as of writing this post i've accumulated £925 out of the estimated £4,000 total that i need to ensure i can be on hormones for the next two years.

GFM (paid out monthly): https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-access-medical-transition

RedBubble (i have a 25% margin): https://www.redbubble.com/people/spearheadprints/shop

elaboration below, full details on gfm

I got my treatment plan through today yall I'm so excited to start T aahhHHH

That said does anyone have tips for overcoming needlephobia to do their T shots? I know about and am going to buy some of these doodads to help with the pain factor

But my main concern is dealing with the ampuoles, like, how do you break them open without getting glass everywhere?

And another question, how did yall approach your GP about it? I need to make an appointment and want it face to face so I can hand over my treatment plan too. I want to ask if they'll do shared care but have my doubts as they wouldn't even put me transitioning on my medical records and reluctantly referred me to Tavistock and said 'good luck' basically. So I don't hold out much hope for shared care but how do I even go about asking for it?

I know what bloods I need doing and also how frequently so that's not an issue. I know how to ask for those from the receptionists or phlebotomist but idk shy I'm just shy on asking my GPs for help? I guess cos I've gone the private route for now ultimately isn't it...?

Also how long does the soreness last in your thigh/butt after injecting IM? Hdvdhdhdh

Never actually post here but reading everyone elses top surgery experiences and recovery timelines has been so helpful and reassuring for me I thought I'd post mine so far. I'm 5 days in and haven't removed my medical binder yet, waiting for another couple days to pass before i remove it to wash as i still feel everythings v fresh and i dont want to pull at the wounds trying to get the binder on and off.

The day of the operation (20th dec) was mostly a blur, my op was first thing in the morning and afterwards i was on so many pain meds I was out of it most of the day. I remember waking up after the surgery and feeling a very sharp soreness across my chest. I was initially given morphine and when released from hospital told to take 400mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours and 1 to 2 codine up to 3 times a day as needed. I didnt sleep well the first night sleeping propped up and on your back is h a r d. Due to all the medication and anaesthetic i was in v minimal pain but could barely use my arms at all, i mostly just draped my shirt/ dressing gown rather than trying to get my arms through the sleeves. I haven't seen a lot of people mention how much the tube they put down your throat to help with breathing during the op fucks you up. My throat has never felt so dry and sore, trying to swallow anything was near enough impossible without drinking constant water with it.

The second day was the worse so far pain wise, the codine helped a l o t . My range of movement was still very limited i couldnt put on my seat belt or open any doors at all, even struggled picking up the kettle to make a cup of tea. My throat was still completely fucked up but it was slightly easier to eat and my appetite was significantly higher than the day before. I passed out for like 10 hours on the second night.

The third day was when the itching really started. My throat was mostly back to normal and I found i didnt need codine anymore to manage the pain (which was great that stuff makes you so bloated and woozy) my range of motion was improved and i found i could get button up shirts on by myself and open doors again. The pain was very minimal and i actually felt quite energetic this day but the itching was an absolute nightmare and i got next to no sleep.

The forth day started off well, the pain was very minimal so long as i kept up with the ibuprofen and my range of movement is still improving. However the itching was intolerable and at about midday i was hit with the most intense exhaustion I've ever felt. I ended up napping twice during the day and going to bed at 8pm and not getting up till 8am the next day 😅. I started getting very strange tingling and warmth sensations across my chest also which aren't painful but feel very weird.

I was really looking forward to a uk based binder company, but i’ve gotta be honest with you guys, I’m not a massive fan.

I tried a medium and it was too big, I tried a small and it cuts into me at every point and I don’t think compresses as much as a GC2B.

Also the fact they don’t have full length yet is annoying, the short ones roll up.