asiantransman

[asiantransman]

Hi. I'm a 17 year old ftm in need of some advice. Recently my parents gave me the go with my whole gender thing and they said that they're willing to pay for my hrt if I can find a practice or doctor who doesn't suck all our money away so. From scrolling through your blog and online research, I've discovered that uh, Dr. Tsoi is a highly sought-after doctor for hrt? I have a few questions about the process, I guess, call me kiasu haha

1. Should I go through the public way or go straight to Dr. Tsoi or any private doctors for HRT? I do want to start hrt asap but I am 17 so I'm not the most sure about that.

2. Online says that Dr Tsoi has cheap rates. Is that true?

3. I do have parental consent so, if I go to a private doctor, would I be able to get a hrt prescription on the first day? Or not becuz I'm too young?

4. In November last year I uh did a thing and bought black market T? I only took it for only one month but I read online that taking T like that can be dangerous? Am I going to have to tell the doctors about it or?

Forgive me if I seem a little clueless about the whole transitioning thing, I've only recently started thinking and researching about it again cuz I repressed everything for my exams last year. Also I do hope this blog is still active oof.

Congrats on having such supportive parents.

Nope. Go through polyclinic and refer to gender clinic at IMH to get it subsidized. Or go to Dr Zheng who is now in private but it is not cheap. Dr Tsoi have retired. Yes with parental consent you can start. Yes it is very dangerous. Do not ever do that. Worse case scenario is heart failure or fatal allergy. So it's not worth the risk at all. You don't really need to inform as long as you are healthy now. The doctor will still do the relevant blood works to check your health.

[asiantransman]

is dr jane from nuh a private sector or can i go to polyclinic to get referred to see for consultation on top surgery?

she from plastics in NUH. You can also try and just call her clinic directly to see if things have changed. Last time was private whether or not go via polyclinic. Things may have changed

[asiantransman]

Hi there, first of all, thank you for sharing your experience. It is not easy to find details for ftm surgery elsewhere locally. I saw that you have asked others to Pm you about a group that did top surgery in Singapore. Can you also share it to me? I am not able to decide to go for which doctor. Thank you.

pm me. or you can google you should be able to find it. I tested and I can find.

[asiantransman]

Hi, I’m a 22 ftm whose parents think they are a butch lesbian, my mom wants to accompany me to the psychiatrist appointment. I am also graduating uni and looking for a job soon. Any advice on navigating a changing identity and dealing with family?

Prepare for the worst but hope for the best. If you get angry with them, breathe. It takes time for them as well because it's a huge change. They need to be able to grieve and fight for their child that they think they lost. And you do your best to tell them you are still the same person but wants to be happy. Go to a psychiatrist that you know handles gender dysphoria cases and not a random psychiatrist.

[asiantransman]

is hysterectomy viable for IC change?

Technically no

[asiantransman]

Update: April 2024

It's been a while since I've actively used this account. With the abundance of information available now compared to when I first started, there is very little need for my account. These days, I mainly log in to respond to questions, but I don't have as much information nowadays. For instance, I'm no longer as involved in keeping up with surgical information.

Nevertheless, questions still come my way. Initially, I considered closing this account altogether. However, I've opted instead to clear out most posts before 2022 and maintain the account for those who may still have inquiries.

I've removed old posts because they've become irrelevant. In just a couple of years, there have been numerous changes in Singapore's public healthcare options for trans individuals. I don't want to share outdated information to those who may not be aware. Also, the account have over 200 posts. It's becoming increasingly challenging to verify the accuracy of each post individually. Whenever I log in, I find myself spending over three hours just answering questions and reviewing some of the older posts.

Today, there are numerous well-established groups and pages for trans individuals in Singapore:

T Project

Transgender SG

LGBT threads on Reddit

Oogachaga

Various LGBT groups in universities

Discord communities

Therefore, I recommend seeking out the latest information from these more reliable sources. When I first started this page, my aim was to provide information when there was none. Now, I believe the new generation can carry the torch (and no, I'm not that old). Things have unfortunately become quite delicate in Singapore, especially concerning the push for more inclusive healthcare and changing the marker. Some stories are no longer suitable for sharing in such an open platform.

So, if you need assistance, please consider joining one of these groups, you will find the support and information you need. And if you're able to, consider giving back to these communities to help pave the way for future generations. If anyone has any experience they would like to share, can pm me as well and I can post it.

A few additional points I'd like to share:

Dr Tsoi has retired

I now recommend considering surgery options in Singapore over Thailand, mainly because of the option available now.

I have personally changed over from private healthcare because I wanted to do health checks more regularly without worrying about the huge cost.

Personally, I've faced health challenges post-surgery, particularly with oophorectomy, which I feel was a decision forced upon us. Given the chance, I would have preferred to keep at least one, but circumstances at the time led me down a different path. Of course, everyone's experience is unique, and surgery outcomes can vary widely. I urge those with preexisting conditions to thoroughly research how surgeries might affect them.

