r/TransIreland • u/LehBigBoi He/Him/His • 11d ago
ROI Specific Best route for top surgery?
I'm sure this gets asked a lot but I want to explain my own situation to maybe see if anyone has any advice better suited to said situation.
I'm a college student, 19. Been on testosterone for about 8 months (via ggp), and my finances aren't great. Unemployed currently, living on the disability allowance and whatever college grants I can get. Hoping to get some work over the summer to save up money. I'm on the NGS wait list maybe... 2 years? Ish? Unsurprisingly haven't heard a midge from them, though. Also, too broke & clueless for health insurance.
With all of this considered, what would be the best route for top surgery? I've heard good things abt a clinic in Spain but that's around 6k, and, well, I'm broke. I know it's a huge financial sink and I'm trying to save money, but if there's any other routes I might have missed, or things I should look into, please let me know. And again, apologies if this is a repeat question.
Thanks!
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u/Objective-Design-842 11d ago
You should explore the treatment abroad scheme run by the HSE. I know people who availed of it. You do need to pay upfront though, then you reclaim.
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u/SkyScamall 11d ago
I benefited from it but it was through NGS. I know someone who tried the GP/letter from a therapist route and was denied it.
All my information is based on two to three years ago.
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u/LehBigBoi He/Him/His 10d ago
I've been thinking about that. Some people have said they've been denied but I like to have a little hope considering my GP is quite educated & very determined, but obviously still difficult. Are there any resources that you'd reccomend for looking into that route?
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u/SenpaiCalvin25 10d ago
Most top surgeons abroad work with the NGS. A lot of them require a letter from an endocrinologist or a psychiatrist and a normal GP wont be able to do that unfortunately. I could be wrong but the only doctor abroad that does surgery without a referral is dr jesus lago in spain. Now I could be wrong but there is one or two out there.
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u/Objective-Design-842 10d ago
Talk to trans harm reduction, they would be knowledgeable on this. Also talk to Teni. You may need referrals from additional specialists but the NGS is not the only route. Whatever you do, you need some savings, because there is always a cost, even if you reclaim some of it. Best of luck.
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u/LehBigBoi He/Him/His 7d ago
Ah, Teni. Definitely should've thought of them. I'll definitely give them a looksie too :) thanks!
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u/Objective-Design-842 11d ago
I think it is possible to get treatment abroad benefit without going through NGS. I hope someone here can confirm.
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u/cuddlesareonme She/Her/Hers 11d ago
In theory, however it seems in practice the NGS have managed to prevent anyone but themselves from referring to it.
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u/Objective-Design-842 10d ago
I know at least one person who got it not through the NGS.
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u/cuddlesareonme She/Her/Hers 10d ago
How recently was that do you remember?
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u/Objective-Design-842 10d ago
Last year, the surgeon was in Poland
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u/Ship-Dear 7d ago
Can you share more about this? How did they go about it, who did they get a referral from, some other consultant? Thanks
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u/Objective-Design-842 6d ago
I don’t know much more than that, but I am sure they were not with the NGS. Best bet is to check with the HSE guidelines and then look for a way to fulfil the .
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u/Ship-Dear 6d ago
Ok thanks. The guidelines say you have to be referred by a public hospital consultant based in Ireland so I was wondering if you know who referred them?
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u/SkyScamall 10d ago
It is. Lagos takes self referral but is 4/5k so is not an option for OP.
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u/LehBigBoi He/Him/His 7d ago
Oh, 4/5k? From what I heard they were 6k (although with other expenses I'd imagine it'd likely get there). Definitely a very, very unfavorable option for me, but my current goal is to try save to around that amount, even if I do choose another option. Best have backup money for emergencies and such! (But when I was speaking of surgeries, they were definitely the one I was primarily referencing).
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u/jordanbro0 9d ago
i wouldn’t go under 4k at least for top surgery. It’s a major thing, you’re paying for the results too. there’s so many things that can go wrong w top surgery from nipple healing to infected spit stitches etc. I’d recommend Dr. Lago in Madrid, my surgery in total was €5,900. Save for as long as you can, if you still can’t afford around that price range, i’d say maybe take out a loan if u can.
you can look at my results on my acc for reference, if u have any questions I’m happy to help.
you could maybe try a gofundme, etc, if you have any family and friends willing to donate or loan too that’d be great. it really depends on ur wants, how soon you want the surgery, how good you want ur results to be.
if u do decide to go with a more expensive surgery, one that’ll definitely hurt the pockets, try book an airnb close, those price are cheaper, and you pnly really need a small room anyway
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u/LehBigBoi He/Him/His 7d ago
I've definitely heard a lot about Lago, and admittedly they're probably number 1 on my preference list right now. But I totally agree, it's definitely a case of pay for what you get. Still, wanted to explore my options just in case.
