Susan's Place Transgender Resources

My therapist is going to write me a letter for top surgery but neither of us knows what she should put into it.  I'm trying to help her find out.  Can anyone tell me about what theirs said or if you just know help me out?  Thanks.

I found this after searching the web. Its basically an outline for the letter. Hope it helps.
http://toyneboi.wordpress.com/about/sample-surgery-letter/ (http://toyneboi.wordpress.com/about/sample-surgery-letter/)

Thanks.  After I get a few more recommendations on ways to write it I'm going to email my therapist.

Do you have a surgeon picked out, yet? It can help to ask what they want/need on the letter, to make sure you have everything covered. Some surgeons are far more specific about this than others in what they require.

Quote from: M.Grimm on March 04, 2011, 02:23:21 PM
Do you have a surgeon picked out, yet? It can help to ask what they want/need on the letter, to make sure you have everything covered. Some surgeons are far more specific about this than others in what they require.

This. Dr. Garramone had a list of specific bulletpoints he required to be in the letter.

Quote from: Carson on March 04, 2011, 04:10:13 PM
This. Dr. Garramone had a list of specific bulletpoints he required to be in the letter.

Can you tell me what they are? 


The thing about this letter is that it is for an application to the Jim Collins Foundation scholarship which would provide funds for my surgery, if I do get it. 

I don't think I got a copy in my paperwork. The requirements were sent directly to my therapist. You could email a surgeon who is one of your choices and ask if they have certain requirements.

Quote from: Andy8715 on March 05, 2011, 12:06:22 AM
Can you tell me what they are? 

This is what it was in the pre-op packet.

Gender Therapist or Primary Care Physician Letter, one letter is required for breast surgery and must state "Chest Surgery is the next step in the Transition Process". The Mental Health Professional or Primary Care Physician Documentation Letter for Surgery Should Succinctly Specify:

1. The patient's general identifying characteristics;
2. The initial and evolving gender, sexual, and other psychiatric diagnoses;
3. The duration of their professional relationship including the type of psychotherapy or evaluation that the patient underwent;
4. The eligibility criteria that have been met and the mental health professional's rationale for surgery;
5. The degree to which the patient has followed the Standards of Care to date and the likelihood of future compliance;
6. Whether the author of the report is part of a gender team;
7. That the sender welcomes a phone call to verify the fact that the mental health professional actually wrote the letter as described in this document.

The organization and completeness of these letters provide the surgeon an important degree of assurance that mental health professional or primary care physician is knowledgeable and competent concerning gender identity disorders.

On his website he also says to include the words "surgery is the next step in their treatment for Gender Identity Disorder or Breast Hypertrophy" and "they are psychologically ready for this next step in their therapy." If you need ideas for what to say, Ethan Daniel's (ftmtransition.com) T letter is pretty close.  http://ftmtransition.com/transition/testosterone/ttletter.html (http://ftmtransition.com/transition/testosterone/ttletter.html)