Afflicted With "GDD"

[Michelle-Leigh]

I am a male crossdresser who has really wanted to be a woman ever since I can remember in my early childhood. It is the primary drive for my love of crossdressing. I cannot define define myself as GID, but certainly have always been "GDD" (Gender Dissatisfaction Disorder), and have never been really comfortable as a man. Recently, (probably because I realize that I have lived well over half my life expectancy), I have wanted to make the transition much more than ever before. I have three questions to the forum regarding transition and SRS, as follows.
(1) Exactly what are the criteria to qualify one for HRT/SRS, and how difficult is it to convince the shrinks that you are really in need of same ?
(2) How does one find funding for the treatment and surgery ?
(3) Lastly, is 49 too old for it ?

[GypsyKaren]

Hi Michelle

Most doctors will want a referral letter from a therapist or p-doc before they'll prescribe hormones, but not all. Most SRS surgeons follow The Harry Benjamin Standards of Care (http://www.tc.umn.edu/~colem001/hbigda/hstndrd.htm), which in a nutshell require being on HRT for one year, doing the Real Life Experience (living full time as a woman) for one year, and having two referral letters recommending SRS. Some of the overseas doctors aren't quite as strict when it comes to following the standards, I had my surgery done in Thailand and only one letter was required. There are some who will do it as long as you have the money, but the top tier overseas surgeons will want at least something and the U.S. doctors will follow it to the letter.

As for paying for it, all I can say is good luck if you don't live in Britain or Canada, you're really on your own.

Is 49 too old? Not hardly, I was 54 when I had mine, and there was one girl there who was 62. It is major surgery that takes some time to recover from, but if you're in decent health it shouldn't be a problem.

Karen :g1:

[Shikyo]

1. It really depends of the doctor/surgeon. Many surgeons have their own requirements they want to have fulfilled before they even think about on operating on you. Common ones are lived a certain length in the desired sex(you need to be able to prove this!), diagnosed with transsexuality etc. Getting on HRT is much easier. Myself, I just went to the nearby gynecologist and explained my feelings and situation and I got the doctor to prescribe myself the hormones I wanted. However, this isn't the "official" way of getting your hands on hormones (at least not in Finland where I live). The official way is much harder, as you probably already guessed, in which you have to go through the trouble of getting a diagnose(which in Finland takes at least 6 months) first before you will be referred to a gynecologist for the hormones.

Simply put, if you can find a nice enough doctor you can get hormone prescription rather easily but it can also become rather long process. The way might also change depending how the laws in the country are. In Finland, any doctor is allowed to prescribe hormones and all the other medications if needed. They might not be all that willing to do it and refer you to a specialist if they aren't 100% sure.

2. How do you get your hands on money? Basically all the ways you can get yourself enough money for everything works. This could be through work, a loan, winning in a lottery etc. Anything you can make money with is going to work. How much money you will be needing will depend much of the country you are in.

I'll take Finland as an example as that's the only place I'm familiar with. The general medical insurance pays for basically for everything. For hormones you only need to pay 58% of the total, getting the diagnose and all the therapy visits are free. You also get free voice therapy, laser for your facial hair, trachea shave(though you have to pay around 100 Euro yourself), even the SRS will be paid and in some cases also breast augmentation.

Now if you think about if you'd have to pay for all these things yourself. Therapy, hair removal, surgeries, hormones. You will easily come to amounts of 30 000 dollars and more. However, at least most of things you won't have to pay at one go like the hair removal and hormones. The bigger problems is getting enough money together for the surgeries.

3. You're too old when you're dead. There might be some complications the older you get and you might not be able to go through everything but that depends on your physical condition and not your age.

I hope my answers were at least somewhat of useful to you, nyaa.

[jennifer easton]

if you truly have GDD and want the hrt to start thing rolling, I don't think you will have to try and convince any one, it should just come off as the natural way you are, if you feel you have to convince the doctors then maybe your not as ready as you think

[Melissa A.]

yeah, the "convincing" was more prevalant back in the early days when we were hearded into gender clinics and expected to fulfill certain idiotic criteria, like being passable, and being attracted to men....Those roadblocks largely don't exist today, at least in the U.S. A good, experienced gender therapist is a great start. Good luck to you.

Hugs,

Melissa:)

[Karen564]

The 1st place to start is finding a therapist that specializes in GID, but I seriously don't think GDD is going to cut it with them for any SRS recommendation letters, because it raises so many flags, but they will still help you so much in exploring all your options...and there are many options..

But let me warn you here, this is not something anyone should jump into on any whim, because if you need to fool anyone that wants to look out for your own good, then I'd say this isn't for you..the only one that you would be fooling is yourself on taking on such a serious lifestyle change without being honest with them.

Being a transsexual is not or at least should not be driven by the need to only wear womans clothes..

More importantly, it has to do with our own inner identity 1st, girl clothes are just that, clothes that help us live in our female gender role.. I don't live my life this way just so I can wear womans clothes..those aren't so important to me, but do admit that long ago they used to be, because the only way I could feel better was when I was all dolled up, but over the years that has changed and later needed far more than what clothes could ever offer me..

So, go get a therapist, they will be more than happy to help you with all your questions & then some and also work out the best solution with you in regards to your needs..
Figure about 3 months of therapy before you get a letter of approval for HRT..and then see how it goes after that..

Take care..
:hugs:

[Melissa A.]

