So now that I just realized finals for me are this Saturday, I don't really have any reason not to make an appointment to pursue transition, I would still like to talk to my mom first, but she is going out of state next week, and I am super busy this week. I also am soon going to have the driving limitation removed, planning on getting my license by August.
I am just a bit confused on how to actually go about getting my first appointment, I am going to go through Kaiser in SoCal since the nearest informed consent clinic is like 3 hours away, and me going to Planned Parenthood would probably not help the situation with my parents. I looked at Kaiser's website, but it doesn't really seem like there is much info there, and the most I have gotten from other people relating to SoCal's Kaiser, is that it is slow.
I also just have a bit of nervousness involved with seeing a doctor, haven't been to one in like 6 years. So I assume the path would be to get an appointment with my general doctor guy, then come out to him and ask for a referral to the transgender services people?
Yeah.. I really should have researched more. On the bright side, if my mom isn't super supportive, she should only have to drive me to my first appointment, then after that I will probably be fine driving myself.
If you did go to Planned Parenthood I think you could just call them for an appointment and they'll set you up to get your blood done and see an endocrinologist and prolly pick up your meds the same day. At least that's what they told me here in NYC. I ended up going to Mount Sinai where it was just as easy. I don't think you need to see a physician. You might wanna compare the wait times between your choices. 3 hours is a long drive but you'll only make that trip like every 3 months. Good luck.
The people at planned parenthood have been amazing to me.
I'm in NorCal. I've done all of my HRT through them for the last two years. They even gave me suggestions for a top surgeon. I get top surgery in less than two months.
Planned parenthood in NorCal has treated me with respect and reassurance. I cannot say enough about them. They're worth checking out in SoCal.
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Yeah.. Guess I will look into Planned Parenthood. There is actually one about 20min from my school, just need to call and see if they offer transgender care, if not then it looks like the next closest is the 3 hour away one. But after some research, starting to seriously think the 3 hour drive once every few months will be a lot better than the months of waiting just to have a therapist tell me they don't think I should transition. Still want to go via Kaiser to get SRS in the future though.
Actually, since I am going to have a license next semester, and a lot of time between classes the next two semesters(finishing the last of my classes, most of them are at odd times resulting in up to 5 hours between classes), I might as well look into LGBTQ resources near my school. I know at some point we had a GSA on campus, but I think it was mostly abandoned once the people running it graduated, but the LGBTQ center is only a few minutes from campus, depending on traffic.
I am also doing informed consent through Planned Parenthood, but in Denver. It is actually really easy. The wait for my first appointment was a month and change but after that it's every three months for bloodwork more or less. The people at Planned Parenthood were the first ones to ever use my preferred name...and truly mean it. It really set the tone for a positive relationship I think.
xoxoxo
Alyssa
I know I'm old...so maybe old-school....but I actually am a bit of a fan of the 2years of psych required. I think 8months might be a better cut-off...but IC bypasses this really important step...SO! You think I'm going say you should do that, right? Nah, you can do IC so you will and I'm wasting my pre-arthritics fingers trying to tell you to wait...cause 2 years at your age is like 10 at mine....So, what I WILL say! Is ...NOw this is just my opinion, but I've been a full-time HRT chick for a couple years now, so I do have a perspective worth hearing out, k? No judgies!
1) Start Laser Hair Removal NOW! Cause you are not going to want to deal with the raised follicles once you are presenting full-time and everyone sees you and you even pass for many! Until a round of Laser lights up that beard shape on your face...THAT sucks...Get it done while you are AT LEAST waiting for HRT to start working it's magic.
2) Get a Therapist anyway! If you decide you want a surgery later on, they won't just sign you off because you have been living full-time for a year. They WILL make you go thru at least 6 months of getting to know you and regularly scheduled appointments before screening you for a letter...I even had mine write my letter....then pull it cause I missed two appointments over Christmas and she wanted start all over...Get this routine and relationship started now, so by the time you start to consider a BA or SRS/GRS or whatever...They will just DO IT because they know you, trust you, and you have that relationship. You might can start HRT without a letter these days, but surgeons still stick by the WPATH!
That's all! I'll leave the rest for someone else! LOL Good luck! I'm sure you'll be great! I'm just a worry wart! You have an incredible and unique human experience ahead of you! Get in a good positive headspeace and Rock This! You Got This!
Hugs 'n Love!,
Jane