As usual I'm asking another question. Cheapest I've heard so far is Dr. Garramone who is $5,700 which includes all fees. He has experience and ultimately is the surgeon I'd love to go to but money plays a big part so if I can find someone cheaper I might consider price over experience.
For anyone post op or who has chosen the surgeon you're wanting to use what was the price range if you don't mind answering?
As of now I plan to go to garramone because he is the cheapest well known top surgon, I love his work, and he is a bit closer to me.
I'd rather pay a bit more money and get a more experienced dr.
Now I just need to save for the surgery, the travel, food, and hotel stay, ugh.
I have heard stories of FtMs that got a "breast reduction" covered by insurance due to back pain, etc and simply convinced the surgeon to reduce them entirely (remove them). If you have insurance, this might be something to consider.
Thanks for answering Elijah :)
Regan I had considered that at one point to be honest. I gained over 100 lbs in the last year and went from *ugh bra sizes* a B to a DD. Hoping I can loose the weight and loose a good portion enough to be comfortable a little because I'm terrified of needles and surgery so as awesome as it would be I'd hate to do surgery twice.
Quote from: regan on November 19, 2010, 04:40:00 PM
I have heard stories of FtMs that got a "breast reduction" covered by insurance due to back pain, etc and simply convinced the surgeon to reduce them entirely (remove them). If you have insurance, this might be something to consider.
do u have any more info on this? Can a B cup use back pain as an excuse? I do have back pain from them because of binders.
Quote from: Elijah on November 19, 2010, 05:06:53 PM
do u have any more info on this? Can a B cup use back pain as an excuse? I do have back pain from them because of binders.
I've only heard of this through the internet grapevine so I can't say I have first hand knowledge. Sorry.
Aw. That suck but it's ok
I've scheduled my surgery with Dr. Garramone. He is the cheapest doctor with that level of experience. I went to a consult in person so that I could be sure though, and check out the facilities. He is a really nice guy and his staff is awesome.
Where is this Doc based?
I have been pricing around recently...the surgery itself can be reasonable but when you add all the additional fees you usually end up close to $8000.
I am paying cash and I thought that would help but it doesn't seem so....
Thanks for the replies everyone :) I live in the same state as Garramone so if I wanted I could probably just go home then drive back to get the drains out and save a little cash but I think that by the time I pay for gas to and from and back again & add in the pain of being in the car so long I'm better off just planning on staying there for the week if I choose him.
Firefly: He is in Sunrise Florida.
Thank you....I have a friend who suggested Florida...its just when you add on the fares it wouldn't be much cheaper than NY.
Go to transbucket and look at pics. Some docs also have pics on their websites of their work. Dr. Garramone has awesome results. I personally used Dr. Brownstein, whose surgery and fees amounted to $7900 ('08) plus the cost of travel. But I got a vacation to SF out of the deal, which was part of my plan. I've already been to FL a bunch of times.
Jay
This seems to be a pretty standard price...just got a quote at this price from Dr Leiss in PA
I have my surgery with Dr. Garramone on jan 13th. His surgery as of right now is $5,700 although when I had my phone consult he said that the hospital may be raising their prices which would then make him raise his. So I would just keep your eyes peeled on his website, or you can always call his office. They are all really nice there.
Thanks Tyler, so many other things going on I have a feeling that surgery is long off unless I can find it way cheaper :( Since this thread has been updated...
Sneakersjay: How was your experience with Brownstein? Were the staff nice and such? All of his results look really good.
I personally do not like the results from nearly all the patients I've seen from Garramone. :/ Maybe I just have high standards? Not sure. I much prefer Brownstein.
EDIT: I'm not saying these guys' chests look terrible, not at all. They look really good. I'm just referring to the scarring and the few patients with bad nipple grafts/placement.
Sneakers: I would also like to know your experience since he is my most likely choice due to his results. Maybe even a pic if it isn't too much to ask? Public or private, which ever you'd prefer if at all. Thank you, good Sir.
There is a guy here in the twin cities who does the surgery for under $5000 and doesn't require a letter ... I can find out the name if your interested.
I am going to get my chest surgery paid by my insurance. Dr. Buckley works with insurance companies to get surgery covered ... she has even gotten some A cups covered. Before I switched insurance I was going to have a breast reduction -- the insurance company doesn't need to know how much is reduced--- however now that my insurance covers trans stuff I really don't care what she said the surgery is for.
I really want to use Metzler in Arizona and I might just use my HSA to do it .. but it would take me a year to get the money saved up in it.
Who knows.
Quote from: Elijah on November 19, 2010, 05:06:53 PMCan a B cup use back pain as an excuse?
