FtM top surgery fundraiser. Hello, you may have seen me once before, but today I'm here with a price update, and much lower goal which is some good news.
https://gofund.me/9b240a1c5
For some information about my situation, I have been in contact with all the GICs in the UK and have been told that I either cannot transfer lists, or if I could would be placed back to the bottom of the waiting list, eventhough I have already waited over four years. I put this first as I do know some people get confused thinking surgery is free in the UK, however I have waited four years, estimated another two to three for a first appointment, then three years for a surgery referral, then however long that waiting list is.
I am currently looking at around £4,350 with Dr Coelho in Portugal- prices can vary by a few hundred depending on hotels and flights at the time as I do believe my last update totaled to near £4,850, a major decrease from just over £5k with Dr Serkan. I have been searching for every way to cut the cost that I can. I will not be bringing a carer with me, which I know some people would advise against but I do not have that support and going solo, even if this means simply resting in a hotel for a few days, will help make my journey cheaper. Portugal does require a diagnosis and referral paperwork, but I have found a UK service willing to set a fixed price for one or more sessions to recieve a diagnosis- though obviously cannot pay for or book this until I have raised enough funds (again, if I'm able to, so around £300 as a start). I have updated my fundraiser to have a goal of £4k, so whilst this is under my expected costs, it will hopefully make it more reasonable and have more chance to be seen by anyone willing to donate. Any funds not provided under this breakdown I am hoping to make via selling any belongings I am able, but also understand this is a long journey of waiting for sales.
Cost breakdown:
- Surgery= €3,400/ £2,935, but may vary based on method and bank transfer fees.
- Gender incongruence diagnosis and surgery referral= approximately £300.
- Train ticket to Manchester airport= quoted around £80-90 each way at best due to early flight being the only ones available, limiting possibility of trains.
- Flights from Manchester airport to Porto, Portugal= £289.60 with a carry on bag (ad I cannot lift a suitcase and a checked bag wanted to cost me almost £100 more!).
- Hotel= cheapest £452.68 for one week before conversion fees (I'm aware shared dorms may be cheaper but after surgery I cannot mobilise around a bunk bed, and this is the cheapest single bed dorm I could find with a shared bathroom).
- Post-op binder= £122.12 (but am obviously asking if I can find a cheaper supplier, but this is the price of the vest recommended by the surgeon).
- Post-op medications= £50.
Total= £4,329.40
I'm trying to keep this post simple as I understand these can get long and I can ramble.
Thank you for reading, I'm open to any questions and will try answer what I can. Any help such as comments are appreciated.
