From the Ashes (FTM Top Surgery)
Donation protected
About Me
My name is Zak (originally born Shannon) Lockwood and I am a transgender man living in the suburbs of Chicago. I am a US Navy veteran that served for eight years and was fortunate enough to travel the world while helping to protect our great country and those who live here.
Ever since I was a child, I've always felt as though I didn't belong in the body that I was born into. Myself and my family always attributed my unwillingness to conform to female gender roles to a tomboyish nature, and for the majority of my early life, I allowed this train of throught and belief to continue. It wasn't until four years ago that I came to the sudden, yet completely unsurprising, realization that I was transgender.
Some of you may not understand what it means to be transgender, and almost all of you will not understand the long, difficult process that many FTMs (female-to-male) go through in order to align their body image to the gender that they identify with. I want to explain one part of this process so that you might better get to know me as a person, as well as provide information that I believe is important for many people to understand about transgender individuals.
The Process
For many FTMs that choose to undergo SRS (sex reallignment surgery), the first step is what is known as 'top surgery'. This is a process that removes breast tissue in order to give the appearance and contour of a masculine, flat chest. This can also include nipple reallignment to a more masculine position. There are two main types of top surgeries -- the peri-aereolar method which is used on individuals with small breasts, and the double incision with nipple grafts which is used for those with larger chests. The cost of these surgeries varies, but the average price is between $6,000 to $9,000 dollars.
My Goal
Because most insurance companies consider all transgender surgeries to be cosmetic, most do not cover the costs, leaving the individuals to pay out of pocket. Add to this how difficult it is for transgender individuals to find employment while transitioning and it ends up being a very daunting process saving enough to cover the cost of surgery.
I have spent the last few years saving and have heard back from the surgeon that I intend to have my surgery performed by -- the amazing Dr. Daniel Medalie of Cleveland Plastic Surgery. He has quoted the cost of a double incision mastectomy to be $6,809.
I have saved enough to cover half of the cost. My goal is to have enough to cover it by July, 2017, but I am still $3,500 shy of the roughly $7,000 that I need. This is where you have a chance to help.
Why Donate?
By donating to my cause, you will be helping me get to a point where I will finally be able to look at myself in the mirror and not feel anxious, awkward, and unhappy with my appearance. This is so much more than a cosmetic surgery.
Each and every day I find myself dreading to go out in public without binding my chest. Even after doing so, I am constantly anxious because I feel uncomfortable in my own body. It was a source of depression in my past and though I've learned to cope with the distressing feelings, I still feel uneasy in public. This has affected my professional life as well as my personal life. I always feel as though people are looking at me, judging me, criticising me because I do not appear masculine enough unless I am wearing baggy clothing or a hoodie that covers my chest. Please, understand that top surgery will not only make me a more confident person, but it will lead to a boost in my mental and emotional health as well.
Thank You!
Thank you so very much for reading this. I hope that it has helped you to understand how important these types of surgeries can be to transgender people and that it is not simply cosmetic. Even if you are unable to donate, please share my story. If you can donate, please know that you are helping to make a lifelong dream come true and I will be forever grateful for your generosity.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
My name is Zak (originally born Shannon) Lockwood and I am a transgender man living in the suburbs of Chicago. I am a US Navy veteran that served for eight years and was fortunate enough to travel the world while helping to protect our great country and those who live here.
Ever since I was a child, I've always felt as though I didn't belong in the body that I was born into. Myself and my family always attributed my unwillingness to conform to female gender roles to a tomboyish nature, and for the majority of my early life, I allowed this train of throught and belief to continue. It wasn't until four years ago that I came to the sudden, yet completely unsurprising, realization that I was transgender.
Some of you may not understand what it means to be transgender, and almost all of you will not understand the long, difficult process that many FTMs (female-to-male) go through in order to align their body image to the gender that they identify with. I want to explain one part of this process so that you might better get to know me as a person, as well as provide information that I believe is important for many people to understand about transgender individuals.
The Process
For many FTMs that choose to undergo SRS (sex reallignment surgery), the first step is what is known as 'top surgery'. This is a process that removes breast tissue in order to give the appearance and contour of a masculine, flat chest. This can also include nipple reallignment to a more masculine position. There are two main types of top surgeries -- the peri-aereolar method which is used on individuals with small breasts, and the double incision with nipple grafts which is used for those with larger chests. The cost of these surgeries varies, but the average price is between $6,000 to $9,000 dollars.
My Goal
Because most insurance companies consider all transgender surgeries to be cosmetic, most do not cover the costs, leaving the individuals to pay out of pocket. Add to this how difficult it is for transgender individuals to find employment while transitioning and it ends up being a very daunting process saving enough to cover the cost of surgery.
I have spent the last few years saving and have heard back from the surgeon that I intend to have my surgery performed by -- the amazing Dr. Daniel Medalie of Cleveland Plastic Surgery. He has quoted the cost of a double incision mastectomy to be $6,809.
I have saved enough to cover half of the cost. My goal is to have enough to cover it by July, 2017, but I am still $3,500 shy of the roughly $7,000 that I need. This is where you have a chance to help.
Why Donate?
By donating to my cause, you will be helping me get to a point where I will finally be able to look at myself in the mirror and not feel anxious, awkward, and unhappy with my appearance. This is so much more than a cosmetic surgery.
Each and every day I find myself dreading to go out in public without binding my chest. Even after doing so, I am constantly anxious because I feel uncomfortable in my own body. It was a source of depression in my past and though I've learned to cope with the distressing feelings, I still feel uneasy in public. This has affected my professional life as well as my personal life. I always feel as though people are looking at me, judging me, criticising me because I do not appear masculine enough unless I am wearing baggy clothing or a hoodie that covers my chest. Please, understand that top surgery will not only make me a more confident person, but it will lead to a boost in my mental and emotional health as well.
Thank You!
Thank you so very much for reading this. I hope that it has helped you to understand how important these types of surgeries can be to transgender people and that it is not simply cosmetic. Even if you are unable to donate, please share my story. If you can donate, please know that you are helping to make a lifelong dream come true and I will be forever grateful for your generosity.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Organizer
Zak Lockwood
Organizer
Tinley Park, IL