No, it can't. You have to have a large cup size and have a history of back pain & problems because of it. Even then insurance can be iffy on covering it.
I liked Dr. Brownstein and his dry sense of humor and matter-of-fact bedside manner. If you're looking for more hand-holding then you may be put off by his demeanor (some guys are, if you poke around the net). I liked him. His staff was helpful with emails. In person I found that they seem disorganized if you are early for your appointments, as his office is far from conventional.
The only problem I had overall was with the surgery center. I had barely opened my eyes from anesthesia and they kicked me to the curb. I could barely stand up and it took 3 people to help me get dressed as I was very wobbly. I fell asleep in the cab and don't even remember the ride back to the apartment I rented. they could have given me another 30 minutes and it wouldn't have killed them.
Overall a good experience and I enjoyed poking around SF.
Jay
Quote from: Rob on December 08, 2010, 01:24:53 PM
There is a guy here in the twin cities who does the surgery for under $5000 and doesn't require a letter ... I can find out the name if your interested.
I would be interested to know his name......
Dr. Tholen
http://www.mpsmn.com/html/dr-tholen.html (http://www.mpsmn.com/html/dr-tholen.html)
I honestly haven't been overly impressed by a lot of results I have seen so far. Usually one out of five surgeries look decent.
A lot of female bodybuilders have better chests.
A pretty 'out there' opinion but these are my thoughts.....
I had mine done by Brownstein and was/am happy with my results. While he is definitely not the cheapest I decided I was only going to have this done once and wanted to have it done right. I have heard he does have a BMI limit but I am not sure if that is true or not. He mostly does DI.
Myles
Myles: Might I ask how much you ended up paying in terms of actual surgery cost and other relative fees (i.e. anesthesia, surgery room, etc.)? Thank you. A PM would be fine if you're not comfortable disclosing on the forum.
I had top done with Dr. Fischer in Maryland, it cost $7300 total. Between seeing her overall results and the staff's bedside manner, she's worth the price. I had a friend drive me up there and back, which helped with travel costs.
Brownstein- $5350 with $500 due as a deposit, he does not take anything but cash.
Surgery center- and Anesthesia- $2610.00, they take credit cards
Pathology- $200
My wifes company has an office in SF meaning she could work part of the time and we were able to get her corporate rate at a great hotel.
More than willing to answer any questions you have.
Good Luck
Myles
Quote from: myles on December 28, 2010, 09:23:24 PM
Brownstein- $5350 with $500 due as a deposit, he does not take anything but cash.
Surgery center- and Anesthesia- $2610.00, they take credit cards
Pathology- $200
My wifes company has an office in SF meaning she could work part of the time and we were able to get her corporate rate at a great hotel.
More than willing to answer any questions you have.
Good Luck
Myles
Brownstein used to take bank checks. Does he not do that any more? I brought bank checks for him and the surgery center, but that was in 2008.
Jay
He takes cash, and cashiers checks (which are basically cash) but no credit cards. Atleast that is what he told me.
Myles
Quote from: myles on December 29, 2010, 08:54:15 PM
He takes cash, and cashiers checks (which are basically cash) but no credit cards. Atleast that is what he told me.
Myles
Bank checks are basically cashier's checks then.
What was nervewracking was Dr. Miro's team in Belgrade actually wanting cash, but now they do have pre-pay options via bank transfer. Traveling with all that cash made me very nervous! More nervous about airports and pat-downs and finding it leading to questions.
Jay
I couldn't imagine taking that much cash with me, good to know he now takes cashiers checks.
Thanks for the info.
Myles
Quote from: sneakersjay on December 30, 2010, 07:34:52 AM
What was nervewracking was Dr. Miro's team in Belgrade actually wanting cash, but now they do have pre-pay options via bank transfer. Traveling with all that cash made me very nervous! More nervous about airports and pat-downs and finding it leading to questions.
If anyone runs into that in the future, I would think an "official" (on letterhead) letter confirming dates and amounts would suffice. As long as there is a paper trail, I think that would answer any questions the authorities might have.
I would not opt for the cheaper surgeon over the more experienced surgeon, you may end up paying more in the long run. Think of it if you go to a cheaper less experienced in FTM top surgeries type surgeon you have a far greater risk of needing one or a few revisions which could actually drive overall price of your surgery up. Plus this is a big commitment and you will live with the results of this surgery for the rest of your life. Why not take the little extra time to save the amount for the more experienced surgeon.
Wow, I had forgotten about this thread. Andy you are right, experience plays an important part too. It's just everyone has to start somewhere. Even Dr. Garamone had to start somewhere. My doctor who started me on T is a family practice doctor who had never had a trans patient before and I've had no problems so far.
