Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Facial feminization surgery => Topic started by: muffinpants on July 04, 2014, 09:48:50 PM

Title: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: muffinpants on July 04, 2014, 09:48:50 PM
My gf and I are looking into all of our options for her getting ffs asap. I honestly don't think she needs it, she's gorgeous as is, but I want her to have the confidence to go out and not think that her 'masculine' features are outing her. her area of concern is basically just her jaw/chin and adams apple. We've pretty much for sure for sure decided on Dr. Spiegel as her ffs surgeon, and she has a Skype consult with him scheduled soon. I think he's pretty expensive, but a face is something you don't want effed up with plastic surgery, and Speigel's results always appear natural and beautiful. Our problem is obviously money. In the future- this is not going to be a problem. She will be graduating in the spring with a bachelor's in computer engineering and she already makes bank at her place of internship. And lucky for us, we are moving in with our friend very soon so rent is going to be around $300 less than we are paying now.

Even though she is graduating in the spring, and will most likely have a job lined up where she is interning now, she is having a hard time waiting and worrying. I think she counts these days that she lives without ffs as days wasted. She just wants to get on with her life and to be able to live it as herself. So this leads me to the subject of this thread! How did you pay for ffs? We have a few considerations:

1. We always have excess student loans to our name- perhaps we could put that towards it?
2. She plans on asking her parents... they've really come around lately and I think there is a sliver of a possibility that they would be willing to help... but deffos no guarentee.
3. Care credit? Can this even be used for things like FFS?
4. Only other option I know of is waiting :(

So again: How did you or will you pay for your ffs? Did you have to wait to save up money? If so how long? Was it worth it? If you could have taken out a loan (if you can even do something like this? ???) to get it done sooner, would you have?

Any and all replies welcome, thanks for reading :)
Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: theadanielle on July 04, 2014, 11:11:07 PM
I cashed out a small retirement account to pay for it.  It turns out FFS is tax deductible, but I am still going to get killed at tax time next year.  Worth it?  Well, surgery is Tuesday! So we'll see in a few months!  I only know that the girls I know who went to Dr. Spiegel look amazing - completely natural.  I was so afraid of coming out with a 'blank' face that had no individuality, and of not looking like I even was part of my own family.  Dr. S's work and my Skype consult with him really impressed me - I felt he was very sensitive to all my  concerns. 

I have high hopes - for both of us! :-)

Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: ErinS on July 04, 2014, 11:37:32 PM
I didn't know FFS was tax deductible. Does that also apply against the AMT?  :P

ETA: had to double check, medical expenses above 7.5% of AGI for standard, 10% for AMT. I've never even tried figuring medical expenses because I've been pretty healthy and never come close, but maybe next year I'll get a chance to try it out.
Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: JenP on July 05, 2014, 10:44:57 AM
Care credit was recommended to me by both a friend and it was in one of the welcome emails from an FFS surgeon, so I do believe it can be used from. I am planning on doing a portion that way, using tax refund to from this last year and next year to put a big dent in it, and then cover the rest with some savings. Biggest thing from care credit is if you can pay it off before the large interest rates kick in. The monthly payment requires to avoid that is where we wanted to get down to before using them.
Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: muffinpants on July 05, 2014, 08:31:13 PM
Thanks for all the replies everyone! We applied for carecredit and were preapproved for $7500 so with that and my excess student loans, I'm thinking that is how we will cover it. See, we would attempt saving, but we already live an incredibly frugal life. We spend about $100 on groceries everyweek, maybe $50 eating out.. we could cut that, but then spend a bit more at the grocery... pets take up a lot of money.. prolly at least $20 a week (I'm addicted to buying dog toys >.<)... ooh maybe I'm a bit more spendy than I thought? :P but yeah, we are both college students atm, and I should be graduating in the fall, not that it means anything (degree in anthropology, I'm great at making smart choices for my future ;)), but my job atm only pays $9/hr- which will only be part time in the fall anyways so I can finish school. She's in a better spot, being a comp. engineering major, so honestly, I think using the loans to get it done sooner will be worth it in the end.  She will still be able to pay it back because she actually has a degree that is worth something. I mean heck, she makes $22/hr for her internship right now. Mine is an unpaid internship lol. But I guess once she graduates in the spring, she might just have to take a break and work for a bit before starting grad school. I guess it gives her a chance to take her gre.... okay just spilling my thoughts here. Thanks again, y'all! :)
Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: theadanielle on July 05, 2014, 10:53:54 PM
Can somebody enlighten me - what is Care Credit?
Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: angel0202 on July 05, 2014, 11:22:55 PM
For some I.e me, sex work/escorting was the only way I could transiting quickly!

