Creating a long term plan

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nancy Wichmann on July 25, 2011 at 12:15pm

I can't tell how old you are from your picture, but you may not want to do FFS and GRS at the same time because of the pain load. And definitely to breast ugmentation with both of those, but another year on a decent hormone regimen and you may not need those.

Dr. Leis in Philadelphia does all those procedures and is a very peronable man. One thing that might help is to go visit him for a consultation. He will give you a realistic estimate of what you need and a timeline for doing it. That will not be expensive at all and you can probably fly in and out the same day.

If you do decide to go to Thailand, I would suggest the 60 day visa and separate the GRS and FFS as much as your surgeon suggests.

Permalink Reply by Danna Wheeldon on July 26, 2011 at 10:52pm

Nancy I am  46 years old. You are right, a consult here in the States would be a great idea. 

Permalink Reply by Nancy Wichmann on July 26, 2011 at 11:00pm

I met Dr. Leis at First Event (he goes to many conferences) and got my FFS consultation for free, with no travel. So that's another option for you. He's also a member here at PE, so you might write and ask which ones he's going to that you might also be able to attend. And conferences are another good source of information about planning, surgeons, etc.

Permalink Reply by Linda Lee on July 25, 2011 at 12:19pm

See you fixed your typo from bread to breast implants! Bread implants would get moldy! This site and others discuss this in depth. Here are just a few points.

Some surgeons require you to live one year as your preferred gender (though some will make exceptions), so that limits your choice unless you have been living full-time.

Thai surgeons may want you to stay a month after GRS. And you can't get major FFS and GRS in one shot no matter where you go. Are you ready to stay that long in a foreign country? Can you stomach different food? You need things such as clothes, reading material, money, and a laptop so you can surf and not get hopelessly behind on emails (Unless the hospital/hotel has PCs or there is an internet cafe nearby.) Regardless of where you go, you may want to hire an assistant for at least a few days. How will you take care of things such as bills, pets, plants, and investments?

The federal Family Medical Leave Act lets you take off 12 weeks of unpaid leave per rolling 12-month period for medical situations, and your company must maintain your group medical benefits. Try that, continue working for a while, then quit to complete other surgeries, change your name, and live full-time. Actually, if possible transition at your job. That way they will change your name, so you won't have to explain the change when you search for a new job, unless you include past jobs.

You may also try to get a job with a company that will keep its Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index of 100 next year. To get that, they have to offer some plan that covers TG procedures. My company is one of those, though the big question is how comprehensive will it be. One of my friends says companies should cover everything including hair removal! I doubt many policies will be that liberal. I feel pretty sure they'll cover GRS, but less sure about BA or FFS.

Surgery overseas can be just as safe as it here. But do as much research as you can. Consider the extra cost and time or pre- and post-surgery consultations and followup. You have little recourse overseas to make things right if something goes wrong.

You can plan this yourself as many have done, or try Satori WorldMedical. You can get private consultations with surgeons, browse their sites, or go to TG conferences and listen to and talk with many, though the consultations will be briefer. Also read others' experiences and thoughts in books and on sites like this and Yahoo support groups.

Permalink Reply by Danna Wheeldon on July 26, 2011 at 10:55pm

Thank you for your reply and advice Linda. I am looking to do FFS first and then hopefully get GRS as soon as I am afterwards. We plan to leave the Kansas City for an area that might be more trans-friendly. 

Permalink Reply by Linda Lee on July 30, 2011 at 10:19pm

Danna,

 

You're lucky to have a supportive partner who's sticking with you and can travel with you and help you! You must be right about Kansas not being TG friendly. Any place that would teach intelligent design instead of evolution must be pretty backward!

Permalink Reply by Danna Wheeldon on September 22, 2011 at 5:41am

I went directly to his page. Lana Moore suggests him as well. Could you give me an idea of his cost and availability? You look amazing BTW. I will likely need th works lol

Permalink Reply by Robyn Young on July 25, 2011 at 4:55pm

50K might not be enough to do both procedures, even if done at the same time. I have interviewed with both Dr. Ousterhout and Dr. Murkowski. They quoted me, respectively, full FFS would be $70k and $30k.
I have also been emailing Dr. Leis, as Nancy Wichmann recommended for you. Simply forehead contouring, jaw/chin augmentation, and some very minor rhinoplasty work, I've been quoted low $20k's.
There are also choices outside the U.S. Dr Cardenas in Guadalajara will do about the same for 7-12K.
Very affordable and he is highly skilled. "www.drlazarocardenas.com. Also their is RP medico in Buenos Aries (Dr. Delrosso). Took 20 years off me. I personally would not do both FFS and SRS at the same time, even if money was not an issue. Too much trauma done to the body in one session. Give your body or face, whatever you do first, some time to heel. Good luck and best wishes with whatever you should choose.

Hugs
Robyn

Permalink Reply by Robyn Young on July 25, 2011 at 11:59pm

Hi Melissa,
First I'll say your doctors did a great job and that you look fabulous. You look somewhat like Patti Stanger, producer/owner of the show "Millionaire Match Maker." I know nothing of Bangkok and therefore did not mention it. However, I do have some literature on Dr. Sarin. I felt qualified to speak about only my personal experiences, hence the quotations and recommends. Lastly, I noticed in your profile you have competed in dance sport. I'm an amateur competitive dancer myself (Fred Astaire, now DIVIDA). Maybe we'll see each other on the dance floor sometime.

Be well
Robyn

Permalink Reply by Danna Wheeldon on July 26, 2011 at 10:56pm

And you look great Robyn! 

Permalink Reply by Danna Wheeldon on July 26, 2011 at 10:58pm

Thank you Melissa, it would be great to get more information from you. I am going to watch the videos after this post. 

Permalink Reply by Rachel King on July 25, 2011 at 10:09pm

Hi Danna,

I had GRS for $8,000 with Dr Saran and a small amount of FFS, that all told has cost maybe $25,000.
A far cry from the exorbitant fees Western Doctors charge.
Regarding FFS, I am of the firm belief that less is better.
I wanted a feminine look but I accept I am never going to be beautiful ( except maybe in my Mai's eyes but she is prejudiced) so I did the "small" things, like nose, trachea shave, voice and hairline, to add to the softer look that HRT was providing me.
I like that Thai Doctors openly advertise their fees with their services, something Western Doctors are reluctant to do

It worries me that you are considering leaving your work to do this, which would seem to me to be counter-productive.
Without a steady income it is IMPOSSIBLE to do this transition and that's the plain and simple truth, one that if we don't face, will lead us on a path to disaster.

Oh, and "square one" looks like a well thought out plan, that allows for variances, hiccups and setbacks, one that is flexible but one that has a steady income to support it.
What you do for yourself is one for each individual, how you go about it, is one we all have a commonality on, whether we be here in Oztralia, in the US, or Europe.
Balanced and ongoing financial stability is the key.
Trust me on that.
Go well.

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