But let me warn you here, this is not something anyone should jump into on any whim, because if you need to fool anyone that wants to look out for your own good, then I'd say this isn't for you..the only one that you would be fooling is yourself on taking on such a serious lifestyle change without being honest with them.

Being a transsexual is not or at least should not be driven by the need to only wear womans clothes..

More importantly, it has to do with our own inner identity 1st, girl clothes are just that, clothes that help us live in our female gender role.. I don't live my life this way just so I can wear womans clothes..those aren't so important to me, but do admit that long ago they used to be, because the only way I could feel better was when I was all dolled up, but over the years that has changed and later needed far more than what clothes could ever offer me...

:yt:

Hugs,

Melissa:)

[Brandi Wyne]

Enjoy being closer to your femme self and realize that you are a lovely person, HRT or not. I hope you find your happiness in life.

XXs,:)

[Stephenie S]

I am a male crossdresser who has really wanted to be a woman ever since I can remember in my early childhood. It is the primary drive for my love of crossdressing. I cannot define define myself as GID, but certainly have always been "GDD" (Gender Dissatisfaction Disorder), and have never been really comfortable as a man. Recently, (probably because I realize that I have lived well over half my life expectancy), I have wanted to make the transition much more than ever before. I have three questions to the forum regarding transition and SRS, as follows.
(1) Exactly what are the criteria to qualify one for HRT/SRS, and how difficult is it to convince the shrinks that you are really in need of same ?
(2) How does one find funding for the treatment and surgery ?
(3) Lastly, is 49 too old for it ?

1.) The first step is gender therapy. This can be with a psychiatrist, but is more usually with a therapist who speciallizes in gender issues. A Gender therapist.

With this therapist's help, you will explore your feelings and desires, and make a decision together about moving forward (or not). There is a bit of a difference between BEING a woman, and WANTING to be a woman. It's easy to understand the wanting part (doesn't everyone?), but KNOWING that you are a woman is something else again. You will have to discus this with your therapist.

When you both agree about moving forward, your therapist will write a letter of referral to an endocrinologist. The endocrinologist will write your scripts for hormone therapy, and moniter your health while on hormones through the proper blood tests. Hormone therapy is extrememly dangerous and you need to be monitered closely, at least in the beginning.

2.) You get the money the same way you get money for anything. You earn it. Or you inherit it, borrow it, sell something for it, or steal it. (No, don't steal it.)

Transition is expensive, but not unobtainable. It can be done for around $30,000 or so. Many people spend this much on a new car quite regularly. Going first class, you could easily spend $100,000. It wouldn't be hard at all.

3.) As someone already said, you are too old when you're dead. The sooner you begin, the better the outcome, up to a point. But many tranition in their 60s.

Hope this answers your questions.

Stephie

[giuseppina]

...
As for paying for it, all I can say is good luck if you don't live in Britain or Canada, you're really on your own.
Karen :g1:

Unfortunately, not all provinces cover SRS. It was delisted in Ontario about 1998 or so by a redneck, neoconservative government. It was relisted a few years ago, with recommendations for surgery controlled by Blanchard, Zucker, and their associates.

[Regulator]

thanks for the help

[Kaitlyn Michele]

Hi Michelle

Do you have any additional thoughts after reading some of the posts?

You said some interesting things in your OP..your experience seems very similar to many transitioned women that I know

trying to convince someone else to let you transition is not the issue...its whether this is right for you...

the question you'll have to answer is whether you are a woman or not....saying you want to be a woman is certainly a sign, as is not feeling comfortable as a male...but you are going to have to really consider what this means to you...if you don't have some real certainty on this, then you will likely find that a transition is very unsatisfying for you.

The reality of transition only becomes apparent after you start doing it, and to do it, you need to make significant commitments upfront (telling folks, HRT, work!). This could not be more serious and impactful to your quality of life.

Also, its never ever too late...i know women that transition well into their 60's ....i will say that they all wish they did it sooner.

[Melissa A.]

Unfortunately, not all provinces cover SRS. It was delisted in Ontario about 1998 or so by a redneck, neoconservative government. It was relisted a few years ago, with recommendations for surgery controlled by Blanchard, Zucker, and their associates.

Ha! With that bunch in charge, if there ever was a clear case of "be careful what you wish for"...

Hugs,

Melissa:)

[stacie]

See a therapist. A therapist who works with people who have gender issues is the best thing for you.

[luvSophia]

I cannot define define myself as GID, but certainly have always been "GDD" (Gender Dissatisfaction Disorder)...
I read that as a lack of self-acceptance. You are willing to consider yourself "disordered" but not the very disorder that the Standards of Care were written to treat?

[Beth-Lock]

Seems like GDD is a borderline case. As acceptance grows in society, I think we will be seeing more GDD cases. I suspect that the rules for such cases are not yet written.

As for age, the premier clinic in Thailand limits it to under 65. However, in Canada I have heard GRS being done several years after that.

Good luck whatever you and your therapist decide!

[Byanca]

but do admit that long ago they used to be, because the only way I could feel better was when I was all dolled up, but over the years that has changed and later needed far more than what clothes could ever offer me..

I suppose this is natural, as with most things. If one has only ever lived in the gutter, one might be fine with it. But if opportunities arise so you can find shelter, even a house. It seems only natural to do so. And the simple joys you found in the gutter might loose it's charm, compared to ball dance and royal dinners. That's like another world. Some are only Cinderella's sister

http://www.cartoondollemporium.com/disney/cinderella8.jpg

If not asked to the ball dance, one must try to find something nice in what there is.

That's how I think of this at least.