To The Guys Who Went To Dr. Garramone: How Long Did You Stay In FL?

[King Malachite]

I have been looking at my funds and doing a "basic" budgeting for top surgery again now that I have a job.  As of right now, the amount of money I'd like to have saved up before booking is $8,290.  That is for the top surgery itself and 10 days at the New Beginnings Retreat.  I'll save for the other stuff like travel, etc. after I have booked, but for now, my goal is $8,290, give or take.  However, I'm trying to see if I could possibly cut the cost of that some.  Dr. Garramone's website says that most patients stay in town on average of 6 to 8 days.  I wanted to know how long did you guys stay in town and if you felt like that time was enough for you or if you wish you left earlier or later. 

I have calculated 10 days for the stay, because I honestly don't know how long I need.  I have never had any major surgery so I don't know how my body will react.  I'm 22, but I'm also on the heavier side with my weight and not the fittest, so I know that may extend my initial healing time.  Also, most likely, I'm not going to have anyone that will travel with me (which is why I'm staying at NBR to begin with).  I don't want to push my body to get on a plane too soon if I'm not ready to.  The plane flight would be from SC to FL most likely.  If I stayed for 8 days instead of 10, I would save on average, $278, which could go towards food/travel, or just towards my top surgery faster, etc.  It is difficult for me to figure out the logistics of how the timing will play out with out actually booking, so any help from you guys will greatly be appreciated.

Also another thing, did any of you guys have your pre-op appointment the same day you flew in, or was it the day after?  Perhaps if I could get it in the same day I fly in, then I maybe I could save an extra day of being there?

[Bimmer Guy]

I have been looking at my funds and doing a "basic" budgeting for top surgery again now that I have a job.  As of right now, the amount of money I'd like to have saved up before booking is $8,290.  That is for the top surgery itself and 10 days at the New Beginnings Retreat.  I'll save for the other stuff like travel, etc. after I have booked, but for now, my goal is $8,290, give or take.  However, I'm trying to see if I could possibly cut the cost of that some.  Dr. Garramone's website says that most patients stay in town on average of 6 to 8 days.  I wanted to know how long did you guys stay in town and if you felt like that time was enough for you or if you wish you left earlier or later. 

I have calculated 10 days for the stay, because I honestly don't know how long I need.  I have never had any major surgery so I don't know how my body will react.  I'm 22, but I'm also on the heavier side with my weight and not the fittest, so I know that may extend my initial healing time.  Also, most likely, I'm not going to have anyone that will travel with me (which is why I'm staying at NBR to begin with).  I don't want to push my body to get on a plane too soon if I'm not ready to.  The plane flight would be from SC to FL most likely.  If I stayed for 8 days instead of 10, I would save on average, $278, which could go towards food/travel, or just towards my top surgery faster, etc.  It is difficult for me to figure out the logistics of how the timing will play out with out actually booking, so any help from you guys will greatly be appreciated.

Also another thing, did any of you guys have your pre-op appointment the same day you flew in, or was it the day after?  Perhaps if I could get it in the same day I fly in, then I maybe I could save an extra day of being there?

I did 8 nights at NBR.  I got there the day before the pre-op appt, which I found really helpful.  We could buy food, learn the house and the rules, meet everyone, and get settled in.  If you can do this, it really is good.  That is why they suggest it on their website.  Otherwise, you will go from plane to pre op and then hope there is time to buy food/shop and all, learn the house and THEN go to bed.  It is just too much in one day, I think.  I liked having some time so I could go into the surgery not stressed and well rested.

I flew back right after my post op appt.  Post op appts are always in the morning, so set up your flight for sometime after 2pm (this is what NBR suggests).  They take you right to the airport after the appt.  Yours will be a really short flight.  I really think you will be ok to fly back.  Use the extra money to buy better quality, healthier food for during your recovery and only stay 8 nights.  NBR has a smooth system and you don't even really need to think while you are there, just take care of yourself.  I think this is helpful for healing.

IF you are doing man sculpting, then you should probably say longer, but I can't advise you on that.

[King Malachite]

Hi, thank you for your swift reply, Brett!

