How did you pick your surgeon?

[Simon]

I'm having top surgery between the middle and end of next year (has to be during College breaks). Already have the money situation squared away for the most part but I'm having problems deciding on a surgeon.

I'm a bigger mostly solid guy (except for my gut pooch) at 5'8" and 240 pounds (measured and weighed at the doc's last week). I'm worried that not every surgeon can do good work on a bigger guy. I am lifting weights currently but not working on my pecs too much because I'm afraid if I do it'll make it harder to bind.

That being said, I have two surgeons in mind. Dr. G of course, but going to him would mean about $1000 more between travel, lodging, eating out all of the time, and my gf taking a week or so off work to go with me. Then there is Dr. Macphee who is a two hour drive away. Her surgical fees are around $1,500 more than Dr. G BUT my gf won't miss any work and I can be sleeping in my own bed the same night. Macphee also offers free follow up care for up to six months afterwards which is a plus.

Macphee sounds about perfect for my situation. The only thing is I haven't seen many results from her. The only ones I have seen are of small guys and lets be honest...top surgery on a small guy with a bird chest isn't anywhere as difficult as it is on a bigger dude. I'm not worried about scars because they'll be there regardless. I don't want wonky nipples or dog tags.

How did you guys choose who to go to for top surgery? To me it just seems like a daunting task, thinking between what I really want but what is really realistically the best choice for my situation.

[King Malachite]

I can't say I've heard about Dr. Macphee and even though I won't be transitioning for a few more years, I have already chosen Dr. Garramone.  Heck, I chose him before I even decided on a therapist.


I can understand your situation about being closer to home and having all of the extra costs cut out associated by traveling to Dr. G.  I chose him for several reasons.

1.  His Mansculpture surgery-I'm a bigger guy (horizontally speaking) and I feel that having this extra surgery will greatly improve my confidence (even though the price tag is going to hurt my wallet).

2.  His results are pretty consistant, no matter what the size of the patient is and that's what I like: consistancy.

3.  So many guys have went to him and that makes me feel more comfortable with him.

4.  He's located in Florida.  I like Florida.

5.  New Beginnings Retreat will take care of me so I can go alone if needed.   Granted, I would still go even if it didn't exist, but this is honestly a heaven-send and only serves to sweeten the pot.

Top surgery is a big thing for me.  I would rather spend more money for the comfort aspect.  The journey is also important to me too.  I wouldn't mind traveling further, giving me time to anticipate top surgery and the future while I'm in the cab and on the plane.  I'm sure there could be a surgeon closer to me, but I don't want the experienced to be rushed (the phrase "two-minute man" come to mind).  Unless I need some type of revision, I only go through this process once so why not make it a memorable experience?

[Simon]

I can't say I've heard about Dr. Macphee

His Mansculpture surgery-I'm a bigger guy (horizontally speaking) and I feel that having this extra surgery will greatly improve my confidence (even though the price tag is going to hurt my wallet).

New Beginnings Retreat will take care of me so I can go alone if needed.   Granted, I would still go even if it didn't exist, but this is honestly a heaven-send and only serves to sweeten the pot.

Unless I need some type of revision, I only go through this process once so why not make it a memorable experience?

Dr. Macphee doesn't advertise that she does ftm top surgery. She mainly specializes in females who need reconstruction after a mastectomy. She is however the only surgeon available in this State (and any surrounding State) that I am aware of that any trans person has recommended.

Before you are dead set on Dr. G's "Mansculpture" option you might want to ask him about specifics. If I am not mistaken it is mainly for guys with excess hip fat and side curves. It's liposuction so if someone has excess stomach bulge or big thighs it might end up looking disproportionate. Not saying it absolutely would but it is something to consider.

New Beginnings is an awesome option for guys who have nobody who is willing to go with them. Call me a weenie but my gf is definitely going to be there regardless of where I go. I don't think top surgery is a big procedure based on recovery time and no hospital admission but having someone there to help so you don't stretch out the incisions is a big deal to me. Funny enough I think the greatest potential for stretching them will be when trying to wipe your butt.

