Any trans people out there? (In particular, transmen?) + Intro

 Hi, I'm Itzel from the north Austin, TX area.  I am a Mexican American transman high school math teacher, still doing research and trying to save money to get surgery, as my insurance has any kind of weight loss "treatment" excluded.  I've done a lot of research and have still not decided (still have quite a ways to go in terms of raising the money), but am leaning towards the sleeve.  Thanks to this forum, I've been able to read about the LGB part of the community's weight loss stories, but I haven't heard of many trans stories and am curious about how hormones (testosterone, in my experience) play a factor with weight loss surgeries.  My doctors don't know much about it, as there's little research out there, and I thought I'd come to this forum to see if there are any people who have gone through similar experiences.  

Anyone have any tips on how to fundraise the money much faster?  As you can imagine, I have quite a bit of student loan debt that I'm paying off (as I'm finishing up my master's degree in math education) and don't take home nearly as much to save up.  I have a chipin account, as well as a wishuponahero.com account, but have had no luck.  I coupon and don't spend frivolously.  

Anyway, I've been following this forum for a couple months now, and decided it was time to introduce myself officially, and hope I can get this surgery within the next year or 2.  

Welcome Itzel.  I'm les myself.  But I do have a friend who had his RNY before he transitioned (FTM.)  He did pretty much get to goal and then a few months later started his transition and went on T.  He did experience some weight gain after going on T, but not too much. 

I'm not sure about raising $ for WLS, because my insurance fully covered my WLS.  So I wish you good luck.  You might also want to contact Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America.  They are a non-profit org that provides grants to people who need WLS and their insurance does not cover it.  They have provided 2 or 3 WLS grants already.  But I'm sure they might even have some helpful hints/ideas as to how to raise the money as well.  Their website is www.wlsfa.org.

Good luck!

 Hi Itzel -

Regarding self-pay, you might want to check out the insurance, self-pay, and financing forum here on OH:  http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/insurance/

Some people also spend less money for surgery overall by having their procedure in Mexico; whether or not to have major surgery in Mexico versus the US is always a largely debated issue oh these boards (some claim the cheaper cost reflect a lower quality of care, plus having complications after you come back to the US can be troubling).  

About going on testosterone, I would imagine it wouldn't be an issue, but that's a question to definitely ask your potential surgeon. 

Good luck!

I know that I have read here on the boards in the past that some part-time jobs pay fulltime benefits whi*****lude WLS. One example is Starbucks. I know that your plate sounds full already with a fulltime teaching job but if your life permits it, it may be something to consider. Would be interesting to find out how little part time you would have to be to get coverage?  Best wishes to you

Hey there welcome to the forum.   I had the DS three years ago and have been below goal for several years.   With all that being said I started hormones about 3 months ago (M2F) and I have not seen any weight gain as of yet.   Dependant on how much weight you have to loose the sleeve is a great option.   I attribute most of my weight loss to my sleeve (as I could not eat much in the very beginning).  Good luck in your journey (both of them ) 

Welcome to our little group!! Glad to see you posting here.

Although I'm not transgender, I have noticed a real change in my hormones since my RNY surgery. I firmly believe my hormones / body were out-of-sync before surgery. I believe the surgery caused a significant "shock" to my body and the body has recalibrated itself. For me, the changes have been very positive.

Keep us posted on your progress and what you find out.