Might I ask, including expenses with travel, accommodation, etc. How much appx do you think you would have spent overall (if that's not intrusive), and how long was spent abroad?
I've just started college, so naturally knowing these things would be a huge help haha. But do feel free to share any tidbits regarding your experience if you're comfortable, I'd love to know :) and thank you!
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u/jordanbro0 7d ago
one of the most important things abt going w Lago, is you have to stay for two weeks AFTER your surgery, no if buts or ands, its for ur own healing. I got lucky, having booked my flight home a couple days before the two weeks end, i was healing extremely fast and well, so I was cleared to fly, but u can’t bet on that at all.
ill admit i spend a whole lot for my top surgery. I saved for a year and a half, working and mh disability payment, and got a loan from my parents, so my surgery, (5,900) was the biggest chunk. however I did bring my mom with me, who insisted on a more expensive hotel.
(so she could have stuff to do, like swimming etc while I was healing) that’s absolutely not a necessity. we did pay around 3k for the both of us to stay in a fancy hotel.
You can definitely get an airbnb close for a grand or even less for the two weeks, for two people.
But overall, I’d say altogether, spent about 10k for the two weeks, including the surgery, flights, food, travel and accommodation. You can definitely get that down to 7, if ur really on a budget. I’d recommend buying from grocery stores or corner shops too, instead of eating out.
It’d be a lot cheaper alone, but I’d never recommend that, because u need so much rest and care while recovering. If ur 100% completely stuck w nobody to go with u, honestly id be down to talk about going w u to help u out.
(sorry if thats too much to read, lmk if u have anymore questions.)
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u/LehBigBoi He/Him/His 5d ago
No no that's perfect! Thank you so much for the advice. It'll be a huge help <3 I don't have any more questions right now, but if I think of some I might reach out in the future :)
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u/Objective-Design-842 6d ago
I accompanied a family member to Madrid for surgery. You absolutely need someone with you, you will need the help as you can’t do anything for yourself for a few days. We got an Airbnb flat, which was comfortable and central. I had to work so we did not go for the cheapest option. We were there for a little over two weeks.
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u/Key_Faithlessness_95 3d ago
Hi! I was in the same boat financially and as much as I would have preferred to go to Dr. Lago I chose to go with NordAestetic in Lithuania due to the pricing.
I'm 33 ftm and I am not in the best situation financially myself as most of my expenses have gone with Gender+ as my treatment was my preferred route initially. NordAestetic only required a letter from my GP for my surgery and bloodwork. They also have a set of apartments that are in the clinic for aftercare (with a specialist nurse visit every day until you go home). These range from €72 - €86 a night. I'm staying for a total of 9 days post op and my surgery also only cost €3,350. This also includes a driver to collect you from the airport and vice versa.
I'm not getting nipple grafting so I was told it may or may not be cheaper. They also provide post-operative care packages as they have a clinic here in Ireland that specialise in post-op care (some procedures are performed here for other plastic surgeries)
There is a support group on Facebook that you join upon asking for this surgery with many others who share results and have had surgery here in this clinic and I've heard and seen, also spoken to others who have nothing but amazing things to say. The staff have also been incredible for me and also very patient and helpful and I had a consultation with my surgeon who was very sweet and provided me with everything I needed when asked. I am having my surgery in February.
The only real issue I had with booking everything is just the flights were a bit annoying as you can't get regular direct flights to and from Kuanas where the clinic is located.
I took a personal loan for this surgery and am traveling with a friend. I have no support from family so I had to do this alone and with a housing crisis etc I understand your situation. Even as a much older individual with might I add, a very good job. This is all I could afford for me.
I hope this helps!
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u/cuddlesareonme She/Her/Hers 11d ago
There's some surgeons who charge less in other parts of Europe such as Turkey, but it'll still cost several thousand.