Help Fund Ellery's Top Surgery!

Hi my name is Ellery, and I'm raising money to cover the costs of my top surgery. I have known since I was about 14 or 15 that I wasn't a girl, but it wasn't until I hit my 20s that I was able to fully realize that I am a man and what that meant for me and my future. I am now 30, and I have been on testosterone for over 2 years now. It has significantly helped me feel more like myself, but the one thing that continues to hold me back is my chest.

Even with a chest binder, I am not completely flat, and this causes a significant amount of mental anguish. It is a part of me that does not align with my mental image of how I am supposed to look, how my body is supposed to be. I can't stand to look at myself in the shower or in a mirror. I don't take photos of myself unless they're from the shoulders up. I want to be able to experience these everyday occurrences without that self-hatred and discomfort. I want to become the man I know I am inside, but I cannot achieve that without the help of my community.

My surgery is scheduled for March 1, 2024. It is out of state, and I will need to stay there until I have my 1-week post-op appointment when the surgical drains will be removed. After the surgery, I will be off work for two weeks to recover. During this time I will not be able to drive, lift anything above five pounds, or lift my arms above shoulder-level. I will need assistance with even basic tasks like bathing and dressing.

I'm very lucky that my insurance has agreed to bill everything as in-network, so the costs are dramatically reduced. That said, it is still more than I am able to pay without help.

My fiancee and I are currently in the process of moving to a new apartment, and our savings will take a significant hit with paying first month's rent, last month's rent, and security deposit. This almost completely eats up the money I had saved for my surgery fund. We want to make sure I will still be able to afford to have this life-changing surgery without delaying the years it would take to build that fund back up.

Donations will be used for:

I truly cannot state how thankful I am for every donation, no matter how small. And even if a person cannot donate, if they are willing to share my fundraiser and spread it a little further out into the world, we will be able to meet our goal.