r/TransAlberta • u/Ultra_BlueShift • 1h ago
Question Anyone from Slave Lake?
Hi. Is anyone from the Slave Lake area? I’m moving there soon.
r/TransAlberta • u/kid_cant_figure • Nov 02 '24
Hey all,
We have another discord server thats been made! the link is below!!
r/TransAlberta • u/LiterallyARedArrow • Mar 12 '20
So to make this easier for anyone, we are going to go through the entire process I completed in order to allow anyone to recreate the conditions and have a straight shot without needing to do much troubleshooting.
Contents:
Seeking Professional Help
Medical Transition
Post Medical Transition
Notes
1.
So starting my journey after lurking on some subreddits like /r/feminineboys /r/femboy , /r/traaa , /r/transytalk , etc, I generally learned as much as I could about the results of HRT, and SRS through the internet and these subreddits.
At this point, I was mixed between wanting to confirm my feelings and validate myself (worried that I didn't actually have dysphoria) and I also had a desire to start HRT.
So I started with a visit to my Family Doctor, who didn't know anything about dysphoria or transgender issues, but he was aware of a clinic in Edmonton that specializes in dealing with transgender people. He told me that he would look into it for me.
I then told my Therapist the same thing, and she was able to help me much more than my doctor. In order to help me with my potential gender dysphoria and to validate me, we set up an appointment with a psychologist who, all going well, would be able to diagnose me with gender dysphoria.
We talked for an hour about my history, my feelings and stuff and I was diagnosed. At this point, I had decided that I would pursue transition. The psychologist also was aware of the same gender clinic my family doctor was and sent off a referral to them.
Problems started to arrive after a month wait and hearing nothing back. I talked to my family doctor who also sent a referral to the clinic on my behalf, and to my therapist who then informed me that the Gender Clinic has an expected wait time of 1-3 years before you will even be called back.
2.
At this point, I was desperate for an alternative option, online research had told me that in the US it was extremely common to go a route of informed consent, so that's where I started.
Informed Consent in Alberta is not very well known. My therapist and family doctor didn't seem to believe that it was going to be possible to find an alternative route than the gender clinic. Luckily, the website for the Pride Center of Edmonton had a page where they claim to hold a list of transgender resources and release it upon request. I sent an email and received this PDF.
The first thing I did was start contacting all the clinics on the list and asking about HRT. None of them seemed to know what I was talking about which in hindsight made sense since the clinics listed likely were just meant to be LGBT friendly.
Next thing came the list of General Practitioners. I called about half the list asking about informed consent HRT only to receive a "The doctor isn't taking new patients" for most of them. Luckily about 2-3 did callback and wanted to book an appointment.
Anyway, once I arrived my weight and height were checked and Dr. Makosis asked me some questions, checked my blood pressure and went on to explain three important things. I also discovered that he's the coolest doctor ever because he has a tiny little dog in the office that greets his patients.
First was that he explained a system he uses called Telehealth, which basically involves going to a room in any hospital where they set up a TV and webcam in order to communicate between a doctor and patient anywhere. This would eliminate my need to drive several hours for every appointment.
Second was that he required me to complete some blood work and an STI test in order to figure out which hormones will work best for me and to double-check that I don't have any serious problems that will cause issues with HRT.
Third was that he needed me to sign a piece of paper that effectively said I understand the risks of hormone therapy and will dose as instructed.
After all, this was explained we set up another appointment in a week via Telehealth at my local hospital and I was on my way.
At that next appointment, he went over my lab results, explained that he wanted me to make some slight changes to my diet and told me that he would fax a prescription for Estradiol patches (Estrogen) and Spironolactone to my local pharmacy for pickup in a couple of hours.
3.
Post medical transition looks pretty simple for me. Only things to note are that I'm expected to go to the lab and have more blood work done 1, 3, and 6 months in so we can track my progress, and that my local pharmacy didn't have enough AA to fill the order so I have to check up in a week to get the rest. I booked another appointment in 1 month in order to check my progress at that point.
