Standards have shifted a bit from when I transitioned. For example facial hair removal is not as important as it once was.  The reason is when I transition, they didn't understand why we were the way we were so the program was designed to weed out those of us who weren't strongly motivated to transition. We were required to be on hormones for a year but we didn't have blockers so many of us didn't understand what hormones were like until after surgery. We used the term transgender but we didn't understand non binary.

I think it comes down to is if you are non binary or transsexual. If you are transsexual, you tend to want everything on the menu. If you are non binary, there are items that you don't need to be comfortable with yourself. There is no reason to force you to take T if it will bring changes you are uncomfortable with. It's a question that only you can answer and nobody should force you into something you are uncomfortable with.

Quote from: FTMax on March 03, 2016, 12:42:18 PM
Most surgeons will require a letter from a therapist, but some don't. Some will also accept a letter from your hormone provider discussing your transition. It varies by surgeon, so you would need to have one in mind to get a concrete answer. I have never heard of top surgery requiring two letters - that is only for bottom surgery.

The need for the letter is so that you don't make a decision that you will regret. It is a big surgery, and one that has big ramifications on the rest of your life. I knew I wanted top surgery from the age of 17 to the day that I had it, but I still needed a professional to sign off on that desire and make sure that I was completely informed about all aspects of the procedure and what it would/would not do for me.

It is easy to get a letter. I second Alex's recommendation of Dr. Graham. He is cool, and he won't give you the run around. Pay the $320, have a few sessions online, get your letter. Or you could ask your current therapist if she would be comfortable writing one. There are examples online that you could show her if she needs a reference.

I think all plastic surgery is life changing no matter how small but no one else is required to get a letter. I just think its unfair to be honest. I'm not on t nor do I really want to start right now or at all possible. I just know that ever since my boob's came in at 7 I wanted to get rid of them. I've never wanted them. So no amount of talking to a therapist will change that.
I only feel like I need a therapist so I can talk to them more about being trans and what I would like to do next but definitely not about top surgery and if I really want it or whatever

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Quote from: Dena on March 03, 2016, 04:13:28 PM
Standards have shifted a bit from when I transitioned. For example facial hair removal is not as important as it once was.  The reason is when I transition, they didn't understand why we were the way we were so the program was designed to weed out those of us who weren't strongly motivated to transition. We were required to be on hormones for a year but we didn't have blockers so many of us didn't understand what hormones were like until after surgery. We used the term transgender but we didn't understand non binary.

I think it comes down to is if you are non binary or transsexual. If you are transsexual, you tend to want everything on the menu. If you are non binary, there are items that you don't need to be comfortable with yourself. There is no reason to force you to take T if it will bring changes you are uncomfortable with. It's a question that only you can answer and nobody should force you into something you are uncomfortable with.

Thank you so much for that explanation. I honestly couldn't find anything on what non binary was that made sense so I just figured I wasn't. I want to talk to a therapist about these two more but like I have I know for a fact that I want top surgery and if I have to pay out of pocket anyway why do I need to waste time on trying to get a letter? When I finally get time to see a therapist I'd rather talk about the aspects of trans that do fit me and the aspects that don't. I don't want to waste time on why I need top surgery because it's like I'm wasting valuable therapy time and money that could go to the surgery

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Transsexual means we desire to be the opposite gender in every way possible. Appearance, body and day to day life. Naturally there are limits that make it impossible for us to reach that goal but we attempt to come as close as possible.

Non binary means not male or female or maybe a bit of both. You find the combination that works for you. For example, I could have done everything I did with the exception of SRS. If this were because I was comfortable with my male bits, it would have put me into the non binary. I could have lived comfortably in that role had surgery not been available but for me to feel complete, I needed SRS to put the last of the old life behind me. That is why the transsexual label was a fit for me.

There is a link to our Wiki were the term transgender is defined. Look at it and see if you find something that describes your feelings better. If you don't find a label, don't worry to much because they may not have invented it yet.

It sucks we need letters and I hated it to but most surgeons require them. You just need to play the system.

If you want top surgery, you can claim to have a parent with the BRCA genes and not need a letter to do preventative mastectomies. But if you want to go with a surgeon known for their abilities when it comes to trans male surgery and making your chest look masculine afterward, you'll probably need a  letter.


     Hugs,
- Katie
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Quote from: Dena on March 03, 2016, 04:41:40 PM
Transsexual means we desire to be the opposite gender in every way possible. Appearance, body and day to day life. Naturally there are limits that make it impossible for us to reach that goal but we attempt to come as close as possible.

Non binary means not male or female or maybe a bit of both. You find the combination that works for you. For example, I could have done everything I did with the exception of SRS. If this were because I was comfortable with my male bits, it would have put me into the non binary. I could have lived comfortably in that role had surgery not been available but for me to feel complete, I needed SRS to put the last of the old life behind me. That is why the transsexual label was a fit for me.

There is a link to our Wiki were the term transgender is defined. Look at it and see if you find something that describes your feelings better. If you don't find a label, don't worry to much because they may not have invented it yet.

Thanks for the information and the link. The non binary seems to fit more but I'll check out the link too. I wouldn't be surprised if I just fit under the "haven't been invited yet" section but at least I have choices close to how I feel if that happens

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Quote from: haeden on March 04, 2016, 06:46:55 AM
Thanks for the information and the link. The non binary seems to fit more but I'll check out the link too. I wouldn't be surprised if I just fit under the "haven't been invited yet" section but at least I have choices close to how I feel if that happens

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You could be like me. I know I'm not female but I don't have '100% male' going on either. I got top surgery because I knew I wanted it for sure. Two years later I am getting in contact with an endo due to more social reasons as I get quite pissed off when called female. It is just a matter of doing what is right for you at the time.

Quote from: Alexthecat on March 04, 2016, 12:19:06 PM
You could be like me. I know I'm not female but I don't have '100% male' going on either. I got top surgery because I knew I wanted it for sure. Two years later I am getting in contact with an endo due to more social reasons as I get quite pissed off when called female. It is just a matter of doing what is right for you at the time.

Yeah I get that. It does sound like me and I know for sure this is the right thing. I actually just spoke to my GM right now about possibly getting 2 weeks off if promoted to senior CA. I've emailed some doctors but so far only one has gotten in contact with me but I missed the call. I'm not too sure about this doctor either since they don't have any pictures or information on ftm surgery but they do informed consent for ftm surgery. I'll definitely speak with them on Monday about seeing pictures of past patients and how many ftm top surgeries they have done

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