Finally....

[MiraM]

Never thought this was going to happen.  Due to my financial situation, I never thought I would be able to have any hair removal/reduction done.  I thought I was doomed to a lifetime of shaving multiple times a day.  However, at my last appointment with my endocrinologist for scheduled lab work and my latest cancer follow-up, he told me that laser hair removal was a service available to me as a Transgender Disabled Veteran.  The V.A. does not offer any type of gender confirming surgery, and I had assumed it would be the same for hair removal.  What a pleasant surprise to learn that it is a service I can take advantage of.  I had the consult with the Dermatologist who will be doing the treatments this morning, and the first treatment is scheduled for January 17.  I wish I did not have to wait so long, but it is a small wait now compared to the years I have been wishing I could have it done.  To say I am a bit pumped at the moment is an understatement.  I do have some white in the beard area that will need other action taken on, but I will take whatever results I get.  The Dr. said she thinks I will have a good response to the treatments and be pleased with the results.

 

Just had to share. 

[Jackie C.]

Congratulations! I'm so very happy for you! It very much helps with the dysphoria to not look like a ... well, in my case maybe an orangutan? Some sort of primate anyway.

 

I saw a super hairy guy at the gym last week without his shirt. All I could think of was, "ick" and maybe, "oh for god's sake, put on a shirt!" I had no idea it would affect me that much. I used to be hairy now, I just can't imagine.

 

Again, congratulations! I'm happy you can get this taken care of at the VA, it'll save you a fortune.

 

Hugs!

[MiraM]

56 minutes ago, Jackie C. said:

Congratulations! I'm so very happy for you! It very much helps with the dysphoria to not look like a ... well, in my case maybe an orangutan? Some sort of primate anyway.

 

I saw a super hairy guy at the gym last week without his shirt. All I could think of was, "ick" and maybe, "oh for god's sake, put on a shirt!" I had no idea it would affect me that much. I used to be hairy now, I just can't imagine.

 

Again, congratulations! I'm happy you can get this taken care of at the VA, it'll save you a fortune.

 

Hugs!

Thanks.  I know what you mean.  I can look like Grizzly Adams or someone from Duck Dynasty is I were to let it go.  Luckily, my brother got the overly hairy body gene and not me.  No hair on the back and always had very little grow on the chest.  After almost 2 years of HRT, what little I did have on my chest is very light and grows very slowly.  I can shave my chest and be good for close to 6 months before I can feel or see any growth there.

[Jackie C.]

I got alopecia universalis for my 39th birthday (thanks mom and dad), but I keep having nightmares about what I'm going to do if it goes into remission for some reason. There's no cure (probably, there's an arthritis medicine that helps some people), but cases of spontaneous remission aren't unknown. I could not go back. Just no. <shudder>

 

Hugs!

[ShawnaLeigh]

1 hour ago, MiraM said:

laser hair removal was a service available to me as a Transgender Disabled Veteran. 

This is good to know.  Though not a disabled vet I am a vet.  

I am having a tremendous issue with facial hair and my gender dysphoria.  I just found out my insurance does not cover electrolysis.  Unless it is to proceed to GRS and only in those areas. I am faced with a $65 bill weekly for a year or two, I am told.  No way I can do this.  That's just for my face and neck. I am only interest in have my face done for now.  Unless for some miracle I can get it "all" removed under insurance. 

 

I may not be a good candidate for laser though.  I have a lot of light or gray hairs on my face and neck and my beard is semi thick in areas.  Especially around my mouth.  It causes me to freak out and try to shave twice a day.  Which could be difficult once I start wearing make up.

It is one of my chief concerns to my transition right now.  

The balding top is another.  LOL 

[TommieAnne]

3 hours ago, MiraM said:

Never thought this was going to happen.  Due to my financial situation, I never thought I would be able to have any hair removal/reduction done.  I thought I was doomed to a lifetime of shaving multiple times a day.  However, at my last appointment with my endocrinologist for scheduled lab work and my latest cancer follow-up, he told me that laser hair removal was a service available to me as a Transgender Disabled Veteran.  The V.A. does not offer any type of gender confirming surgery, and I had assumed it would be the same for hair removal.  What a pleasant surprise to learn that it is a service I can take advantage of.  I had the consult with the Dermatologist who will be doing the treatments this morning, and the first treatment is scheduled for January 17.  I wish I did not have to wait so long, but it is a small wait now compared to the years I have been wishing I could have it done.  To say I am a bit pumped at the moment is an understatement.  I do have some white in the beard area that will need other action taken on, but I will take whatever results I get.  The Dr. said she thinks I will have a good response to the treatments and be pleased with the results.

 

Just had to share. 

Now that's good news. Congratulations!

Typical of things, too. Everything's a secret until you find out about it. This is one more thing to ask about in my appointment tomorrow.

[Jani]

Well this certainly is good, and welcome news!  I know you're excited.

 

Jani

[NB Adult]

You know the routine, Hurry Up And Wait, but it is definitely worth it.

[Astrid]

5 hours ago, TammyAnne said:

I do have some white in the beard area that will need other action taken on, but I will take whatever results I get.

  

Be sure to ask VA folks doing your laser if they also do electrolysis services, as this can (permanently) remove your white hairs (or dark hairs as well).  If they don't, you can search to see if there happens to be a certified school that teaches students in electrolysis as a vocation.  That happens to be the case near me, and they are happy to accept the public as clients for their students to work on under close supervision, which means my electrolysis sessions are $20/hr as opposed to the $80 charged by a professional.  

 

Best of luck, and happy to hear you've secured laser sessions in January!

 

Astrid

[TommieAnne]

52 minutes ago, Astrid said:

  

Be sure to ask VA folks doing your laser if they also do electrolysis services, as this can (permanently) remove your white hairs (or dark hairs as well).  If they don't, you can search to see if there happens to be a certified school that teaches students in electrolysis as a vocation.  That happens to be the case near me, and they are happy to accept the public as clients for their students to work on under close supervision, which means my electrolysis sessions are $20/hr as opposed to the $80 charged by a professional.  

 

Best of luck, and happy to hear you've secured laser sessions in January!

 

Astrid

Thank you! Carefully noted.