Part One: Gender-Affirming Care as a Pivotal Step in One Patient’s Journey
A part of our Real Patients, Real Stories series
When it comes to the joys and challenges that come along with gender-affirming healthcare, real stories from real patients matter. At Restore Medical Center, we know how important it is to share first-hand experiences of gender-affirming care.
In this interview, one of our real patients shares how their gender-affirming surgery marked a big step in their journey, and how the care they received at Restore helped them rediscover themselves.
What was your journey like leading up to the decision to pursue gender-affirming surgery?
It’s a long process—both logistically and emotionally. Logistically, it requires letters from therapists, doctor approvals, and consultations. Emotionally, it took deep self-reflection to confirm this was right for me. For some, there’s fear about permanent changes, but for me, it was undeniable: this is who I am. I prepped by setting up therapy sessions and ensuring a strong support system, but post-surgery, I’ve felt nothing but elation. Waking up as my authentic self? Incredible.
Were there any defining moments that solidified your decision to move forward with surgery?
Years ago, I reached a breaking point—I was so distressed by my body that I considered extreme measures. Thankfully, my wife stepped in. She researched what I couldn’t and showed me how surgery could safely align my body with who I am. That was my turning point: realizing this was the only way forward, not just to remove what didn’t belong, but to become the person I needed to be. Resources like Dr. Whitehead’s website filled critical gaps in information, steering me away from despair and toward hope. That support and knowledge made all the difference.
What challenges or barriers did you face in accessing gender-affirming care, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest hurdles were cost and navigating the process. I overcame the financial barrier by finding a provider that accepted my insurance. While the pre-surgery requirements were extensive, I viewed them as steps on a roadmap rather than obstacles. Recovery time is significant too—following Dr. Whitehead’s post-op instructions meticulously made all the difference in my healing journey.
How did you feel leading up to surgery, and what was the day of the procedure like?
It was an emotional rollercoaster—nervous about the major surgery but excited for this life-changing moment. Coming off HRT beforehand added to the intensity. But on surgery day, everything was incredibly smooth. From the moment I arrived at 8:15 am, the team was efficient and caring. Dr. Ramirez made the IV insertion painless (with his ‘really good margarita’ anesthetic comment making me laugh as I went under). Before I knew it, I was waking up at 4:30 pm with everything complete. What stood out most was the continuity of care—Dr. Ramirez stayed until my discharge, and the entire team was consistently attentive. The experience far exceeded my expectations of hospital visits—no waiting, no shift changes, just exceptional care from start to finish.
What are your hopes and goals post-surgery?
This surgery wasn’t an ending—it was a pivotal step in my lifelong journey. While it’s brought profound alignment between my body and my sense of self, I know transition continues beyond the operating room. My goal now? To grow into this new chapter with intention—to rediscover myself in a body that finally matches who I’ve always been. For others considering this path: celebrate this milestone, but know your worth isn’t defined by any single procedure. My story, like all of ours, keeps unfolding—and that’s the most exciting part.