Meet Tiffany
Tiffany's story
Annual Trans Surgery Fund recipient
Tiffany (she/her) is a disabled transgender veteran. For the past 7 years, she has been advocating that the Department of Veterans Affairs cover all transition-related healthcare needs up to and including gender affirming surgeries. While she successfully advocated for coverage of procedures such as hair removal, government promises to fully cover gender affirming surgeries never came to fruition. With her gender dysphoria mounting and government priorities shifting in a different direction, Tiffany was left looking for alternate avenues to cover her needed surgeries.
Tiffany loves to design, build, and innovate. She enjoys 3d design and uses 3d printing to create assistive devices and other useful everyday objects. She has recently been exploring 3d clothing design software to determine if she can design a range of affordable clothing that better fits trans bodies.
Tiffany is excited at the prospect of going out in public and not being misgendered due to her masculine facial features. She anticipates safer community interactions, less potential for workforce or housing discrimination and less anxiety related to simply leaving her house. When society is able to see her as she sees herself, she expects significantly less external stress.
Tiffany's timeline
-
Award Granted
March 5, 2025
Tiffany was awarded a grant toward gender affirming surgery!
Grant details
$53,550 towards gender-affirming care.
Stream-a-Thon granteeDonate
Help us support more people like Tiffany get the care they need and deserve.
About Facial Feminization Surgery
On average, it costs $32,000+ for Tiffany'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.