Contemplating SRS in early 2014

[Carlita]

I went to Brassard for my SRS, going on 3 1/2 years ago now. Wow how time flies! I have nothing but the best to say about his work. The care was great, the recovery facility was fantastic, and the results are exceptional.

Jenny, In the same vein as you with your voice feminization surgery, I also documented the process during my SRS quite a bit here on Susan's. Below are links to each part of my "journal" as things progressed. I hope that helps you half as much as you've helped in affirming my decision to go with VFS at Yeson. I would say that if you feel ready then by all means go for it. Nobody else can really tell you when you're ready for it, it's something that you have to feel comfortable doing and only you can say when that time is. As long as you can get all the necessary documents and tests done then go for it.

I've definitely heard good things about Suporn, but I went with Brassard because I heard equally good things and he was closer. In the end I don't regret anything about my choice to go with him.

SRS Journal:
Part 1: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,75041.msg510923.html#msg510923
Part 2: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,75082.msg511302.html#msg511302
Part 3: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,75217.msg512476.html#msg512476
Part 4: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,75255.msg512845.html#msg512845
Part 5: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,75303.msg513324.html#msg513324
Part 6: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,75333.msg513594.html#msg513594
Part 7: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,75356.msg513962.html#msg513962
Part 8: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,75410.msg514356.html#msg514356
Part 9: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,75454.msg514792.html#msg514792
Part 10: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,75801.msg518033.html#msg518033
Part 11: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,76194.msg526849.html#msg526849
Part 12: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,80722.msg562722.html#msg562722

Looking at those posts, I see that the most recent was back in 2010. How do you feel, three years later? It sounds like everything worked out just as well as you could ever have hoped. It must be great now, when everything just becomes normal, without a whole great routine to worry about ...

[sarahb]

Looking at those posts, I see that the most recent was back in 2010. How do you feel, three years later? It sounds like everything worked out just as well as you could ever have hoped. It must be great now, when everything just becomes normal, without a whole great routine to worry about ...

Well, it's so natural these days that I don't even think about it much. Which is pretty amazing really. I have plenty of sensation and orgasms aren't an issue. Really the only negative thing is needing lube most of the time, but that's not really something that can be helped, and I have noticed quite a few times where I didn't need it. Those times were when there was the right amount of foreplay to get my body in the right mood, something I'm sure a lot of cis girls have as well 🙂

[Jennygirl]

That's great to hear, Sarah. Thanks for sharing

Even more confidence going with Brassard!

[Nicolette]

How did everyone cope with discontinuing HRT three weeks before their surgery with Brassard? Were there any negative physical or emotional changes? Also, when did you restart HRT? I know you can keep your T level very low during this period with an injection of triptorelin and such.

[Jenna Marie]

I had only very minor issues with discontinuing HRT - a couple of mild hot flashes. (I was emotionally all over the place, but since GRS was 3 weeks away and I was terrified of any kind of surgery, I think that was to be expected!) Not sure what my T level was b/c it wasn't tested, but my guess is not much, since pathology reported that my testicles were nonfunctional anyway.

We got the OK to restart HRT the day we left the residence, which was day 10 if I count the day of the operation as day 1. So it was, of course, actually about 31 days off... but honestly, post-op the LAST thing I was thinking about was hormones. I was too busy caring for the new bits! I even, um, forgot to put a patch on until the next day I was home. 🙂

[mrs izzy]

For me a little of my body hair started to get more active in growth. I stopped like 3 1/2 months out being did not want to renew a script and save a few $.

As said after, think it was almost 3 days before i put a pactc on once home. Just first weeks are very hectic for sure. I did blood work like 6 weeks after my SRS and everyting was back to my pre-levels. Did not take much time to settle back in.

But everyone is different on how stoping will effect you. Its only for 3 months so not any big issues, remember its all for the good. Relax

Izzy

[Nicolette]

For me a little of my body hair started to get more active in growth. I stopped like 3 1/2 months out being did not want to renew a script and save a few $.

As said after, think it was almost 3 days before i put a pactc on once home. Just first weeks are very hectic for sure. I did blood work like 6 weeks after my SRS and everyting was back to my pre-levels. Did not take much time to settle back in.

But everyone is different on how stoping will effect you. Its only for 3 months so not any big issues, remember its all for the good. Relax

Izzy

3 weeks isn't such a big issue. 3 months would be a nightmare! I presume that's a typo.

I'm on triptorelin to hope to minimise the withdrawal effects. I haven't been off E for almost two decades, so I'm sort of paranoid! I can't imagine those things being able to produce anything anymore, but who knows.

[mrs izzy]

Yes hormones stop for Brassard is 3 weeks out (that i made a typo) . I know some of the doctors are 6 weeks.
I did stop at 3 1/2 months being i been on hrt since 1999 and lets say the boys where next to nothing left and was not worried about any real major effects. Also i am in a older age bracket and gave it a little more time to remove any possible DVT.

Anyway you will be fine.

