Hey guys, girls and everything in between. I'm Oliver, a 25 year old transguy from Leeds in the UK.

After socially transitioning for the best part of two years now, I'm almost at the point of being able to take testosterone. It's been a long process already, and the NHS waiting lists take their toll. Which is why I've already spent £300 for an appointment in order to take testosterone by going privately because of this.

I am so uncomfortable in my body, I feel quite alienated and wrong. Top surgery is beneficial for my health, mentally and physically. Currently, I wear a binder for a lot longer than the allocated time (8 hours a day) a person is supposed to wear it for. I often wear a binder for days on end and only take it off to shower/bathe. This can be incredibly dangerous as long periods of use can damage your ribs and lungs, which makes it difficult and uncomfortable to breathe. Back pain, bruising and sores often come with wearing a binder for long periods of time. The physical pain of this is less than the mental pain though.

As a person that was born into the wrong body, I am trying to correct this as much as I possibly can to finally be truly happy with myself. Gender dysphoria is exhausting, feeling out of place in your own body is a difficult thing to describe. I would like to be free from the relentless torment that I give myself for this.

In terms of top surgery, I have no choice but to go privately. A consultation fee is £165 and top surgery itself costs around £6,180. I currently don't have a date set for top surgery but I'm trying to save as much as I possibly can but I can't do this without help.

I feel embarrassed and ashamed for having to ask for help but I don't know what else to do at this point. Any help/donations provided, I will be extremely grateful for.