I didn't take into consideration the additional stress of having the pre-op appointment the same day I come in.  Now that I think of it, that could hinder healing time.  Thanks for letting me know that the post-op appointments took place in the morning.  I think that would be more than enough time for me to get ready to leave that evening if I wanted to, and with NBR helping me, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.  I was going to get mansculpting originally, but I decided it would be best for me to just focus on top surgery and if I wanted, get that done at a later date.  It has been such a huge relief to take that extra burden of getting that 2-5 grand for mansculpture off of my chest (no pun intended)

[aleon515]

I spent about 10 days there, traveling by myself. It was really too long but I had a much longer flight (NM to FL with a transfer in TX), but I did manage. It wasn't fun, but I did survive it.

I'd recommend coming in the day before preop (making the appt on time would be hard, given it will be about 11 AM or so). And then leaving either the day of your post-op or the day after your post-op. I would not stay as long as I did. There is nothing to do really, which was more of an issue for me as time went on. I did not have a hard time healing and I am MUCH MUCH older than you are. Of course old guys are tough. LOL.

I spent $75 on food. I would actually recommend trying to make something healthy the day you get there and eating off of it. Because I ate a lot of junk that I would never ordinarily eat. You can use the kitchen and so forth.

I got a ticket off Expedia for something like $300 as I got it about 2 months ahead.

(I feel you made a good call on "mansculpting". It is expensive. If you take T your weight redistributes anyway. And it is REALLY really uncomfortable from everything I have heard. You will be uncomfortable enough. I think the whole thing is much more uncomfortable than actually out and out painful. )

--Jay

[harlee]

I'm going to be staying at NBR for 9 nights. I'm arriving on the 7th of next month and my pre-op is on the 8th.. but because my flights have changed, I won't make it into Ft. Lauderdale until 9pm, which sucks! I do wish that I booked a day earlier but it's too late now. So maybe be aware that your flight times might change if you're unlucky, but then again, I am flying from outside of the US.

[Ayden]

I stayed 10 nights (though in a hotel). I flew in one day, have my clearances and bloodwork on the 22nd, pre-op on the 23rd, surgery bright and early on the 24th, post op on the 30th and flew out at 7:30am on the 31st. My stay was longer due to flying internationally and wanting to go to a us doctor for all my check ups and such. I flew out the day after drain removal since it was a 22 hour trip with a 15 flight. If everything is domestic I doubt you would need to take extra time. Arriving a day early and leaving after post op is probably pretty doable. I had a lot of energy and strength (by comparison of course) the day of post op.

[Bimmer Guy]

I spent $75 on food. I would actually recommend trying to make something healthy the day you get there and eating off of it. Because I ate a lot of junk that I would never ordinarily eat. You can use the kitchen and so forth.

King Maleth (did you just used to be Maleth, I got all confused at one point!), this is an additional point to be highlighted.  If you get there the day before pre op and get all of the shopping and stuff out of the way, after your pre op appt you can spend that day making some healthy dishes for the week, so you will not grab unhealthy things to eat.  Again, this will speed your recovery.  That is the great thing about having a full kitchen.  You can use all of their cooking stuff and with two refrigerators (assuming they still have two), there is room for storage for those dishes.  No need for takeout.  No need for microwave meals.  They do provide a continental breakfast, which saves a little cash.

I was very fortunate that I had my girlfriend with me who is like a master chef.  She just made a list that first day when we went to the store and got all the ingredients for meals for the week.  I was able to have fresh meals every day.

I think I have said this to you before, but I will again.  I think it is smart that since you are going by yourself that you are staying at NBR.  It is always nice to have "backup" (a person), if something comes up and you are not feeling well.

[Bimmer Guy]

I stayed 10 nights (though in a hotel). I flew in one day, have my clearances and bloodwork on the 22nd, pre-op on the 23rd, surgery bright and early on the 24th, post op on the 30th and flew out at 7:30am on the 31st. My stay was longer due to flying internationally and wanting to go to a us doctor for all my check ups and such. I flew out the day after drain removal since it was a 22 hour trip with a 15 flight. If everything is domestic I doubt you would need to take extra time. Arriving a day early and leaving after post op is probably pretty doable. I had a lot of energy and strength (by comparison of course) the day of post op.

I remember when you were sorting this all out and I hope that other international guys take note of your process, especially the choice to go a day earlier and use the docs here for medical clearance.  For me, that would take the stress out of it....going to a doc that I know would give Garramone the stuff he needs.  It seems like you planned so well and every step of the way was smooth for you. 

