FTM's and Transitioning

[DamonK]

There are no absolutes...

Due to private issues, I must transition a slightly...different..way. For me, rather than just one, it will be two surgeries.

I'd thought to myself on Monday.."need to call the doc to set up an appointment to talk about ....". Apparently when I had my physical last year, I'd already set up this year's appointment and I got a notice of rescheduling.

Therefore, next month I go to the doc, and I will broach the subject for the first surgery.

As for T, my doctors are all through a Catholic hospital. Therefore, I know the chances of finding a doctor to guide my transition are extremely slim. My insurance will cover the first surgery, as it will alleviate health issues. However, I don't wish them to be..suspicious. Later, I will go for T, paying out of pocket as to not have ins involved. I'm hoping the first surgery could possibly be done this summer.

But..won't know more until I see the doc and find out what he suggests.

[atomiczombie]

Originally Posted by DamonK

There are no absolutes...

Due to private issues, I must transition a slightly...different..way. For me, rather than just one, it will be two surgeries.

I'd thought to myself on Monday.."need to call the doc to set up an appointment to talk about ....". Apparently when I had my physical last year, I'd already set up this year's appointment and I got a notice of rescheduling.

Therefore, next month I go to the doc, and I will broach the subject for the first surgery.

As for T, my doctors are all through a Catholic hospital. Therefore, I know the chances of finding a doctor to guide my transition are extremely slim. My insurance will cover the first surgery, as it will alleviate health issues. However, I don't wish them to be..suspicious. Later, I will go for T, paying out of pocket as to not have ins involved. I'm hoping the first surgery could possibly be done this summer.

But..won't know more until I see the doc and find out what he suggests.

Damon, hang in there bud. You will find a way. It is SOOOO hard to be patient when you know what you want and you are ready for it. I have been there myself and I still am. Just don't give up!

[Logicaly]

So I thought I would share. Started seeing a doctor to get a health checkup, etc so I could get started on T. How long did it take everyone after they first saw their doctor and say hey, I want to start T?

I had all my blood work done, results where a bit off in one or two areas that they are now running more blood work and im waiting on those results hopefully any day now. It seems you go in for one thing, and instead, they find something else wrong.

[Greyson]

Originally Posted by Logicaly

So I thought I would share. Started seeing a doctor to get a health checkup, etc so I could get started on T. How long did it take everyone after they first saw their doctor and say hey, I want to start T?

I had all my blood work done, results where a bit off in one or two areas that they are now running more blood work and im waiting on those results hopefully any day now. It seems you go in for one thing, and instead, they find something else wrong.

Initially I had to get a referral from my primary care physician to see the endroconologist. My primary care gave me a list of potential endos told me a little about each one and let me make a decision as to which one I wanted to see.

I went home did a little background research on the proposed doctors, chose the one I wanted to see and got back to my primary care. About three weeks later I had my first appointment with the Endroconologist and about 4 to 5 weeks later, I had my first T shot.

Part of the wait for me was giving my Endroconologist educate himself a bit on Trans stuff. I knew I would be his first "FTM" patient and needed a little time to make a decision to take me on as a patient. I specifically stayed within the group of medical doctors affiliated with my primary care physician because I wanted to do what I could to educate and bring "transitioning" into the conciousness of mainstream medicine here in the SF Bay Area. Up close and personal so to speak.

I get my levels of T and other blood work done quarterly. So far, so good. Good luck to you. It will happen.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by DamonK

There are no absolutes...

Due to private issues, I must transition a slightly...different..way. For me, rather than just one, it will be two surgeries.

I'd thought to myself on Monday.."need to call the doc to set up an appointment to talk about ....". Apparently when I had my physical last year, I'd already set up this year's appointment and I got a notice of rescheduling.

Therefore, next month I go to the doc, and I will broach the subject for the first surgery.

