Was curious...are guys able to schedule top surgery before receiving the actual letter if they know they will have the okay from their therapist before the slice-n-dice date? I know some surgeons have quite a waiting list and I'd like to be able to plan out a good time table. Also, do surgeons tend to require any money at the time of made appointment, or is it just billed the day of/after the procedure? Any other helpful hints/tips?

I was able to schedule as long as my letter was there 3 weeks before the surgery date. My therapist said he would write it but then he went on vacation, then I was gone so I scheduled ahead of getting it. I had to pay $500 with Brownstein to secure my surgery date. Not sure how others work (and he only takes cash/money order).
I would ask the surgeon you have picked what thier policy is.
Cheers,
Myles

I'm actually still looking at surgeons...sadly my options are badly limited due to money and transport issues (if I had to travel a long distance I wouldn't be able to take someone with me, and I doubt I'll be in the shape to drive myself wherever)...so looking for anyone practicing in the Michigan/Ohio/Illinois/Windsor areas and branching out from there. I'm still awaiting a T letter (coming in the next couple weeks I pray) so this is waaay ahead of time, especially since I've been hearing better results seem to come the longer you've been on T/worked out more, as there's less guesswork.

I would call or email the local surgeons in your area and see what thier policy is regarding when you need to have the letter to them. I had surgery about 4ish months after I started T. I think my results are pretty good, I have always worked out so I have baby pecs, and more importantly no breasts anymore!
Good luck
Myles

Most surgeons require some type of deposit. And then most make you pay in full by 2-6 weeks before the date.

If you could go as far as PA some of my friends have gone to Christine Mcginn and she is trans herself so no worries about her understanding your needs. i've also heard she's very nice and helpful

i had to pay half to my surgeon (garramone) ASAP (as close to the date that i called to schedule as possible), then the rest was due 2 weeks before.

as for the letter, he wanted it to be there 2 weeks before, but my doctor (my T prescribing doctor, not psychiatrist or psychologist) didnt get it there on time, but it all worked out after many phone calls.

I was able to schedule my surgery LONG before I had my therapist fax the letter, but my surgeon and therapist have apparently been sending faxes between each-other over patients for over twenty years, maybe longer.  My primary care physician also decided to allow my first testosterone injection the week before my therapist faxed in her letter, but my doctor has been my doctor since I was fifteen, so I highly doubt the latter is at all typical or even common enough not to raise an eyebrow.

(ETA:)
By "schedule surgery", I mean, yes, we were able to set the date for when surgery would take place, but no, they said they absolutely *would not* proceed without the letter.  So yeah, one probably wouldn't need a letter to just set a date for surgery, but after the date is set, you'd need the letter to be able to go through with it.

Lack of money prevents me from doing this anytime soon.

Luckily I have a guy friend to take me there, take me home, look out for me - if those conditions still exist when I'm able to do this, great.

Otherwise, considering the surgery costs a bag of money anyway, I'd seriously consider booking a week or so in a hotel near the hospital, lie in a nice bed room service etc to get over that difficult first week.

Yeah, I'm going to live off PB&J sandwiches 'til I can get it done. I'm also selling my car for money for it since I can't afford the insurance and upkeep on it anyway...I'm more of worried about how to handle the recovery time alone.

Well here is a thought if you would like. There is a doctor in Cleveland, ohio who practices out of Cleveland Metro hospital. I have seen his work and he is amazing and is really nice. If you watch true life im changing my sex on mtv he is Teddy's surgeon. You could give his office a call and see what thier policies are if youd like. I am not sure what his name is exactly but it starts with an M.

Yes i do.

Very interesting and gladly closeby, i'll have to check out that doc.

Ya I dont think it would hurt to check him out. If i can be of any more help just message me. He is like an hour from me.

might want to check out the trouble that kayden and I have had with medalie before jumping into things.

Do you have a blog anywhere or something on here that talks about it? I thought you two went to two different surgeons.

theres a thread around here somewhere.  you'll just have to search for it.  sorry.