As far as making it a memorable experience, that's not important to me. I've had plenty of surgeries out of State (as well as been stuck in a layover at the airport after one) and I can tell you the whole time I was gone the only thing I wanted was my dog, my own bed, my couch, and my own toilet. The comforts of home do mean a lot when you're in pain.

[CursedFireDean]

Wow, I had no idea there was an NC surgeon for top surgery! That's cool to know, I'm gonna look her up.

Can't really help with the 'why did you pick your surgeon' question though, since I haven't yet

[Arch]

If you want more pics, try joining a Yahoo group for FTM surgeries. I'm a member of one, but there might be more than one. Anyway, guys talk about their surgeries and post pics. MacPhee might be in there.

I picked my surgeon for lots of reasons that had little to do with his experience, which was limited. He was an hour's drive away, he and his staff treated me right, the price was right, and he had an opening that fit my academic schedule, my ex's work schedule, and my proposed move-out date (my ex and I had broken up). Both Brownstein and Meltzer had waiting lists a mile long and wouldn't have been able to accommodate my scheduling needs, and they both required travel and probably accommodations.

If I'd been a younger guy and more worried about aesthetics, I might have tried a different surgeon who had lots more experience. As it is, my chest looks pretty decent after almost four years. The areolas could be a little better placed, the nipples could be smaller (maybe), and the scar could be more in line with my pec muscles (the scars don't show so much now). But all in all, I am pretty happy with what I've got. I knew that at 46 (going on 47), I wasn't going to be running around shirtless at the beach.

But I have to say, I was at the end of my rope. I had come out as a transsexual twenty years before, and I JUST COULDN'T WAIT ANY LONGER. I was barely hanging on, and another two months might have done me in.

[Nygeel]

If you're a chubby guy with loose skin, mansculpture is a bad idea and Dr Garramone probably won't do it on you.

Finding a doctor for surgery involves figuring out if your insurance will cover anything, if distance is reasonable, cost all sorts of stuff. In general it doesn't seem that too many big guys post top surgery results online. Dunno why.

[Simon]

But I have to say, I was at the end of my rope. I had come out as a transsexual twenty years before, and I JUST COULDN'T WAIT ANY LONGER. I was barely hanging on, and another two months might have done me in.

^I feel you on that.

I'm 31 and have been binding since I was 17. It's really crazy to think about sometimes, but surviving always took precedence over top surgery.

Now I'm just thinking "what is one more year", in an attempt to preserve my sanity. Luckily for myself, I'm a rather patient individual. 

[Simon]

In general it doesn't seem that too many big guys post top surgery results online. Dunno why.

Body issues.

Most transguys grew up with the social pressures that cis women deal with on a daily basis, to be thin and perfect.

Ever go to the beach and notice that the majority of men don't care how they look shirtless? A hairy gut flopped over the front of their trunks and they still are out there for the world to see, lol.

[Nygeel]

Body issues.

Most transguys grew up with the social pressures that cis women deal with on a daily basis, to be thin and perfect.

Ever go to the beach and notice that the majority of men don't care how they look shirtless? A hairy gut flopped over the front of their trunks and they still are out there for the world to see, lol.

Ugh, not this argument again.

[Simon]

Ugh, not this argument again.

What argument?

Just a discussion and it is true that men and women have a different set of social standards and expectations they grow up with. In a perfect utopian gender neutral world things may be different...but that's not the case for most people. 

[Nygeel]

What argument?

Just a discussion and it is true that men and women have a different set of social standards and expectations they grow up with. In a perfect utopian gender neutral world things may be different...but that's not the case for most people.

It's something that keeps getting brought up that I think isn't universally true. I didn't start having body issues until I was well into my transition. Plus, plenty of cis guys do have body issues.

[Simon]

It's something that keeps getting brought up that I think isn't universally true. I didn't start having body issues until I was well into my transition. Plus, plenty of cis guys do have body issues.

Ok, that's a respectful reply instead of, "ugh, not that argument again" because what was said didn't personally pertain to you.

I had more body issues before transition. Now that I'm passing without fail I'll get my top surgery and dysphoria will be a thing of the past. I'm trying to get in shape but if not my own hairy Buddha belly will be on display with the rest of the rednecks at Myrtle Beach, lol.

