So the question I've been having is, how do most girls get the second SRS letter. I'm seeing a Dr. Eli out of atlanta. And hes great, I do most of my sesions over skype and then drive out there ever few months. Hes really great and not the least because it turns out hes a post op member of the boys club. Wouldn't it be funny if hes on this sight >.> Hi Doctor :D Anyhow I believe that 2 years form now when I ask for the letter I'll get it. Time will tell but I'm not worried. But where do you go for the second one? I mean do I need to see to specialist the hole time? That sounds really spendy. and I don't think thats right. But I also don't want to do like a year with Eli, then quit him to go to some one else. If I've bee seeing a therapist from the start the last thing I want to do I drop him. It's hard enough to find some one that know what I'm going threw. One of my biggest fear is having to go to some one that just asking me question off a sheet and trying to get X number of session. I want some one that can actuly help me. Give me advice. Mind you I'm not conflicted but if I'm paying for something I'd like it to have a chance of doing more then fill out a form.
Whats been your experiences?
P.S. I soooo didn't know Eli was one of us at the time I started with him. That was jsut crazy good luck :D
Not speaking from experience, since I haven't really started any physical transition or RLE, but I was looking into the requirements outlines by Dr. McGinn to try to get myself started on the right track with therapists, etc., funds withstanding. They don't both have to be doctors, so if Dr. Eli is an actual doctor with a PhD and apparently has experience with gender identity issues, it sounds like he'd be fine to write the "primary" letter. The other could be from someone with a lesser degree or medical license, perhaps even someone who works with your doctor. From my understanding, the "secondary" letter doesn't have to be from someone who's with you during your entire transition, just someone who is able to back the opinion of your primary doctor.
Ask your therapist who could write the second letter, it shouldn't be a big deal to bring up the subject...planning ahead ;)
I intend on getting my letters from my psychotherapist (Ph.D) and my endocrinologist (M.D.) when the time comes.
When your doc "feels" your are ready, they should offer it up to you. It depends on you and your therapist mostly. I've been seeing my therapist for around 1 year +/- and she offered to write my SRS surgery recommendation (the 2nd letter) whenever I want it... during my last visit. Basically your therapist will refer you to another therapist (Psychologist PhD or Psychiatrist MD) that they work with for confirmation on the surgery letter. They both sign off on the letter, which is then sent to your surgeon. It's just a second consenting opinion basically, and not a big deal.