Surgery

[Janelle_C]

It's been awhile since I've been around, this is such a wonderful source for support and advice.
I'm been going through a lot of up and downs, I'm just very fortunate that I have a lot more up than downs.
I just got my surgery date a couple of weeks ago. I'm very happy about finally getting a date, but the date is a year away. Six months ago when I got the approval for my consultation they told me my date would be nine months to a year. So this adds six more months to what I thought it would be. And yes I know at least I have a date. But waiting is so hard.
You work so hard in therapy, you jump through all of their hops. Then it's hurry up and wait. I want my birth defect gone so bad.
I wake up each morning and get to be me, and that is such a wonderful thing. I take a shower and marvel over all the changes in my body, then I see my birth defect and my heart drops. The further I go on this journey the harder it is to wait.
How do you stay positive when you have to wait so long. I also have to fight for the other services that I need for my health provider. I love my life but sometimes it's just so much!
Janelle

[arbon]

Well, welcome to the waiting club I think there are at least 5 other women on this board who have their dates set and are ticking down the days.
Who are you going to have do it?

I have been struggling with this waiting too (8 months to go), but am still trying to earn and save enough to pay for it which is keeping me busy and not allowing me to much time to drive myself to crazy thinking about it.

I just have to keep reminding myself that the day is coming and to be patient. I'm not very good at that right now!

[Angela Campbell]

The wait is dependent on what Dr you choose. If you want one with a long wait list then there you go. There are several alternatives that are much quicker, Thailand for instance. They told me I could get a date within a month or so.

As it is I have a date for April 6. Add me to the list for this year lol.

[arbon]

omg Angela, that is awesome!

with Janelle and you that makes seven. I'm all excited that there are so many of us moving forward, its really great.

[Janelle_C]

I'm Very lucky in California the department of managed health care has told the insurance companies that they have to cover the surgery. My health care provider has one surgeon that they use out of Arizona. So if I go somewhere else I have to pay for it my self.

[emma5410]

Congratulations Angela. I chose Thailand and I am having my op next Tuesday.

[I Am Paula]

Janelle, I know it's hard, but the time will fly now that you have a date.
Angela- You didn't tell me. Congrats.

[Lorileah]

I went in today with the plan of just getting on the list and waiting for 18 months. A year isn't bad. I know people who have had to wait longer and some who never even got the surgery because of money or scheduling or whatever.

[FurPus63]

Come on girl! You should be celebrating! I wish I had a date. I'm just now getting my letters from my therapist and praying to God my insurance here in Michigan will cover it. Keeping fingers crossed. I've heard this doctor (name to be revealed once I'm actually accepted as a patient) knows how to get insurance to pay for it. All of us are "lucky" we live in a time when more and more insurance companies are being forced to cover this for us so we can have it done. Imagine the waiting some transsexuals have gone through while they saved $$ to pay cash for their surgeries. That took years/decades I'm sure. So we who have to wait even a year are not going through half the suffering those girls did.

Once I get a date, whether it's six months, a year or whatever it is....you can believe me; I'll be screaming with joy, excited as hell, and counting the days! Get out a calendar and start "x-ing" off the days one day at a time. Before you know it, you'll have a calender full of X's that will show you the progress and how time has flown by. Last year at this time I can remember sitting around freezing (like I am again this year) and dreaming of the day when I would be this close. That year is over and now if I had just one more to go....OMG! That would be great! Better than the 5 to 10 years it would take to save $$ with a low paying job.

Be grateful you have a date my friend. I know I'm excited for you!!! Congrats!!!

Paulette

[Janelle_C]

Thanks, I'm very grateful for having a date. But not to nit pick it will be 18 months from the time I got my approval.
When I decide to transition insurance was not paying for it. So I'm grateful not to have to figure out how I'm going to pay for it. My insurance went from getting 3 request a month to well over thirty, thus the wait.
All I'm saying for me it's very hard to wait where I am on my journey, and some times it feels just to much.

[PretzelGirl]

I think for surgery, there are always stressors for us. Wait time, money, support structure, and possibly it is the point where a spouse draws the line. Oh, and money. Even with insurance, there are costs. But the result will be more than affirming, so it is the trade-off we make. Congrats!

[angpai30]

I probably will not be able to afford the surgery unless somehow it is implemented into the health care system somehow. I understand how you feel and sometimes I feel like chopping it off myself, but that is a stupid move and life threatening. So, what I do is just forget that I have it and don't focus on it. I just focus on being me and everything else has started falling in place. When you worry about something to much it starts to become your life and then you start getting depressed over that one thing that doesn't match. I have learned to enjoy my life even with my birth defect because of the amount of time that I have spent talking to friends and family about how I feel. I have had many cry sessions and many happy sessions. I'm content because I want to be happy and not miserable and thinking about my birth defect only takes me to a dark and sad place. I can't afford to go there because if I do I will end up taking my kids with me and that is no life that I want for my kids or myself. You are stronger than what you think you are because you are trans.

[MarieTS]

Emma-- CONGRATS! I have also begun the process for Thaisland. Are you going to Dr. Chattawat or the Supborn Clinic by any chance? I am excited for you and will definitely want to pick your brain on your experiences and recommendations once you recover. Hugs and travel safely.

[emma5410]

Thanks Marie. I am going to Dr Sanguan Kunaporn. Feel free to ask any questions. I am not sure if it is okay to link to other forums but this has a lot of Cheetawut and Suporn patients.
http://www.susans.org/forums/index.p...rf66m6rht1sfv6

[Eringirl]

Congrats Emma and Angela, and all others with dates now locked in !! Yippee.... So happy for you all...