heels with the grand scheme and just take cost one at a time with savings. That's how I am looking at it during my transition anyway =P

Good question and when you see the figure for someone my age, you quickly understand why it's probably better to transition earlier rather than later. Later there is just so much to change...

So, here goes:

FFS (Forehead recontouring & browlift, rhinoplasty, cheek implants, lip-lift, chin height reduction (genioplasty), jaw recontouring, upper and lower blepharoplasty, lipo-filling cheeks x 2, face & neck-lift) ~ 35k$   

I did FFS in two goes one year apart which added about an extra 2.5k$ to the costs.

Facial hair removal (100% electrolysis): 4,8k$

Hair implants (3600 follicles) : 10,8k$

HRT ( about 5 yrs) : 5,4k$

GRS & BA surgery: 13,5 k$

Travel & accomodation : 6,7k$

Total since 2011 ~ 77 k$

It is a large sum of money but during that time I took very little vacation (I was always doing surgery  :) ), and have kept the same car which is now 9 yrs old etc.. So for at least half the total, I would most likely have spent it on something else if I hadn't spent it on this.

I can also say I have no regrets, the only caveat being that GRS is still to come (in August) and I just hope that it is relatively trouble free!

Hugs
Donna

P.S.  I didn't include clothes as I would have had to buy clothes in any case but guess that my wardrobe easily represents another few k$

It has taken me over 2 years of weekly electrolysis to get where I am but it has been much more expensive than I ever imagined (around $18K).  Some of that is because of my stubborn and very mature beard (gray, white, brown & red :().  The other factor is just the sheer price of things in my corner of Australia! Also, you might think that is a lot, but it is about 185 hours of pure pleasure :icon_yikes:. I am in guy-mode today just because I can't be bothered trying to cover the damage from yesterday!

Looking at FFS for around $20k at the end of the year.
Therapy etc maybe $750
HRT  $200 so far
Wigs $600 - just the beginning since I always want more!!

While I do not have access to insurance cover (limited psych claims possible on my policy), Australia's Medicare system does subsidise psychiatrist diagnosis and therapy along with prescription medicines.

Thinking about it just now, I am glad it has been a slow process.  If you had told me I would be out $40K on everything above the neck, I would have thought about it more......well, maybe a few minutes more :laugh:.

Everyone is different and wants different things so interesting perhaps but don't let it guide you too much. Do what you need to.

I had hormones, therapy, laser, and GRS, plus obviously new clothes and other incidentals. My estimate is that it was about $8000 over three years excluding surgery, and then GRS was $20,000.  Post-op hormones are basically negligible; my wife going off of birth control balances it out. ;) And I'm not doing therapy or laser anymore, so I'm good.

Quote from: Donna E on May 24, 2014, 06:14:41 PM
Good question and when you see the figure for someone my age, you quickly understand why it's probably better to transition earlier rather than later. Later there is just so much to change...

So, here goes:

FFS (Forehead recontouring & browlift, rhinoplasty, cheek implants, lip-lift, chin height reduction (genioplasty), jaw recontouring, upper and lower blepharoplasty, lipo-filling cheeks x 2, face & neck-lift) ~ 35k$   

I did FFS in two goes one year apart which added about an extra 2.5k$ to the costs.

Facial hair removal (100% electrolysis): 4,8k$

Hair implants (3600 follicles) : 10,8k$

HRT ( about 5 yrs) : 5,4k$

GRS & BA surgery: 13,5 k$

Travel & accomodation : 6,7k$

Total since 2011 ~ 77 k$

It is a large sum of money but during that time I took very little vacation (I was always doing surgery  :) ), and have kept the same car which is now 9 yrs old etc.. So for at least half the total, I would most likely have spent it on something else if I hadn't spent it on this.

I can also say I have no regrets, the only caveat being that GRS is still to come (in August) and I just hope that it is relatively trouble free!

Hugs
Donna

P.S.  I didn't include clothes as I would have had to buy clothes in any case but guess that my wardrobe easily represents another few k$

God! When nature ->-bleeped-<-s up its expensive.

It really sucks having gone fully through puberty, although I still feel in some areas that I'm still in puberty, even at 26. My back is hairless, but over the last year or so a couple have popped up on my shoulders, only a couple though. I don't worry about my back. I have some hair on my chest and stomach, not really thick, but what is there has thickened over the last year or so also. I shave that off because I cant stand to look at it. I'm also pretty young looking for 26. Hopefully that just means I'm still very susceptible to hormones.

Maybe look at the cost of not transitioning?

Life.

Quote from: Cindy on May 25, 2014, 09:45:44 AM
Maybe look at the cost of not transitioning?

Life.

Part of me feels I could live as a man. I've basically always known I was trans, I just want so informed and I was able to ignore it. I fostered a pretty male-type image, but knew it really wasn't right. Wasn't all bad though. t's only recently that I've been hit with major dysphoria, mostly physical, but social as well. I'm sort of afraid to transition with so much in my life up in the air, but I do feel like it's not going away and will just get worse, which it has as times gone by. You're right though. I am afraid that I end up just a totally miserable pick or dead.

Quote from: TheQuestion on May 25, 2014, 09:58:42 AM
Part of me feels I could live as a man. I've basically always known I was trans, I just want so informed and I was able to ignore it. I fostered a pretty male-type image, but knew it really wasn't right. Wasn't all bad though. t's only recently that I've been hit with major dysphoria, mostly physical, but social as well. I'm sort of afraid to transition with so much in my life up in the air, but I do feel like it's not going away and will just get worse, which it has as times gone by. You're right though. I am afraid that I end up just a totally miserable pick or dead.