Additionally, it's worth noting that Dr. Harvard formerly from NUH and Dr. Zheng, formerly of IMH, are both now in private practice.

[asiantransman]

Hi, my name's Nic and I'm a non-binary Singaporean. Ive been researching on top surgery recently and thought I'd have to consider overseas options due to the price and minimal information ive been able to find online until stumbling across your tumblr. I'm so glad to have found your informative tumblr page. If it's ok, could you please share with me the discord group for local/closer surgery options you mentioned in one of your previous replies?

pm me. or you can google you should be able to find it. I tested and I can find. I suggest just do it locally if you are Singaporean. There are options now so you might want to shop around. If I am not wrong, psych letter is required.

[asiantransman]

Hi there, Do you know of any Doctor I can get my MER to sign just with Top Surgery and Oophorectomy and Hysterectomy Surgery. If anyone could help me out please contact me. Am really hoping to get it change.

Unfortunately I don't. I would have done it if i knew. Sorry. Suggest joining the discord to be more updated with surgery related info

[asiantransman]

Can I email ICA for the medical examination report form or do I have to physically go down to get it?

you can email

[asiantransman]

Hello there, I want to know if its possible for a Malaysian to have top surgery in singapore and also receive psychiatrist letter in sg?

With money, any doctor is available. But it will not be subsidized.

[asiantransman]

Hi, do u know any other surgeons who perform top surgery/radical reduction apart from Dr Jane? Private or public

I am not as updated anymore about the surgery. But the group does actively discuss about it. Maybe consider joining

[asiantransman]

any updates on the surgeries required for IC change? most online resources talk about phalloplasty but 100k seems too much... are there cheaper bottom surgeries in 2024?

metoidioplasty is the next best thing. There are options here and at Thailand that might be under 100k. But don't expect it to be cheap for phalloplasty. It's unfortunately a terrible thing what they did to introduce the form

[asiantransman]

Just to confirm, the NUH gynae is Dr Harvard Lin, correct? Do I just call up his clinic and ask for an appointment? Thanks

yes. If you want subsidy then have to go through polyclinic and ask to be referred to NUH gynae. For trans patients, I believe they will go to Dr Harvard unless they have other doctors the hospital has assigned to see trans patients.

[asiantransman]

Hello! Do you have any recs for psychiatrists who can write memos certifying that you are mentally fit to undergo top surgery? And will it be like see one session then can already ahaha or do they need multiple to make sure. Am trying to book surgery with Dr Jane Lim and they apparently need 2 separate letters. Thank you :)

Public option you can go through a polyclinic then they will refer you to gender clinic according on your age. Sometimes IMH sometimes CGH. Updated on April 2024 because Dr Tsoi have retired. Private option could be Dr Zheng who has left IMH gender clinic and now in private practice

[asiantransman]

how can i view dr jane’s portfolio of her top surgery?

You have to meet her for a consult and ask her for it. It's better since you probably need to view someone of the same size and built as you for you to have a better idea.

[asiantransman]

Insurance

Before starting T, I was still a student and have no means to get insurance to secure my future risk in the event I fall sick. Ideally, get insurance before starting T.

Personally I got insurance only after starting T. So it is possible depends on what you are getting. I developed health issues due to T so I did experience difficulty. But my insurance application is usually rejected due to my health condition, not T. I was just extremely unlucky so usually it shouldn’t be a big issue.

Just to guide those who have never been exposed to the types of insurance.

I listed the ones I have/bought for my family in the order of importance (to me):

1) Integrated Shield Plan 

2) Personal Accident  

3/4) Critical Illness - For those who have served the army, recommend to get the mindef group one since it’s very cheap, but not as a main plan.

3/4) Term/Life insurance - For those who have served the army, recommend to get the mindef group one since it’s very cheap, but not as a main plan.

5) Dependent Protection Scheme (default when you start first cpf contribution)

Additional:

1) Housing insurance 

I don’t recommend buying all at once. Instead slowly add and see if financial wise you feel comfortable. Always buy within your means. 

I have added friends contact below in case anyone needs a LGBTQ friendly agent. I didn’t know any LGBTQ friendly agent initially and didn’t really trust declaring my trans status to just any other random agents so it was quite a nightmare to find one (since you never know whether one is acting friendly because he/she want to get your business). I don’t get commission or whatever.

Shay +65 9660 5162 (Singlife-Aviva, Maunulife, NTUCincome, Tokyomarine)

Calista +65 8163 9001 (Prudential)

[asiantransman]

Hi, do you know if Dr Harvard does partial vaginectomies in addition to hysterectomies?

When I ask like 5 yrs ago he doesn't. But I hear that him or Dr Jeremy does it now. Best is to call and check