#FTM TRANSGENDER PHALLO PHALLOPLASTY RFF PHALLO TRANS DR. SANTUCCI ELECTROLYSIS

[myfauxpaslife]

3 MONTHS AWAY!

LIFE STUFF  We took a much needed vacation to the beach, Cancun specifically, and it was so, so good! We celebrated 11 years together and now that I’m 3 months away from this major life change, I feel like it was the perfect trip for us to take before all of that. We talked about so many things and shared moments of fun but also just peace and tranquility. I think we’re both embracing the calm before the storm in a way. I know it’s going to be a long and hard road with surgery and recovery and basically a new life, so I'm really grateful to have had that time with her away from our daily life. One afternoon, I went into the ocean and just floated around with the sun on my face and my eyes closed and just thought about how that would hopefully be the last time I had to travel with all the unnecessary worries of logistics in my pants. It’s become such a part of normal life, even though I think about it all the time, so embracing that thought was quite nice. And it was also really good to be back home, in Mexico, to speak my language and be around my people, to hear the music I grew up with and eat the food I love. Overall a great experience, a much needed break and a good reset to get ready for the upcoming surgery. Here’s a peaceful video I took one morning:

ELECTROLYSIS Not a lot to update here. Still going often but I eventually shifted to every 2 weeks. Most of the hair is gone but there are some that keep coming back and it’s at the point where she can get it all after a 2 week growth period. I’ll probably just keep this going until about a month or so before surgery. Maybe up it to once a week in late June or early July depending on the regrowth. She did say the warmth from being in the sun would sprout new hairs, which it did seem to have more growth than the usual 2 week period, but it was still something she could get rid of in a 1-hour session. I'm also starting to have her focus on the urethra site mainly as that would be the more important area to clear vs. the rest. Considering just drawing a box for her to use as a guide because she can sometimes stray from the area we talk about. I assume looking through that giant magnifying glass doesn't allow for much sense of location, ha.

TRAVEL We’ve been talking about the option of flying vs. driving to Austin. It would be a 13 hour drive and the main concern is the ride back but on the plus side, it is more controllable and we would be able to bring Hinson, our dog. I feel like that would be uplifting in the recovery process (but also a potential risk with hygiene because he’s so hairy, ha). I also like the idea of having a car there for transportation to appointments, supply and food runs, etc. On the down side, that would mean narrowing down the rental places to dog friendly, and having something else to worry about (food, water, walks, hygiene, etc.) while we're there. Lots to think about. I’m thankful to have a partner that’s not only awesome in general, but bringing up these types of logistical conversations so that we can make a more informed decision. The more we've talked about it, the more we’re leaning toward driving at this point. We were considering renting a van or something for the drive but a friend of ours has offered to trade cars (he has a larger SUV) so that would work out perfectly.

INSURANCE I’ve submitted all of the required letters for their office to process and I’ve read through my EOB which does not have an exclusion, so I should be good. I don’t know what my out of pocket payments will be yet (in-network, out-of-network, etc.) or if certain other expenses will come up but I'm starting to plan ahead.I will admit,  I’ve been a bit careless regarding finances because I’m trying to “live my life” but I plan to hunker down and keep expenses to a minimum during the next few months in preparation for the surgery. Also, I have been paying for electrolysis out of pocket and submitted a claim to my insurance but the letter I received in return was that there was no “claim” so I think I just need to call them and talk through it with someone. It’s been on my to-do list for a while but i think I’m also mentally avoiding it because it feels like a hassle trying to explain to someone who might not be familiar with the procedure the reason why it’s necessary. I'll eventually do it, I'm sure, just haven't. And, I emailed Dr. Crane's office since we're at the 3-month mark and that's when they start processing the insurance. Well, 2-3 months is what they said and I emailed on day 1, ha. Just getting really nervous about coverage, plus wanting to get the AirBnB locked in, make travel and work arrangements, start buying supplies, etc., etc., etc. There's so much to do! Patiently playing the waiting game, but will also email their office about once a week until i hear back. Sorry in advance to them, ha!

MIND & BODY I had some weight goals set out at the beginning of the year and hot the first one pretty close, but ever since then it's been tough to keep losing. I've kept the initial weight I lost off, just not making much progress beyond that. I know exactly why, so I plan on really working hard at it for the next 3 months. I just have to keep reminding myself that this is more important than anything else and that I can go back to "having fun" after I recover. I've also started to quit smoking. I have a month until it's absolutely necessary (as instructed by the Doc) but am trying to not do it at all if possible. I'm trying to apply the same theory here, that this surgery and the end goal is more important that a quick fix. I feel like I'm mentally ready for it, but my body definitely craves things and I've had a hard time saying no. Just gotta keep at it and keep reminding myself how much I want this.

[myfauxpaslife]

HELLO!

Reading through other people’s experience through phalloplasty surgery has inspired me to share my own so here we go. In a gist, I started hormones right after college, had top surgery about 5 years later, and just got insurance that covers related procedures this past November so I knocked out the hysterectomy a couple of months ago. Now I've got RFF phalloplasty with Dr. Santucci scheduled in August 2018 and am in the process of getting my mind, health and overall being, ready for the long journey, as well as all the requirements, getting health insurance squared away, budgeting for travel, lodging and supplies, going to electrolysis once a week, etc, etc. I'll try to post as much as I can in hopes that the next guys can read this and have a better understanding as I have with the ones who have gone before me. Best wishes to all and cheers to you if you've made the decision to move forward with a similar process.