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Frequently
Asked Questions
Do I have to be a
program client to have SRS at the University of Michigan Hospital?
No. The
Program accepts external clients for SRS. However, there is a procedure for
doing this. Please contact the Program at 734-998-2150 office for
additional information.
How
much does surgery cost?
The
University of Michigan Health System fees are comparable to other surgery
centers in the United States. Actual surgery prices are given at the time
of the initial consultation.
Will
my insurance cover SRS?
Clients
interested in using insurance to pay for SRS should thoroughly
investigate (see Insurance) their options prior
to making a commitment for surgery.
Is
there a payment plan for SRS?
No. All
fees must be paid in full three weeks before the scheduled surgery date.
If
I am overweight, can I still have SRS?
A
person's weight does play a factor in the success or failure of SRS. If a
person is morbidly obese (a disease in which excess weight begins to
interfere with basic physiological functions such as breathing and
walking, it can be defined as weighing 100 pounds more than your ideal
weight) there is an increased health risk and failure rate for SRS.
What
are the risks involved with SRS?
As well
as the usual risk associated with surgery and general anesthesia, SRS
involves the possibility of the following risk: scarring, infection,
blood loss, loss of sensation, loss of sexual function, rectal injury or rectovaginal fistula, nerve injury of the legs, blood
clots and pulmonary emboli. These risks and other risks associated with
surgery and general anesthesia will be discussed with you in detail prior
to SRS.
Do
I need to have a letter from my psychologist for SRS?
The
Comprehensive Gender Services Programs has its own Standards of Care and
uses World Professional Association for Transgender Health, Inc, Standards of Care as a guideline. The Program
requires two (2) letters of support for SRS. One must be from a mental
health professional that has worked with you for at least 18 months and
knows you well; the other from a PhD or MD level mental health
professional that can provide you with a second opinion.
Have
you done many sex reassignment surgeries?
The
Comprehensive Gender Services Program is a part of the University of
Michigan Health System. As part of a larger academic-institution, the
Program is able to provide a comprehensive framework of care for clients
from start to finish. Since the majority of our SRS candidates are from
within the program, we perform fewer surgeries than physicians do SRS as
the whole of their practice.
What
do I need to do to get SRS through your program?
If you
are an established program client, you should discuss how to prepare for
SRS with your therapists. If you are not a program client, please contact
the Program Office at 734-998-2150 for information.
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