Confession: Freaking out about which SRS doctor to go to

[Eveprice]

Hi ladies,

I have a confession to make. I've been freaking out over the last several months about which SRS doctor to go to. I've pretty much narrowed it down to Brassard vs. Suporn, but that's where I'm stuck.
I had my two psych. letters sent to both of them, months ago.
I know they're both good doctors, and in the end that it's my decision to make, but it's such an important procedure that I've been paralyzed with fear about making the wrong choice somehow.

I thought at first this would be easier than picking an FFS surgeon, since there are fewer variables involved. But that hasn't turned out to be the case.

Perhaps it will help to get some feedback here in this forum.  And if anyone can point me to other sites, that I may not have found, it would be greatly appreciated.

Here are the plusses and minuses I've been able to identify of each doctor, based on what I've read in various places. As you can see, functionality during male-female intercourse, depth, and aesthetics are very important to me. If anyone spots any inaccuracies, please correct me.

Brassard

Pluses
Consistently good functional and aesthetic results
5" average depth (have read that the average natal woman is between 4.5 and 5.5)
Faster recovery time, because of penile inversion technique
Less post surgical complications
Static dilation

Minuses
Have read that the average natal woman is able to stretch to up to 8" during intercourse, so perhaps more depth would be better?

Suporn

Pluses
Consistently good functional and aesthetic results
7" average depth
Guarantees revisions for life

Minuses
Longer recovery time due to scrotal skin graft technique
More invasive surgery
More vigorous and longer dilation schedule

As for the ability to self-lubricate, I've heard different things about different doctors.
As for my donor material... other than being circumcised, I have a lot of it.
Any informed input is appreciated.
And one last note... it would be great to hear from a Brassard patient who has a consistent male-female sex life. It seems most of the women I know who've been to Brassard are lesbians, and most of the Suporn patients I've read about online are straight... so it's hard to compare one-to-one.
Thanks.

Eve

[Dinky_Di]

Longer recovery time due to scrotal skin graft technique

Actually I don't agree with this statement.  My surgery was performed by a different Thai doctor, included scrotal skin graft for lining the vaginal canal and my recovery was rather quick and no complications.  I also know several girls that went to Suporn and had normal recoverys.

[girl_ashley]

I think some of your listed Pros and Cons are more subjective than you might think.  I wouldn't worry about it that much.  You are going to look and feel the way you will whether you go to either surgeon.  Pick one that you have a better rapport with.  That might mean a lot more to you than you might think.

[Amazon D]

Whoever you go too:

Personally i stayed in bed and didn't move or eat for 7 days (lost extra weight too) to allow the canal placement to HEAL IN PLACE WHERE IT WAS PUT AT OPERATION TIME. Now they say getting up and walking is good for health and not getting blockages such as embolisms but if your healthy just stay in bed sleep take your meds (push plunger for moraphine) and relax. I did dilate afterwards religously for 6 months then basically dropped off because i saw no need for depth in my lesbian/asexual case. I just recently after 14 yrs found out i still have at least 4 1/2 maybe 5 inches.. Without even trying. I went to meltzer in 98 in PDX.

PS: I also walked bent over to keep it in place for 6 months so as not to help it pull out from where it was placed.

[Amazon D]

My aesthetics are good. My only other complaint besides depth is inability to orgasm. It does feel real good and I think it can happen someday. Will just have to see.

I am sorry about that non orgasm issue for you but it can happen. You may need to find a nice lesbian to carefully and slowly over time experiment with you and i think you will find it does work. I knew another post op who thought she couldn't orgasm but while i was pre op and she liked me (but left me after my GRS) i was able to orally bring her to a wonderful orgasm.. I hope i am not being too graphic / explanatary but i am just trying to help.

PS: For me i was non sexual and i just wanted to please her and wanted the same from her after i became post op but she then went for a man after my surgery and as far as i know she never found a man who was able to do it for her. She later sought a non op and i heard she is happy now.

