Transitioning as a whole!

[Lexi Belle]

I'm inquiring again about transitioning, looking for tips that might help in my scenario.  I'm not meaning to jump into the chase immediately-most of this is purely situational ifs and buts to make sure I can follow through where some areas may need more support.

Anyway, to the point.  Again I am 19 years old, about 6 ft tall and 150 lbs, lower end of 'normal' weight.
I was wondering how people were able to pay for a lot of the procedures and if many of you have underwent full electrolysis as well as FFS procedures. I know I might look more acceptable with fat redistribution as far as my face goes, but I'm not thinking it'll be as much of a miracle as I think I'd need.  So, anyone who has undergone these surgeries, Id' like tips,  and any sort of payment options their doctors/surgeons provided so I can get a general idea of the kind of options I might have.  I'm currently unemployed, living off the income of my mother who is also supporting 3 other people, 2 around my age and one at 12 years old. So with all that, I am hoping I can still some how accumulate a plan for when I do get a job. As I have no job right now and no source to accumulate any savings (yet).  I don't imagine I'll be able to work during transition due to social complications and possible problems that might form from that but I think I'm going to at least try.

I also haven't started my HRT yet, nor started the therapy yet, where I might still get information about this stuff.  Just hoping I can get some prior help.

As far as SRS goes, I read somewhere that as of April 19th, Californian insurances were supposed to accommodate the procedures affiliated with transgender-ed people up to and including that specific surgery.  I don't know how credible that information is, I can probably get that from this therapist too. But again, any prior help is much appreciated!

Anyways, any tips?

[Luminosity]

I transitioned when I was 19, so I understand how scary and overwhelming it can all seem right now.  Are you currently in school?  Get a part time job, doesn't matter what it is, to start getting money.  Electrolysis can seem expensive, but remember your only getting it done every 2-3 weeks, so if its like an hour at 80 bucks each time, that's still only 160-240 a month.  I cannot recommend enough that you get a therapist, I would get into therapy before doing anything else, if you are hoping to use your moms insurance say your depressed or whatever if she asks.   Right now, since you haven't started electrolysis or hormones or anything, put FFS on the back burner while you take care of the much more important issues.  Also start working on your voice if you haven't already!

Have you told anyone, such as parents, or friends, that you plan on transitioning?  If not, wait a little bit, have a few therapy sessions and work on having an actual concrete plan on how to do this before telling anyone.  I was lucky in that I lived in Michigan and my SRS was covered by my insurance. 

[Tristan]

I also started the process in mittens. What I did was start saving up money and it did take me 5 years of saving on my own. But I did it. I also started blockers in 9th grade as they were cheap and bought me some time.

[Lexi Belle]

I have told my mother and my sister only, in fact my mother has been helping me find what I need and has said she could help me pay for electrolysis.  Insurance has already clarified that they pay for everything in this transition, except at the time SRS.  This was about 3 weeks before I read the article about a new thing that passed in California that was supposedly taking effect on the 19th this month.  I just like thinking ahead and having all my options out before I make any serious changes.

I'm due to a therapy appointment in less than 2 weeks, have been waiting MONTHS for the ruddy thing.

I'm really just trying to get a clear plan of how this can be possible for me.  I have a feeling I won't be able to get a job pre-HRT. Not sure I'm going to be able to get one during, at least after maybe the first 3 or 4 months.  Definitely trying though, but jobs are heck to find here.

[Tristan]

sure you can get a job pre hrt. just work in boy mode ontil your able to pass as female and then get a new job 
no one has to know until your ready to tell them anyways. thats what i did. kept things under wraps for a while way back when. even when people would say i look different i would be like. no i dont. so they would let it go.

[Lexi Belle]

I mean due to my area, not because of complications with transitioning. ;P