Hi, I’m the total mess known as Emma, and I’m currently a little overwhelmed with things.

So, long story short:

  • I started HRT January 2023

  • I desperately need bottom surgery as soon as possible

  • I’m worried that I should have been doing electrolysis instead of laser

  • I’m worried about wait lists for surgery

  • I’m worried about the costs of surgery

  • I need to find a surgeon

  • I’m interested in evacuating to a safe state on the west coast

  • I feel overwhelmed with everything that I need to do

There’s so much going on for me right now, and I’m seeking input from everyone here with something to say about any of my struggles.

Thanks ❤️

  • -Emma-@fedia.ioOP
    7·
    6 months ago

    I’m not sure where you are

    I’m in southeast Louisiana. I’ve been doing laser for my whole body since I started HRT, but I’ve only done three sessions on my…delicate region. I’m just concerned about the permanence of laser and the wait for surgery. One of the reasons I’m considering evacuating to a safe state on the west coast is that I could hopefully have the surgery covered by my insurrance.

    Was 4 months for the consultation and almost a year for the surgery.

    I’ve heard some people suggesting that some surgeons have a wait list of three to five years, and I absolutely cannot wait that long. One year is already long enough to consider.

    Thank you for your comment ❤️

    • nadiaraven@lemmy.world
      7·
      6 months ago

      In Oregon the wait list is not very long for surgery, but the problem is getting electrolysis by someone who takes insurance. Currently as far as I’m aware, OHSU is the only place doing bottom surgeries. You can get OHP to cover everything, and you get the insurance immediately after moving if you are low income. Side note, you can get a vulvaplasty done very quickly, but if you want the full vaginoplasty, it requires electrolysis. Dr Dy at OHSU said I could get the vulva first and if I wanted the vagina later, I could have a second surgery, but I think the skin would have to come from my side.

      • -Emma-@fedia.ioOP
        2·
        6 months ago

        and you get the insurance immediately after moving if you are low income

        I would guess that I’d need to actually have a residence there right? So like, if I can manage to rent a room, I’m good, but if I can’t find a stable living situation it wouldn’t count as having moved there?

        I currently have Medicare, so I think everything should be covered if I can just manage to secure a residence.

        • nadiaraven@lemmy.world
          2·
          6 months ago

          Medicare might be different, what I was talking about is Oregon’s medicaid program, OHP. For OHP I don’t think you need a permanent address, you can be homeless and list your address as “general delivery” at the local post office. But Medicare is an entirely different program, and I can’t tell you whether you can have both Medicare and OHP, the rules get very complex

    • fadingembers@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      4·
      6 months ago

      If you have insurance now, it might cover bottom surgery. This site has a pretty comprehensive list, but if it’s not listed there it’s worth googling “<your insurance> trans healthcare” and seeing what comes up. You’ll likely need two letters of support in order to receive coverage: one from your hrt provider and one from a mental health provider.

      Though not completely up to date, this site can help you find GRS surgeons that take insurance by area

      • -Emma-@fedia.ioOP
        3·
        6 months ago

        If you have insurance now, it might cover bottom surgery.

        I currently have Medicare, so it looks like I am covered. 😊

        You’ll likely need two letters of support in order to receive coverage: one from your hrt provider and one from a mental health provider.

        Well I do currently have a GP that prescribes my HRT and should be able to write me a letter, and I have a Psychiatrist who knows that the only reason I’m talking to him is to get the letter. So maybe I’m all set and don’t need to rope a third person into this to get consent to alter my own body? (I cannot begin to articulate the level of rage that I feel about my lack of bodily autonmy)