Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hello Everyone,

I finally received approval for funding for my SRS with Dr. Brassard. It was a long wait and I am just so happy that I finally got the approval. Now, I have some questions regarding the whole process. And really, this is the first place I thought of to get some answers. My questions are below:

1) I am from Alberta, and according to the letter, I have to call them to schedule the surgery date within the time frame of my approved funding. I tried calling today but I wasn't able to get any live person. I decided to e-mail them but did not get any response. Anyway, what do I say to them? Do I just say I was approved and I would like to schedule a surgery date?

2) Is there any additional expenses I have to worry about? I was told that my flight is covered. But for the people who did not live in Montreal, how much did you spend out of your own pocket when you were there?

3) Do I have to get a hotel or airbnb?

Anyway, I am just a little bit lost regarding the whole process of getting the surgery. Any help would be appreciated.

Congrats baby girl


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Funding approval is great, Dawn! I am not from Alberta so not sure how your province works. I am from BC. Once my referral was processed and at the funding request that was sent into our provincial government, was approved, Dr. Brassard's office phoned me with a date. The request was sent from the hospital directly not from me. Keep trying to contact them. I found that once my referral was processed, I got a contact person and communication with her was great.

Additional expenses:  I had to pay for my flight, but everything else, including two nights at the bed and breakfast that is used all the time, was paid for. The bed and breakfast is great! They had five of us at once there. We all had surgery one the same day. Transit to and from the airport and hospital/recovery centre was also included. It was really great to walk out of the airport and have the car right there to take you away. Even the dilators were included. There were nine of us in the recovery centre, from three provinces and two states. 

Keep trying to connect with them! All the Best! Hugs.

Quote from: TinaVane on December 08, 2017, 10:43:27 PM
Congrats baby girl


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Thank you!

Quote from: islandgirl on December 08, 2017, 10:45:45 PM
Funding approval is great, Dawn! I am not from Alberta so not sure how your province works. I am from BC. Once my referral was processed and at the funding request that was sent into our provincial government, was approved, Dr. Brassard's office phoned me with a date. The request was sent from the hospital directly not from me. Keep trying to contact them. I found that once my referral was processed, I got a contact person and communication with her was great.

Additional expenses:  I had to pay for my flight, but everything else, including two nights at the bed and breakfast that is used all the time, was paid for. The bed and breakfast is great! They had five of us at once there. We all had surgery one the same day. Transit to and from the airport and hospital/recovery centre was also included. It was really great to walk out of the airport and have the car right there to take you away. Even the dilators were included. There were nine of us in the recovery centre, from three provinces and two states. 

Keep trying to connect with them! All the Best! Hugs.

Thank you! I will try and call them on Tuesday again. Apparently, meals and accommodations are not covered, even take home medications and I guess the dilators are also not covered? I hope they will know everything once I get into contact with them.

They will help with all the info you need. They deal with girls from across Canada and have dealt with all of the provincial governments. I do know that not all provinces are equal when it comes to funding. Good luck on Tuesday!

Hugs

My file was complete with Dr Brassard on 1 December, although being a member of the military meant my documentation followed two paths at the same time. 

I tried following up with the staff but it took a week before I got through.  I ended up talking to Nata who is responsible for the administration of Ontario based patients.  There should be other regional based staff so you'll get through to someone who knows your provincial regulations.  I can't speak for any part of what is covered or not, so you should ask them. 

As for scheduling, be patient I was told.  First the administration staff completely validate the required package in accordance with Dr Brassard's info sheets.  Once it's validated as complete, the file is sent to the nursing staff who confirm your health based upon the various reports and your personal situation.  I was told by Nata that a patient who has no health issues to address or mitigate will be sent to the surgical staff for scheduling based upon availability.  If there are additional health issues like weight, diabetes, heart, liver, etc. problems, then additional confirmation from specialists will be needed.  Only when the file gets to the surgical staff will they look at a date for you. 

Generally for healthy patients it is a first come first serve queue based upon completed and submitted package.  The time in between each step varies depending everything from holidays, to construction, to your health.   So from Nata's informajton and that which I've garnered from friends who've been through Montréal, it will be about 2 months from your submission date to get a date, and then another 2 - 3 months for the surgery.  I know that GRS Montréal has been renovating and increasing capacity, so anything can change.   

Much like I recently accepted....even if I don't have a date....every day I live brings me another day closer to a complete me. 

Good luck!  Maybe we'll be surgery sisters?!

Congrats to you Dawn I hope your wait isn't long.

Congrats to you too Kat69 on your new life.

