Growing up, I never liked my chest. I remember as a tween pretending that I wasn’t growing breasts even as they began to be too big to ignore. I got by with sports bras and loose shirts, hoping that I could ignore them out of existence. As I grew up and came out as trans, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to get top surgery. I used to think I was not “trans enough” to qualify. Once I found out non-binary people could get gender-affirming surgery, my hopes went up, but I still felt like I was going to have to conform to a certain type of “transmasculine” standards to get approved for top surgery. I was so excited when I found the Gender Confirmation Center. When I saw there was a whole section of gender-neutral care at the GCC I was ecstatic. For the first time, I felt like there was gender-affirming care that was centered on me and my experience. I wasn’t disappointed when I started my journey with GCC. Each step of the way I felt cared for, validated, and heard. They were prompt and clear in their communication, and every member of the staff helped me to feel good and understood.

Additionally, as a fat person, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get surgery because some places have BMI requirements. I was so happy to find out that they were willing to work with all bodies. Having surgery at a place that specializes in gender-affirming care instead of general plastic surgery was also an amazing experience. Everything was set up for me and my community. I felt that was represented in the staff as well. The surgery team was kind, reassuring, and laughed at all my jokes. In my post-op care, I felt the team was helpful and responsive to my questions. I felt prepared before, during, and after. I recommend the GCC to everybody I know who wants gender-affirming surgery. They really showed me what it was like to be supported and validated in the medical system, which I didn’t experience before going to them. And best of all, my results are fantastic. I am so happy with how my chest looks, and for all the care I received along the way from GCC. Every single day I wake up, see my chest looking like I always imagined it, and continue to be thankful that I chose GCC to care for me.