Researching Surgeons for SRS

[jillian]

Hello,

I'm new to the forums and this is my first post here. I came across this site while doing some research on surgeons for SRS, which is quite a daunting process with so much information and so many options. I'm hoping to get some more information about this and to talk with others who are also considering SRS or have already undergone surgery. I'm 29 and have been living full-time as a female since May 07 under the care of a psychologist and endo and have been on HRT now for 8 months and couldn't be happier. Planning for SRS is the next step for me in transitioning.

Spent some time last night reading through some of the previous posts here and did get some very helpful information, as well as some ideas of what to expect, pricing, even found a nice video of Dr. Bowers. Prior to signing up here I was considering Dr. Suporn, as I've heard a lot of good things about his practice and procedures from people at a local Trans support group I attend and help facilitate on occasion. After some further reading, it seems like Dr. Brassard is also a very good option and have been doing some more research. Dr. Bowers is also a consideration as well and has a great reputation in the transgender community. She's is also from my hometown of Seattle! Any comments, suggestions, or experiences with these surgeons would be greatly appreciated!

As far as the procedures, I am looking into having SRS, BA, and potentially a tracheal shave and/or voice surgery. Has anyone had all 3 of these done at once? Also, many people say you can expect to return to work after 6wks post-op. What are people's experiences with post-op recovery with Dr. Brassard.

What can be expected from cricothyroid approximation for the voice.

Lately many seem to be choosing a silicone implant over saline for BA. I've heard some horror stories long ago of silicone. What are the facts? I'm looking for a natural looking breast, nothing overdone. Also, what technique for BA do the different surgeons use? So many options these days with under the armpit, the aeriole, under the breast, through the belly button, over or underneath the muscle.

-Jillian

[Steph]

I had my SRS/GRS on Dec 11th, 2006.

After checking out and comparing all the surgeons I narrowed my list to Brassard, Bowers and Suporn (in no particular order).  They all have good reps and their results are all comparable based on the method they use.  The defining factor for me was the distance to, and the travel requirements to each, as price was not a real factor for me.  I went with Brassard as he is in Canada and only a 4 hour drive from where I lived.  I wrote about my experience in my blog found here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,130.0.html.

There are also pictures of my results posted in the wiki found here:

https://www.susans.org/wiki/Penile_inversion

Tink, another member went with Bowers approximately one month later and she recounts her experience and she will no doubt provide information on her experience.

Additionally there are extensive articles that cover SRS/GRS in our Wiki found here:

https://www.susans.org/wiki/GRS_male-to-female

Read the article and follow the links for a complete read.  There are many here who have dealt with several of the surgeons and they too will no doubt post their feelings.

Steph.

[tinkerbell]

Tink, another member went with Bowers approximately one month later and she recounts her experience and she will no doubt provide information on her experience.

Actually Steph, I went to Dr. Meltzer

tink

[Steph]

Tink, another member went with Bowers approximately one month later and she recounts her experience and she will no doubt provide information on her experience.

Actually Steph, I went to Dr. Meltzer

tink

I knew that... I was just seeing if you were paying attention

Steph

[Hazumu]

Researching is frustrating at best.  Do you want to get a Cadillac of surgeries?  What's the price you'll have to pay, both in dollars and in increased recovery time do to more extensive/invasive reconstruction?

Do you want the best bang for the buck?  Where's the true bargain, and where's the "ya gets what ya pays for" sad story?

I found that using google to search for [SRS horror stories] didn't bring up much, and I had to fine-tune the search endlessly.

The post-op girls will almost always be cheerleaders for their surgeons, unless one of them was botched bad.  Then she will post a horror story.  You may be able to find it.

My criteria are:

Success (no botches or complications)
Sensitivity (girls just wanna have fun...)
..
..
..
..
..
..
Aesthetics (nobody says "Eww-w-w-w, what's THAT!?!" whenever I'm seen disrobed is the measure of success here...)

I'm looking at surgeons based on those criteria. 

Different surgeons have different reps, and different fan clubs.  For instance, graduates of Dr. Suporn call themselves, 'Supornistas'...  And different clients have different rankings of desirable qualities.  First work out what you want, and what you're willing to spend, risk and endure to get it...

Happy shopping!

Karen

[jillian]

Karen,

I'm interested in getting the best result possible, as I will be living with this for the rest of my life. I've already saved approx 20k for surgery and really am just looking to see what the best options are. I want the finest care available.

