Meet Sol
Sol's story
Annual Trans Surgery Fund recipient
Sol is a 22-year-old transmasc/nonbinary person who has been seeking to get top surgery, the biggest step he feels he has to take for his gender affirming care. He struggled a lot with his mental health as a kid, a teen, and even as a young adult. He'd been hospitalized for inpatient care 11 times before he waited to join the Flex Care programs during his most recent hospitalization. Things really turned around for him when he started HRT in December of 2022, and his mental health drastically inclined, now having genuine hope for the future.
With this hope, Sol has become interested in helping others where he feels he can. His big goals for education and career is to go to school for psychology and art, and find opportunities that will help to become an art therapist, creating a safe space for neurodivergent and the LGBTQ+ community. He's an artist himself, and wants to do something more with his art, and try to make a difference and awareness for things like being queer and the experiences with mental health.
Sol is extremely excited to have a weight off his chest, and live life authentically with how he wants to present. It's a joke amongst friends that "once I get top surgery, I'll be wearing crop tops with NO shame!", and he can't wait to be able to go swimming in his state's scorching heat, and actually enjoy it without being uncomfortable. He feels it'll be a relief to look in the mirror and see his true self, and to go out in public with total confidence.
Sol's timeline
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Award Granted
March 5, 2025
Sol was awarded a grant toward gender affirming surgery!
Grant details
$10,300 towards gender-affirming care.
Stream-a-Thon granteeDonate
Help us support more people like Sol get the care they need and deserve.
About FTM Top Surgery
On average, it costs $12,000+ for Sol's care.
- What is it?
- Before care
- Accessibility
- After care
What is it?
FTM/N top surgery is a surgical procedure that removes breast tissue and reshapes the chest contour to create a more traditionally masculine or gender-neutral appearance.
What is life like for a person who needs this care?
Prior to care, many trans masc people experience dysphoria that impacts their daily life. One of the most common and heartbreaking experiences we hear from applicants is that they cannot give hugs to their loved ones without feeling intense distress with their chest. In addition, reliance on chest binding can cause strain over long periods of time.
How accessible is it for trans folks to receive this care?
While top surgery is often categorized as a covered benefit in many insurance plans, the reality is that it's frequently denied coverage. Many people report unsuccessful attempts to appeal for coverage. In addition, finding skilled surgeons experienced in performing top surgery can be extremely challenging, particularly in states and regions most affected by anti-trans healthcare legislation.
What is the impact of this care on the recipient’s life?
Many trans folks who undergo top surgery report massive improvements to their overall well-being and mental health, leading to increased confidence and more comfort in relationships, navigating public spaces, and more.