[aleon515]

I got in quite late (pretty much all day flying in) so I was too tired to properly shop and so on, but it would be a great idea. They provide (and sometimes cook) breakfast. I had mostly cold cereal and fruit. For lunch I had sandwiches, yogurt, and fruit. It was dinners that I suffered and ate a lot of frozen dinners. At some point, I went out and got a rotisserie chicken and had salads and veggies. So that was nice. It costs no more (sometimes less to eat better) but kind of hard if you are by yourself and flying in from across the country. A few days of eating frozen dinners didn't hurt me as I normally eat so well.

At least you are coming in from SC which isn't nearly as far. So it would be good to think about the food situation. The kitchen is nice and large and you should have room (though it's a new place, not sure but I'm sure it's a big kitchen).

The best thing was that I met a family from Ireland and we went out and also had tea every day in the afternoon.

BTW, I don't think that for a US person to get a medical clearance in Florida makes much sense. The reason I say this is there is a remote change that the surgery will not be done due to some medical condition. I think I'd rather know that ahead of time. My doctor knew exactly what would be needed for a medical clearance. But it makes sense for someone from another country. Just because of not knowing what might be needed.

Brett, only person I know who is a master chef is my sister. I wouldn't have asked her to come. She was kind of dealing with my surgery and while she was okay with it, I think it made my trans thing so much more real to her. She was very anxious about it. Yikes do not think I'd want that much free floating anxiety. But the master chef thing might have been nice.


--Jay



--Jay

[Ayden]

BTW, I don't think that for a US person to get a medical clearance in Florida makes much sense. The reason I say this is there is a remote change that the surgery will not be done due to some medical condition. I think I'd rather know that ahead of time. My doctor knew exactly what would be needed for a medical clearance. But it makes sense for someone from another country. Just because of not knowing what might be needed.



--Jay

Oh I totally agree! I made my choice based on a few details; I'm American so it's easier to navigate US Healthcare to me and I already knew I was damn healthy. Sure enough I have "barely noticeable" elevates liver enzymes from HRT that are well under what they consider average.

I would always advise going to your primary doctor, as it certainly is much less stressful and you will be much more comfortable with someone you know. If you have no choice however, his office works with a very nice doctor who is very affordable for those with no insurance. I'm with Jay though in that don't get clearance checks that close to surgery unless you know 200% that you are healthy enough for surgery.

[Ayden]

I remember when you were sorting this all out and I hope that other international guys take note of your process, especially the choice to go a day earlier and use the docs here for medical clearance.  For me, that would take the stress out of it....going to a doc that I know would give Garramone the stuff he needs.  It seems like you planned so well and every step of the way was smooth for you. 

I think I screamed and b*tched my fair number of times trying to figure it all out, but it went really smooth. If anyone international ever needs advice (now or later on) I'm happy to talk. I was really lucky in that my trip went very smooth and I honestly can't complain, with the exception of a few hiccups in US security. I vastly prefer Japan's airline security. It takes less than 10 minutes for a full (us domestic) flight group to get through. Can't beat that!

[Bimmer Guy]

Jay, I wasn't being literal about her being a master chef (but maybe you knew this?).  That was just my way of saying that I am lucky I had someone with me who cooked well (cooked healthy).

[aleon515]

Jay, I wasn't being literal about her being a master chef (but maybe you knew this?).  That was just my way of saying that I am lucky I had someone with me who cooked well (cooked healthy).

No me neither. I just thought a very good cook. My sister is also an excellent cook. But wouldn't have been the best person to have taken.

TSA, Ayden I think of them as purveyors of "security theater". It's there to give the illusion of getter safety but not really providing real security. I was lucky being a frequent flyer that I missed out on most of security (like the neked scanner and so on) by qualifying for pre-check.




--Jay

[King Malachite]

Thanks for all of the replies so far guys!  It seems that the general consensus is to basically arrive a day before the pre-op appointment and I should be able to leave day of my post op appointment considering it's a relatively short flight.  I think I might actually just stay the 8 days.  Hopefully I can be a tough cookie and will be able to do so physically.  Finding a trans-friendly doctor that will give me medical clearance in SC might be a bit hard, but I think it's manageable.  I thought about getting that done in FL, but that would probably be too much for me, and as Jay pointed out, if there's a remote chance that I have something so devastating that I wouldn't be able to get surgery, then I'd like to know early, as crushing as that might be.  Sadly I don't really know how to cook so it looks like I may just be eating quick-fixes like salads etc. the majority of the time there.