As for T, my doctors are all through a Catholic hospital. Therefore, I know the chances of finding a doctor to guide my transition are extremely slim. My insurance will cover the first surgery, as it will alleviate health issues. However, I don't wish them to be..suspicious. Later, I will go for T, paying out of pocket as to not have ins involved. I'm hoping the first surgery could possibly be done this summer.

But..won't know more until I see the doc and find out what he suggests.

Well that stinks (only having one place you can go for care). :-(

When you say suspicious are you saying that you are trying to get it done under a "breast reduction", as your insurance won't pay for top surgery? I have often wondered if there are doctors willing to do that. Then many more people would have the means to get it done.

The only insurance I know that pays for top surgery is Aetna. Does anyone know of any other insurance company that now pays for it at this point?

[Jet]

Originally Posted by DamonK

There are no absolutes...

Due to private issues, I must transition a slightly...different..way. For me, rather than just one, it will be two surgeries.

I'd thought to myself on Monday.."need to call the doc to set up an appointment to talk about ....". Apparently when I had my physical last year, I'd already set up this year's appointment and I got a notice of rescheduling.

Therefore, next month I go to the doc, and I will broach the subject for the first surgery.

As for T, my doctors are all through a Catholic hospital. Therefore, I know the chances of finding a doctor to guide my transition are extremely slim. My insurance will cover the first surgery, as it will alleviate health issues. However, I don't wish them to be..suspicious. Later, I will go for T, paying out of pocket as to not have ins involved. I'm hoping the first surgery could possibly be done this summer.

But..won't know more until I see the doc and find out what he suggests.

Good Luck Damon.

This is going to be hard isn't it?
As for T, my doctors are all through a Catholic hospital.

Are you in KC, would it be possible to find a doc there? My ins pays for my T. The doc set it up that way as the T being necessary (for something)

j

[DamonK]

To answer the questions,

Yes, I have Aetna. However, no trans-friendly docs that I'm aware of. My psych doc is trans-friendly, but that's another story. He's hilarious.

In fact, when I changed jobs, I kept the docs at the Catholic hosp just so I could keep my psych doc. He means THAT much to me. I will "happily" struggle with the rest as to keep him on my medical team.

Seeing as my docs are based of Catholic hospital, it could potentially be difficult for me to just go straight to top surg. Since I do NEED the other surg, I don't want to cause issues to get it, such as asking about top surg.

If I can't win them all, I might as well win at least ONE.

Likely for T, I will end up in SL or KC.

[raising2alone]

Hi Damon,

If you live in KC there is a Trans friendly doctor in KCKS. Dr. Lee has a clinic off of SW Blvd and would probably be able to refer other doctors in the area if you didn't want to go there.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by DamonK

To answer the questions,

Yes, I have Aetna. However, no trans-friendly docs that I'm aware of. My psych doc is trans-friendly, but that's another story. He's hilarious.

In fact, when I changed jobs, I kept the docs at the Catholic hosp just so I could keep my psych doc. He means THAT much to me. I will "happily" struggle with the rest as to keep him on my medical team.

Seeing as my docs are based of Catholic hospital, it could potentially be difficult for me to just go straight to top surg. Since I do NEED the other surg, I don't want to cause issues to get it, such as asking about top surg.

If I can't win them all, I might as well win at least ONE.

Likely for T, I will end up in SL or KC.

Oh, well, seriously Damon, if your insurance covers top surgery, then there is a physician in your network that will do the work. It shouldn't matter where your therapist or psychiatrist work in order for you to get a letter for surgery. If you are certain it is top surgery you want, you really should look into it instead of settling for a breast reduction. One less surgery! Lots would kill to have your insurance to cover their top surgery. You're lucky!

Glad you found a psych doc you like!

Good Luck with whatever route you take.

Just my thoughts, for what they're worth.

