What's the average cost of it all?

[CorsetAngel]

Ok, I'm just curious about so many details of transsexualism, that I do NOT mean to over step any bounds, or offend anyone. I recently asked in this sub-forum about how one goes about getting SRS done. I understand that you must see a psychologist and get a consenting letter from them, saying one is qualified to change their sexual gender. But my question here is, how much is the average cost for a person to change their gender? Where/ who pays for it all? I realize some companies provided insurance may cover some/or maybe even all of the expense, but lets face facts here. Medical issues (regardless of severity) are astronomical in cost.

If I understand right, for most people undergoing sex change operations, there is multiple different elective procedures, they may take. There's: Sex re-assignment surgery, Hormonal therapy, facial re-construction, breast augmentation, female vocalization, etc..... (I don't really know what all different procedures, that typically are undertaken, but just tried to name a few I'm aware of here.)

I ask, because of several different reasons. 1) Being I'm aware that medical procedures are expensive, especially any kind of elective or cosmetic ones. 2) I recently heard a story in the local news, of a M2F transsexual, who spent well over $90,000.00 on her transformation. The news was unfortunately, very critical and even just down right derogatory towards her. They posted her picture, (which I must add, she looked amazing. You could not tell that she was ever a man at one point). and proceeded to ridicule her. Their stance was that she looked so much like a Genetic Girl, that they afraid a heterosexual male, would ask her out, sleep with her, and therefore unintentionally be involved in a homosexual act, since she was a Genetic male first. This is the absolute epitome of homophobia. It's sad really that the news, would cover such a horrible story, instead of take the opportunity to educate and inform about transsexualism in general. They (the news) presented a story, that there are people out there, who are willing to spends Tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, to purposely and willfully be deceitful to the rest of general society, as to who they really are.

Please, don't hold me accountable for stating the opinions of this particular news media. These views by NO means, reflect my own personal opinion.

3) and lastly, I ask this question, because I myself am still trying to figure out who I am. So yes, I do have a personal interest in this. At present, I am not in any finical means to see a psychologist or any other medical personnel for that matter. (I mean that. I can't even afford to go to the eye doctor to get new contact lens right now.) I so badly want to, and need to, for a multitude of other reasons alone, besides my gender Identity.

Again, I do not mean to be offensive, and I apologies to anyone, that I may have offended. I keep stating that, because I know the sensitivity of these issues some people may/ may not have towards them.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

the kind of trans/homophobia you saw is very insidious and common... we are very marginalized because of it...

only by one on one personal interactions can we actually convince people that we are just like everybody else...it stinks

the costs of surgeries vary by alot because there are inexpensive and expensive places to get things done...also you need to count electrolysis...

it can easily cost over $100,000... insurance can sometimes cover therapy and its starting to cover genital surgeries...

[Kathryn Martin]

My cost including new wardrobe (I never crossdressed prior to transition) hair removal and surgery was about $32,000.00. I was lucky because I needed neither breast augmentation or facial feminization.

[ReneeT]

I am mid-transition and my out-of-pocket costs to date are:

Therapy for my wife, daughter, and me: $5000
Electrolysis (180 hrs so far): $13,000
Meds (prior to insurance coverage):$1000
Misc medical: $500
Wardrobe: $7500

So I am at $22,000 and haven't had any surgery yet. My ffs quote is $35000, bringing my cost to $57000. I probably have another 100 hrs of electro to go, so add another $10000. $67000. Fortunately GRS is covered on my health plan.

So how much does gender transition cost? A LOT!!!

But I'm worth it!

Also consider this: If I invested that $67,000 until retirement at a 7% annual return, it would be worth $270,000!

[Badtranny]

Also consider this: If I invested that $67,000 until retirement at a 7% annual return, it would be worth $270,000!

Oh poo, who wants to retire a crotchety old man anyway?

I'd rather be a broke ass old biddy any day!

[EnglishRose]

You CAN do some things cheaper. Your Mileage May Vary of course. That said, Groupons have covered my laser thus far, insurance covers my doctors visits and generic prescriptions programs have cheapened the hormones greatly.