Picking up my Presciption was fine, lady didn't really care that I was trans. I did notice it was a little more expensive than I'm used to though. $27 for 8 E patches and 190 AA pills. Lasts a long time though.
4.
I highly suggest if you are interested in HRT, that you get a referral to the Gender Clinic closest to you regardless of whether or not you decide to go through the informed consent route.
Since FFS and GRS I think are only done through the clinic it's best to get on the list to be seen early just in case in a couple of years you wanna consider your options. It makes it a lot easier than in a couple of years deciding you want GRS/FFS and having to wait for another 3 just to be seen.
Please feel free to PM me or comment here if you have any questions and ill try to help you out. (Even if this post is several years old by the time you find it)
*Resources: *
Pride Center of Edmonton
https://pridecentreofedmonton.ca/events/information-referral/
Transgender Resource List (Local Doctors, Clinics, Hair Salons, Lazer and Electrolysis, etc)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NHA63gl3Be0REvI_8k4JfjtfNnUa6tS5/view?usp=sharing
Edit: Hello everyone, it's been 10 months since I posted this so I figured I'd give some more info of alternatives I've found since this post.
If you would like a different option, look into The Wellness Center. It's a local lgbt organization that offers everything you could want, HRT, Therapy, Sub-market price Hair Removal, Referral to surgery, etc. Best of all, 90% of it is free due to healthcare. Electrolysis and certain surgeries are the only costs, and they are subsided by grant money. (Cheaper than normal)
https://www.wellnesscentreab.ca/
/Product placement rant over
r/TransAlberta • u/Ultra_BlueShift • 1h ago
Hi. Is anyone from the Slave Lake area? I’m moving there soon.
r/TransAlberta • u/CBD_Hound • 2d ago
Edit to add: I’m in Edmonton
Hey y’all! I need to go to a registry to fix some of our government’s transphobic BS regarding access to my health care records (be advised, if you change the gender on your driver’s license they will deny you access to your health care records online until you go back to a registry to file additional forms, but the registry that I changed my gender marker at didn’t bother to tell me this)
Anyway, does anyone have a recommendation for a trans-safe registry agent? I don’t want to get only the bare minimum service again and be left with some other paperwork snafu
r/TransAlberta • u/justwannascroll • 2d ago
I already have my own HRT doctor but he's not taking new patients. However, my girlfriend would love to start HRT this year and her PCP has repeatedly brushed off any interest in HRT, antidepressants, etc.
I'm not due for an appointment with my doc for at least 3+ months so it'll be a while before I can ask him for recommendations personally, so I thought I'd come here.
r/TransAlberta • u/Easy_Mushroom_3750 • 2d ago
r/TransAlberta • u/FemboiAtlas • 2d ago
I just moved to Edmonton so its weird need friends ngl
r/TransAlberta • u/kid_cant_figure • 3d ago
This sub is not a place for seeking hookups or anything of the sort. If you are found to be doing this, your post and account will be removed/banned.
r/TransAlberta • u/digitalpseudonym • 3d ago
My family has a history with prostate cancer, which my internet research suggests could be an issue with feminizing HRT.
While im pleased as punch we live in an informed consent jurisdiction for accessing this kind of treatment, I feel like I really want to have a …actual doctor and an actual consultation? Figure out the right options that work for me and my transition?
It kind of feels like we don’t have this in Alberta? (Edmonton)
How to get started ….
