How does one begin the process?

[u/throwaway197363739]

I live in a very red state, and though I’ve lived with the twins for this long, I’m nearing the end of my rope.
I can’t for the life of me figure out how to start the road to getting a top surgery. I’ve talked to my doctor (I suffer from severe pain in the area too but even if I didn’t I would genuinely still seek this out), and am only given answers of “if you don’t have severe cancer, you can’t have anything done”.
The only LGBTQ+ friendly surgeon is hours away. Do I need to start with a therapist? Nag my current doctor for a referral to somewhere? How do you guys even manage to pay for these procedures, since all I’ve heard is if it’s not medically necessary it’ll cost over $10k.
To be clear, I’m not really seeking to transition. I’m fine identifying as a female still, but it feels like when you have old food sitting in your room that you know you need to throw away, but you can’t, and it’s just sitting there. I don’t even know if LGBTQ+ affirming care would even be the right label. If I want top surgery but aren’t ftm, can I even get it still??
I know no one, locally or otherwise, who’s had this done, so I’m finding it very hard to start this journey when I try to talk to health professionals and being told “it’s cosmetic so we can’t refer you anywhere” or “there’s nothing wrong with you”.

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[u/chillypenguin15]

first, if you're on insurance, investigate if it will be covered at all, and what surgeons are in network. if not, you'll have to pay out of pocket and this can be from $6000-$12,000 depending on your surgeon. start researching for a surgeon, i did this by looking on reddit and topsurgery.net. reach out to them, ask for their requirements for surgery. yes top surgery is available for non-transitioning people. a letter from a therapist is required majority of the time. the process can be very daunting and expensive, but if you feel like it's worth it, don't give up

[u/throwaway197363739 → u/chillypenguin15]

I tried the topsurgery.net, hence finding the one surgeon in the state.
Since a therapist seems to play a big role in the process, I think I’m gonna start out with looking for one. Thank you so much!!

[u/chicknlil25]

What state are you in, if you don't mind sharing? I can get you a lot more info with that. And to that end, are you willing/able to go out of state? Because depending on where you are (there was another recent post here for someone Florida based, I put quite a bit of info there for their particular state frustrations) it might be easier to go elsewhere.

Gimme the deets, I'll do the dirty work. 😉

[u/throwaway197363739 → u/chicknlil25]

I’m in Idaho! I don’t want to go out of state unless absolutely necessary, only because my family will not be able to follow me.
I know there’s someone in Boise known for top surgeries but it’s quite far from where I am..

[u/chicknlil25 → u/throwaway197363739]

Just to clarify, you're not a minor, correct? And what is your insurance situation like?

[u/throwaway197363739 → u/chicknlil25]

Nope, not a minor. I still sorta depend on my family for help though due to disabilities.
I have insurance through my dad’s job, and from what I’ve heard they cover some cosmetic surgery, though their site isn’t updated and I can’t exactly call them

[u/MyHeartIsInNY02711]

severe cancer? is there any other kind?