Well, I suppose it's about time I find a therapist. I'm nervous because I'm going to be honest about my substance abuse history and there's not alot of distance between my using and the present timewise. Only 56 days, I think.
How do I find a therapist? And is it alright to ask the question, "How long or how many visits before you might give consent for hormones or surgery?" I don't want to waste my time, but I don't want to come off too eager or demanding, either.
What does it mean when a surgeon's website states: Must have  letter from therapist with a longterm relationship with the patient.
What exactly is "longterm"? A few months? 6 months? A year?
I'd really like to have surgery in the fall, but obviously this depends on the therapist.
How long or how many visits before they usually give consent for surgery?
Also, how far in advance should surgery be scheduled? Is there normally a long waiting period in between scheduling and the day of the surgery?
I'm assuming I shouldn't even attempt to schedule surgery before the consent letter is in hand.
Help. Thanks.

Nero

The length of time before getting the letter depends on the therapist and when they feel you are ready more than anything.  From what I've heard, the length of time for FTMs is usually longer than MTFs because the changes from the hormones happen quicker and are much more difficult to undo (as I'm well aware).  They want to be extra sure before you start growing hair all over your body.  I would at least go to a few therapy sessions to get a beter feel before scheduling surgery.

Melissa

Quote from: Nero on June 13, 2006, 09:54:13 PM
Well, I suppose it's about time I find a therapist. I'm nervous because I'm going to be honest about my substance abuse history and there's not alot of distance between my using and the present timewise. Only 56 days, I think.
How do I find a therapist? And is it alright to ask the question, "How long or how many visits before you might give consent for hormones or surgery?" I don't want to waste my time, but I don't want to come off too eager or demanding, either.
What does it mean when a surgeon's website states: Must have  letter from therapist with a longterm relationship with the patient.
What exactly is "longterm"? A few months? 6 months? A year?
I'd really like to have surgery in the fall, but obviously this depends on the therapist.
How long or how many visits before they usually give consent for surgery?
Also, how far in advance should surgery be scheduled? Is there normally a long waiting period in between scheduling and the day of the surgery?
I'm assuming I shouldn't even attempt to schedule surgery before the consent letter is in hand.
Help. Thanks.

Nero

I can't advise you on how to find a therapist in your area, but I'm sure that others can.  Being honest with the therapist is the only way to be as the only person you will be affecting is yourself, and you are there to be helped.  It would be hard for the therapist to give you an honest assessment if you weren't honest with them.  Therapist really cannot give you a timetable for visits either, as everyone is different.  I'm sure that if you polled everyone here who has been in or is in therapy as to the number of visits they had you would get many different answers.  This is something that you and your therapist will discover during your sessions.  But having said that, be careful of one that seems to be milking your money.

A long term relationship is very subjective, the important part is that the letter is from a therapist who is qualified to make a diagnosis of GID as indicated in the Standards of Care (SOC).  The SOC is in the Wiki just go there and type SOC in the search box to get you there.  Also try not to go into therapy with the idea that the therapist is going to agree with you.

I believe that surgeons will not consider going forward with any preparations or even a consult of some kind until they have all the supporting documentation according to the SOC, or other requirements they follow, in hand.  But I'm sure others will correct me if I'm wrong.  Usually once the surgeons have the supporting docs, then they will go forward with a consult, to determine if you meet the medical criteria for surgery and that there is no existing medical condition to prevent surgery.  Again scheduling of surgery is completely dependent on their schedule, how busy they are, day's months, even a year is not uncommon.

Nero I would take things one step at a time, this is process cannot be hurried along or fast tracked as there are too many factors that can affect you along the way.  You have just started, be a patient patient

Steph

They won't be able to tell you how long before they can write you a letter because it varies individually. As Steph said, got to be patient moving through this. It'll happen.

But you do have to make sure that the therapist is qualified to write the letters. You might also want to check with your doctor about what he or she requires to prescribe T. You'll want to make sure that s/he will prescribe T when you've gone through the proper hoops.

Dennis

Thanks everybody, for good advice.
Dennis, You don't mean my PCP, do you? He would never prescribe T. And I really doubt any doctors in my area would either.  Great! Who prescribes T?  I guess I just assumed the therapist would recommend a doctor. (I should quit assuming things when it comes to transition.)
I'd rather not be forced to obtain hormones by other means.

Nero very impatient person, working on it

Yeah, I do mean your PCP. You should start looking around now for an endo or a doctor who will prescribe hormones. There are resources posted in various places on the net.

Do NOT take them illegally, especially with a history of substance abuse. You could cause liver damage or heart damage if your levels are not properly monitored.

There are some herbal T enhancers that some people report good results from. The other thing is doing some pre-T weight lifting. It'll help redistribute some body fat and muscle growth reportedly increases baseline T to some extent. Plus it makes you feel better.

Dennis

Nero,
     First thing you find a theripist with a background  for treating trans gender people. You will see this person anywhere from 3 months to 1 year, depending on you. That is a ballpark figure. When the theuipist thinks you are ready, they will give you a letter stating you are ready to start T and assume a male role. The more you can convince the theripist that thia is what you want and why, the faster you will get a letter. Then, you take that to a internal med doctor, or endo doctor and they will put you on the dose you need to start after they do the blood work and tests they run. I see you did not read my pre T post? Thanks alot man. Im just kidding. But I just got my letter and had my appointment with the dude that is going to get me started on T. my first shot is going to be on the 19th. Finally.

Thanks guys.
And congratulations, Marco.
You're right, Dennis, I've really got to stop taking risks with my health. No illegal hormones.

Nero