r/TransAlberta • u/Salt-Impact3015 • 3d ago
I'm doing some research cause I'm broke af, tell me your experiences transit elders. I invoke thee by bus, train, and aeroplane
r/TransAlberta • u/wannabewerewulf • 5d ago
My Background/gender: I am 26 years old, pre surgery I think I weighed something like 280 pounds and am five feet nine inches. I am incredibly active, love weightlifting, walking my dog and I am a busy body barista. I am not transitioning to be a boy; I am a man hating lesbian till the day I die and I can’t commit to that level of self-loathing (that was a joke). I use she/they pronouns but would say girl fits, but my chest made me want to die. I found myself wishing for breast cancer, thinking of ways to work out so my chest would shrink, I wore binders and baggy clothes. Literally anything. I also had a J cup, so not only was it making me miserable mentally, I was also struggling with back pain and it was preventing me from doing activities I had always wanted. But I felt like a fraud saying I wanted top surgery as I still loved being a girl and thought I would be taking someone else’s spot. It wasn’t until I met a girl through work that had gotten the procedure and still identified as a girl that I realized it was an option for me. If you are a girl and you hate your chest and feel like it is preventing you from feeling like a girl, I want you to know you aren’t crazy. You aren’t less than any trans man or non-binary person who wants this surgery as it relates to the exact same feeling of dysphoria and gender. A lot of my queer friends were accepting but also struggled with the concept. They kept asking if I was non-binary and I struggled to say yes. I am a girl. I love she, I love they, I hate he. Call me king but only in the way you would call a girl, king kinda deal. It was a long road to convincing medical professionals that this was what I wanted for my body, and with many comments on my weight and how I would have to keep in mind not many surgeons like to do surgery on fat people.
My journey: I live in Alberta, so this is how my experience through the medical system was.
2022- I asked for a breast exam and through the whole thing was hoping they would find something and tell me they needed to come off. Horrible I know. Should never have wished for that but I was desperate. Nothing showed up and I was left crushed.
**2023-**I talked to my general practitioner about how I was feeling about my gender. I will admit I was worried I would be written off so I said nonbinary, and while I don’t think that is inaccurate, I also feel like I wouldn’t have said non-binary if I thought anyone would take me seriously. I told him exactly how I was feeling. I said I had wished for breast cancer so that I could have the surgery, that every time they moved, I felt it in a horrible way, that every time I got dressed, I was crushed seeing how my chest affected everything. I luckily had a great doctor at the time, and he sent a requestion to the Gender Clinic in my city as he wasn’t sure about the process.
May 13, 2025- I finally got into the Gender clinic. Yay. I had honestly wondered if I would ever get a call, but it had finally come. So, if you are wondering if they forgot you, they haven’t, the list is just long. Was feeling very nervous about being taken seriously but went ready to argue my case. The doctor was very kind as I went through what I was feeling, I hate crying and especially in front of people, but it was very emotional, but the point is for them to see where you are at. I was so nervous they would say I should just go for a reduction (an avenue I had explored and decided was not going to make me happy), so I had done my best to look masc. That’s not a recommendation, and I was mad that I felt like I had to do it all and have no clue if it aided me in any way. I think a good honest testimony is the best. The doctor was incredibly kind, talked about the risks, asked me a lot of questions regarding how I had been feeling and how my friends and family would react if they knew. At the end of the appointment, he also let me know there was only one doctor in Canada who would do top surgery (covered by insurance I am not talking private) on people with a high BMI (don’t even get me started about how dumb bmi is) and he was in Red Deer so the wait would be a year or two. There was a small chance someone else may accept me but chances were I would go to Red Deer. I didn’t really care because I was so excited. He also asked if I was interested in hormone therapy at all to combat dysphoria. At the time I said I would think on it.
June 2025- I asked about hormones as I was really struggling with my chest. Summer never makes it easier. He went through all the side effects and the only ones I wasn’t interested in was facial hair and the idea of losing the hair on my head lol, but we decided we would monitor and go from there. Now if you are a girl who like me doesn’t like your chest and it makes you want to die but don’t want testosterone it’s okay, that doesn’t mean you don’t want your chest. I just am not wholly interested in the patriarchal idea of women’s gender and how they should or should not express it. I thank the Butches of the past for this knowledge about gender and would all encourage you to check out Butch history both if you are confused or if you just want to learn some cool queer history. I loved the idea of getting hairier, having a lower voice, and bottom growth so it felt worth it. Should be noted I also have no interest in children and had to say the 1 million times in every appointment from start to finish. I also knew if I didn’t like it, I could stop.