However for me there will be a five figure GRS cost to cover at some point, and god knows how much I spent on my wardrobe. :)

[SuzanneBender]

Wow that story was on the news!!! That is a shame. Just when you think we take two steps forward Bubba the intolerant (Yes Bubba can be an educated new person) and knocks us back three.

The cost can be enormous. Significant factors come into play. Insurance is a big one. Some will cover therapy, hormones and even GRS. Renee we need the name of your insurance company. Where you have your surgeries done will also make a big difference. Plastic surgeons range significantly in price and the country in which you have the procedure is also an enormous factor. Surgeries in Thailand can be one third to one half less. How far you need to go is the biggest factor.
Remember surgery is not the end it is only a means to the end of treating disphoria by aligning the body with the mind. Some folks only need hormones to achieve balance. Some only need facial reconstruction and a breast augmentation or removal. Some need to go all the way to feel right. It all depends upon the person.

Money is important with transition but it is not a factor that should determine the path you choose. I know ladies and men that are on the path to transition that literally scrimp every penny they can out of their budget and work two or three jobs to get there.

[noeleena]

Hi,

My costs were $ 16,000 in 07 may june . & i paid for my surgerys, that were needed, & if you can fly to Thailand then your costs to day will be S R S , $ 10,000 to 12,000,

B A $ 4,000, FFS about $ 6,000,

At

Phuket Plastic Surgery

Thailand under Sanguan , one lovely man.....& check our Tesimonials,

Accom & food 1 / 3 rd of or 33 c in the $,close as, cheap as,

...noeleena...

[josee]

Oh poo, who wants to retire a crotchety old man anyway?

I'd rather be a broke ass old biddy any day!

Amen Sister. I'd be really crotchety too, wishing I had taken the plunge I am about to. There are ways to get things done cheaper I got 6 lazer sessions for $99 from Groupon. A friend of mine had SRS and in Pennsylvania for under 30K. She was so proud she had to show me!

[EnglishRose]

She was so proud she had to show me!

I hope she asked first. Note to post-ops, make sure first!!

Mine will be in Thailand whenever that is - my parents have already committed to looking after our kids while my spouse and I are away :)

[Inna]

The highest cost I have paid was my entire old life! and it took nearly everything......guess what...........not an iota of regret !!!!

[Beth-Lock]

Paid the surgeons, hospital and convalescent residence in Montreal CAN$ 18,000 this summer, for SRS/GRS. There have been many other expenses over the five or so years of transition, many paid by Canadian medicare. Then there are the costs taken 'out of your hide,' for you will go through an awful lot.

[Stephenie S]

A realistic answer can be anywhere from $30,000 US to over $100,000 US. How much do you need to spend? What do you need to have done? Where do you want it done? Who do yo want to do it?

How much does a car cost? Anywhere from $500 to several hundred thousand dollars.

How much does a house cost?

How much does a television cost?

The good news is that transition takes time and you can spread the cost over years. Some people save up, some people charge it. But transition is expensive no matter how you do it.

S

PS: I thought Inna's comment about the greatest cost being the entire loss of your previous life to be quite insightful.

S

[CharleneT]

The scary/truthful answer is this: how much do you have because you're going to be using most of it - maybe all.

[Jorja]

The scary/truthful answer is this: how much do you have because you're going to be using most of it - maybe all.

I think at last total I had somewhere around $80,000 invested. This was not all at once mind you. That is over a 20 year period. It is like a house or car that you really like. You make improvments. Do a little here then a little there.

