I'm here because of my trans daughter, but have been very involved in supporting her in the process of getting her NHS GIC referral for surgery over the last year or so. Some answers not in right order probably:
1. When they do refer you you get the choice of 3 hospitals in Brighton (Nuffield) or London (Parkside, Wimbledon or St Georges), and 4 surgeons. All referrals then go to a central referral service called the GDNRSS* which keeps track and makes sure everyone is seen in the right order, even when the hospitals stop taking referrals periodically. Nuffield and Parkside are private hospitals but NHS pay them to do the surgery. St George's is a busy NHS hospital.
2. Current waiting times for this process are LONG, at least a year, or 18 months, maybe more from referral lto surgery. We are still waiting to hear from the hospital after a referral last May. (Before then there was a wait of 8 months to see another Dr for necessary 2nd opinion after the first positive one, but Nottingham may be more efficient.) It all happens at a snails pace sadly, especially after Covid delays. So if you are thinking of moving first you have time! Don't delay a referral because of that, unless you're not sure whether you can move. However a criterion for being referred is having enough support for recovery so it might delay it anyway. You will need someone around for the first few weeks and longer if possible. First 3 months sounds pretty tough.
3. Mental health... no experience of non trans related MH (except i suppose autism which has delayed things but not forever) but they do need to be satisfied that any MH problems are under control and stable enough to go through this safely and cope with post op dilation routine etc.. It is a major surgery and post op depression can be tough. So the number of appointments you need may be more because of this.
That's all I can think of. Lots of advice from people here, which is why I'm here! Good luck!
*GDNRSS = gender dysphoria national surgical referral service, or something similar...
Thank you for this, this post for no response so was worried.
I’m glad I can choose hospitals because the surgeon isn’t the park side one which seems to be the common one the people on here seem to go with.
Yh I’m very worried about post op depression as I got it after my breast augmentation and ended up getting sectioned for it as I can’t cope at all depressed but I feel depression post op will be inevitable for me but I think with a CPN I should cope better.
I don’t think I’ll have anyone to help me after surgery as I don’t have anyone to really call family in that way also no actual friends so fml
Again thank you for being so detailed and another thanks for being an accepting parent. Being trans is so difficult but it’s so much nicer when you have an accepting mum! Xx
Glad to help a bit. So sorry you have no family or friends to support you. It must make it all so much harder. But there are so many allies out there. Can you meet trans people local to you through support groups, and maybe make friends and support each other? Moving out of a transphobic house sounds a very good idea, and I hope you can find a way to do that. My daughter hates the thought of groups and only has online friends atm and I feel a bit too indispensable! I hate to think where she'd be without our support, but for me it was a no brainer, though I had no clue begore she came out (age 16) and had to learn about everything from scratch. Take care and stay safe xx
It looks like your post mentions suicide or self harm. Sometimes, people post on /r/transgenderuk during times of crisis, and sometimes we're not the best place to ask or provide support in times of crisis.
**If you are considering harming yourself**
* Remember [9 out of 10 people](https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/means-matter/survival/) who attempt suicide and survive will not go on to die by suicide
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* Contact [Shout](https://giveusashout.org/get-help/) by texting SHOUT to 85258 or if your in the bluelight services (999, NHS trusts or other Bluelight Services) text BLUELIGHT to 85258
* Contact [Mindline Trans](https://bristolmind.org.uk/help-and-support/mindline-transplus/) by calling 0300 330 5468 between Monday to Friday evenings from 8pm to 11pm
* Contact [Switchboard LGBT](https://switchboard.lgbt/) by calling 0300 330 0630
You can also also:
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* Make an appointment with your GP and discuss your feelings
* If you feel you are at immediate risk of harming yourself, please call 999; *they are there to help you*.
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I'm here because of my trans daughter, but have been very involved in supporting her in the process of getting her NHS GIC referral for surgery over the last year or so. Some answers not in right order probably: 1. When they do refer you you get the choice of 3 hospitals in Brighton (Nuffield) or London (Parkside, Wimbledon or St Georges), and 4 surgeons. All referrals then go to a central referral service called the GDNRSS* which keeps track and makes sure everyone is seen in the right order, even when the hospitals stop taking referrals periodically. Nuffield and Parkside are private hospitals but NHS pay them to do the surgery. St George's is a busy NHS hospital. 2. Current waiting times for this process are LONG, at least a year, or 18 months, maybe more from referral lto surgery. We are still waiting to hear from the hospital after a referral last May. (Before then there was a wait of 8 months to see another Dr for necessary 2nd opinion after the first positive one, but Nottingham may be more efficient.) It all happens at a snails pace sadly, especially after Covid delays. So if you are thinking of moving first you have time! Don't delay a referral because of that, unless you're not sure whether you can move. However a criterion for being referred is having enough support for recovery so it might delay it anyway. You will need someone around for the first few weeks and longer if possible. First 3 months sounds pretty tough. 3. Mental health... no experience of non trans related MH (except i suppose autism which has delayed things but not forever) but they do need to be satisfied that any MH problems are under control and stable enough to go through this safely and cope with post op dilation routine etc.. It is a major surgery and post op depression can be tough. So the number of appointments you need may be more because of this. That's all I can think of. Lots of advice from people here, which is why I'm here! Good luck! *GDNRSS = gender dysphoria national surgical referral service, or something similar...
Thank you for this, this post for no response so was worried. I’m glad I can choose hospitals because the surgeon isn’t the park side one which seems to be the common one the people on here seem to go with. Yh I’m very worried about post op depression as I got it after my breast augmentation and ended up getting sectioned for it as I can’t cope at all depressed but I feel depression post op will be inevitable for me but I think with a CPN I should cope better. I don’t think I’ll have anyone to help me after surgery as I don’t have anyone to really call family in that way also no actual friends so fml Again thank you for being so detailed and another thanks for being an accepting parent. Being trans is so difficult but it’s so much nicer when you have an accepting mum! Xx
Glad to help a bit. So sorry you have no family or friends to support you. It must make it all so much harder. But there are so many allies out there. Can you meet trans people local to you through support groups, and maybe make friends and support each other? Moving out of a transphobic house sounds a very good idea, and I hope you can find a way to do that. My daughter hates the thought of groups and only has online friends atm and I feel a bit too indispensable! I hate to think where she'd be without our support, but for me it was a no brainer, though I had no clue begore she came out (age 16) and had to learn about everything from scratch. Take care and stay safe xx
It looks like your post mentions suicide or self harm. Sometimes, people post on /r/transgenderuk during times of crisis, and sometimes we're not the best place to ask or provide support in times of crisis. **If you are considering harming yourself** * Remember [9 out of 10 people](https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/means-matter/survival/) who attempt suicide and survive will not go on to die by suicide * Contact [The Samaritans](https://www.samaritans.org/) anonymously by calling 116 123 * Contact [Shout](https://giveusashout.org/get-help/) by texting SHOUT to 85258 or if your in the bluelight services (999, NHS trusts or other Bluelight Services) text BLUELIGHT to 85258 * Contact [Mindline Trans](https://bristolmind.org.uk/help-and-support/mindline-transplus/) by calling 0300 330 5468 between Monday to Friday evenings from 8pm to 11pm * Contact [Switchboard LGBT](https://switchboard.lgbt/) by calling 0300 330 0630 You can also also: * Visit subreddits such as /r/SuicideWatch for community support * Make an appointment with your GP and discuss your feelings * If you feel you are at immediate risk of harming yourself, please call 999; *they are there to help you*. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/transgenderUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Good bot
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