September 13- I started testosterone. Damn. Yes, it makes you horny, yes it makes you hungry and holy shit does it make working out easier. Girls feel powerful in the knowledge we lift the same weights as men and we do it fighting harder to build muscle. I personally had a lovely time on shot day and enjoyed the effects. I have PCOS so already have a hairy chin, I wonder if it made it hairier sometimes but the reality is I already had facial hair so hard to say. I took it and enjoyed getting thicker and darker hair on my treasure trail, pubes, legs, and thighs. My bottom growth is slow but steady and I wish for more all the time lol. Did it help with my chest Dysphoria? No. The effects of testosterone helped me present my gender better but also, I had a J cup chest. Hard to ignore.
May 16***\**, 2026-* I GOT THE CALL! I honestly have spent the last couple years scared I would miss the call that would change my life forever and miss out, but it came. And if you’re scared about that too don’t worry, they leave a voicemail. I would be going on the 28th of May for my consult in Red Deer with Dr Rodrigo Niera and to bring my meds, my health card and my photo id.
May 28***\**, 2026- It is safe to say that there are many times I felt someone was going to turn around and call me a fraud. Honestly typing this post I fear for comments but sitting here with a flat chest I would say you’ll never take this joy from me. But facing the surgeon felt like the final boss of the equation. Another person to prove myself and gender to. Drove to Red deer which is luckily for me only an hour and a half though I was thinking about how every bump was going to feel on the way back from surgery. I would recommend taking a loved one to your consult if they can make it. Not just because its nerve wracking but because if you are lucky like me, it feels so good to share the excitement. IF YOU ONLY WANT NIERA INFO THIS IS WHERE IT STARTS.*
The receptionist was very lovely and I only waited a bit before being taken to a room. I will be honest I was so scared as I didn’t know what to expect and I had read posts calling him no-no Niera, that he didn’t answer any of their questions, had abandoned their care after surgery. But I also had a friend who was friends with a mom whose son had gone to Niera and had a great time, and there was one post saying he was good. So, it felt 50/50. Which is why I really wanted to make a long ass detailed post so you can understand why I LOVED Niera.
The Consult: He walked in with big energy. He is very loud and talks fast but I liked joking around with him. He asked me why I wanted the surgery, and I told him everything. He made sure I understood I would be flat as a board, and I said nothing would make me happier. After we chatted, he let me know I would need a breast exam and that I could put on his custom Versace paper gown once he left. I told him I would prefer Gucci, and he couldn’t stop laughing. Once he came back in, he started his exam, if you are shy, I will warn you he’s not. He walked in and went “oh my god they are big.” And some may go wow that’s so unprofessional. I don’t think so, they were fucking massive, and it felt nice to know a guy who sees a ton of tits all the time also thought they were unfairly large. Now some things to remember, this is his job, and he was nothing but professional, but he wasn’t talking to me like a scared deer. He let me know where he was going to put his hands and why but was straight to the point. I can see how this may be intimidating but he also has a nurse in the room with you while this is done and is part of the process. They must make sure there are no bumps and see how your blood flow is. He apologized that he had to pinch my nipples and that he knew it wasn’t fun and then breast exam over I put my clothes back on. He then asked who I had come with and asked if I was okay with them coming into the room. I was, as it was a loved one. He then continued talking about the surgery and recovery and why surgeons don’t like to operate on fat people and why he does.
Surgery and fat people: He let me know that he was the only surgery in the public health system who would do top surgery on fat people in Canada. And then he told me why.
