Meet Andi
Andi's story
Annual Trans Surgery Fund recipient
Andi (she/her) is a 28-year-old disabled trans woman seeking facial feminization surgery. Throughout her live, she has faced numerous financial obstacles, experienced houselessness four times in her life (twice before COVID-19 lockdown and twice during.) In addition, she has routinely been faced with difficulties accessing trans-affirming healthcare through her insurance, and has repeatedly tried fundraising that never succeeded. This has only added to the stress of her financial situation and gender dysphoria.
Andi is an active part of her community and helps others find resources for trans care, employment, labor, mental health, and housing issues. She also is involved in the body modification, piercing, and body jewelry communities, which she credits as what allowed her to regain her bodily autonomy and start seeing her true-self. She loves to share this magic with others and help them embrace their unique selves.
She can not wait for life post-op. She is excited to perceive herself and be perceived as her true self by others, and worry less about her safety. She dreams for the day where she doesn’t need an overtly-feminine outfit or makeup to feel comfortable, happy, and confident.
Andi's timeline
-
Award Granted
March 30, 2023
Andi was granted a Surgery Fund Award! -
Care Received
November 17, 2023
Andi successfully completed surgery with Dr. Facque! -
Update
January 25, 2024
Andi shared an update 2 months after FFS. "I wake up each day with a better feeling than ever. I feel like Iâm growing more into the person I see myself as. Having this financial assistance has been incredible to me. Not only do I have more confidence to keep going, but I feel more able to do things. The joy this has brought has helped me begin the process of being financially stable - which I havenât been able to achieve for most of my life. I have more confidence, more appreciation of my life, and a sense of altruism ignited that previously went dark for me."
Grant details
$65,498 towards gender-affirming care.
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Help us support more people like Andi get the care they need and deserve.
About Facial Feminization Surgery
On average, it costs $32,000+ for Andi's care.
- What is it?
- Before care
- Accessibility
- After care
What is it?
Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) is a series of procedures aimed at altering facial features to create a more traditionally feminine appearance. This can include procedures such as forehead contouring, rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), chin and jaw contouring, lip augmentation, and various soft tissue procedures to feminize the overall facial structure. The exact procedures are customized to each individual’s desired outcome.
What is life like for a person who needs this care?
Trans femme folks often experience gender dysphoria related to facial features that are perceived as masculine. This can lead to discomfort, anxiety, and a sense of incongruence with one's gender identity. Importantly, for many trans women, access to FFS is a matter of safety and mitigating the chance they will be identified as trans in public and subjected to anti-trans discrimination or harassment.
How accessible is it for trans folks to receive this care?
FFS is often considered a cosmetic surgery and is therefore unlikely to be covered by insurance. The price for FFS can also vary widely depending on the number and complexity of the procedures performed. It can also be hard for trans femme folks to find affirming surgeons in their region, especially in states and regions most impacted by anti-trans healthcare legislation.
What is the impact of this care on the recipient’s life?
The recovery period for FFS is significant: it can take up to a year for features to fully heal. Most trans folks report greatly improved self-esteem, confidence, and sense of authenticity, which translates into greater opportunities in employment and more.