And I quite frankly enjoy my job. I can make £2,000+ per week tax free in London which is exceptionally good to afford surgery.

I self medicate hormones too as the NHs very slow, that's costly too.

Just putting that out there, although perhaps controversial it works for me but not everyone!
Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: Wednesday on July 10, 2014, 01:32:53 PM
Quote from: angel0202 on July 05, 2014, 11:22:55 PM
For some I.e me, sex work/escorting was the only way I could transiting quickly!

And I quite frankly enjoy my job. I can make £2,000+ per week tax free in London which is exceptionally good to afford surgery.

I self medicate hormones too as the NHs very slow, that's costly too.

Just putting that out there, although perhaps controversial it works for me but not everyone!

Can I pm you?
Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: angel0202 on July 10, 2014, 01:52:15 PM
Of course many have PMd me about this topic.

Everyone has their views about being a prostitute but for me I love my job, being around men who see you as this beautiful creature, it's self gratifying and a real buzz, especially when the rest of society can find you disgusting.

In 6 months iv managed to raise £20k and have full ffs and a hell of a good time.

I'd still do some sex work even if I didn't need the money.

But like I say just my take on it, I'm not suffering, actually the complete opposite!  :D
Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: Wednesday on July 10, 2014, 02:38:19 PM
Thank you!

Nothing further from my intention than giving you unwanted advice or judging you. I try not to judge anyone, and I find sex work as respectable as any other job. In fact, I'm just looking for tips/advice!
Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: Blue Senpai on July 10, 2014, 03:29:02 PM
Well what I plan to do when funding surgery is to open up an IndieGoGo campaign and ask for donations. I'm not expecting the donations to cover up the full amount but it can help ease the burden and more people will be more likely to donate if you give something back like a personalized letter, e-mail, fansign, handmade bracelet, shoutout video, sketches, graffiti and give them better stuff the more they donate etc.
Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: Wednesday on July 11, 2014, 09:39:53 AM
Quote from: Blue Senpai on July 10, 2014, 03:29:02 PM
Well what I plan to do when funding surgery is to open up an IndieGoGo campaign and ask for donations. I'm not expecting the donations to cover up the full amount but it can help ease the burden and more people will be more likely to donate if you give something back like a personalized letter, e-mail, fansign, handmade bracelet, shoutout video, sketches, graffiti and give them better stuff the more they donate etc.

Also this sounds like a bright idea! Bet you are very skillful with handcraft stuff and so.
Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: Blue Senpai on July 11, 2014, 11:06:54 AM
Quote from: Wednesday on July 11, 2014, 09:39:53 AM
Also this sounds like a bright idea! Bet you are very skillful with handcraft stuff and so.

I'm not but my mom loves these arts and crafts stuff so she can make them.
I might even be willing to sing or rap a song of their choice or dance if they donate a bit more.
Title: Re: How did you fund FFS?
Post by: PattyPat on July 11, 2014, 01:45:20 PM
Quote from: angel0202 on July 10, 2014, 01:52:15 PM

Everyone has their views about being a prostitute but for me I love my job, being around men who see you as this beautiful creature, it's self gratifying and a real buzz, especially when the rest of society can find you disgusting.

I'd still do some sex work even if I didn't need the money.

But like I say just my take on it, I'm not suffering, actually the complete opposite!  :D

well dear... It's mixed. what about dangerous/creepy/weird men who live out there and who are ready to exploit your body to the limits? They don't care if you like sth or not, they expect you to do everything (including some impossible things...). Plus oldies, fatsos and disabled... I tried that and couldn't bear. I've got my limits. And disgusting people turning up and expecting everything.... I am a masseuse now. it's less but still...haven't saved anything as rent sucked all. Can I also ask for some advice on saving my dear angel.. thanks and love