[Nigella]

For those of us who HAVE to take the road, the cost is immaterial, compared to paying the ultimate price, which many before us have done :(

[ReneeT]

For those of us who HAVE to take the road, the cost is immaterial, compared to paying the ultimate price, which many before us have done :(

If the cost was immaterial we would't be talking about. It is a very material issue for almost all who travel this road. I agree, though, that it is the lesser of two evils

[StephanieC]

I like Stephenie S and Jorja's comparisons to a house or car: very apt when you consider "depreciation". :)

I'm not much of a car nut: to me, a car is a car...but these are still tens of thousands of dollars. And a house is the place memories are made, you don't value the house per se. But transition costs ARE your life, they ARE your memories and your very life. So for me, it's a no brainer: I'm investing in my life. Of course, spreading the costs over time is much easier if you can be patient. (And this is even better if you start young. But sadly, I think this is often not the case)

-stephani

[Babeba]

Quick rant here, since I cannot tell you anything about transition costs:

That attitude of OUTRAGE over TS women who look fabulous pisses the hell out of me. OOooh, $90,000! How DARE anyone spend that much money on 'hiding who they really are'?

How about the fact that a good chunk of the ignorant rednecks (to differentiate them from the responsible rednecks, and the rednecked hippies out there!) a good chunk of them have paid $150,000 on fifth-wheel trailers so they can hide the fact they're afraid of being properly outdoors!? They say they love camping, and nature, and so what do they do?? Pull their ridiculous apartments-on-wheels out to wild places where they can drag those heavy behemoths through previously undisturbed meadows (or ridiculously packed-tight-like-sardines campsites, or - my favourite - the parking lot of some distant Wal-Mart) and then proceed to sit inside their trailer the whole weekend?

IMHO, the people who are outraged over someone spending THEIR OWN MONEY (or, well, credit that they will totally pay off somehow someday) ON THEMSELVES... they're nutcases.

[Raquel June]

Where did you see that story? A Cinci TV station? It wasn't the Enquirer, was it?

I've heard of people getting SRS in Thailand for $5,000 including airfare. And I guess you could just about leave it at that.

But you could pay up to $20,000 for 200+ hours of electrolysis.
You could pay up to $10,000 for breast augumentation.
Meltzer in Scottsdale charges $24,000 for SRS.
You could pay over $40,000+ for FFS.
Obviously getting a decent wardrobe can be expensive.

But, I think a lot of full-time people consider themselves transitioned without SRS. And some are non-op and never plan to.

So, you could easily spend basically any amount from almost nothing to over $100,000.

Personally, I was pretty happy going full-time at a time when I'd only spent about $800 on laser and $500 on hormones and possibly only about $1,200 on clothes and makeup.

I have a friend who spent $43,000 just going to Dr. O in SF and getting a nose job, trach shave, jaw reduction, something with her chin, scalp advance, and a little procedure on her upper lip. And she still needs SRS and electrolysis. Supporn charges $17,500 I think, and Brassard is Montreal is a little more. By the time you consider travel expenses, you're going to have to go with a questionable SRS doctor to get it for much under $20,000.

[CorsetAngel]

I heard the news story on a local radio station, and they had pictures on their website.

As for the extra cost of a new wardrobe, I don't really consider that in the cost of transition. Although I can see how some could, but to me, your going to buy new clothes sooner or later, no mater what gender you are. I mainly wanted an idea of how much all the medical procedures would cost. Just a ball park figure. For me, I would prefer (If I went through transition) to stay here in the states for all of my medical procedures. I'm sure that they do a perfectly fine job in other countries like in the Far East, but its just a comfort thing for me, to have medical practices done in the states. I've been over seas before, and visited a hospital in a rural remote village in the middle of a jungle, in central India. Not at all the kind of place I would want to be cut open in, or even given some pills to swallow for that fact. Yes, I know, that not all medical places are like that, but one was enough for me. This place had: Bats hanging from the windows, dirt floors (as so to soak up blood, is what I was told), floors covered with used hypodermic syringes/ needles, Monkey dung in the corners of rooms and on the walls, and best of all.... Live King Cobras slithering around the hospital grounds. Every night, a crew of men would have to walk around the hospital grounds, beating the ground with wooden staffs, to create vibrations to scare off the snakes, so they wouldn't come into the buildings and nest. Creepy stuff, and India is considered a modern country.

Anyways, I asked the question, because I'm just curious about it all. I don't understand how some young people can afford it. Heck, I can barely afford to buy gas for my car to get myself to and fro work, school and home. But then again, I drive WAY to much, commuting to all of those places.