So really, although experience is important and I do want to see some results I'm not as afraid of having a surgeon who has less experience as long as I'm sure they know what they are doing. At the time I was asking this I was told my mom might pay my surgery costs also if I could find something reasonable. I probably will however end up going with Dr. Garamone in the end unless I move from where I'm currently at.
You are right, everyone did have to start somewhere. I guess a big fear I have is getting horrible scarring as a result of inexperience (though I know that is not always going to happen and some surgeons though inexperienced will do fine) though if I was confident in a surgeon even though inexperienced I would probably go to them if the price was right, but at the moment I'm working on saving up to see Garramone, though it will probably be two or more years.
I am really considering dr. Peter Raphael in texas. his normal rate is 6,000, but i got a free consultation and he said i'd need double-incision, and i could do it for 5,400. oh, and his method looks great. he also does this thing where no drains are needed and it's safe =)
how'd you get a free consult if you don't mind my asking? Is that why you could do it for about 5400?
I went to a transgender/crossdress/gay etc. event this past weekend and there were speakers, and this doctor was one of them. he showed lots of his surgery results, then had free consultations after. and the surgery is cheaper because I attended the event i believe (called First Event btw)
Dr Tholen in Minneapolis costs under $5000 and he requires no letter. Minnesota does have a network of Tholen folks who will help you after the surgery. We also have a shot clinic that will give you your shots if you are unable to do them yourself.
Last May I attended the transgender health conference and they had a "viewing" where different guys stood up and showed their results as well as the doctors gave a presentation with photos of their work. They all seem to do good work - just a matter of comfort with the doctor and such.
I got a consultation with Metzler in Arizona -- loved his work and I loved his personality and view on things. He has no problem preforming surgery on ftm who aren't on hormones as well as andro folks.
everyone on transbucket seems to have paid around $8000 with Dr. Tholen :/
Prices change with the times. What were the surgery dates on transbucket? Is the price quoted by people Rob knows inclusive of aftercare and/or hospital costs? There are a number of variables to check out.
Quote from: LordKAT on January 28, 2011, 01:17:27 PM
Prices change with the times. What were the surgery dates on transbucket? Is the price quoted by people Rob knows inclusive of aftercare and/or hospital costs? There are a number of variables to check out.
Tholen has his own surgery center so there is no hospital involved which reduces the cost. The folks I know quoted me these prices in the last six months. They all live here ... so there was no travel or hotel expense. I don't know if that makes a difference.
It is my experience hat initial prices all sound good but by the time lab tests, hospital costs etc are added you are always talking at around $8 000 total....and unless I have a lottery win in my near future (please...lol) I am going to have to put this on the back burner.....
Dr Mangubat at South Center Cosmetics (south of Seattle, Wa) does it for $7500 (might have been $7250 can't remember exactly) and offers free hour long consultations and takes credit cards/medical loans.
Quote from: Kvall on January 29, 2011, 06:53:52 PM
While lab test costs are usually separate, hospital fees are usually included in the cost a surgeon quotes you.
For my doc (Dr Mangubat) the price included everything except travel and the pills they make you take the night before. Luckly I only live about twenty minutes away. For all of my pre and follow up appointments I haven't paid a dime, just the original $7500
Also think I should mention that with my Care Credit medical card my payments are under $200 a month. Still a fair amount of money but a lot less than paying the entire $7500!
Off topic slightly, but anyone know of good electro / hair removal in so fla?
Cheers,
Jayne
Sorry Jayne but I don't think anyone on this thread except maybe regan might would know. I'd check out the mtf section or the search option... Hope you can find what you are looking for :)
Do most of these doctors have a payment plan or something? That's a lot of money to try to struggle to save just paying it in one lump sum.
Quote from: Rain on February 24, 2011, 05:28:06 PM
Do most of these doctors have a payment plan or something? That's a lot of money to try to struggle to save just paying it in one lump sum.
Not sure but some do accept care credit or other forms of financing. You might consider finding one that does. Raise half and use that for the rest.
I am partial to the work by Medalie and I really can't say why. For some reason in browsing, I've always liked his work. I also like Fischer's work. I decided to go with a surgeon closer who has an amazing bed side manner and made the "trip" as easy as possible-- her office provides rent-able apartments so you have the ease of the Doc. right there and anything you could need, they have.
Sadly, this comes with a heft price! I paid $7300 for surgery, and $400 for renting an apartment, plus roughly $300 for eats, gas, and misc. other things.
Luckily, revision is free and she's a gem! =) Dr. Kathy Rumer (In Bala, Cynwyd, PA, right outside of Phila. She works in the same office as Dr. Sherman Leis.)