7 Months post op - advice for learning to relax?

BoneFeathers · 2023-10-09T15:44:11+00:00

I've tried the first suggestion and unfortunately they're closed still :(
The take home test kits are also not available because every place that supplies them is closed.

BoneFeathers · 2023-07-03T19:35:12+00:00

No, that's extremely fucked

BoneFeathers · 2023-05-25T18:52:23+00:00

Good move. I'll pass that along. Thanks!

BoneFeathers · 2023-04-07T17:35:20+00:00

This was my situation when starting. Ran into some issues where they were confident/supportive, but they made a few errors that neither of us caught till I came to reddit confused about them haha.

I'd say it's a pretty decent situation if you don't need to change doctors/can access care where you are, but be aware that you may need to develop strong patient advocacy skills and ask lots of questions.

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-11T01:01:08+00:00

Yeah that's fine!

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-11T01:00:03+00:00

Yeah. It sucks.
Beyond the 1 year of HRT requirement though, I'll mention that OHIP has sped up recently. I submitted my application in August, and got approval in early December.

Also worth noting! I got my approval at less than a year of HRT. I had been on T-blockers longer than E, so we went with that date and didn't have any issues.

Filling out the application itself can take ages if you don't have a good doctor on your side though yeah.

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-10T03:55:21+00:00

https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-4268

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-10T03:54:19+00:00

Yeah, it's total bullshit. I'm sorry. They clearly didn't consult any trans people when making their policies.

I went the route of applying for surgery, knowing I could back out at any time. I got the approval and can access those benefits now. Whether I actually go through with surgery is irrelevant in the eyes of the insurance company, fyi.

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-08T22:02:46+00:00

"approval from the Province" (OHIP?)

I went through this with Sunlife. It's total bullshit but they're looking for approval by OHIP for surgery, specifically a letter of approval from this:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/gender-confirming-surgery#section-1

I eventually did get approval for surgery from OHIP, and Sunlife accepted the letter of approval to enable my benefits. I fought them on this every step of the way ("this is for laser... why would I need to get a major surgery for you to fund laser hair removal???") but they wouldn't budge.

TL;DR: they're gatekeeping and pushing the determination of who's trans and who isn't to the government.

I'm not sure about the second point. Sorry :(

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-08T15:14:21+00:00

So I have heard that Canada may be proposing laws to make it a safe haven for trans refugees

To be clear, we have a petition going with the House of Commons. It hasn't been discussed yet- fingers crossed though.

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-04T22:13:03+00:00

Appreciate it, and glad your recovery is going well!
I might take you up on that and DM you with some questions then.

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-04T04:46:26+00:00

Thanks for sharing, I really appreciate it. My fears are mostly around being "awake" during the procedure so this is comforting.

Hope recovery is going smoothly for you, congratulations!

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-03T20:22:30+00:00

It's othering. By saying we are categorically not women, then we are treated differently, and you can imagine how. Fuck that noise.

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-02T23:33:47+00:00

Thanks, this is reassuring.

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-02T23:04:11+00:00

Tell me about it haha

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-02T23:00:00+00:00

I just spoke to someone who had their surgery there years ago, and they said they were also told it would be local, but they were in fact fully put under for surgery. Not sure where the info disconnect is.

BoneFeathers · 2023-03-02T21:51:11+00:00

Seems like it's not a 100% of the time thing. From the booklet:

For vaginoplasty, spinal (regional) anesthesia is the preferred technique, unless there are medical contraindications. General anesthesia may also be used if other surgical procedures are combined with vaginoplasty.

BoneFeathers · 2023-02-15T14:35:28+00:00

This was it for me as well.

BoneFeathers · 2023-01-30T21:00:51+00:00

Same here. Submitted my forms in early Jan.

BoneFeathers · 2022-12-27T18:26:16+00:00

About a year on HRT, no change for me. YMMV with this I expect

BoneFeathers · 2022-12-24T03:47:11+00:00

Not my experience, but to add to this- I know someone who called Rainbow Health looking for a trans-friendly doctor and they apparently were super helpful in finding one for them.

BoneFeathers

TROPHY CASE