Izzy

[sarahb]

How did everyone cope with discontinuing HRT three weeks before their surgery with Brassard? Were there any negative physical or emotional changes? Also, when did you restart HRT? I know you can keep your T level very low during this period with an injection of triptorelin and such.

Over the years I've been a bit inconsistent with hormones, so stopping for the short period wasn't that much of an issue for me. I think I was too preoccupied with thinking of the upcoming surgery to really worry about HRT anyways. However, now that I'm post-op I've noticed that not being consistent with HRT is more detrimental to my emotions in a big way.

[Carlita]

Well, it's so natural these days that I don't even think about it much. Which is pretty amazing really. I have plenty of sensation and orgasms aren't an issue. Really the only negative thing is needing lube most of the time, but that's not really something that can be helped, and I have noticed quite a few times where I didn't need it. Those times were when there was the right amount of foreplay to get my body in the right mood, something I'm sure a lot of cis girls have as well

Wow - sounds wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing - I've been away a few days so couldn't reply sooner!

[Jennygirl]

I'm looking for any info regarding californians who have gone to brassard for SRS and had it covered by insurance. I just called anthem blue cross/shield or whatever but they have to dig and I'm not sure if they will find it. I also emailed Brassard's office in the hopes he has some good info.

I know it should be covered with the transgender nondiscrimination act that was recently passed in California and I'm hoping to take full advantage!

[FrancisAnn]

Jenny,

Have you consider Dr. McGinn? I've had one close friend that used her services earlier this year & she is very pleased with the results.

[Jenna Marie]

Do they cover doctors out of the US? Everyone I know who's used insurance has been limited to in-country surgeons. (As much as I hate to talk you out of Brassard - I'm a very satisfied customer!)

[FrancisAnn]

Jenna Marie, If I can ask did you use Dr. Brassard or Mr. McGinn or some other surgeon? I think my best choice is Dr. McGinn because of my friends experience & the fact that she also corrected her body long ago.

[Jennygirl]

I definitely had my heart set on Brassard and paying for it out of pocket, but today I spoke with Anthem Blue Cross and they had a no deductible + 4,000 max out of pocket HMO plan.

They (Anthem) also publicly released benefit options for gender transition, which includes SRS and hormone therapy (among other things) as covered medical treatments. The woman I talked to was able to pull it up, but she did not know at first and tried to tell me that SRS is a cosmetic procedure. She stood corrected and was really nice about it.

She's checking to see if any of my medical doctors (general medicine, endocrinologist, brassard) would be directly covered by the HMO plan including the newly released benefits. I have a feeling it will turn up zilch, but worth a try I guess.

I also just got an email back from Brassard's office; they do not deal with any insurance companies.

So, I don't know. It's looking like I may just get the cheapest insurance possible to be legal with obamacare- unless I want to consider McGinn or another US surgeon (if I could even get coverage out of state). I will probably end up just doing it the original plan: of out of pocket with Brassard. It's a very important surgery to me, which means I'd be happier having my preference in doctor versus just being less $$.

[mrs izzy]

I definitely had my heart set on Brassard and paying for it out of pocket, but today I spoke with Anthem Blue Cross and they had a no deductible + 4,000 max out of pocket HMO plan.

They (Anthem) also publicly released benefit options for gender transition, which includes SRS and hormone therapy (among other things) as covered medical treatments. The woman I talked to was able to pull it up, but she did not know at first and tried to tell me that SRS is a cosmetic procedure. She stood corrected and was really nice about it.

She's checking to see if any of my medical doctors (general medicine, endocrinologist, brassard) would be directly covered by the HMO plan including the newly released benefits. I have a feeling it will turn up zilch, but worth a try I guess.

I also just got an email back from Brassard's office; they do not deal with any insurance companies.

So, I don't know. It's looking like I may just get the cheapest insurance possible to be legal with obamacare- unless I want to consider McGinn or another US surgeon (if I could even get coverage out of state). I will probably end up just doing it the original plan: of out of pocket with Brassard. It's a very important surgery to me, which means I'd be happier having my preference in doctor versus just being less $$.

You should be able to pay out of pocket and get back from the insurance company if you go with brassard?

Izzy

[Jennygirl]

You should be able to pay out of pocket and get back from the insurance company if you go with brassard?

Izzy

I'm hoping that is the case! Thanks, I will bring it up to them at Anthem! 🙂

[ZoeM]

All I'm hoping is to meet one of my Susan's friends when I get there. 🙂

[Jennygirl]

All I'm hoping is to meet one of my Susan's friends when I get there.

I am hoping to have a slide-able schedule and would love to make that a reality!

[Jenna Marie]

Francis Ann : Sorry, I meant to imply that. I went with Brassard, and as far as I'm concerned he was worth paying every penny out of pocket and then some. I'm sure all the other major surgeons are also excellent, mind you; we can all only experience it once, though (at least if we're lucky!), and so I only know the doctor I finally chose.