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+--- Thread: Informed Consent Woes (/t-informed-consent-woes)
Informed Consent Woes - Remington - 02-11-2021
Hi, I’m Remi. I’ve been out as trans for many years, I’m going to be 31 this year and I am finally at a place in my life where I can afford top surgery. Here’s where the problem comes in. I vehemently do not believe that my gender is an illness and I refuse to see a therapist and justify my existence just to be allowed to maybe have surgery. I want to go through an informed consent surgeon, but I keep encountering the same issue: Surgeons who list themselves as informed consent/are on the list here on the site as informed consent, but then follow up by asking for your therapists letters. I don’t know if they are deliberately misrepresenting themselves or if they are unaware of the difference but it is unbelievably frustrating and invalidating.
Here’s my questions:
How can I be sure a doctor is really informed consent before I waste my time?
Am I the confused one? Any other time I’ve has an informed consent procedure I’ve just had to meet with the doctor for information, sign a consent form, and occasionally undergo a waiting period.
Should I post here which doctors from the list require therapist letters so they can be removed from the informed consent list?
RE: Informed Consent Woes - Joshua - 02-11-2021
Hi Remi!
Are you using insurance or paying out-of-pocket? Letters are always required when using insurance.
Which surgeons who supposedly use informed consent required letters?
RE: Informed Consent Woes - Remington - 02-11-2021
I am paying out of pocket and made sure to include that as well as my desire to use informed consent in my inquiry.
Plastic Surgery Specialists of Virginia/ The office of Dr Guarda informed me that they won’t set up a consultation until they have 12 months therapy notes.
https://www.topsurgery.net/surgeons/dr-helena-guarda.htm
Dr. Beverly Fischer, MD
Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery
12205-12207 Tulamore Rd.
Timonium, MD, 21093
Lists on her website that you will need a letter from your therapist before your surgery so I didn’t bother to contact her.
Dr Matthew Stanwix has this exceptionally confusing message on his website:
“ Informed consent: Dr. Stanwix follows WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) standards of care and criteria for FTM Top Surgery. This includes a requirement for a supporting letter from a mental health professional prior to surgery. Hormones are not a requirement.”
RE: Informed Consent Woes - Remington - 02-11-2021
In other news I have heard back from the office of Dr Jacobs in Manhattan who I will be speaking to tomorrow to schedule a consultation. His office has been remarkable so far and he does use informed consent.
RE: Informed Consent Woes - Joshua - 02-11-2021
Thanks Remi!
12 months of therapy! Wow. I've followed up with her office.
Dr. Fischer and Dr. Stanwix used to work together and did do informed consent in the past, but obviously no more.
Yes, Dr. Jacobs is pretty awesome! Very down to earth and great results.
It's surprising there aren't more surgeons who will do Top Surgery on informed consent.
RE: Informed Consent Woes - Remington - 02-11-2021
(02-11-2021, 05:09 PM)Joshua Wrote: Thanks Remi!
12 months of therapy! Wow. I've followed up with her office.
Dr. Fischer and Dr. Stanwix used to work together and did do informed consent in the past, but obviously no more.
Yes, Dr. Jacobs is pretty awesome! Very down to earth and great results.
It's surprising there aren't more surgeons who will do Top Surgery on informed consent.
It surprised me when her office came back with the 12 month thing. If you need screenshots of the email I would be happy to DM them.
It's a shame good doctors are dropping their dedication to informed consent. History will one day look back on therapy requirements for trans people unfavorably and I can only hope to see the day that no one is required to see a therapist to get the care they need.
Seeing Dr. Jacobs' before and afters is frankly impressive. I was hoping to spend less but he seems like he is 100% worth his fees between the results and how friendly and helpful he and his staff are, and how quick they are to respond.