Hello dear friends!
I have finally been able to re-book my gender-affirming chest surgery for this coming July 11th! I am SO excited after having to cancel my original date back in February due to not being able to get enough time off of work.
Unfortunately, while the base procedure itself is approved by my insurance (the mastectomy), the additional reconstructive contouring procedure to make it all look and feel cohesive is not. In short, I need to come up $6500 for that procedure to keep my new surgery date. Having this procedure without contouring would still be a major improvement over having no procedure at all, but there would be loose skin left under and behind my arms, which could complicate healing, as well as increasing the likelihood of mis-shapen parts of my chest or upper sides/back. So while this contouring procedure is not exactly required, it would make this gender-affirming surgery a heck of a lot more affirming for me and speed up my recovery to be able to have it done.
The cost for the surgery is $6500, and the additional $1000 we are requesting is for lodging/expenses for 2 nights of initial recovery before having to travel 5 hours back home.
I despise asking for help and especially hate asking for help with anything financial, but this is where we find ourselves. As some close friends know, my amazing wife had her work hours cut nearly in half, and has since gone back to school full time as well as started a non-profit that she is trying to get off the ground. I love my work as a high school educator with my whole heart, but nobody goes into the public school system for the pay.
While I hate asking, I can’t do this without help. This is a terrifying time to be a non cis-gender person, let alone one trying to have gender-affirming surgery while traveling out of state to do so. I would be so very grateful for any help offered, even if it’s just sharing. Every bit helps.
Thank you so much for your time, love, and support!