Oh and I wasn't Maleth, Brett.    I could see how it could get confusing though.  Yeah, NBR seems to be more or less a life-saver for me because I wouldn't have to hire a private nurse, which seems like could be expensive, and it seems pretty cool to be surrounded by a bunch of allies and guys getting their surgeries too.  I'll admit, that I'm slightly uneasy about it since Dr. G did strongly warn against using any "recovery sites" (and we all know NBR was who he was referring to), and some guys seemed to have not-so-good experiences with them, but it seems like the good outweighs the bad, and it's worth the risk.  It does help to know of other guy's good experiences there to kind of relax me.

When I was taking a brief look at my finances yesterday, I was actually excited, because if, I combined all of the money I had (not just funds I particularly set aside for top surgery), then I'm about 3 grand away, give or take, from being able to book surgery, provided a financial disaster doesn't happen.  Had I did still opt in for the mansculpture, I would have had to save for sooooo much longer and it would have been an emotional downer.  That was my major way of cutting down the costs.  If I can get some steady work and keep saving my money, then I might be able to afford it by December, granted it would deplete all of my funds to zero, but it's for a good cause, lol.

[aleon515]

Food: I don't know if you eat chicken but the rotisserie chickens are inexpensive enough. There are probably frozen dinners that are a little better than others.

As I've said, I don't really recommend ten days. It's a a long time to be there.

NBR: I respect Dr G's surgical gifts, but I don't necessarily agree with him on this one. It's a good deal, and not expensive. It's very good if you are alone. You don't really need the intensity of a private duty nurse and you would have no privacy. You don't need that much help for the most part. They will help you out after surgery and that sort of thing, which is what you need. I wouldn't like the lack of privacy you would have with a private duty nurse.
I found it nice to be around other people. It wasn't something I had to be involved with. No one will force you to socialize. I hardly saw anyone the first two days, just wasn't up to it so much.

--Jay

Thanks for all of the replies so far guys!  It seems that the general consensus is to basically arrive a day before the pre-op appointment and I should be able to leave day of my post op appointment considering it's a relatively short flight.  I think I might actually just stay the 8 days.  Hopefully I can be a tough cookie and will be able to do so physically.  Finding a trans-friendly doctor that will give me medical clearance in SC might be a bit hard, but I think it's manageable.  I thought about getting that done in FL, but that would probably be too much for me, and as Jay pointed out, if there's a remote chance that I have something so devastating that I wouldn't be able to get surgery, then I'd like to know early, as crushing as that might be.  Sadly I don't really know how to cook so it looks like I may just be eating quick-fixes like salads etc. the majority of the time there.


Oh and I wasn't Maleth, Brett.    I could see how it could get confusing though.  Yeah, NBR seems to be more or less a life-saver for me because I wouldn't have to hire a private nurse, which seems like could be expensive, and it seems pretty cool to be surrounded by a bunch of allies and guys getting their surgeries too.  I'll admit, that I'm slightly uneasy about it since Dr. G did strongly warn against using any "recovery sites" (and we all know NBR was who he was referring to), and some guys seemed to have not-so-good experiences with them, but it seems like the good outweighs the bad, and it's worth the risk.  It does help to know of other guy's good experiences there to kind of relax me.

When I was taking a brief look at my finances yesterday, I was actually excited, because if, I combined all of the money I had (not just funds I particularly set aside for top surgery), then I'm about 3 grand away, give or take, from being able to book surgery, provided a financial disaster doesn't happen.  Had I did still opt in for the mansculpture, I would have had to save for sooooo much longer and it would have been an emotional downer.  That was my major way of cutting down the costs.  If I can get some steady work and keep saving my money, then I might be able to afford it by December, granted it would deplete all of my funds to zero, but it's for a good cause, lol.

[sbx]

I'm having surgery with Garramone in September and staying at NBR. I'll be there for 8 nights, and I believe the max they recommend is 9. My pre-op appointment is on a Monday, so I'll be flying in the day before. They suggest you fly in the day before bc flights can be delayed or there could be traffic, and you don't want to risk missing your appointment. My surgery is on Tuesday (from what I've heard, Garrmone only performs surgery on Tuesday & Thursday), with the post-op appointment the next Monday. I'm flying back home that afternoon. The flight for me is only 2.5 hours from Maryland to Florida, which isn't that long, and I figured I'd be eager to get home. I've heard of people staying the night after their post-op though, so if you feel it would be too stressful or whatever to fly back the day of, you can do that.