[DamonK]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Oh, well, seriously Damon, if your insurance covers top surgery, then there is a physician in your network that will do the work. It shouldn't matter where your therapist or psychiatrist work in order for you to get a letter for surgery. If you are certain it is top surgery you want, you really should look into it instead of settling for a breast reduction. One less surgery! Lots would kill to have your insurance to cover their top surgery. You're lucky!

Glad you found a psych doc you like!

Good Luck with whatever route you take.

Just my thoughts, for what they're worth.

That's the problem. The docs in my network are NOT trans-friendly. Therefore, the majority will NOT do top surgery.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Oh, well, seriously Damon, if your insurance covers top surgery, then there is a physician in your network that will do the work. It shouldn't matter where your therapist or psychiatrist work in order for you to get a letter for surgery. If you are certain it is top surgery you want, you really should look into it instead of settling for a breast reduction. One less surgery! Lots would kill to have your insurance to cover their top surgery. You're lucky!

Glad you found a psych doc you like!

Good Luck with whatever route you take.

Just my thoughts, for what they're worth.

Actually, DamonK is in the same boat as me. You have to get two doctors to write that it's a medical necessity. Although Aetna covers it, it doesn't explicitly say just go and do. There are some hoops to go through. My company recently switched to Aetna (thank you Anthem for trying to jack up rates 800%!) and the doctor I'm seeing (out of network) is good and very trans friendly but I may try to find a doctor that is in network and trans friendly (not always possible). At the least, this doctor I'm going to ask if she can recommend a surgeon or two since she's known to the transmen community here.

I'd like to go to the one that Theo recommended but I don't know if that would then be covered by insurance or not.

[DamonK]

Originally Posted by Linus

Actually, DamonK is in the same boat as me. You have to get two doctors to write that it's a medical necessity. Although Aetna covers it, it doesn't explicitly say just go and do. There are some hoops to go through. My company recently switched to Aetna (thank you Anthem for trying to jack up rates 800%!) and the doctor I'm seeing (out of network) is good and very trans friendly but I may try to find a doctor that is in network and trans friendly (not always possible). At the least, this doctor I'm going to ask if she can recommend a surgeon or two since she's known to the transmen community here.

I'd like to go to the one that Theo recommended but I don't know if that would then be covered by insurance or not.

Exactly. And since the docs work at a catholic based place, it makes it even harder for me.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by DamonK

Exactly. And since the docs work at a catholic based place, it makes it even harder for me.

Since the therapist is trans friendly would they perhaps know of a doctor that is also trans friendly that could help?

[Greyson]

To the guys who may be getting the "Run Around" from your insurance companies regarding Top Surgery. I experienced some of the same frustrations. I am not trying to be insensitive to your plight and here is how I got around it. I decided to save up the money and pay out of pocket. It took a few years to put the money together but in the end, for me, it was gratifying. I took back the control over my own body.

I know this may not be an immediate solution while you are negotiating your way through the maze of documentation, paperwork required by medical providers. It may seem impossible to save that kind of money, the cost is approximately $10,000 but just putting something aside may also offer you some sense of control over your own individual life and the direction your life moves forward. Good luck.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Linus

Actually, DamonK is in the same boat as me. You have to get two doctors to write that it's a medical necessity. Although Aetna covers it, it doesn't explicitly say just go and do. There are some hoops to go through. My company recently switched to Aetna (thank you Anthem for trying to jack up rates 800%!) and the doctor I'm seeing (out of network) is good and very trans friendly but I may try to find a doctor that is in network and trans friendly (not always possible). At the least, this doctor I'm going to ask if she can recommend a surgeon or two since she's known to the transmen community here.

I'd like to go to the one that Theo recommended but I don't know if that would then be covered by insurance or not.

Yes, I am aware of that. I am also a member of WPATH.

This may be helpful, Damon, to find providers, including doc #2 for a letter/other resources for finding a provider.

http://www.wpath.org/ (formerly HBIGDA).

http://wpath.org/Documents2/Referral...rces-01-05.pdf