Help Ben Actually Get Top Surgery This Time

UPDATE (April 1st, 2025)

I got confirmation yesterday that insurance will cover this procedure! So I've lowered my goal to $2,500 in hopes of just covering the cost of supplies I've bought/will buy for recovery and the lost income from the month.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, shared this fundraiser, and shared their stories and tips for fighting surgery anxiety The procedure is tomorrow, so if I'm offline for awhile, don't worry, I'm just snoozing a lot.

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Original Description

Time for me to get something off my chest... Okay, sorry, no more puns. I promise! Don't throw tomatoes. Groceries are so expensive these days.

About the surgery

Speaking of expensive: Top surgery costs $6,060 dollars! I don't have that many dollars, which is why I'm asking for your help.

I was originally scheduled for top surgery in May 2023, just a few days after I graduated with my bachelor's degree. It was supposed to be a fresh start all around and help me finally get my life together. Unfortunately, my insurer at the time denied it and I was unable to pay, so it was cancelled.

Currently, my insurance says they will cover it, but in this political climate, that could change at the drop of a hat any time between now and April 2nd, 2025, when I am scheduled to undergo surgery. I don't want to spend these next few weeks worrying about whether or not I'll get a phone call five days before surgery telling me not to bother again. Besides, you've heard all the stories of getting hit with surprise bills afterwards. You know how it goes.

This $6,060 doesn't even include the fact I will be out of work for a full month because, you know, getting your chest cut open kind of makes it hard to work stock at a grocery store, and as a part-time worker, I don't get any PTO.

About me

I came out as transgender in 2015 but didn't start HRT (testosterone) or explore top surgery as an option until 2022 because I kept waiting for just the right time—I'll look into it after I transfer, after I finish college, when I move out, when I get a job with insurance, etc. Then, on November 6th, 2024, I called the surgeon's office and scheduled a new consultation despite knowing I didn't have enough in my savings and I wouldn't be able to save enough with my part-time job.

If I've learned anything in the last few years, it's that there is no perfect time to make a major change like this, and at my big age of 27 years old, it's time for me to learn how to ask for help. So here I am, knocking on the internet's door with my hat in my hands asking for your help either by donating to my fundraiser or sharing it for visibility. If you could even throw like $10 my way and share my posts, that'd be so rad and I'd love you forever.

Other ways to help

Another way you could really, truly help me is to tell me your best tips for getting over surgery anxiety because the closest I've gotten to surgery is getting my wisdom teeth out. Give me your best "I got surgery and everything was chill and I worried for nothing" stories. Bonus points if you or someone you know has gotten top surgery (or a double mastectomy) and you have specific tips for recovery.

As a final note: If my insurance does end up covering this procedure, the funds will go toward keeping me afloat while I'm out of work for a month and be otherwise redistributed to other trans people.

Thank you!