He told me there had been an American study done that concluded that fat people are more likely to have wounds reopen after surgery and that some surgeons aren’t comfortable with that. Then he went into what that meant. It was his opinion (he really stressed his opinion) that the study wasn’t helpful as surgery recovery depends on so many factors such as smoking, drinking, eating habits, and if a person obeyed recovery rest instructions properly. He also said that every surgery is so different and in his opinion the fat thing was more relevant for stomach surgeries where the skin was more prone to moving. He said last year he has done at least 100 double mastectomies with only two people having their wounds reopen and only one of the two was fat. Then he told me what would happen if my wounds opened after. He said you either get more stitches or we bandage you up with some ointment and your recovery is longer but as long as you come in, it just means more pain and maybe being more carful of movements and that the scar may not look as pretty. He then said the most wonderful thing. That it was in his opinion that if having this surgery meant a lifetime of happiness that in his opinion it was worth the risk. And then he asked me what I thought about the risk, and I agreed.
He also noted for a lot of fat people the surgery can take longer but insurance still sends the same amount as someone with a small chest and that some surgeons are in fact just lazy.
This was so nice because I got to decide for myself if that risk was worth it. and it fucking was. He then did this fun thing where he asked us questions and we answered in unison. And then he told me “This is my favorite part.” Before signing the sheet and letting me know I was cleared for surgery and he couldn’t wait for my new beginning. I was in awe. When he left the room he waved at me and then at my chest and said “bye bye boys!” which I thought was really funny. I checked with the receptionist and put myself on the cancellation list and was told it could happen around September. I couldn’t believe it. I legit skipped out of that office.
My thoughts on Niera and what you should know for the consult:
1. If you are fat and poor like me, this may be your only option. You do not have the same luxuries that other trans people have, and you need to understand that. This isn’t me saying get the surgery if it feels wrong or risk, it it feels risky do not get it! But I would really encourage you to think about what matters to you in YOUR surgery. I was advised when I started this journey to shop around for surgeons only to learn that wasn't an option for me. What mattered to me in the end was getting my chest off, living through surgery and a healthy recovery. Never during surgery or recovery did I feel my life was in danger. And to me that was what mattered.
3. He loves what he does, I think he was more excited than I was which was so nice. I was expecting a very serious surgeon but his jovial nature put me at ease and made me less scared of going under the knife. He cracks jokes and if you crack them back it’s a whole lot of fun. If you require a stoic surgeon he is not for you
4. Just because someone online who had a different surgeon does something doesn’t mean it’s the standard. Every surgeon is different in technique and care.
5. At the end of the day it’s your appointment. Write down every question you can think of and ask all of them! I was also sent home with an info packet. And if a question pops up I was encouraged to call.
August 2026- I got the call!!! Yay I would be going for surgery on September 10, 2026 and I couldn’t believe it. I was told it would be in Red Deer, I would need someone to drive me home, and that I would be staying one night in the hospital. A pre surgery nurse would call the week before to confirm details and walk me through the process, but if I had any other questions to call.
September 2, 2026 - was the Pre surgery call. They called the week before to book it and asked if nieras office had given me this sheet. He hadn’t so she sent it over. (Again sure maybe he should have sent it but it was a two second fix.) she recommended reading it and printing it out before the call so I could write notes and have questions prepared. PRINT THE SHEET. It was a great call, she walked me through how the day would go and went over my meds and chart. I had to stop taking all my vitamins a week before. Since there aren’t the same regulations with vitamins they don’t want them to interact with the anesthetic. She recommended fluffy socks for day of because the OR is chilly. Shout out to that diva pack your fluffy socks. She said two days before someone would call and let me know what time my surgery was.
Septemeber 8, 2026- They called to say the surgery would be at 1:15 and to arrive by 11 am and I had another chance to ask questions.
r/TransAlberta • u/Venatrix_Tenebris • 7d ago
Basically what the post says! I'm new to the area and left everyone I knew in Ontario! I'm just looking for some people to get to know and maybe make some friends! I have a 6yo as well and would be down to plan playdates if I meet someone I get on with!
