Where to begin? (Michigan)

[MarcoMacabre]

Where do I begin to start with attempting to have my chest reconstructed? There are a lot of websites out there and I just don't know where to begin. I've been on hormones for almost two years now, and now I'm starting to pursue the next steps. I live in Michigan, and should I be figuring out what my insurance will cover if it covers anything at all? Is there surgeons in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio? That someone can recommend? I just have no idea where to to start with trying to have a Double Incision. 

[amd]

Hey Marco,

Welcome! Some insurance policies cover top surgery, some don't, but it is definitely worth checking.

I think Dr. Medakie in Cleveland, OH is one of the best out there. To start, make an account on transbucket.com and look at pictures by different surgeons on people whose bodies are similar to yours. You can also find results on this site in the top surgery recovery  thread, or on Tumblr if you search "top surgery," "topsurgery," or "ftm post op.". You will start to get a sense which surgeons' work you like. Good luck!

[aleon515]

There are a couple surgeons in Illinois to check out-- Dr Steinwald and Dr Schechter (though I heard something about Dr Steinwald moving to Colorado, I have no idea if this is true).

--Jay

[amd]

I also heard that Steinwald moved/is moving to Colorado.

@Jay: Have you heard from anyone who has gone to Schecter? He shows up in Google searches, has a web presence, etc, but I have only seen one picture (of a peri he did) on transbucket. I live in Chicago and have not met anyone who has gone to him or knows him. He is not connected to the trans community at all that I have seen. I would love to hear/see more from people who have actually gone to him, tho, because obviously it would be good to know. Right now I would not be comfortable sending anyone to him without knowing a lot more.

[aleon515]

I also heard that Steinwald moved/is moving to Colorado.

@Jay: Have you heard from anyone who has gone to Schecter? He shows up in Google searches, has a web presence, etc, but I have only seen one picture (of a peri he did) on transbucket. I live in Chicago and have not met anyone who has gone to him or knows him. He is not connected to the trans community at all that I have seen. I would love to hear/see more from people who have actually gone to him, tho, because obviously it would be good to know. Right now I would not be comfortable sending anyone to him without knowing a lot more.

Good things about him is that he has been around for a LONG time and doing this. And he was one of the first to take insurance and the very first to take Medicare for lower surgery. However, he doesn't seem to be "out" there for some reason. You could call and ask to see results?


--Jay

[amd]

@Marcos, sorry if this diverts from your question, hopefully it's useful to hear more what people know about surgeons in the.  region. 

@Jay: Good info to have, thank you. Especially good to know about Medicare and bottom surgery.  I wonder if maybe he started with or does more MTF surgeries? When I search Susan's for him, there are a couple posts from transwomen recommending him. I had top already, but lots of people I talk to ask about local options.You would think plastic surgeons in particular would know how huge a role the internet plays in people's searches, and how in this case, a picture is worth more than a thousand words! And in my opinion,the more pictures, reviews, and recommendations, the better.

[aleon515]

I know one trans guy and the trans woman who had their surgeries from him (SRS). He does more SRS ftms I believe, mostly metas (not sure if he does phallo). Afaik, he did one FTM and one MTF Medicare surgery so far. Maybe more now, this was a month ago. Someone thought that his website was going thru some changes, and I think he may work thru a university. It's kind of odd that he isn't better known, as the people who I have known that went to him were happy with results.

--Jay

@Marcos, sorry if this diverts from your question, hopefully it's useful to hear more what people know about surgeons in the.  region. 

@Jay: Good info to have, thank you. Especially good to know about Medicare and bottom surgery.  I wonder if maybe he started with or does more MTF surgeries? When I search Susan's for him, there are a couple posts from transwomen recommending him. I had top already, but lots of people I talk to ask about local options.You would think plastic surgeons in particular would know how huge a role the internet plays in people's searches, and how in this case, a picture is worth more than a thousand words! And in my opinion,the more pictures, reviews, and recommendations, the better.

[arimoose]

Dr. Sikorski in Macomb township is an osteopath, specializes in trans, is extremely friendly, reassuring, and is also doing general practice out of his office. His staff is well versed and superb. I drive close to two hours to get there but it's only ever five months and we'll worth it.

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[arimoose]

Dr. Sikorski in Macomb township is an osteopath, specializes in trans, is extremely friendly, reassuring, and is also doing general practice out of his office. His staff is well versed and superb. I drive close to two hours to get there but it's only every five months and well worth it.

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[arimoose]

He wrote a script for Dr. Garramone, that was my original point. Sorry, lol.

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[MarcoMacabre]

I have no problem with people discussing more about surgeons and everything xD But I do have a few questions as to figuring out if my insurance does cover it? And processes after that. I would like to figure out first on how to pay for a surgery and what I need first before looking at surgeons. I know I have Blue Cross Blue Shield if anyone has dealt with them before?

[arimoose]

yes, michigan blue cross srs was dropped in 2009. no idea why. in michigan as far as ive been able to research, we cant get srs until we are on medicare, doesnt that suck?  i am fighting the system as much as possible, and there are great people fighting to get this changed, but for the time being keep your birth gender marker so you can get a hysto and so forth, and after that you can change your marker and get your t paid for. the t doesnt cost enough to make fighting for the script costs worth it. if you find the right doctor like i did, you will be treated as the man or woman you truly are, and treated appropriately, with the proper pronouns, and he or she will understand your insurance problems. the good lgbt community here is fighting for our rights in healthcare, and with the aca we have a better chance of it happening. blue cross here did have diagnostic codes for all the surgeries we require, we are working to have them reinstated across all insurance providers, so for the time being, pay for your hormones and get the other tests you need for the body you have now since they will be paid for. a little humiliation can save your life now, especially with mammograms, pap smears, hysto, etc. be patient, along with me and a lot of others, and we will fight this discrimination. wink

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[arimoose]

and if you want to talk in more depth, email me.

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[Bimmer Guy]

I have no problem with people discussing more about surgeons and everything xD But I do have a few questions as to figuring out if my insurance does cover it? And processes after that. I would like to figure out first on how to pay for a surgery and what I need first before looking at surgeons. I know I have Blue Cross Blue Shield if anyone has dealt with them before?

Call the phone number on the back of your insurance card to find out your insurance coverage for top surgery (call for your "benefits").  Every plan is different.  Don't make assumptions that your insurance will or will not pay for it.  You need to call them.