Sky's gender affirming surgery
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Hi, I'm Sky! I'm a 32-year-old trans woman based in Glasgow and I'm raising money to help fund a vaginoplasty (also known as bottom surgery).
While the NHS does provide vaginoplasties for trans women in theory, in order to be referred to a surgical unit multiple appointments with a GIC (Gender Identity Clinic) are required [1]. Unfortunately, my local GIC (Sandyford - serving Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the west of Scotland) is one of the worst in the country in terms of waiting list length. On Sandyford's website they state they are currently processing people who joined the list in November 2018 [2] and, sadly, have made no progress on this for the entirety of this year. I have been on the waiting list for the past two years and am therefore not expecting to be seen for an initial appointment until well into the next decade.
As a result, it is clear that Sandyford and the NHS are unable to provide trans people with the care we need and paying for treatment privately is our only option. Up until now, I have been funding my transition myself (HRT, private gender clinic appointments, IPL laser/electrolysis appointments etc), but a cost as large as surgery I'm simply not able to afford without outside help.
From my initial research, the cost of a vaginoplasty in the UK is usually in the region of £30,000 [3], of which I'm trying to fund-raise £12,500. There are cheaper alternatives available abroad, but at this time I'm not comfortable recovering from major surgery in a foreign hotel away from my support networks.
The effect of a vaginoplasty really would be life changing. My dysphoria regarding my genitals is quite severe and the procedure would signify a massive increase in my quality of life and general well-being.
Thank you so much for reading and any support (large or small) would be very much appreciated!
References
[2] https://www.sandyford.scot/sexual-health-services/gender-service-at-sandyford/gender-adult-service/
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Sky Starlight
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Scotland