[Suigeniris]

I went to McGinn and had the scrotal skin graft and healed very quickly, with no complications ,    6 3/4 depth  and I am also extremly happy with the estetics And all the pluming is working , ive been able have , well several clitoral O's and today I had my first ever )))))) G-spot  O ,WOWssssersssssssss :"))))) ,AND  I have to say I have personally seen quite a few of the McGinn girls in person and she is quite the ARTIST !!!! I also agree with Ashley you must feel comfortable with whomever you choose , I had consults with 5 before choosing  McGinn

[sweetie87]

Whoever you go too:

Personally i stayed in bed and didn't move or eat for 7 days (lost extra weight too) to allow the canal placement to HEAL IN PLACE WHERE IT WAS PUT AT OPERATION TIME. Now they say getting up and walking is good for health and not getting blockages such as embolisms but if your healthy just stay in bed sleep take your meds (push plunger for moraphine) and relax.

I'm a Suporn Girl (1 month Post op) and did quite the opposite, I started walking after 5 days, tried to eat as much as I could to prevent weight loss. I had little weight to lose in the first place, I lost some 10 pounds nonetheless as a result of the surgery. After 7 days they wheelchaired me out of the hospital and I rested a little in my hotel room (4th floor). On the 7th day in the evening I went downstairs (by walking the stairs) to get some food. I remained mentally and physically active and went out of my room as much as I could. Also I ate 3 meals a day and only slept at night and did not take any pain meds from day 9 and onward. In fact I had a very rapid recovery (and with me, many other girls in Chonburi). Everybody is different in this respect, and age and general health and weight are factors to consider.

Now on-topic:

Hi Eve,

Here a note from a Suporn Girl. You mention the vigorous and longer dilation schedule. In fact I find the recovery from Suporn's surgery much easier than I expected (with little pain and the pain I got is easily managable). Also I find the active dilation to be much easier than the static dilation as it seems to loosen up everything and prevent narrowness. The active dilation has even helped to regain some depth (which I thought to have lost as a result of a long flight etc.).
I only dilate twice a day, 15 mins each time at depth (takes 10-15 minutes to reach depth, reaching the depth is the onlt thing that could be classified as pain, but still is managable especially if I'm relaxed). Dr. Suporn also said the aesthetic result will be very good after the healing has finished. And the fact that I can return for cosmetic improvements for free is also very nice, and I think very few surgeons offer this type of guarantee. After having had the Chonburi experience, I think most of his patients have very little complications, and when they arise they are usually minor in nature and heal in due time (granulation tissue, necrosis, etc). Suporn requires his patients to be in Thailand for 4 weeks, just to make sure that any complication is dealt with in time and to make sure you leave Thailand well.

Before deciding on going to Suporn I also had narrowed my choices down to Suporn and Brassard (so I was in the same boat as you are) and it took some time for me to make the final decision (you can read it over here: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=90908.0).

Remember that the decision of where to undergo SRS is very personal. What works for someone, may not work for you... Try to read as many comments on both surgeons to find out what you can relate to more easily. Finding out what suits you best, again, takes time.

I'm happy to answer questions any questions you may have.

Good luck in making your decision.

Sweetie (a happy Suporn Girl)

[Karynm8621]

ok as one of the newer Brassard girls I will try and post my thoughts. Anything I write is soley based on my own personal experience with Montreal. I am currenty just beyond 3 months post op

I chose Brassard based on several things. 

Past friends exprerience
Detail accounts and pictures across the internet
The fact that it is a 5 hour drive as opposed to a plane trip to Thailand
price vs what you get in return

My experience with Brassard was a very good one. My surgery cost me $18,250 USD. For that I recieved the surgery, hospital stay, 10 days in the residence, 24 hour care, medications, dilators, meals and all follow up care.

I checked into the residence on Sunday afternoon, March 20th. Monday afternoon I had my consult, checked into the hospital on Monday evening, SRS Tues Morning at 11, standing by midnight, walking the next morning, eating the next morning, back to the residence by Thur.