Most of the guys in my family are FAT and could care less who looks at them topless. They'll say, "If you don't like it, don't look". I don't know any large females with the same mentality.

Then again this discussion is all relative to our own personal experiences.

[Arch]

It's something that keeps getting brought up that I think isn't universally true.

That's probably why he said "the majority of men." He certainly didn't say "all men."

I think my ex had (probably still has) body image issues because he was so thin. Even at home, he never walked around in just shorts (and certainly not naked). At the very least, he wore a white t-shirt and briefs, but he was more likely to wear the t-shirt with Levi's.

[AdamMLP]

Regardless of why those body issues are there it's probably why larger guys aren't as willing to show off their bodies on the internet, or in general.  It could be due to being raised as female for many years, could be to do with the whole "trans men are sooo hot" deal which gets thrown around which they don't feel they fit into, or could just be body issues that would be there regardless of gender or any specific experience.

As for surgery, I am no where near starting a medical transition, so I can't specifically help, but I'd just say that it's worth not just taking the easy option if you can wait that little bit longer to save up.  There isn't really an easy option in your case, they both have their pros and cons, but just something to note.  You've got to live with that decision for the rest of your life, and don't want to be having "what if"s at the back of your head all the time.

[Arch]

Simon, you might want to see if any of your possible surgeons have any issues with bigger guys--if so, that would influence your next move. I had a friend who was very heavy, and he was told that he would have to lose weight. But I think it was the insurance company, not a particular surgeon, that told him that.

[Simon]

Simon, you might want to see if any of your possible surgeons have any issues with bigger guys--if so, that would influence your next move. I had a friend who was very heavy, and he was told that he would have to lose weight. But I think it was the insurance company, not a particular surgeon, that told him that.

Thanks for the advice. I'm not that big really. I've always been solid looking (just got the belly issue) and lucky for me the T is helping a lot with muscle development. Since I have a year or so before surgery I'm biding my time by working on my fitness.

When I got sick and was told I had cancer I let myself go, so gotta get back in the swing of things. I just wish I wasn't so paranoid about working on my pecs right now. I probably will start working on them hard about 6 months before surgery.

You've got to live with that decision for the rest of your life, and don't want to be having "what if"s at the back of your head all the time.

You're absolutely right Alex. That's the biggest problem with trying to decide at this point.

[Natkat]

For me it was somehow tradical simple.

we only have 1 place who could the permission to do sexchange surgerys in the country and they didnt give me permission (because there idiots)
So I had to look around, many doctors refused to have anything to do with transexual patiens but there where a few who agree to help. one where a sweet lady, but she didnt had any knowlegde and I didnt felt like taking the risk on her and im happy I didnt,
another doctor had done the surgery a couple of times before but not much. he seamed abit more experienced and trusty, nearby and cheap. Yet I said I prefern to go to german because I had heard other people going there and that they had way better threatment and results of transgender people. So I contacted a few people to ask of there experience and signed up for germany sites to watch pictures and ask some practical details.

In the meanwhile, the second doctor I had contacted had to stop making top surgerys or he would lose his job or get arrested.
I could maybe had still had my surgery at his hospital but I didnt feel like making everything worse, upset people or put him in danger to lose his job.

I dont think it changed my desicion but only made it more clear, I had already made clear I preferned to go to the german doctor because I preferned a doctor I knew had made the surgery a couple of times and had experience, rather than someone closeby but with less experience.

[Arch]

Thanks for the advice. I'm not that big really.

You aren't short like my friend, either. I'm not sure how much he weighed, anyway.

Just don't go by BMI. I think everyone but Keira Knightley is overweight by that standard.

[randomroads]

I'm going with Dr. G in Florida because I like his results and travel doesn't bother me.

Fitness is a huge deal when it comes to any kind of surgery but I'm sure you know that. Hydration is doubly important for decreasing the risk of complications and increasing the ability to heal. The less fat on your body the easier it is to recover from something so high stress as surgery.

[Arch]

The less fat on your body the easier it is to recover from something so high stress as surgery.

...unless you're Keira Knightley!