Medical Expenses For My Top Surgery

 About me and this campaign:

My name is Red Madriaga Hipona, and I'm 22 years old. I'm from Manaoag Pangasinan, Philippines.

When I was growing up, I always felt different. Though people told me I was a girl, I never felt like one and tried to resist the roles I was being forced into. It was a tough journey for me and without really understanding who or what I was, I became very isolated. It was only in 2010 that I finally came to accept that I'm Transgender.

 

Over the past years I've started my transition and have came out slowly to my family and friends.

 

Because of this, there are some things with my body that I don't look the way they're supposed to. The biggest of this is my chest. Every time I look in the mirror, I do not see the person I wanted to see. Instead, I see a girl and a betrayal. My body is not the way it should be.

 

Well, aside from being profoundly depressing and causing me to look at my body as a prison instead of shrine, there are also side effects. In order to minimize the look of my chest. I have been binding - or compressing my chest with heavy-duty binders daily for over 4 years. In the day to day, this means that I have trouble breathing and engaging in strenuous activities, and I also deal with ongoing bodily pain and indigestion as a result. Over the long term, binding can lead to breakdown of the breast tissue, which can put a person at higher risk for certain medical conditions.

 

I know it sounds kind of crazy to undergo that kind of pain on a daily basis. Physical pain is better than the mental distres. I have any time someone calls me ma'am or catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror.

 

For myself, I need to get Top Surgery as soon as possible so that I can be at ease in my own body. I dream of the day when I can walk outside comfortably without wearing a binder or big coats to hide my chest. I long to have a flat chest and able to wear t-shirts easily in hot seasons. I want to be FREE.

 

In order to feel at home in my body, I need to have Top Surgery. Top Surgery is a tissue reduction and reforming procedure which removes the majority of the breast tissue and shapes the chest to a more masculine appearance.

Unfortunately, it is also very expensive at around $10,000.

 

I've finally found the right surgeon for me. He's an experienced and trans-friendly chest surgeon. I'm ready and everything is in place now. Except the money.

 

Where is the money going?

 

Your contributions will help align my body so it is congruent with how I feel inside. The goal was initially $10,000.

 

The $10,000, goes to the cost of the surgery (peri-operative care + surgeon's fees, which include pre and post-op visits).

Anesthesia and Facility Fees.

 

Other Ways You Can Help:

 

Even if you can't contribute financially, please consider spreading the word about my campaign. Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, and email are all great ways to share with your friends.

Can you help me? No amount is too small (or too large) and I am thankful for any help you can give.

 

Anything you can do is very appreciated. Thankyou for helping me get this off my chest. :)