Also can anyone point me in the direction of some places or events to meet up with other trans folk in Calgary? Thanks 😊
r/TransAlberta • u/Fuzzy_Canadian • 11d ago
Hey all! I’m 29m? Married in a really conservative relationship and honestly not happy at all in my marriage. But recently… by recently I mean a couple of years now I’ve been questioning my gender and all that I’ve grown up believing. I also work blue collar which is not going to help this whole process. I Haven’t reached out to anyone before about this, but I think im ready to start exploring this a bit. And I’m not really sure what that means.
Was hoping that someone that has gone through this before could lend some advice? A couple years back, I was dating someone that knew more a bout this then I ever have, and had a few trans friends. They called by she/her once, and it felt really good? Right? But I got scared directly after and shut down about anything regarding this. And it’s just kind of dwelled in my mind for a while. I know there’s no formula for this but just looking for some advice and direction, possibly some friends along the way as well. Any help appreciated!
r/TransAlberta • u/StupiderJupiter07 • 11d ago
I'm a trans woman several months into transition and I have been primarily using oral/sublingual pills (currently 6 mg estradiol/200 mg spiro). My levels have been fine enough but I'm interested in switching to injections (ideally estradiol cypionate or enanthate), and my doctor gave me a list of compounding pharmacies I could ring up to ask about prices and availability.
I was recommended Dispensaries LTD, Crestwood Apothecary, Market Drugs, Strathcona Prescription Centre, and Medi-Drugs. I want to know if anyone here has experience with any of these, what it usually costs, any other recommendations, etc.
r/TransAlberta • u/ForsakenObject5282 • 11d ago
Looking for help with your community.
I think I had a serious connection with a Trans woman in Edmonton on the night of Oct 3rd at Edmonton's Buckingham Palace pub. Only got the name 'Stan'. Looking to see if this community can help me find the lost connection.
r/TransAlberta • u/After_College634 • 11d ago
r/TransAlberta • u/After_College634 • 11d ago
I’m wanting to become a woman. I have the clothes but need mentor to teach me make up hair
what natural estrogen to take so I may grow breasts.
in Edmonton.
im scared and don’t want to be alone doing this.
r/TransAlberta • u/MonkFickle470 • 14d ago
Hi I was just coming on here cause its really hard to find info on anything with transitioning in St Albert ive come to the realization that im transgender a few months ago and have tried finding outlets to help and even consulted doctors and everything but ive literally been left high and dry by multiple, was just hoping any other trans people could give advice/knowledge of whom I should visit to start my journey in Hrt Transitioning
r/TransAlberta • u/Artistic-Key-1454 • 14d ago
Anyone near Wetaskiwin? I’m new to this. 🫣
r/TransAlberta • u/Disastrous-Good2811 • 15d ago
whats a clinic that provides estrogen hrt fast and quick in calgary?
r/TransAlberta • u/DrHakkiIzmirli • 15d ago
Hi everyone,
I’m Dr. Hakki Izmirli, a plastic surgeon based in Istanbul, Türkiye.
I created this community as an educational resource for people researching FTM top surgery / chest masculinization surgery, especially those considering surgery in Istanbul.
Here you can find information about:
• Double incision, periareolar and keyhole techniques
• Recovery and aftercare
• Scars and nipple grafts
• Dog ears and revision topics
• Travelling to Turkey for surgery
• General questions about the surgical process
I’ll share educational posts here and answer general questions from a surgeon’s perspective.
Individual recommendations about surgical technique or suitability require a proper medical assessment.
Welcome.
r/TransAlberta • u/jaysfloor • 17d ago
Just hit 7 weeks post op, double incision from Dr. Robertson in Edmonton! i'm super happy with results :)
r/TransAlberta • u/Rickandhisobsessions • 20d ago
Ciao a tutti, sono Rick e ho solo 18 anni. Sono molto imbarazzato a chiedere aiuto in questo modo, ma sono davvero disperato. Questa estate ho lavorato molto e ho risparmiato un po' di soldi, ma non sono sufficienti per il mio intervento di chirurgia al petto già prenotato e non ho alcun tipo di aiuto da parte dei miei genitori. Non chiedo molto, anche solo condividere il mio link è sufficiente per me🥹