Chelsey's Top Surgery Recovery

Hi!

If you're taking the time to read this, thank you!!! It’s one of the more vulnerable things I’ve ever typed out into the void.

I need Top Surgery! And a bit of support from my friends, family and community is necessary to make this a reality for myself!

I’ve spent the past 4 years trying to make this happen. Lack of in-network doctors, Gender dysphoria diagnosis, testosterone requirements, therapist letters, BMI requirements, changing insurance policies… broken legs and herniated disks…. pandemic quarantine… blah blah blah the list goes on.

I am Trans. Non-Binary. Queer. Gender-nonconforming. These are all terms that confuse others, scare some, but they’ve mostly just taught me about myself. I’ve opened myself up as fully as I can to this world , and I’m still Chel. But, far less lonely and a more comfortable understanding of myself.

It’s defeating to work on yourself enough to identify your needs and get yourself to a place of comfort just to be continually denied any direction or support when trying to access the health care needed. It’s difficult finding the right words. I’ve struggled to accept myself for all I am. I’m confident I need not explain the amount of doubt, discomfort, confusion and shame I’ve pushed myself through for over 15 years. I can’t change the last half of my life, but I can quickly identify the aching pain and discomfort in the pit of my stomach and deep in my chest anytime I look at or think about my; let's be honest- HUGE FUCKING T*TTIES. No one can deny it. It sucks!! I love moving my body, being competitive, participating in team sports, swimming, yoga, hiking and just movement in general. Rather than staying present, I am constantly flooded with anxiety and discomfort about my chest. Every. Single. Day. At some point, I stopped looking at myself in the mirror and eventually, I could disassociate from it quickly, but it always lingers back.

I want to move my body freely without the fear or shame of my chest getting in the way.

I found an amazing Doctor. Her name is Dr. Gallagher, and her practice is in Miami. She is knowledgeable and experienced and specializes in gender-affirming surgeries. She didn’t probe me about how I identify, question if it was the right choice for me or tell me to lose 30-50 pounds and call back in 3 months (which, YES, did happen in MO on more than one occasion). She asked casually for my pronouns, answered my questions in detail and explained the various types of surgeries results I could achieve. She affirmed that I am worthy of this surgery without question and without needing to lose weight. To be so validated and supported by a Doctor felt unfamiliar. Even after, I tried finding other options closer to home, only to be disappointed and burnt out.

I am ready to schedule this surgery and can do so as soon as mid-October. I’ve decided financing a loan is my only option to make this possible, and I have support from those closest to help me in my recovery. The most strenuous factor is obviously financial; Insurance will not cover this procedure. 8 weeks of recovery and no income during that time is hard to get ahead of and even harder to catch up from. Even more so because this will be the 3rd time ill be recovering from surgery in under 3 years.

I am fundraising to help combat those costs as well as the travel and 6 days to recover in Miami before heading back home. If you feel inclined and have the means to help financially, no matter how small, I will forever be grateful for your generosity. And if you don't have the means right now, I understand and love you!!!!; please share this with everyone you know! or reach out with comforting words, make me a playlist or maybe offer a meal during my recovery. No act is too small or under-appreciated.

Thank you for reading this :)

All my love, Chelsey

Estimated costs for transparency:

-$12,000 surgery center fee, surgeon fee, admin fees, anesthesia fee.

-$150 pathology fee -mailed after surgery

-$200 post-op medications and scar care

-$400-600 flights

-$2,400 for rent, utilities, and monthly bills for 6-8 weeks of recovery time - my job is physically laborious, and I can not realistically return until fully healed

-6 days for recovery in Airbnb/hotel