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+--- Thread: Trying to help fund my husbands top surgery (/t-trying-to-help-fund-my-husbands-top-surgery)
Trying to help fund my husbands top surgery - Kayla Bulliner - 01-14-2016
My husband is experiencing body dysmorphia. And I just recently bought him a ftm packer to help him feel better about himself. I'm hoping this is a good thing for him. He is 23 years old his name is Adam. He's known he was trans since we was a kid. When you know, you know. I lobe him more than anything in this planet and I work one job and I'm not sure if he has Insurance or if his insurance willconver such a cost. And he has a large chest . And I wanted to talk to someone who may have gone thru with the procedure already? Because I want to know the safest procedure for him to go thru. And the least costly. My husband posted a go fund me account to also help fund his surgery and whatever else he may need. Does anyone know what kind of counceling he needs to go thru before having such a surgery? Lets talk.
RE: Trying to help fund my husbands top surgery - Joshua - 01-15-2016
Thank you for supporting your husband so well, Kayla!
Those packers... it's amazing what a difference that small expenditure can make for a lot of guys.
If Adam is looking at the Marketplace for insurance, this is a new resource that could help:
http://www.ftmsurgery.net/forums/t-new-transgender-health-care-heathcare-gov?pid=819#pid819
Many insurance policies are covering Top Surgery, but it's important to read the fine print to look for exclusions. The information on this page, including the insurance requirements, may be helpful: http://www.topsurgery.net/costs/ftm-top-surgery-insurance-coverage.htm
I had Top Surgery in 2008. I had the Peri-Areolar procedure done. Larger chested men typically get the Double Incision procedure, and that would likely yield the best results for Adam. When reviewing surgeons, be sure to look for results in patients who have a similar body composition to Adam. That will better align expectations with results.
http://www.topsurgery.net/procedures/double-incision-top-surgery.htm
To reduce surgery costs, look for surgeons closer to where you live. There are so many surgeons offering Top Surgery these days, and in most cases, it's no longer necessary to travel across the country for surgery.
Many surgeons will require a letter from a mental health professional. Those therapists have different criteria for issuing the letter: some require a set amount of therapy (rather old school), others just want to chat for an hour or two. There's a growing number of surgeons who operate on Informed Consent--they do not require a letter. (Insurance companies will require a letter though.)
http://www.topsurgery.net/surgeons/informed-consent.htm
Thanks again, I hope this helps!
RE: Trying to help fund my husbands top surgery - Kayla Bulliner - 01-15-2016
Thank you so much! This has helped immensely. My husband wants to know why he has to go through therapy before getting top surgery?
RE: Trying to help fund my husbands top surgery - Joshua - 01-15-2016
(01-15-2016, 07:50 PM)Kayla Bulliner Wrote: My husband wants to know why he has to go through therapy before getting top surgery?
That's a damn good question!!
Presumably, if one has a diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria, and because these surgeries have been deemed medically necessary, then there would be no need for therapy, right?
However, many surgeons require letters from a mental health professional, in keeping with the established WPATH standards. Insurance companies will also require a letter (or letters.)
If you'll be paying out of pocket for Adam's surgery, then you can go to a surgeon who operates on Informed Consent, and then no letter/therapy is required.
Hope this helps!
RE: Trying to help fund my husbands top surgery - Kayla Bulliner - 01-15-2016
I'm hoping to get some help with his go fund me account but I'll be paying out if pocket yes.
RE: Trying to help fund my husbands top surgery - Joshua - 01-16-2016
Presto. When paying out of pocket, Adam can get out of that therapy/letter requirement by going to a surgeon who practices Informed Consent. http://www.topsurgery.net/surgeons/informed-consent.htm
Crowdfunding has had good results for many trans guys raising surgery money. However, for every successful campaign there are hundreds more that barely get out of the gate. Asking people for money is a skill, and it requires that one have a good network of people who could help financially, or the ability to create that network. If you're just starting out with crowdfunding, here are some tips to help maximize your efforts:
http://transguys.com/features/surgery-fundraising#crowdfunding
Hope this helps!
RE: Trying to help fund my husbands top surgery - Kayla Bulliner - 02-01-2016
What site do you prefer I use to make a good campaign?
RE: Trying to help fund my husbands top surgery - Joshua - 02-02-2016
Hi Kayla! I've never done any crowd funding myself, so I can't recommend a specific service. If I were launching a campaign, I would look at fees closely and ask myself if I needed a service, or could I get by with a WordPress/Blogger blog with a PayPal link (and lower fees)? I would also look at what social sharing tools are offered. Ultimately though, the biggest factor for me would be fees as I would want to see as much of the donated funds as possible go directly to surgery costs. Hope this helps!