What Is The Top Surgery Process Like?
I got gender-affirming top surgery on October 24th, 2022 after a long wait and much anticipation. I’m very pleased about how it turned out!
Here’s the rundown:
My Top Surgery Journey - Timeline
September 2021 - booked first consult with surgeon for April 2022.
April 2022 - First consultation with surgeon, booked my top surgery date for October and paid the deposit fee ($500).
September 2022 - I had my one month preoperative consultation with the specialist nurse and surgeon.
October 24th - admission to hospital and surgery.
October 25th - discharge from hospital.
October 26th - drains taken out of chest by specialist nurse.
October 31st - surgical tapes changed for the first time since operation.
November 4th - first time seeing scars in full and changing surgical tape alone.
Surgery Details
Double mastectomy, circumareolar approach.
Mr Andrew Ives was my surgeon.
Costs
$9K (surgeon fee)
$2550 (anaesthetist fee)
$4.1K (hospital fee - one night)
$300 (initial consultation fee with surgeon)
~$45 (discharge medication fees)
The rest of the consultations were bulk-billed through Medicare because I had a referral from my GP. If not for the GP referral, I would pay out of pocket for all consultations.
Important Points
Approach to surgery was determined by the surgeon, not me.
WPATH assessment from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist was mandatory. I opted for the clinical psychologist. I was formally diagnosed with gender dysphoria, which was outlined in the final report.
The WPATH report must be dated within 3 months of the surgery date. That is, if I got a report written in March for a surgery in October, it is invalid.
GP referral for Medicare covered consultations (except for the first one) is helpful to ease financial costs.
Surgeon and anaesthetist fees must be paid in full prior to surgery.
Hospital fees were paid on the morning of admission.
I am not 100% sure how health insurance works with payments as I did not have it.