Top Surgery for Eli!
Hi, I'm Eli! I'm a 24 year old artist and barista, and I have finally - after years and years of thinking it's impossible - been given the opportunity to get top surgery. As a man with a larger chest, binding is incredibly difficult for me. Not only does it not help me pass, due to binding not making it completely flat, but I also run hot and overheat easily, so binding at long periods of time is, quite literally, torture for me.
The main issue I am facing is a lack of funds. Regretfully Insurance can't cover it (this is, sadly, a normal problem trans people in America face), so I'm hoping to raise enough money to cover at least a little bit of the surgery costs. As a barista and freelance artist, almost all of my paychecks go towards rent, bills, and student loan payments.
For full transparency, I put down a $1,500 non-refundable deposit for my surgery date on July 13th. The rest of the money ($9,500) is due 2 weeks before, at the end of June. I am in the process of applying for loans, which will hopefully give me a little bit of breathing room, but I have no idea if I will qualify or how much I will get, as this surgery is considered "cosmetic".
Included in the entire fee is-
- pre and post-op visits 6 months from the date of surgery
- surgical garments
- anesthesia fees
- facility fees
- surgeon fees
In the (unlikely but amazing) event that money raised goes over my target goal, all money will go to a fundraiser for someone in a similar position.
Those who know me know that this is an incredibly important surgery that I've been dreaming of since I first realized I was transgender, and will take a literal and metaphorical weight off my chest. Even if you can't spare anything, and just share this fundraiser, I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart.
XOXO
Eli