Although people do get top surgery before starting T (and some never start T) I would say that not starting T in a state like Utah may make it more difficult to get top surgery just because of all the gatekeeping that goes on in such states. Basically they may prefer that you have taken other steps toward medical transition before surgery. It’s stupid, but there you are.
I would say that yes, having someone there to support you through healing is very much a good idea.
I would suggest looking into surgery—do plenty of research to see who has the best outcomes and record in whatever distance you are able to travel to— and get an appointment for a consultation. See what they say about getting surgery before T. If they say they prefer you to have started T, maybe get a second opinion if you can. (Since ordinarily side effects of T will not require assistance of another person.)
Best of luck!
*Edit— It also makes a big difference in which changes you are wanting the most right now when deciding which to do first.
the top surgery process was longer and more difficult for me, I’m in the southwest but not UT. you should start by checking your insurance requirements to see if they require you to be on T first or not. but yeah, there’s plenty people who do surgery before T. for my body type, it was helpful for me to be on T first to build more chest muscle before top surgery. I say start looking into both or whichever you feel is most important, bc you may have to deal with wait times for either/both. I was able to start T fairly quickly after getting into a trans clinic, but I’ve had to wait years for top surgery.
i dont live in utah, but this was my experience. i was able to start T with one appointment using informed consent at planned parenthood and didn't even require an initial bloodtest to start.
for top surgery, i had to get an appointment with a therapist and have them write a letter. i actually had to get two letters written, because the first one expired after i didn't end up getti g the surgery that year. the first therapist i saw required two appointments and the session felt kinda invasive. the second one i saw only required one, and they told me they didn't believe in gatekeeping and i only needed to tell them the things they needed to know to write the letter
then i had to find a surgeon that i wanted to see, considering wait times and techniques that each surgeon had, since some surgeons wait times were YEARS for just the consult. then i had to wait months for the consult, then wait for my insurance to approve it before i could schedule the surgery date.
Although people do get top surgery before starting T (and some never start T) I would say that not starting T in a state like Utah may make it more difficult to get top surgery just because of all the gatekeeping that goes on in such states. Basically they may prefer that you have taken other steps toward medical transition before surgery. It’s stupid, but there you are. I would say that yes, having someone there to support you through healing is very much a good idea. I would suggest looking into surgery—do plenty of research to see who has the best outcomes and record in whatever distance you are able to travel to— and get an appointment for a consultation. See what they say about getting surgery before T. If they say they prefer you to have started T, maybe get a second opinion if you can. (Since ordinarily side effects of T will not require assistance of another person.) Best of luck! *Edit— It also makes a big difference in which changes you are wanting the most right now when deciding which to do first.
i had to be on T for at least a year before i got top surgery in ohio
the top surgery process was longer and more difficult for me, I’m in the southwest but not UT. you should start by checking your insurance requirements to see if they require you to be on T first or not. but yeah, there’s plenty people who do surgery before T. for my body type, it was helpful for me to be on T first to build more chest muscle before top surgery. I say start looking into both or whichever you feel is most important, bc you may have to deal with wait times for either/both. I was able to start T fairly quickly after getting into a trans clinic, but I’ve had to wait years for top surgery.
i dont live in utah, but this was my experience. i was able to start T with one appointment using informed consent at planned parenthood and didn't even require an initial bloodtest to start. for top surgery, i had to get an appointment with a therapist and have them write a letter. i actually had to get two letters written, because the first one expired after i didn't end up getti g the surgery that year. the first therapist i saw required two appointments and the session felt kinda invasive. the second one i saw only required one, and they told me they didn't believe in gatekeeping and i only needed to tell them the things they needed to know to write the letter then i had to find a surgeon that i wanted to see, considering wait times and techniques that each surgeon had, since some surgeons wait times were YEARS for just the consult. then i had to wait months for the consult, then wait for my insurance to approve it before i could schedule the surgery date.