bottom surgery letters + first electrolysis session

This has been a productive week. On Monday, I saw two different mental health providers at Callen Lorde to get my letters for bottom surgery, and also picked up one from my doctor who prescribes my hormones, also through Callen Lorde.





The first person I saw was a psychiatrist. He was very nice, and prefaced that Callen Lorde feels like they shouldn’t have to write these letters for health coverage for trans people, but obviously because it’s required by insurance and some surgeons, they provide it as a service to their patients. Then, he asked me questions, basically to determine that I am mentally stable and in a good place financially and socially to be able to go through such an extensive surgery. It was quick, only about 10-15 minutes, and then he wrote up and printed out the letter, and I was off to my next appointment.





The second person I saw was a licensed clinical social worker. He was young, probably not much older than me. I really wasn’t a fan of him. He didn’t preface with the fact they feel the letters shouldn’t be required. He would sometimes go “hmmm” after I answered a question, or made some weird jokes that I think were maybe an attempt to ease the tension of the intimate questions, but in reality didn’t make me feel better at all. Then, he asked if I could pick up the letter in a few days. Both the psychiatrist and the other person I saw when I got my letter for top surgery through Callen Lorde were able to type up and print out the letters right then and there for me. I asked if he could just do it today, because I have to commute into the city and am not exactly local. He said he had no time, oddly. This was odd because he was able to take me earlier than my scheduled appointment because his prior appointment didn’t show up, and we were finished with the questions before my actual appointment was even scheduled to start. I understand that my needs aren’t his first priority, but I thought it strange this appointment didn’t follow a similar template to the others I’ve had.





Anyway, after some pushing he agreed to write the letter then if I was willing to wait, which I was. So I was then able to send my letters early this morning to my surgeon’s office, and now am anxiously waiting on a date.





I also had my first electrolysis appointment today. I sat for an hour, and wasn’t sure what to expect pain-wise. I consider myself to have a pretty high pain tolerance, and have multiple tattoos, and this definitely didn’t hurt as badly. It’s uncomfortable, but tolerable. And the lady who does the electrolysis is very talkative, so the distraction is nice.





I was also reminded I need to get back in touch with my insurance to figure out how to get reimbursed for electrolysis. I have a direct contact now, which is great, but she said she’d get back to me and never did.





Later this week, I go to court to hopefully finalize my name change. The judge who is hearing my case is Republican, so we will see how that goes…and I’m seeing my surgeon next week and have a list of follow-up questions to ask her.