Help Aphrodite with Facial Feminization Surgery

Hello! My name is Aphrodite Armstrong and I’m raising money for Facial Feminization Surgery. I am a trans woman from Southern California, currently attending the North Carolina School of the Arts, pursuing a BFA in Drama. Due to the high expenses of the surgery, combined with the cost of college and life, I am completely unable to afford the procedure, even with insurance coverage.

My Story

I’m an actress, writer, and drag queen currently in my second year at the North Carolina School of the Arts getting a BFA in Drama. I pay my tuition all by myself, and I’m paying for this surgery on my own as well. I have worked multiple jobs to try to make ends meet, but I am currently financially struggling due to a high impact car accident that I was a part of in November, that completely totaled my car and put me out of transportation.

What is Facial Feminization Surgery?

Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) is a set of reconstructive surgical procedures that alter typically male facial features to bring them closer in shape and size to typical female facial features. For some transgender women, FFS is medically necessary to treat gender dysphoria.It can be just as important or even more important than genital forms of sex reassignment surgery (SRS) in reducing gender dysphoria and helping trans women integrate socially as women.

Why I’m Getting FFS

I have struggled with gender dysphoria my entire life, and I’m ready to take the next steps to feel comfortable in my own skin, and face. For the majority of my life, I could feel the stark difference between who I was on the inside, and who I was on the outside. I started transitioning in August of 2019, and have been on hormone replacement therapy ever since. I’ve been waiting for this procedure since I came out, and I was finally able to have a meeting to plan it. Not only will this procedure help me feel like the woman I am, it will protect me from street harassment and discrimination due to my gender identity.

What I Will Be Receiving

I will be receiving a frontal cranioplasty, orbital contouring, rhinoplasty, a brow lift, jaw/chin fat contouring, and a hairline advancement.

How Will The Funds Be Used?

-Out of Pocket Cost ($4,000) My insurance is likely to cover most of the costs of the procedure, but my max out of pocket cost is $4,000, so $4,000 will go straight to the procedure itself.

-Lost Wages ($3,000) Due to this surgery, I will be healing for 6-8 weeks, and will be unable to work a summer job, putting me out of two to three months of income that I need to pay my tuition and keep my lights on.

-Flight costs ($300) After my procedure, I will need to fly back to North Carolina for school.

FFS will help alleviate my gender dysphoria and benefit my safety. I can’t wait to experience the world with this weight off my shoulders. I am so grateful to have this opportunity, and I appreciate any and all shares or donations. Any contribution at all means the world to me.

Love, Aphrodite <3