[ChelseaErtel]

I think the cost quoted is pretty close based on my research. I have not transitioned yet, but have a good idea based on my research.

So, it's expensive. I plan to start on FFS and facial electrolysis or laser. I have a pretty feminine face, oval, round chin, good cheek bones so FFS will be fairly minor - I think. The face is what if I think is seen after the overall look (male or female attire) so that is why I'm going there first.

After that, I already have an A cup, so HRT will hopefully provide enough. All my family are D or DD, so I may be lucky, no breast augmentation. So the cost will vary wildly.

As for the media, I think that TG/TS is he new civil rights now a days. Of course, we can look for logic in society, most health insurance doesn't cover dental, and that makes not sense. Why not dental, it's attached to our body, it can lead to death if not taken care of so really, dental is not covered? Give me a break.

I would love for these surgeries to be covered. But I don't expect to see this change in my lifetime. Prejudice will continue to exist for long after I'm gong. Anyway, good luck to you and I hope you can find happiness.

[Raquel June]

I heard the news story on a local radio station, and they had pictures on their website.

That actually makes me feel a lot better. People on the radio are pretty much always obnoxious, and they do nothing but "preach to the choir." The only people who take them seriously are the people who are just like them, which is still annoying because it stirs them up and makes them more hateful, but nobody else really takes these people seriously. We all know the number of ultra right-wing people on the radio who are totally hateful and say all kinds of completely absurd things that would make Bill O'Reiley look like a genuinely sweet guy. You said "local radio station," so apparently you're not talking about some Glenn Beck type. But still, these radio people are just trying to be aggressive and edgy and they like to be offensive and fill people with fear and anger.

Anyway...

Nobody is making you go to India.

You have to realize that India and China are enormous places where some parts are very 3rd-world and some parts are very modern cities. And those are not places that people go for any kind of surgery.

And certainly going anywhere for discount surgery is a horrible idea. I hear commercials for discounts on Lasik eye surgery on the radio sometimes and I think, "OMG! Does anybody really wanna shop around for the best deal on firing a laser into their eyes? Don't you just want the best?" And SRS should be the same type of decision. You certainly don't want to have to go back and get it fixed if you don't like the results. Better to pay more up-front and get the best surgeon you can.

But most people that go overseas go to Thailand. Yes, there are questionable places to go in Thailand. But a lot of people go to see Suporn, who has a ton of experience and costs the same as Brassard in Montreal and McGinn in eastern PA.

Meltzer in Phoenix and Bowers in San Francisco are going to cost you more, and I think most people are going to say they're the best, but that's definitely up for debate. I do know several people who went to Meltzer in Scottsdale, and they say the whole post-surgery experience was great and probably better than they would've gotten anywhere else and recuperation took less time.

Of course, Thailand also has horrible air quality, there will be a language barrier with a lot of the secondary staff, and if you walk around the town outside the hospital you have to worry about getting pick-pocketed. And they say better surgeons take less time, but the speed at which guys in Thailand do surgery and the number of patients they see is pretty excessive. But there's certainly nothing wrong with going to Suporn. He is also a trauma surgeon, so your chances of a freak accident with horrible complications are actually lower. There's always the chance that the surgeon might nick an artery, and Suporn has a lot more experience dealing with that than the others. And, from what I've heard, his results look much better than most because he hides the scars in the crease of your leg.

Suporns technique actually is probably the best, gives very natural results, gives the most depth, and hides the scars. The downside is that it's more invasive, full recovery can take significantly longer (about a year), and you have to spend more time every day dilating and it is more painful. And lets be honest, these guys in Thailand that see more than twice the number of patients just aren't taking the time/care that western surgeons do.

I think Brassard trained under Suporn? And hides the incisions in the creases? But doesn't do the full Suporn technique. Or maybe I'm think Saran in Thailand trained under Suporn and uses the same technique but is cheaper and still good? Or was it Chettawut? Could someone let me know?