GRS in the UK under Phil Thomas?

[Nicolette]

Yesterday, I saw a gender specialist and discussed GRS surgeons and outcomes. In regard to the UK, they suggested Mr Phil Thomas as the better surgeon as he has a better success rate than Mr Bellringer. We didn't discuss aesthetics.

I'd very much appreciate opinions and experiences of those that have had or know of someone that had GRS performed by Mr Thomas.

Thanks in advance!

[Hell_Girl]

What exactly did the specialist mean by success rates? As far as I know both surgeons are equally skilled and use similar techniques. Are you going private or NHS for the operation. I would be deeply suspicious of any specialist that steers you towards a particular surgeon because it stinks a bit of politics/personal animosity. Do your research and make your own descision.

I had my surgery done privately by Mr Belringer and I have no problems beyond normal healing and what I consider a good outcome. Also neither of the specialists I saw privately advised me to see one surgeon over the other.

[Nicolette]

Successful in terms of less post-op complications. It seems, statistically, more complications are encountered via Mr Belringer. I am delighted that you had no complications and greatly value your input. This is part of my research.

Dr Richard Curtis explained that he didn't lean either way, but after seeing a number of patients with complications during and after healing, there was now a bias towards Mr Thomas.

Going NHS has never registered in my consciousness. So, yes, privately.

Hell_Girl, did you ever consider going abroad?

[Cassie]

Hi Felicita,

Mr Thomas did my srs last year. Like you I went via Dr Curtis. He seems to have a good working relationship with Mr Thomas and does the second post-op check (Mr T does the first). I had set out to see Mr Thomas from the earliest point that i'd decided to seek surgery.

As for results... I've no complaints whatsoever. It all looked a mess to start obviously but now the appearance is brilliant. Sensation started gradually creeping in after about three months. I walked out of hospital - slightly gingerly it's true - and then spent two weeks in the house gently walking about to regain movement. By then I was pretty much back to normal but not lifting or driving. Care and aftercare were excellent. No complications at all - I didn't even have to ring the nurse with any questions.

Surgery is done at a private hospital up on the Downs near Brighton (sea views!). Unlike CX they keep you on "bed rest" for about five days which got a tad uncomfortable at times. You get your own room and tv and the food is good.

Feel free to ask anything else...

[Hell_Girl]

Going abroad is false economy in my mind...my surgery cost about £9500 and was done in parkside hospital wimbledon. Apart from majorly hemmoraging immediately post op (which is a risk in any major surgery) the only complications I've had are small amounts of granualtion tissue (which again are likely regardless of your surgeon). One of the things that put me off in regards to Mr Thomas is that you're in a small private clinic and not a hospital which means you may not have as immediate access to things like units of blood should you start hemmoraging like me.

It's a case of six of one and half a dozen of the other...every private patient of Mr Belringer I've spoken to has sworn by him, and the same for Mr Thomas.

I have no regrets about chosing Mr Belringer, I have excellent sensation, good depth (though that's not really a concern to me) and I even get a bit of a wide on when aroused (possibly TMI there ).

It may be worth noting that I went via Dr Perring rather than Dr Curtis as I'm vaguely aquainted with someone who used to be a gender psych and they hold a very low opinion of Dr Curtis.

[Cassie]

and not a hospital which means you may not have as immediate access to things like units of blood should you start hemmoraging like me.

I was very worried about that too but Brighton General is about a mile away down the same road. The lack of emergency care is, I think, the principal reason they keep you on your back for five days. Apart from the lack of emergency facilities it is a proper hospital with loads of nurses and doctors on duty round the clock. Once I saw the place I stopped worrying!

[Nicolette]

Thank you both for your positive replies. The UK surgeons get so slated. You give me hope of GRS in the UK. Complications abroad and in a foreign country scare me just a bit. And then there's the travel back in a cramped plane for hours on one's butt, not to mention all the other frustrations of travel.

I used to see Mr Russel Reid, until 1999. Mr Curtis's approach seemed a little different, a little detached. Reid was more affable. Hell_Girl, what were the negatives in regard to Mr Curtis?

I will have many more questions, just need to formulate them first.