u/ReliablyConfused

I've been having this same debate... Considered going Thailand instead but it's weighing up all the cons of travel, money etc for having something where you might get a better result? Is it worth it? Not sure yet. 😅

I'm starting to think Tina Rashid might be a good one but need to see more range of results, the best results look stunning, but there are some I'm not sure about, but I could say the same for most surgeons I've looked at.

I think the thing that is swaying me is aftercare, I can actually get aftercare in the UK with Tina rather than having to send photos or go halfway across the world for a revision. Just seems too risky.

And biggest one atm for me is money: I would love a vagina but I feel out of principle I don't want pay a bucket load for something I should have been born with. 😂 - Maybe could use that money on starting a business/house and other things which will help me feel more comfortable with my life. If the UK does good results (and I haven't had any orchis or anything and don't seem to have much atrophy) then I'm becoming increasingly tempted that doing something here on the NHS could actually work well enough.

I've asked about fertility preservation on the NHS before taking HRT and have been told numerous times 'no', gave up and went private.. They just won't do it for trans peeps. The private cost is essentially like paying a phone contract every month. If you want to keep your options though it's defo worth doing- i don't know if I want kids yet, but didn't want to risk missing the chance if it felt right.

If you ever want to use that material to have kids though, prepare for the fact you and your partner will have to pay a bunch to have IVF later.

Update: I sent an email to the GIC today saying I want to be put on their surgical list after putting it off before. 😬😬😬😬 Bit of a shot in the dark as I want to know more about it... But exciting.

As in premeditating assaulting a transphobe bigot?? No, as all that would happen is it would get weaponized against you and the rest of our trans community.

If defending yourself though 100%, if someone is getting in my face spouting shit directly at me/getting violent then I'm not just going to stand there and take it-

I mean this is obviously fake when Marvel are notorious for not locking down the story until 90% through filming - that's if they don't end up doing more reshoots.

This plot 'leak' has about as much substance as Tesco value sliced ham.

Thanks :) You have confirmed my thinking, that it might be different with the privately run clinics, I will defo ask ahead though. Just can't bear the thought of not having some privacy after something like that... I'd want to curl up into a ball. 🫠

Thank you! You have a great result! 💖

Oh my word, that's an amazing result! 💖 Cool to see it 4 years on fully healed! I guess my first question is what was the consultation like? Do you have much say or input into the results or preferences on depth/appearance/sensation etc?

Congrats!! Skimming through this sub Reddit scares me slightly but fills me with so much hope that getting this done could be worth it. I hope the rest of your recovery goes well! 💖

Did you get this willingly or did you happen to have a strange uncontrollable itch to ink this upon yourself?

I've been putting it off for like 4 years at this point... Even asked the NHS Gender clinic meeting in the UK when they asked me about surgery if I can get back to them later? 😅 I'm just so indecisive with it.... I do think the dysphoria with tucking and not being able to feel comfortable in a mirror still is pushing me towards it though.

That's awesome! I'm so jealous haha 😂😅 Tbf I've always had thoughts of having the right parts since young and it's never really gone away. I'm in my 30s now though so I have put it off for a long while, I do think my current relationship situation is sort of scaring me off it though, I think if I was single right now it would be a much easier thing to just go and do.

Unless there were any major complications are or anything I dont think I would regret getting it done, I think I just second guess it a lot because there are occasional nice things... But I don't think that one pro worth more than fixing my body dysphoria about 80%

I wouldn't let current world things get in the way of getting what you need to make you happy in the now. As much as there is an anti trans sentiment that is reaching into medicine, for the most part hormone treatment shouldn't be affected. - There's a lot of scaremongering out there designed to get trans peeps to feel this way, don't ever let it stop you from getting the help you need.

Imo if you want estrogen try your best to get it legally, if anything happens down the line with law changes/medication getting taken away prepare yourself by doing some reading into backup options. I think that's probably the safest route as if anything does happen (which it might not) then you are prepared and you can defiantly continue living your best life.

This has been my experience after jumping between a few GPs. Most of the time it's not the doctor's in the surgery, it's a practise policy - normally forced upon them by the ICBs - According to some recent conversations I've had it's do with some kind of legal issue between the NHS and the suppliers of medication? I'm not sure how much truth there is to that and I prob need to dig into it more, but apparently its affecting shared care of many things: ADHD meds etc etc. Unfortunately for us trans folk we are bottom of the barrel in terms of priorities for these sorts of issues to get resolved. :(

I would keep trying all the different GPs in your area tbh, ping an email to all of them asking about their shared care policy and if any seem willing, give them a try. - Some have policies or doctors that will be more lenient. - Also you could try saying if you don't get your monitoring, then you would be forced into a position where you might need to self medicate in an unsafe way because they refuse to do the tests required etc etc... I did this literally yesterday, sent a pretty strongly worded letter to my GP, cited a bunch of guidance from the General Medical Council saying that GPs can and should offer bridging for hormone treatment etc etc. After MONTHS he finally said 'You're right, I'll get you a bridge' - just until my GIC gets back about my usual repeat.

Not sure however about the success of that if you are currently private though

This is incredibly useful thank you! I'll have a bit of a deeper look into it. - Might need to get over my mild fear of needles but should be manageable. - Just watched a couple of injection guides and it doesn't look too bad.

Is Estradiol enanthate the best one then?

Thanks for the heads up, I've not heard of those other meds. ^.^ Just trying to edit the post title now :) Honestly that sounds way better tbh if it's enough just to tide me over, I was always led to believe you needed the blocker - and the patches are a sensory nightmare - I hate how much they stick to my skin! If the injections are easy to administer I might consider that- that's enough to suppress all the testosterone??

Sorry, I mean decapeptyl (triptorelin) :)

Check my post history, I think there is enough growing evidence of current bureaucracy in the NHS making it harder for trans people to get their medication as GPs won't work with the NHS Gender Clinics. - It's optional, so they never had to, but more and more GPs/ICBs are just flat out refusing - This isn't something I've encountered before now really and now it seems quite a few people are running into similar problems.

So TLDR Slowly and subtly, they will be coming for our meds unless we put pressure on them.

Raising it with the MP might help put pressure on the ICBs to give the lack of shared care some weight... Obviously it's a long shot, and I guess depends on whether your MP will actually be sympathetic, but maybe a potential last resort if you are getting zero traction. - I'm guessing if the GIC is encouraging me to do that then it's a fairly common issue they are aware is beyond their control and they could do with more awareness of the lack of coordination between them and GPs.

Tbh I might do the same if I don't get my bridging prescription before my GP hears back from the GIC again (another month or so wait) - But my local MP is a Labour former doctor, so that could go either way...

I emailed my GIC (Notts) about it and they sent me a lengthy email giving advice, asking me to reach out to the ICB and my local MP to put pressure on the GP. They also sent them a very fucking blunt email saying it's their responsibility to prescribe and that they are letting down the care of their patient. 😅😂

It is a shame though the GICs can't really do much more than wag their finger if they feel the need though- it would be nice if they can prescribe directly in the event the GP says no.

A receptionist at the GP the other day mentioned something similar to me when I went there with my issues with getting care, she was sympathetic but suggested it was something that is a broad issue. Mentioned that it's the same with ADHD meds and GPs are starting to be over cautious.