Lenny’s top surgery

Hello, my name is Lenny. I’m a transgender man (FTM). I have my top surgery coming up. Top surgery, also known as chest reconstruction surgery, is a gender-affirming procedure that reshapes the chest and nipples to create a more masculine appearance. Here is a little bit of my story.

When did I know I was trans?

This is a complicated question to answer, so I’ll do my best. I knew when I was in 3rd grade, but I just didn’t understand what trans was.

When I was in 3rd grade, I was also in therapy. Therapy was for family issues. Anyways, during school, I was being bullied for being a tomboy. So when I got to therapy that day, I was very upset. When my therapist asked me what was wrong, I explained the bullying. How the kids were making fun of me for dressing like a boy and being a tomboy. She asked me, “Do you wish you were a boy, or want to be a boy?” In my head, my thought was YES, but even in 3rd grade, I knew that the answer “should” be no. So that’s what I said. “No.” From that moment on, I always thought about how much easier it would be for me if I was born a boy. How I wouldn’t have been bullied just for what I wore or my interests. Moving on to high school, I came out as a lesbian. I still was bullied, but it felt closer to my true self. I still dressed in “boy” clothes and did “boy” things. I never minded being called sir, but always felt weird being called ma’am. Not knowing what transgender was, I just felt that ma’am was not me. So I went on with my life as a lesbian. Only a few people knew how depressed I was. How when I looked in the mirror, what I saw was not what I wanted to see. Soft, round, and curvy feminine features where I wanted more square and masculine features. Even getting in the shower and seeing my breasts would send me down dark thoughts. I eventually met my ex, and she helped me discover my true identity. That I am a transgender man. However, I was still in a bad depression. This led to a suicide attempt on 1/11/22. I was hospitalized, and from there I got a psychiatrist and therapist. After months of therapy, I started my hormone therapy in August of 2022. It was a slow process to come out to everyone, but I had support from friends, family, and colleagues. I have been on testosterone for over 2 years now.

This is the next step in my journey. My surgery is scheduled for December 6th. This is my 2nd GoFundMe, and I appreciate everyone who has already donated to my first fund. While my insurance is paying some of it, I still need some help with funds. All the money is going towards the surgery cost, aftercare, and putting my mom on a bus to come here to take care of me during my 2 weeks of recovery.

Even sharing this will help so much. All the love and support means the world to me. Thank y’all ❤️️‍⚧️