Hey guys,

Alright so I need to get a hysterectomy. I have been on T for 5 years now and it's time. Problem is, my doctor can't refer me to anyone because I don't even live in the state of my doctor anymore. I go and see him once a year - he's 6 hours away - and that's that.

Does anyone know how to go about getting this done? All he said was that it needed to happen very soon, because I'm starting to bleed again. But I really have no idea where to go at this point. I don't want to just start calling up gynecologists in the area and explaining my situation to everyone. The only doctors I have heard of that are trans-friendly and do hysterectomies are based out of Chicago and I would prefer NOT to go that far north. I live 3 hours south of Chicago, in central IL.

St Louis is only an hour and a half away, so if there's someone there that would be helpful.
Does anyone know of anyone? Or a good way to go about this? Should I find a trans-friendly doctor in the area and get a referral? Ahhh... I'm just so confused and frustrated. I just want it done, and done now.

If anyone can help, I'd be very much appreciative. Any and all info is welcome.

You should look for support groups in your area. Someone in those groups should be able to point you in the right direction.

I would contact Dr. Loren Schechter's office and see who they refer people to for hysterectomies. They may have an idea about friendly folks outside their immediate area as well. Get some names, and your doctor should still be able to write a referral to someone even if they aren't in the same state.

There is an FTM Hysterectomy group on Facebook that may be of use to you. It's mostly for advice/support, but I've seen folks on there asking for surgeon recommendations.

I actually contacted him first; but the only recommendation I was given was actually north of Chicago.

Are you doing the procedure through trans-friendly health insurance? My case manager came up with several names for me, although I ultimately decided to go with my own out-of-network doc.

Other than that, I can echo the other suggestions here. An LGBT center can help you with trans support groups if you are having trouble finding one. Also, a Planned Parenthood that serves trans people might be able to help.