Setting Up SRS

[Julie Marie]

Now that I have a pretty good idea about recovery time I have to determine the best time to do it and back track the steps needed to be taken so I can have everything when that window arrives.

Here's what I see I need to do:
1. Get the SRS letter from my therapist.  I expect the worst case scenario to be two sessions.

2. Get the second letter.  That shouldn't be a problem.

3. Set up a consultation with Brassard.

4. Make the date for SRS.

Somewhere between 2 & 4 I need to sell my house.  I don't need a four bedroom house now that the family is gone and I'll need some of the equity to pay for the surgery.

What is the normal timeframe from requesting the surgery to having it?  Am I missing anything from the above list?

[cindianna_jones]

Julie is on a great big fat rocket sled attempting to prove Einstein wrong!  You know what? I was just exactly like you too.  You remind me of me!  So naturally, you would be one of my coolest friends if you lived out here in the land of golden grass.

I'm sorry I don't know what the current wait time is.  But you could call his office and ask straight up.  Tell them when you are looking to do it and ask if that's inline with their schedule?  Right from the horses mouth, so to speak. That way you get the skinny right the first time.

You should check on the sale of your place with a realtor right away too.  Try and get a feel for what the market is doing in your area.  Sooner may be better than later.

Cindi

[tinkerbell]

SRS is a very demanded procedure and not so many surgeons perform it, so there is a waiting list.....surprise!

The waiting time can vary but you can usually schedule your SRS in six months to a year depending on the surgeon, his surgery schedule, and the location where the surgery will take place.

I have heard that it is much quicker to get your SRS peformed in Thailand and Belgium, but I am not really sure if this information is accurate.

tinkerbell

[Steph]

For myself Julie it went as follows:

Therapy lasted close to two years and is still on going (2004 - 2005) and I saw two therapists.  During this time I did this:
1. Came out at work
2. Legally changed my name
3. Started HRT
4. Started RLT

Dec 2005 - Emailed the clinic in Montreal and received their info package (Brassard and Menard strictly adhere to the SOC)

Mar 2006 1 year HRT completed

Aug 2006 1 year RLT completed

Aug 2006
1. got my letters from my employer, and one each from my therapists, my Dr and my endo.
2. filled out the information package, and phoned the clinic that it was already.  They asked me to fax everything to the clinic (many, many pages).  I was on hold while they received the fax and after about ten minutes the assistant told me that everything seemed to be in order and would I like to select a date for surgery - It was that quick and it caught me off guard.  I asked what dates were available this year 2006 and there were two left - Dec 5th or 11th (the one I chose).

Sept 2006 - went to the clinic for a consult with Dr Brassard (himself )

Oct 2006
1. gave them my banking information so that they can withdraw the funds as they need.
2. faxed off results of the medical tests they require

Oct - Dec 10th - waiting, waiting, waiting

So this all took place from the summer 2004 until now - pretty quick.

I was fortunate in that I have saving that I'm able to use to cover the costs, however it will clean me out, but then I'm worth it

Hope this helps.

Steph

[Sheila]

I had probably 6 years of therapy, not all was for Gender, with the same therapist. I had about 3 months with another one to get my second letter and confirmation that I am who I am. The therapist consulted each other and came to the conclusion that I am trans. I went full time for about 2 years, one year before I retired and about one year after I retired. I wasn't sure if I wanted full surgery or not. After about six months I was sure that I wanted to lose the little thing between my legs. That was troubling for my wife and we had sessions for that, more therapy. I have always been in the loop for a surgeon so I knew where to call when I had decided. I was in surgery in less than five months. I'm glad I did, I feel whole and I have not questioned it at all. I just wish I would have done it sooner.
I did have the money for it. We had a nice vacation too.
Sheila

[Julie Marie]

Thanks girls, this helps.  Just sitting here in limbo was beginning to get to me.  Since I decided to form a game plan I feel ten times better. 

I talked to a post op friend today.  She's usually pretty cautioning and reminds me of the pitfalls.  When I told her my plan she asked if our therapist (we have the same one) would go along.  I said we had talked and she's on board.  My friend seemed surprised but was happy for me.  She's seen me go from a guy in a dress to a woman so it was cool to hear her being supportive.

Now I have to find that window of opportunity.  There's been a lot of layoffs at work but I think they want to hang on to me so I will need to find that time when I am needed the least.  I know that won't be until this project is completed which could be sometime in the spring.

It feels so good to start really planning this!  Now I feel like I'm getting somewhere!  Thanks again ladies!

Julie

[brina]

Hiee Julie,

  I think it depends on the surgon performing the operation for the most part. For myself I work in construction and am usually off during the winter months from mid December till April. I had hoped to get my surgory in that time frame at the begining so as to have the maximum time for recuperation as my work is quite physical.

  The letter(s) were no problem as they were required for my orchiectomy back in May of this year.
I initially contactd Dr. Sanguan at the begining of September I think it was. When he got back to me I was informed that his waiting list went into next year 2007, but he tentatively booked me for Oct 9. Now that I have sent my letter to him the booking is confirmed. I also informed me that he could put me on a short list if someone cancels, but I declined as I had no way of knowing when I might be contacted for this option. As it is now I have a confirmed date is which to work around and a bit over 10 1/2 months to iron out the details.

Byee,
  Brina

My timeline:

I have not put in thereapy and pshrink stuff in here as for me I KNEW and all I needed was the paper work to be taken care of as per the SOC of which it has been.

Started HRT December 13,2004
Full Time      April 2005
Name chg    July 2005 (intiated)
Name chg    Nov 2005 (finalized)
All relative documents changed
Orchie         May 2006
June           Jun  2006 Applied to have birthrecords changed ie gender marker from M to F
July            2006  Records changed and new Birthcertificate issued
Aug            2006  Back to DMV for Drivers license gender marker change
Sept           2006 Applied for Canadian passport
Sept           2006 Recieved my passport
Oct             2006 SRS date is confirmed with Dr. Sanguan
From here out I will be looking for my return airline tickets from Halifax NS to Phuket so that I may purchase them and lock in the price and then Work in the oil patch in Alberta for 2 or 3 months next year to Earn the money for the op or consider selling of my adjacent lot or simply arranging a loan for the associated costs etc.