I will post updates here over the coming weeks so I can document what happens with mine over time.

I have a different approach than most MtF people have in that am very much living full-time as a older female;  yet have an androgynous presentation that causes people to stop and try to determine what I am.  My goals for surgery are to: address some physical issues relating to my HRT use, address some long-term urinary issues, bring body and mind together, and have my body match my government documents.  Oh, and to and also get on with life with my best friend and loving wife.

My challenges have been working with my HR and related insurance company to cover my GRS with a trans surgical exclusion in place. This has gone on for over a year at this point and it wasn't until just two days ago - last Friday - that we finally got the policy changes loaded into the UHC computers and got the prior authorization approved at breakneck pace in only a few hours...a mere 20 days before the procedure. Talk about nerve wracking thinking that plan "B" might be needed at any moment and I'd be forced to come up with $35-40K in cash in a week.

More to come. 

Update as of Tuesday July 5h

I have the final word on insurance. It's finally approved with full prior authorization at T-16 days.  Whew.  It was an EPIC battle to remove he exclusion and get everything past the insurance clinical review team in hours not weeks. 

Still counting down and will be sure to update the group here if anyone cares to hear my tale of adventure.

I'm still in Florida and get to go on a 12 hour drive home after a week at the beach with the family. Yeah, I laid low so I didn't get an infection or something. I can't miss this date in CA in less than two weeks now. 

Don't worry I still have to go for another Electrology clearing in DFW and work another 4 days before going on short term disability.

Tick tick tick tick. 


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Hi,

Way to go on getting your insurance coverage.  It would be good to hear more about this and how you got it covered when there was an exclusion in place.

As far as presentation...who cares.  Do what is right for you. I think it's cool.

Congrats and looking forward to more updates!

Hugs

Jen

Jen,

It was a 50/50 split between:

1-educating people about what it meant to be discriminated as a trans person and the rest tied to the fact that they are based in CA and have a plan option (HMO) available in CA only - that covers it. Of course, I don't live in CA...... So the available option didn't cover it (snap fingers) nope, wasn't moving to CA.

2-educating them on all the other side effects and long-term urological issues that I have been trying to get resolved - but couldn't because I was trans.  It helped that in addition to my normal 3 GRS referrals I also had 2 letters of medical necessity- and a written estimate. 


After convincing them that the correct thing to do was to cover it...it still took mid Oct to 7/5 for the final confirmation letter to go out. 

Never let it be said I wasn't a finish line crosser. But...it got really close.

Hope this is what you were after.

Kris

Quick update... Headed to SFO today.. Fun times... 2-3 hour delay on 2nd connection due to weather at SFO.. We are officially having fun...

Yeah, sorry about the fog. it's an SF thing. Congrats and good luck. Dr Satterwhite is pretty awesome

We arrived and had dinner with two wonderful ladies, one a Satterwhite post op and one other lady.  I was not in the best of spirits since I had been up for so long by the time we concluded the evening.  (22 hours)

Today they already moved my pre op appointment which I don't care but I'm not surprised at this point. Obviously they need to focus on current patients who have issues.  It will make for a extremely long day on prep since I won't start until 2pm today.

My op is the morning slot tomorrow.  I have no feelings at all about it.  The last week or two there has been nothing more than no feelings at all.

I'll keep people posted on how things go.

Well, today was the big day.  I am now a post-op. 

It was about a 4.5 hour surgery and I was out of recovery quickly.

I've been extremely aware and have a new sense of calm. 

He said I had ample and pliable skin and it went very well.

More to follow

Congraduations KrisAvery1969, sounds like you are doing fine and have great results, keep us up to date on your recovery.

Day one was just an easy time. I spent the entire day exhausted from countless issues of bring in a hospital. So per Satterwhite, the surgery site seems to be healing well.  I hurt getting around with packing and sutures ties digging in my skin.  He said my skin was very pliable and there was sufficient quantity to work with. Yay?

Wow, who knew good news for a 47 y/o chick.ll

Congrats Kris!!! Big milestone behind you.... Rest and keep the staff on their toes

The staff seem very very on top of their game.  As Ruby said - my the weekend will be the real test.  I'm compiling a few lists of what went right and wrong,   Satterwhite CLEARLY had had an intervention between May and now.  Wow!

Congratulations!!! 😊

Thanks everyone. 

I'm apparently doing super well and Satterwhitte told me I was doing better than 90% of his patients at this point and asked if I wanted to be discharged a day early.  Wow, knock on wood.

So....I got discharged from CPMC about 10am today and Dr. Satterwhite told me once again that I was doing amazing - better than 90% of his patients at this point.   First post operative appointment to get the packing out is Wednesday morning.

KrisAvery1969, sounds like you are having a great recovery.  Who is it getting around with the packers still inside you?  Do you still have the catacher too?

Mm, it would see that I am having an extraordinary recovery.  Perhaps all the good wishes in advance from Ruby and others. [emoji136]. 

I feel like I can't move well without risk of ripping myself to shreds.  The notion that the crotch is actually sewn to a bandage is EXTREMELY accurate.  Getting up and down, standing, and of course - sitting, is painful.  I have no feeling like the old appendage isn't there anymore...or that there is some kind of fundamental issue...  I have filled 2-3 pads since discharge and don't like the fact that I am scared to death to attempt to have a bowel movement.

I am also down to taking only one 10/325 pain pill every 4 hours. My goal is to eliminate them completely by Wednesday morning...so long as it doesn't effect my mobility.

By the way, I have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING bad to say about the nursing staff at CPMC!!  They were all extraordinary and will need to be called out for their EXCEPTIONAL care.  Satterwhite said he had sorted the issues prior to my arrival. 

Congratulations

Super happy for you! Congratulations on the fast healing!