NBR: I respect Dr G's surgical gifts, but I don't necessarily agree with him on this one. It's a good deal, and not expensive. It's very good if you are alone. You don't really need the intensity of a private duty nurse and you would have no privacy. You don't need that much help for the most part. They will help you out after surgery and that sort of thing, which is what you need. I wouldn't like the lack of privacy you would have with a private duty nurse.
I found it nice to be around other people. It wasn't something I had to be involved with. No one will force you to socialize. I hardly saw anyone the first two days, just wasn't up to it so much.

--Jay

I'm going alone as well since there is no one I feel comfortable asking to go with me, and these are basically the same reasons I chose to stay there. The option of hiring a private nurse makes me highly uncomfortable, I don't want some stranger hovering over me in a hotel room while I'm not feeling my best. Having access to a kitchen is also a big plus.

[aleon515]

The reason I stayed so long is that the flight is really long and I was quite apprehensive about the transfers and so on. It wasn't fun but a day or two wouldn't have mattered much, imo. So that's why I wouldn't recommend necessarily staying longer.

I agree re: the private duty nurse. Unless you had a huge suite, haven't someone in the same room all day with me, well I would NOT have liked that. I wouldn't have known how long to hire someone either. It most certainly would have been more than NBR. I felt the same about not really knowing of anybody. I can think of someone now. But she ended up driving me kind of crazy. I am very independent.

I liked having the company, when I wanted it as well. Of course I didn't always, but it was nice when I wanted it. I also liked being able to move around and go to different rooms or outside. Of course, back then they had a pool which was more or less useless. LOL

--Jay

[Bimmer Guy]

I meant to say Malachite.  Wasn't your name just Malachite at one point?  Am I nuts?

Thanks for all of the replies so far guys!  It seems that the general consensus is to basically arrive a day before the pre-op appointment and I should be able to leave day of my post op appointment considering it's a relatively short flight.  I think I might actually just stay the 8 days.  Hopefully I can be a tough cookie and will be able to do so physically.  Finding a trans-friendly doctor that will give me medical clearance in SC might be a bit hard, but I think it's manageable.  I thought about getting that done in FL, but that would probably be too much for me, and as Jay pointed out, if there's a remote chance that I have something so devastating that I wouldn't be able to get surgery, then I'd like to know early, as crushing as that might be.  Sadly I don't really know how to cook so it looks like I may just be eating quick-fixes like salads etc. the majority of the time there.


Oh and I wasn't Maleth, Brett.    I could see how it could get confusing though.  Yeah, NBR seems to be more or less a life-saver for me because I wouldn't have to hire a private nurse, which seems like could be expensive, and it seems pretty cool to be surrounded by a bunch of allies and guys getting their surgeries too.  I'll admit, that I'm slightly uneasy about it since Dr. G did strongly warn against using any "recovery sites" (and we all know NBR was who he was referring to), and some guys seemed to have not-so-good experiences with them, but it seems like the good outweighs the bad, and it's worth the risk.  It does help to know of other guy's good experiences there to kind of relax me.

When I was taking a brief look at my finances yesterday, I was actually excited, because if, I combined all of the money I had (not just funds I particularly set aside for top surgery), then I'm about 3 grand away, give or take, from being able to book surgery, provided a financial disaster doesn't happen.  Had I did still opt in for the mansculpture, I would have had to save for sooooo much longer and it would have been an emotional downer.  That was my major way of cutting down the costs.  If I can get some steady work and keep saving my money, then I might be able to afford it by December, granted it would deplete all of my funds to zero, but it's for a good cause, lol.

[King Malachite]

@Jay That was part of the reason why I didn't want to go the private nurse route.  I would have felt awkward having him/her there in such an enclosed space with me the entire time, not to mention the possibility of getting someone that wasn't as trans-knowledgeable.

@SBX Thank you for your input!  It gives me more confidence/confirmation that 8 days should be good enough for me.  Good luck on your top surgery!

@Brett Ah, yes it was just Malachite at the first, but I decided to give it an upgrade. 

[18_Wheel_Outlaw]

I have to come in here on a few things. One of the reasons that Doctor Garramone tells you to avoid recovery centers is liability. He's protecting himself legally. Another reason is that although it's rare you CAN have complications. Personally I wouldn't have been able to mentally or physically get through my surgery without 24/7 care the first week. I had an overwhelming amount of pain from the drains. Which, from my understanding is uncommon. That being said,  Dr. Garramone did everything wonderfully and my experience couldn't have been better. So keep in mind when you make your plans that everyone's experience is different.