In Style Radio

So I’m sure there are some transgenders out there who have had a there fair share of this. I’m wanting to know, with out insurance for the surgeries, how much is it for:

1.) SRS
2.) Facial Feminization Surgery
3.) Tummy tuck? (I’m average for a male, but not for a female)
4.) last but not least, possible breast augmentation

I know these prices differ surgeon to surgeon as well as personal experiences, but a generalization would be nice.
Thanks Lois Griffin for the link, according to the link SRS runs about $12-18US, but as stated there appears to be a lot of ways around that.
$12-18K-US*
I call myself male and go by Mr.B because family members who I have yet to come out to (who call me Mr.B) have this email, but good question.

I actually have very good insurance that pays for all therapy, speech, doctors visits, and most everything but detail and vision (witch I choose to use another provider).

My brother thankfully is a lawyer, so that covers some legal cost (Texas is very picky about getting a name change, and and changing Birth Certificate, and wants detailed documentation of the surgery along with the letters from your therapist i believe)

First of all it is NOT cosmetic surgery. The following paragraph is from ther Benjamin Standards of Care, please read it carefully!

"Sex Reassignment is Effective and Medically Indicated in Severe GID. In persons diagnosed with transsexualism or profound GID, sex reassignment surgery, along with hormone therapy and real-life experience, is a treatment that has proven to be effective. Such a therapeutic regimen, when prescribed or recommended by qualified practitioners, is medically indicated and medically necessary. Sex reassignment is not "experimental," "investigational," "elective," "cosmetic," or optional in any meaningful sense. It constitutes very effective and appropriate treatment for transsexualism or profound GID."

Clear enough?

1. SRS. Depends on the doctor you see and where. North American surgeons run $16-26K. Thai surgeons roughly half that. My surgery was a couple years ago and Dr Bowers fee was $17,500 at the time.

http://www.MarciBowers.com

2. FFS. Not only does it depends on who you see, but what you need. Not everyone gets the same procedures done. In general FFS can run $20-40K. Mine with Dr Ousterhout was about 36K.

3. Tummy tuck: Have no idea, I’ve never had a the need for one.

4. BAS (Breast augmentation surgery). Again it varies depending on who you see, where you have it done and the type of implant used. Dr Bowers did mine at the same time as I had my SRS and the fee was $5500 I believe.

Very, very few insurance companies cover our care. It’s called discrimination. The AMA passed Resolution 122 last year calling on the insurance industry to do away with it’s exclusions regarding our treatment and to start covering us.

Lastly, your list only covers surgery. There are many other costs involved with transition.

Facial hair removal. Electrolysis runs $55-70/hr and most require between 150 and 300 hours worth. Laser is a little cheaper, but isn’t usually 100% effective, you usually need some electro to finish up.

Therapy. A good gender therapist runs $100-150/hr.

Wardrobe.

Legal costs. Name change, driver’s license, birth certificate etc.

Voice. It takes thousands of hour of practice to re-train your voice. Although it’s usually free, some people have to resort to hiring a speech therapist.

HRT and endocrinologists both cost money. HRT doesn’t have to be expensive, you just have to shop around. Doctors visits and lab work are expensive and usually not covered by insurance.

In addition there are many hidden costs of transition:

Spouse divorces you. You may never see your children again.

Family and friends desert you.

Employers commonly fire you when you come out.

Housing discrimination.

Churches may expel/excommunicate you.

And more.

That’s a general list of costs.

Desirex: You are wrong. SRS is paid for by several provinces in Canada and will eventually be covered by all.

edit: If you’re a transsexual woman….. why do you call yourself male and why is your screen name "Mr. B"?

According to this question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ag_bTaQUIMutgv3H533BJ9Xsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090625110743AAd40SM

You’re 16 and possibly self-medicating. Unless your parents are supportive none of this treatment can begin until you’re 18. And, as those folks who answered that question warned, self-medicating is dangerous.

edit: If your brother the lawyer needs help contact:

http://www.transgenderlegal.com/

Phyllis is VERY experienced in handling our needs in Texas.

Desirex: SRS is NOT cosmetic. Read the paragraph above from the Standards of Care. Also Ontario has moved to re-list SRS as a covered procedure. The problem for trans folks is it’s through CAMH (formerly known as the Clark).