Depth~ I was told after my consult that I was in the "gray" area as far as being able to acheive decent depth due to atrophy. He asked if I was concerned about depth and exaplained I just wanted to be "normal" He determine if he could get at least 4" of depth he would not need to do an additional graft. My understanding is that he does penile inversion and uses a graft from scrotal tissue.

When I awoke I was told I did NOT need a graft and I've been told by others that they were told they were in the gray area and ended up not needing one. It all depends on the amount of viable skin and how pliable it is. Upon my first dilation I measured at about 4 3/4"

Now 3 months later I'm measuring about 5 3/4 to 6" of depth. being curious (I am married to a woman) we measured my wife and she came in between 4 1/2 and 4 3/4 so we are in fact average in this respect.


Surgery~ One of the newest ways Birassard does his surgery is by spinal block and sedatives. This scared the crap out of me because I'd thought I'd be having general and argued with them over this. After a lot of talking they convinced me to do the spinal. After going this route and having my friend with me who had her surgery with Brassard and had general anesthesia we can honestly say that spinal is a much better way to go because it is a much easier recovery.

Orgasm~ I have been able to orgasm already. It's not always easy but I have high hopes because I've already been able to at this time in recovery.

Asthetics~ I'm having a hard time with this one right now. I'm still fairly swollen but I've noticed more changes in the last few days that give me breathing room. It's really hard after having this surgery because you swell a great deal and it really looks scary at first. I dont think I lood bad, I just cant wait to see final definition of things. Its hard to be patient over a period of months when you have waited a lifetime to feel normal

Overall my experience was excellent and I'm very very happy. The beauty of the setup there is that the residence and his office is on one building and right next to it is his hospital. Within days after being back at the residence we found ourselves walking over to the hospital to visit the newbies after their surgeries. I felt like I recovered quickly, I loved having everything in 1 place. It made things feel less stressful.

Hope this helps

[winter88]

Hi ladies,

I have a confession to make. I've been freaking out over the last several months about which SRS doctor to go to. I've pretty much narrowed it down to Brassard vs. Suporn, but that's where I'm stuck.
I had my two psych. letters sent to both of them, months ago.
I know they're both good doctors, and in the end that it's my decision to make, but it's such an important procedure that I've been paralyzed with fear about making the wrong choice somehow.

I thought at first this would be easier than picking an FFS surgeon, since there are fewer variables involved. But that hasn't turned out to be the case.

Perhaps it will help to get some feedback here in this forum.  And if anyone can point me to other sites, that I may not have found, it would be greatly appreciated.

Here are the plusses and minuses I've been able to identify of each doctor, based on what I've read in various places. As you can see, functionality during male-female intercourse, depth, and aesthetics are very important to me. If anyone spots any inaccuracies, please correct me.

Brassard

Pluses
Consistently good functional and aesthetic results
5" average depth (have read that the average natal woman is between 4.5 and 5.5)
Faster recovery time, because of penile inversion technique
Less post surgical complications
Static dilation

Minuses
Have read that the average natal woman is able to stretch to up to 8" during intercourse, so perhaps more depth would be better?

Suporn

Pluses
Consistently good functional and aesthetic results
7" average depth
Guarantees revisions for life

Minuses
Longer recovery time due to scrotal skin graft technique
More invasive surgery
More vigorous and longer dilation schedule

As for the ability to self-lubricate, I've heard different things about different doctors.
As for my donor material... other than being circumcised, I have a lot of it.
Any informed input is appreciated.
And one last note... it would be great to hear from a Brassard patient who has a consistent male-female sex life. It seems most of the women I know who've been to Brassard are lesbians, and most of the Suporn patients I've read about online are straight... so it's hard to compare one-to-one.
Thanks.

Eve

Hey girl. was wondering if you ever made a decision? im having the same drama, get back. thanks.