Hello...I only want to go as far as getting an orchiectomy. I've heard a lot of different things about the steps I have to take.
One thing I don't like is that apparently in the U.S. I need a letter from a therapist, not just my own consent??
I live in Boston.

I also know that my native Serbia is a big spot for sex changes...maybe I can get an orchiectomy in Belgrade without a therapist's letter if I can't get it in the U.S.

Any info is apreciated....thanks.

Hi dj,

You need in the US two letters of recommendation. One from your endocrinologist and one from your therapist. Some places will take two letter from a psychologist instead.
I would think the same goes for the Belgrade clinic as well. It's all about the ISOC, and I believe any reputable clinic is going to follow the rules. 
Are you aware of this place?
http://msbeograd.com/hirurgija/genitalna-hirurgija-i-hirurgija-promene-pola/

The orchiectomy costs about $2500 here in the US. If you count the cost of flight ticket to Serbia you are likely spending  more than that. Unless you have family that you'd visit anyway or something you are probably better off getting the two letter of recommendation here in the US.

sretno!

Thx for the info.

I'll email some hospitals in Belgrade. If they want letters too I'll just do it in the U.S.

My doctor required a letter and his cost ( 3 years ago ) was $1500.  That is here in Portland, Oregon.

my doctor did not require a letter.

Quote from: Laura91 on July 29, 2012, 06:56:21 PM
My surgeon just went with informed consent.

Quote from: Tristan on July 29, 2012, 09:34:28 PM
my doctor did not require a letter.

Hi..thanks for the replies.
Where are you located? Maybe I can find a surgeon in the U.S. then that doesn't require a letter. 

Quote from: Laura91 on August 04, 2012, 07:38:59 PM

I will send you a PM.

Hi I didn't receive your pm.

My doctor went with informed consent and I am thankful for that. I am old enough to know who I am and am capable of determining my health care needs. I went through a year of therapy and hard work to get there. When I told my therapist I was gonna get an orchie she said to let her know if I wanted a letter from her.

I understand SOC and guidelines, but they are just that. I am not espousing a reckless or cavalier attitude toward the process of transitioning and self-awareness, but I am against the use of guidelines as gate-keeping rhetoric when people who have never experienced gender dysphoria tell me what it is and isn't and claim to be experts in a personal phenomenon they have never experienced. /rant off

Quote from: tara tricks on August 16, 2012, 06:02:24 AM
I understand SOC and guidelines, but they are just that. I am not espousing a reckless or cavalier attitude toward the process of transitioning and self-awareness, but I am against the use of guidelines as gate-keeping rhetoric when people who have never experienced gender dysphoria tell me what it is and isn't and claim to be experts in a personal phenomenon they have never experienced. /rant off

My gyno is a member of WPATH. She understands very well what gender dysphoria is like, she is a post-op trans woman and she is certainly not the only one.

Quote from: kelly_aus on August 16, 2012, 06:12:39 AM
My gyno is a member of WPATH. She understands very well what gender dysphoria is like, she is a post-op trans woman and she is certainly not the only one.

I think that is awesome. My first gender therapist was a transwoman, which certainly was an advantage for me. And I am very thankful for those with that unique perspective to be involved in WPATH. I think that has a huge effect.

However, the research is predominantly being conducted and has historically been conducted by people who are not trans. The history of trans healthcare was formed by outsiders. This is especially troublesome when the issue is largely phenomenological and there is no objective test or criteria. People like Harry Benjamin were sympathetic but his theory was incomplete and misled transcare policy for decades because of his projection of gender onto his patients and subjects. I am definitely intending not to make these doctors, researchers and healthcare professionals out to be villains, but the fact remains that gender identity and gender dysphoria is poorly understood and is almost impossible to communicate the depth and reason for the pain we feel. Our society, and by extension, the medical and research community is still largely locked into the notion of the gender binary, a construct of gender identity and gender identity expression that quickly seems obsolete after only reading just a few of our stories.

Quote from: tara tricks on August 17, 2012, 01:42:24 AM
I think that is awesome. My first gender therapist was a transwoman, which certainly was an advantage for me. And I am very thankful for those with that unique perspective to be involved in WPATH. I think that has a huge effect.

However, the research is predominantly being conducted and has historically been conducted by people who are not trans. The history of trans healthcare was formed by outsiders. This is especially troublesome when the issue is largely phenomenological and there is no objective test or criteria. People like Harry Benjamin were sympathetic but his theory was incomplete and misled transcare policy for decades because of his projection of gender onto his patients and subjects. I am definitely intending not to make these doctors, researchers and healthcare professionals out to be villains, but the fact remains that gender identity and gender dysphoria is poorly understood and is almost impossible to communicate the depth and reason for the pain we feel. Our society, and by extension, the medical and research community is still largely locked into the notion of the gender binary, a construct of gender identity and gender identity expression that quickly seems obsolete after only reading just a few of our stories.

My therapist, who is a gay guy, is also a member of WPATH, both he and my gyno were at the last WPATH conference and will both be at the next one.

I think things are improving, at least locally, for a while my therapist was suggesting I might be somewhat gender queer rather than subscribing to the gender binary. I felt the idea deserved some consideration, he provided some evidence from my past that supported his suggestion. I then asked him what difference that would make to my 'treatment' and surgical options - he told me not one..

So there are some out there, at least, that are learning that not all is binary..

Wow, this is an extremely well timed post for me. I'm essentially in the same boat (except I live in SF), where I'm looking for an orchi surgeon who doesnt require letters of req from therapists. I'll PM you ladies who have said you went with surgeons who dont require letters, as soon as I get past the post reqs; or if you ladies see this before I hit the req, you can email me!
~Sara

Does anybody know how long it would generally take for a therapist to give me a letter?
If it doesn't take long I would prefer to do it in Boston that way I don't have to travel. If it might take a few sessions I think I'd rather just make a trip.

I might as well see one...I just relaized I want to start dressing like a girl.
And here I thought I would just get an orchiectomy. What a dummy.

But I kind of just relaized what I am recently...before I always thought I was just a girly boy.