Well here now Marissa, let me give you a starting prescription just as Jenny suggested, you have to get on HRT to start with, then life is a step at a time. I know all the figures the ladies put out there is daunting, but you don't do that all at once anyway, it comes in steps and phases and occasionally like myself one decides on a slightly different course of action as life unfolds. When I considered all I piss away in a year at Starbucks alone I want to scream, but anyone driven enough can find ways to set aside the funds to get these things accomplished one step at a time. We're all here for you babe!

Quote from: Shantel on May 25, 2014, 11:30:34 AM
Well here now Marissa, let me give you a starting prescription just as Jenny suggested, you have to get on HRT to start with, then life is a step at a time. I know all the figures the ladies put out there is daunting, but you don't do that all at once anyway, it comes in steps and phases and occasionally like myself one decides on a slightly different course of action as life unfolds. When I considered all I piss away in a year at Starbucks alone I want to scream, but anyone driven enough can find ways to set aside the funds to get these things accomplished one step at a time. We're all here for you babe!

That's true, I'd just like to be fully transitioned (if I transition) by the time I'm 30/31. I'd be nice if I was somehow passable (if ever) by 29 or so. I'd give it at least a couple years before I started to think about surgery though, aside from electrolysis.

I do have the perfect bank robbery car, so there's that...

Quote from: TheQuestion on May 25, 2014, 12:06:23 PM
I do have the perfect bank robbery car, so there's that...

Sorry hon, not an option for winners!

Quote from: Shantel on May 25, 2014, 12:19:01 PM
Sorry hon, not an option for winners!

thanks again Shan, and don't worry, I'd probably hit the curb and blow my tiers out as I sped away... so forget it.

Quote from: TheQuestion on May 25, 2014, 11:51:30 AM
That's true, I'd just like to be fully transitioned (if I transition) by the time I'm 30/31. I'd be nice if I was somehow passable (if ever) by 29 or so. I'd give it at least a couple years before I started to think about surgery though, aside from electrolysis.

I'd say this is entirely possible. I mean heck I thought starting out that I would go full time after 10 months, but instead it was 2 months because I wanted it so badly and my friends supported me. It's all a matter of how driven you are, as Shan pointed out. A big part is also having a good support structure that not only teaches you but helps you out when in need.

Passability is a whole cluster of its own, but chances are if you never give up hope it will happen a lot sooner than you think. It is hard to say if anyone is fully "passable", because at first it does seem situational... I.e. I began passing at night sometimes, then a lot at night, then sometimes during the day, then most of the time during the day... There are too many aspects to think about all at once, that's why I say one step at a time with zero expectations placed on yourself or the future. I say zero expectations because there is nothing more detrimental than getting stuck betraying yourself when you could be out continuing to enjoy life and learning all the while

One thing to remember is breast augmentation is not a one time expense. They have to be replaced every 7-10 years as per protocol.  :)

Quote from: Cindy on May 25, 2014, 09:45:44 AM
Maybe look at the cost of not transitioning?

Life.

Sooooo true! I often wonder about all the money I squandered on useless junk when I was in denial that probably could have been used to fund my transition. At the same time, I don't even think about the money I have spent, every single cent was worth it. It didn't ever matter if an electrolysis session was $10 an hour or $1000 an hour, I would have done it. I have a long way to go still. I still need FFS, legal costs, and SRS in that order. That probably adds up to $30,000 - $40,000 ballpark estimate.

You don't have to pay for everything at once. It's not just one check.

I haven't really kept a record of how much I've spent. FFS is next on my list of things to do and I won't have an estimate for that until July. That could be a big bill lol.

Thanks for the input everyone, lol, I'd better start saving I guess.  I'm really not sure what I'd need done TBH.  People are right though, clearly I need hrt before I can judge.  I just feel like I'd need a lot of work to look even half-way decent.  My hand veins are probably my main concern actually, and I'm not sure if hrt will do anything there or if there's anything at all I can do about them.  My hands are huge and knobby, but they don't look so bad when there smooth and vein free.  I fit my mothers 7/8 ring finger rings which I don't think is too bad, but the veins make them MAN hands and in a big way.  I want to throw up when I look at them, and being my hands, I constantly have to look at them.  I can even feel them when they bulge, with grosses me out horribly...

Quote from: TheQuestion on May 25, 2014, 07:58:35 PM
Thanks for the input everyone, lol, I'd better start saving I guess.  I'm really not sure what I'd need done TBH.  People are right though, clearly I need hrt before I can judge.  I just feel like I'd need a lot of work to look even half-way decent.  My hand veins are probably my main concern actually, and I'm not sure if hrt will do anything there or if there's anything at all I can do about them.  My hands are huge and knobby, but they don't look so bad when there smooth and vein free.  I fit my mothers 7/8 ring finger rings which I don't think is too bad, but the veins make them MAN hands and in a big way.  I want to throw up when I look at them, and being my hands, I constantly have to look at them.  I can even feel them when they bulge, with grosses me out horribly...

No big thing, the veins shrink on HRT in a few years if you just quit chopping wood.  :D ;D :laugh:

Quote from: TheQuestion on May 25, 2014, 07:58:35 PM
Thanks for the input everyone, lol, I'd better start saving I guess.  I'm really not sure what I'd need done TBH.  People are right though, clearly I need hrt before I can judge.  I just feel like I'd need a lot of work to look even half-way decent.  My hand veins are probably my main concern actually, and I'm not sure if hrt will do anything there or if there's anything at all I can do about them.  My hands are huge and knobby, but they don't look so bad when there smooth and vein free.  I fit my mothers 7/8 ring finger rings which I don't think is too bad, but the veins make them MAN hands and in a big way.  I want to throw up when I look at them, and being my hands, I constantly have to look at them.  I can even feel them when they bulge, with grosses me out horribly...

I understand how you feel. Veins have diminished all over my hands and forearms. Lasers took away all the hair.