Quote from: Laurie on December 16, 2017, 09:36:00 PM
Congrats to you Dawn I hope your wait isn't long.

Congrats to you too Kat69 on your new life.

Thank you, I hope so too!

Quote from: kat69 on December 16, 2017, 08:04:31 AM
My file was complete with Dr Brassard on 1 December, although being a member of the military meant my documentation followed two paths at the same time. 

I tried following up with the staff but it took a week before I got through.  I ended up talking to Nata who is responsible for the administration of Ontario based patients.  There should be other regional based staff so you'll get through to someone who knows your provincial regulations.  I can't speak for any part of what is covered or not, so you should ask them. 

As for scheduling, be patient I was told.  First the administration staff completely validate the required package in accordance with Dr Brassard's info sheets.  Once it's validated as complete, the file is sent to the nursing staff who confirm your health based upon the various reports and your personal situation.  I was told by Nata that a patient who has no health issues to address or mitigate will be sent to the surgical staff for scheduling based upon availability.  If there are additional health issues like weight, diabetes, heart, liver, etc. problems, then additional confirmation from specialists will be needed.  Only when the file gets to the surgical staff will they look at a date for you. 

Generally for healthy patients it is a first come first serve queue based upon completed and submitted package.  The time in between each step varies depending everything from holidays, to construction, to your health.   So from Nata's informajton and that which I've garnered from friends who've been through Montréal, it will be about 2 months from your submission date to get a date, and then another 2 - 3 months for the surgery.  I know that GRS Montréal has been renovating and increasing capacity, so anything can change.   

Much like I recently accepted....even if I don't have a date....every day I live brings me another day closer to a complete me. 

Good luck!  Maybe we'll be surgery sisters?!

Yeah, I am still a bit confused about the whole thing. I do not even know if I have a file with the clinic. In the letter that I got from Alberta Health, I was told my approved funds are only available within the timeframe they've given me. And that I had to contact them to schedule a surgery.

When I called the clinic, I told them I am from Alberta. They told me to speak with an individual, but I had to leave a message because I guess they were busy. But in the voicemail, the person said that he handles people from BC, international, and United States. So, I am just not sure where I am in their own process.

I'd recommend to continue to try and contact the Alberta rep.  Eventually you'll get through.  They are busy.  I sent emails, left messages and one day after a week I got through.  I think ultimately everyone wants to know that GRS has their file and it's complete.  I asked the Ontario rep to explain the process, and I repeated it here.  She also took a look at both my paperwork and that sent by the military to confirm I had all the right pieces. 

I don't know the process for Alberta, but in Ontario and in my case, the patient/client has to submit the package to Dr Brassard.

From that point on, it's an administrative process leading to scheduling where everyone is treated fairly.   Just check in from time to time to see.   

Quote from: Dawn11 on December 08, 2017, 09:51:30 PM
Hello Everyone,

I finally received approval for funding for my SRS with Dr. Brassard. It was a long wait and I am just so happy that I finally got the approval. Now, I have some questions regarding the whole process. And really, this is the first place I thought of to get some answers. My questions are below:

1) I am from Alberta, and according to the letter, I have to call them to schedule the surgery date within the time frame of my approved funding. I tried calling today but I wasn't able to get any live person. I decided to e-mail them but did not get any response. Anyway, what do I say to them? Do I just say I was approved and I would like to schedule a surgery date?

2) Is there any additional expenses I have to worry about? I was told that my flight is covered. But for the people who did not live in Montreal, how much did you spend out of your own pocket when you were there?

3) Do I have to get a hotel or airbnb?

Anyway, I am just a little bit lost regarding the whole process of getting the surgery. Any help would be appreciated.

I'd love to ask you a few questions. I'm from Alberta as well! :)

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Congrats, you are in such GOOD hands...I'm coming up on 6 months post-op and am so happy wuth the results...one bit of advice, the real work comes once you leave the recovery home. Dr. Brassard spoiles us with the level of aftercare, and all inclusive-ness of everything, so going home is a bit of a culture shock because all the nurses and staff are no longer there to basically do everything for you but breath for you! :)
So have has much taken care of so when you return home you can rest, dialate, rest, dialate, dialate, and yea dialate again! :)

Stay positive, it will all be worth it!

I agree with you Jasmine! The staff at the recovery centre were wonderful! I actually didn't want to leave! I cried in the car leaving the centre.

As for contacts, I would continue to try to contact the Alberta rep as well as checking with GRS to see if your file is there and complete. Once they have a complete file and funding approval, a date is set.

All the Best!
Hugs