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Hey, I'm planning on getting phallo with Dr Goossen, do you know if he does ALT or Abdo at all? and I wouldn't want UL, just probably scrotoplasty and glansplasty, then a device installed (eventually) can he do glansplasty during stage 1? or is that not really an option? (Thanks dudes!!)

He does both!

Regarding glansplasty- he doesn’t typically do this in s1, but might be more open to it given you aren’t wanting UL, but likely would encourage it to be done in s2 with scrotoplasty.

Luke

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Hello, My name is Leon. I'm vietnamese.

I have been living in Australia for 1 year and I want to do Phalloplasty by Dr. Hans Goosen.  But I don't have enough money.  I want to sign up for Health Insurance to get free surgery.  Can I ask if insurance will cover it?  And what insurance will cover?  Because in my opinion, Medicare does not pay for transgender surgery.  Please advise me.

Thanks!

Hi, unfortunately in Australia no insurance will cover surgery completely, so having surgery with Goossen will not be free. There are a few private health insurances that will cover the hospital and theatre fees, but you’d still be 70-80k out of pocket for RFF. Abdo phallo and meta is cheaper, but still at least 20k. Medicare does give a small rebate, but not much compared to the total cost. 

I went with Bupa, but there are a few around that will cover the hospital and theatre fees, as they are all standardised now. 

- Luke

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Oh also, I live in Sydney (if that makes any difference😅)

doesn’t make a difference :)

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I’m closeted, but I want to come out in the next few years so I’m trying to make plans that will set me up for then. Do you guys have health insurance/can you recommend an insurance company to go with? I’ve heard HCF is good for trans people, but it’s not exactly the cheapest option 😬 Thanks 🙏🏻

It depends on what you’re planning on doing- if you’re looking for surgery, usually standard hospital cover is appropriate. I went with Bupa for all my surgeries (top, hysto and phallo) and they were great. They’re more expensive than some other options, but I knew several people (particularly who had phallo, which insurance is essential for) who had gone with them so I felt that security was worth it. Most other insurances are similar if you’re at the same level of cover, but you’ll need to confirm what level will cover the surgery you’re looking for and make sure you have it in writing that they will cover it so you don’t get stung.

You usually need to have your cover for a year before you can claim. If you’re planning on getting insurance just for surgery I would wait until you’re closer to surgery (like one year away) as if you’re not going to claim there is no point having insurance (unless you’ll be using it for other stuff) and it’ll just be a waste of money.

As for hormones, I haven’t claimed them on insurance as mine are covered by the PBS (you need an authority script for this, ask your endo) so I never bothered claiming as they weren’t too expensive anyway.

Luke

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I haven't seen much about posts to do with Canberra so just thought I would drop in and say that Dr. Jessica Tiddman is probably the best there concerning gender issues!

Thanks!

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How to get t started in adelaide?

I started my process in Adelaide 5 years ago by seeing Dr Rob Lyons. I do believe that there are more options these days though, though I don’t know of any names. 

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gender friendly psychologists in sydney?

I'm not from Sydney but I was suggested Rainer Jardin and Liesel Berling :)

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Phalloplasty consult on the 26th of September with Dr Goossen in Brisbane, Australia. 

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Informed consent

Hey, m8’s…

So equinox are now offering HRT under an informed consent model…anyone know any surgeons doing top surgery in Australia using the same…?

I don’t believe there are as of yet, as far as I’m aware all surgeons in Australia won’t operate unless you have had an evaluation and are 18+.

~Luke 

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So cause I no longer have to buy binders for myself. If there is anyone who is struggling with money and needs a new binder I’m happy to buy on for them. As well if you can get it shipped to them I can have it delivered to me in Sydney and meet up if you also live in the Sydney area. So just shoot me a message! ☺️ (And I am a sex positive blog so just a heads up)

Thanks friend! ^^^^

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Yesterday my psych informed me that at some kind of medical conference he heard about two Aussie surgeons doing bottom surgery! Hans Goossen (Brisbane) does phallo and David Caminer does/will be doing metoidioplasty and phalloplasty!

Thanks for this information. Hans Goosen has been operating in Brisbane since May last year at Greenslopes Private Hospital. We haven't come across Caminer before but we will investigate. Thank you!

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hey i was just wondering if you know any places (preferably in melbourne) that have cheap masculine clothing in smaller sizes ? I'm 16 pre t and all the small sizes in mainstream mens clothing are too big for me so i was hoping you can help. thanks!

I went a lot to yd, connor, and the kids sections of myer, target, kmart etc. The FTM shed do clothes swaps too- I have a lot of clothes that are too small for me that I am trying to get rid of, I’m trying to get them to the shed at some point but if you message me (lukeewarm) and I can give you some of my old ones that are too small for me if that would be something you’re interested in! 

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Has anyone had hysto in Sydney? Just wondering what other peoples experiences were and possible surgeon recommendations and what the cost was. I've been referred to Dr Anne Pike but I don't really know anything about her.

Any followers?

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Would you happen to know the item code number that Dr Merten uses for top surgery? I want to see what health insurance places will cover it

I don't have it at the moment, plus I had a different item code to DI so if you're not getting peri it won't really help you. You can ring up his office and ask his staff, they'll be happy to help you :)-Luke

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I was told once someone changes their gender on their birth certificate (w surgery) and have already changed their name, your dead name will no longer be on the new birth certificate, I guess because you're a new gender/person? Can someone confirm this is true if they know? Or do you have any info, the man who told me worked at NSW births deaths and marriages, so I guess it's true?

It's different state by state. In queensland we can elect to have our old name on our birth certificate and that may or may not reflect gender. BDM is probably the best point of reference state by state.

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individual appointments usually last about 50 minutes to an hour per session. You usually need to have a few sessions over a period of about 4-6 months to be approved for HRT.

As for recommendations: Check out Northside Clinic, PRONTO, The Centre Clinic or Prahran Market Clinic- they are all trans friendly and have GPs that will refer you on to someone who can help you :) 

-Luke

how long does gender therapy take? (Melbourne) Not so much the waiting lists, just the actual therapy itself? can you recommend any therapists? how much?

What do you mean by how long does gender therapy take? You are on hormone therapy for the rest of your life if you choose so (after a hysterectomy you must have HRT). Please clarify what you mean so we can give you a better answer! Not sure of any specific therapists in Melbourne (Luke might I’ll direct him to this Q) Corey

[ftmaussieway]

how long does gender therapy take? (Melbourne) Not so much the waiting lists, just the actual therapy itself? can you recommend any therapists? how much?

What do you mean by how long does gender therapy take? You are on hormone therapy for the rest of your life if you choose so (after a hysterectomy you must have HRT). Please clarify what you mean so we can give you a better answer! Not sure of any specific therapists in Melbourne (Luke might I’ll direct him to this Q) Corey