Dr. Crane vs. Dr. Nguyen vs. Dr. Bowers?

[Rose City Rose]

So it seems my three best options right now for bottom surgery (MtF) are Dr. Curtis Crane, Dr. Tuan Nguyen, and Dr. Marcy Bowers.

Of these three:
*Dr. Crane is the one I know least about, but I understand he was trained by a good surgeon and his work looks OK.
*Dr. Nguyen is literally a 20 minute bus ride from me but I have only found one MtF bottom surgery review (although it was a very good review).
*Dr. Bowers is widely known, but the reviews of her are extremely polarized from "avoid at all costs" to "great experience and excellent results."  At least two friends of mine fall on either end of that spectrum.

What is important to me (from most to least important) in my genital surgery:
1. Lowest risk of complications
2. Sensation and orgasm
3. Depth
4. Overall functionality (i.e. will it self-lubricate?)
5. Aesthetics (not terribly important because I'm largely monogamous).

I'm desperately in need of comparisons/opinions on these doctors and how well they fit with my goals.  Any advice, feedback, experiences, or even anecdotes of your friends' experiences would be helpful.  Thanks!

[Kassie]

What about Toby meltser? The one in Portland does  not deal with insurance Office has not been the most friendliest either

[Rose City Rose]

What about Toby meltser? The one in Portland does  not deal with insurance Office has not been the most friendliest either

I have it on good word from the trans health coordinator at my university that patients have been covered to see Dr. Nguyen in the recent past, and some of the reviews on this site say he's actually very helpful.  As for Dr. Meltser, I don't feel safe going to AZ and it's a long way to travel.  He'd have to be really excellent for me to consider him over my other options.  How does he compare?

Also, I see he does a two-stage procedure.  How important is the second stage?  I may not be able to get funding for this.

[whatever]

You likely already considered but any idea if Dr.Brassard in Montreal meets your criteria? I know of two girls that had their surgery with him that are very happy with results (appearance, sensation, etc.) I will be going to him next year as he is the designate parctitioner covered in my province (I live in Canada.)

Best of luck in your search.

[Rose City Rose]

You likely already considered but any idea if Dr.Brassard in Montreal meets your criteria? I know of two girls that had their surgery with him that are very happy with results (appearance, sensation, etc.) I will be going to him next year as he is the designate parctitioner covered in my province (I live in Canada.)

Best of luck in your search.

Insurance won't cover doctors outside the country.  Otherwise Brassard and Suporn would be high on my list.

[Kassie]

I will have to continue searching for that reference that I received in a email from another patient stating that Dr Nguyen  did not except insurance for S our S.
Dr. Toby Melcer used to be up at OHSU you stay at a nearby recovery center for approximately A week I know a few people who work for him when he was in Portland back then and still two today he is very popular and one of the top surgeons in the US  you can also have multiple procedures done at once
Why would you not feel comfortable in Scottsdale Arizona?

[Rose City Rose]

Why would you not feel comfortable in Scottsdale Arizona?

Because the people in Arizona scare me.  A lot of birthers and militia types. 

[Kassie]

Oh okay never had that experience I have been down there quite a bit in the last 17 years probably 40 to 50 times used to have family and still do have Friends in that Phoenix area
There are definitely parts of Arizona you don't want to be in alone at night but just like any town  even the Rose city

[Vicky]

Dr. Bowers was my surgeon and she hit all of your main points for what you want.  I am happy with looks, and healing was largely un-eventful.  (3 of the members here are headed her way, and another had surgery with her in April.) My stuff works, and I was 65 at the time of my surgery in Jan 2013.  Dr. Crane is about 15 miles south of Dr. Bowers, and one of our other members was his patient and she is feeling great about it and is up and moving around very well and happily. Crane also nailed your requirements for her.  Correct spelling by the way is Toby Meltzer, in Arizona, and he was on my short list except for the two stage surgery.  The second stage is creation of labia minora.  Crane and Bowers use single stage where the labia minora are constructed during the first surgery.  Everyone who is happy with their results will recommend their surgeons, and most bad results are caused by failure to follow pre or post op medical instructions for self care.  Only caution is your bod is gonna do what YOUR bod is gonna do!!    Don't blame the doctor for that.

If you have a chance to get to a Transgender Convention in the near future where one of the surgeons will be presenting an infomercial, that is really the best way to figure out who you want.  Both Meltzer and Bowers were at Conferences I went to, and it was on the basis of personal interaction that I made my choice.  Both of them are friends by the way.

[Kassie]

Sorry about the spelling use dictation and it is hard to proof read always as I am visually impaired and have other medical issues

[Flan]

I wouldn't recommend Nguyen because unless he has changed practice the level of aftercare post-op is very low (discharged same day with daily progress checks until catheter is out).

[CuteAsianCougar]

I just got home from my GRS with Dr. Toby Meltzer. He is not just a surgeon, he is an artist!!! His staff and the staff at Greenbaum Surgery Center are clinically competent & very caring (this coming from a nurse like me).

Gratefully, my co-pay is only $100, otherwise I wouldn't afford him!!!

I suggest you check with your insurance and employer if they cover the surgery. From what I understand, California & Oregon mandates that the GRS is covered by the employer's health insurance, just like caesarean section etc. I'm not sure if there are more states with the same ruling (i hope so).

Good luck and all the best!!!

[Rose City Rose]

I just got home from my GRS with Dr. Toby Meltzer. He is not just a surgeon, he is an artist!!! His staff and the staff at Greenbaum Surgery Center are clinically competent & very caring (this coming from a nurse like me).

Gratefully, my co-pay is only $100, otherwise I wouldn't afford him!!!

I suggest you check with your insurance and employer if they cover the surgery. From what I understand, California & Oregon mandates that the GRS is covered by the employer's health insurance, just like caesarean section etc. I'm not sure if there are more states with the same ruling (i hope so).

Good luck and all the best!!!

My co-pay for out of network is $5,000.

Dr. Meltzer seems to get good reviews.  I have a lot of reservations about going to AZ after I heard that you can be arrested for prostitution just for talking to people while being trans down there, but maybe I'll have to consider taking the risk.  Anyhow, it isn't as if I'll be doing a whole lot of walking around after having a procedure like that.  I'll probably stay in my hotel with the AC on full blast eating ice cream and using the free WiFi.

[LordKAT]

You could check with your insurance but what I understood is; if there is no qualified surgeon in network, they have to let you use an out of network surgeon at in network prices.

[Rose City Rose]

You could check with your insurance but what I understood is; if there is no qualified surgeon in network, they have to let you use an out of network surgeon at in network prices.

What I'm hearing is that this isn't true for my insurance; that they'll cover all but $3500 for in-network and all but $5000 out of network.

Also, I'm warming up to Dr. Crane since discovering that he is a board certified urologist (Bowers isn't).

[Vicky]

Also, I'm warming up to Dr. Crane since discovering that he is a board certified urologist (Bowers isn't).

Actually, Dr. Bowers had her beginnings and experience in vaginal reconstruction surgery for natal women, including instances of vaginal agenesis before her own surgery which was not from Dr. Biber whose practice she took over. 

[KayCeeDee]

Another name to throw out there is Dr. Peter Davis in Palo Alto. Very short wait times. He did my surgery 3 months ago, and I'm very happy with the results. There's a thread I started (and need to post more on).