Frequently Asked Questions
What do you mean by "live-in care"? Do I need that?
Live-in care means that your caregiver will stay with you (in a separate bedroom within the same house/apartment) during your recovery. This way, you will have someone with you in the event of an emergency, and you will also have assistance during the night if needed. This type of care is generally required after genital surgeries, and sometimes after top and facial surgeries as well.
How far in advance should I book a caregiver?
We recommend booking your caregiver at least 3-6 months prior to your surgery. We are a small collective operating throughout the US, and thus we often book up a few months in advance. That said, we completely understand that things happen and plans can fall through. You are welcome to contact us with last minute care requests, and we will be happy to help if at all possible.
How long do I need a caregiver?
Everyone’s body is different, and it is hard to predict exactly how much care any individual person will need. That said, based on our years of caregiving experience, we make the following recommendations:
Phalloplasty: 2-3 weeks after hospital discharge
Vaginoplasty: 2-3 weeks after hospital discharge
Metoidioplasty: 1-2 weeks after hospital discharge
Top Surgery (removal/reduction): 5-10 days after surgery
Breast Augmentation: 3-7 days after surgery
Facial Surgery: 4-7 days after surgery
Hysterectomy: 4-7 days after surgery
Orchiectomy: 3-5 days after surgery
Please contact us for an individualized recommendation for unique circumstances or for any procedure that is not listed here.
How will you match me with a caregiver? Can I request a specific caregiver?
We do our best to match each client with the caregiver who will be the best overall fit for you. We take various factors into account including your individual needs, which surgery you’re having, the location of your surgery, and more. And yes, you can absolutely request a specific caregiver! We are happy to accommodate specific caregiver requests when availability permits.
What type of accommodations should I book for my recovery?
We ask that you book a two-bedroom rental (Airbnb/Vrbo/etc) for your recovery. We find that both you and your caregiver are more comfortable when each of you have your own space and privacy during your time together. Beyond that, live-in caregiving can be emotionally and physically exhausting work, so your caregiver will need their own space to rest and recharge.
I live locally to my surgeon. Can I book a caregiver to care for me in my own home?
Absolutely! We ask that you discuss the sleeping arrangements for your caregiver with us so we can ensure they will be adequate. Please also let us know if any other people or pets will be in your home, as well as any other special considerations that your caregiver should be aware of.
Do you take insurance? My insurance plan covers home nurse visits.
As a grassroots collective of private caregivers, we cannot work with insurance directly. Beyond that, we are not nurses or medical providers of any kind. Unfortunately, most insurance plans will not cover non-medical caregiving after you have been released from the hospital. While they may cover home nurse visits, keep in mind that the majority of assistance you need after gender-affirming surgery - meal preparation, household chores, emotional support, etc. - is outside the scope of what a home nurse does.
Do you take COVID-19 precautions?
T4T Caregivers are committed to your health and safety. Please inquire if there are any specific precautions you would like for your caregiver to take for your time together. These may include: masking prior to your caregiving service and during travel, social distancing in public before and during your caregiving service, and getting tested for COVID-19 prior to your caregiving service.
Can I tip my caregiver?
You are absolutely welcome to tip your caregiver, but it is not required or expected.
Live-in care means that your caregiver will stay with you (in a separate bedroom within the same house/apartment) during your recovery. This way, you will have someone with you in the event of an emergency, and you will also have assistance during the night if needed. This type of care is generally required after genital surgeries, and sometimes after top and facial surgeries as well.
How far in advance should I book a caregiver?
We recommend booking your caregiver at least 3-6 months prior to your surgery. We are a small collective operating throughout the US, and thus we often book up a few months in advance. That said, we completely understand that things happen and plans can fall through. You are welcome to contact us with last minute care requests, and we will be happy to help if at all possible.
How long do I need a caregiver?
Everyone’s body is different, and it is hard to predict exactly how much care any individual person will need. That said, based on our years of caregiving experience, we make the following recommendations:
Phalloplasty: 2-3 weeks after hospital discharge
Vaginoplasty: 2-3 weeks after hospital discharge
Metoidioplasty: 1-2 weeks after hospital discharge
Top Surgery (removal/reduction): 5-10 days after surgery
Breast Augmentation: 3-7 days after surgery
Facial Surgery: 4-7 days after surgery
Hysterectomy: 4-7 days after surgery
Orchiectomy: 3-5 days after surgery
Please contact us for an individualized recommendation for unique circumstances or for any procedure that is not listed here.
How will you match me with a caregiver? Can I request a specific caregiver?
We do our best to match each client with the caregiver who will be the best overall fit for you. We take various factors into account including your individual needs, which surgery you’re having, the location of your surgery, and more. And yes, you can absolutely request a specific caregiver! We are happy to accommodate specific caregiver requests when availability permits.
What type of accommodations should I book for my recovery?
We ask that you book a two-bedroom rental (Airbnb/Vrbo/etc) for your recovery. We find that both you and your caregiver are more comfortable when each of you have your own space and privacy during your time together. Beyond that, live-in caregiving can be emotionally and physically exhausting work, so your caregiver will need their own space to rest and recharge.
I live locally to my surgeon. Can I book a caregiver to care for me in my own home?
Absolutely! We ask that you discuss the sleeping arrangements for your caregiver with us so we can ensure they will be adequate. Please also let us know if any other people or pets will be in your home, as well as any other special considerations that your caregiver should be aware of.
Do you take insurance? My insurance plan covers home nurse visits.
As a grassroots collective of private caregivers, we cannot work with insurance directly. Beyond that, we are not nurses or medical providers of any kind. Unfortunately, most insurance plans will not cover non-medical caregiving after you have been released from the hospital. While they may cover home nurse visits, keep in mind that the majority of assistance you need after gender-affirming surgery - meal preparation, household chores, emotional support, etc. - is outside the scope of what a home nurse does.
Do you take COVID-19 precautions?
T4T Caregivers are committed to your health and safety. Please inquire if there are any specific precautions you would like for your caregiver to take for your time together. These may include: masking prior to your caregiving service and during travel, social distancing in public before and during your caregiving service, and getting tested for COVID-19 prior to your caregiving service.
Can I tip my caregiver?
You are absolutely welcome to tip your caregiver, but it is not required or expected.