To put things as you have, my criteria are:

Success rate
Sensitivity
Aesthetics
Depth
Aftercare for recovering patients
Consistency
Experience

Some of the the result images on Suporn's site do look quite nice and the reported depth seems more than many other surgeons. I've also heard some bad stories of him. Traveling to Thailand is also not appealing but I would consider it it would be a good result. The results I've seen of Brassard look more natural in my opinion.

I read through Steph's GRS blog. Ty so much for providing all of the wonderful information. It gives a lot of 1st hand information about recovery that You won't hear on the surgeons websites. I realize this is a very major surgery and not to be taken lightly.

-Jillian

[LostInTime]

If money were no object, I would be scheduled with Dr Brassard. Everyone that I know who has had SRS looks and functions great. Post op recovery is top notch.

Dr Bowers. I know a few who have gone and a few who are scheduled. Nothing but good things so far.

Dr Suporn, I had a problem with his staff a few years back. I misread something on his site and emailed a question. Their reply was that I needed to find a different surgeon. He was taken off the list permanently because of his staff.

Dr Chettawut, I have been in communication with and he has been great so far. His results the last few years are looking really good and he is a lot cheaper than the others.

Another that was on my list was Dr Meltzer. He is really expensive but does good work.

One thing to consider is travel, for me 16-18 hours on a plane is not a very attractive prospect but may be one to be endured.

Talk about tough choices, when I first went FT I was trying to choose from Biber, Schrang, Meltzer, and, Menard, and Brassard.

[jillian]

I appreciate all of the comments and suggestions, ty!

redfin: yes i agree with you, it is a very difficult decision to make. You only get one shot at it and it's something that I will be living with the rest of my life. Have you narrowed it down at all to a few surgeons? Also I'd like to say it was a pleasure meeting you yesterday.

LostInTime: money is not really a factor in my decision and have already saved up enough for the procedure. It really comes down to deciding who will do the best work, and who will take the best care of me during the recovery process. I have been hearing a lot of negative or iffy things of Dr. Suporn on this site and it makes me weary of going to him for surgery. He is also soooo far away and as you said an 18 hour flight is a very long time. I can't help think of the flight home, 18 hours on a plane sitting, post-op doesn't sound appealing at all.

I'm definately considering Dr. Brassard and Dr. Bowers at the top of my list. You are not the first to recommend Dr. Meltzer and sounds like he's definately worth consideration. Also, all three have US licenses and no need to hassle with legalities of letters for surgeries abroad being accepted or not here in the States. I also came across this information on Dr. Suporn's site:

Legal Documentation for Patients from the USA

In a minority of cases (under 10% of cases) of patients from U.S.A.(depending on their State of residence) State authorities will not accept the medical certificate of SRS to change certain legal documents, because they expect that the certificates be legally 'notarized' in Thailand. There is no legal notarization mechanism for medical documents in Thailand; only the Medical Council of Thailand has the authority to certify medical documents. All patients should confirm with their State Laws regarding their individual requirements for changing of birth certificates, passports, and driver's licenses before coming to Thailand.

For those patients whose State laws insist that only notarized documentation is acceptable, after recovering from SRS, these patients must travel to the Medical Council offices in Bangkok, have the medical certificate certified, and then visit the U.S. Embassy to have it notarized by the U.S. government officials. These actions can only be done with the patient's physical presence in Thailand. If they must have the notarized document and they have already left the country - they must return to Thailand.

I'd hate to have to make a second round trip flight to Thailand post-op to validate paperwork of the surgery.

I haven't heard much of Dr. Menard's results. Has anyone had experience with him in the past? His results look nice also on the website.

[Steph]

I appreciate all of the comments and suggestions, ty!


I haven't heard much of Dr. Menard's results. Has anyone had experience with him in the past? His results look nice also on the website.

I believe Menard is functionally retired. I don't know if he's still doing a few surgeries.

Gina M.

You're right Gina, when I was there last Dec he was functionally retired, he doesn't take many patients now but I think he will if requested.

Steph

[tinkerbell]

Schrang

If Dr. Schrang hadn't been retired by the time I had SRS, I would have gone to him.  His main objective during SRS was to create the most cosmetically acceptable vagina possible.  I'm not sure but I heard that he's still performing SRS for patients who contact him directly.

tink

[Hazumu]

For those patients whose State laws insist that only notarized documentation is acceptable, after recovering from SRS, these patients must travel to the Medical Council offices in Bangkok, have the medical certificate certified, and then visit the U.S. Embassy to have it notarized by the U.S. government officials. These actions can only be done with the patient's physical presence in Thailand. If they must have the notarized document and they have already left the country - they must return to Thailand.

If you're in a state that allows even that, then you're better off than states that believe your sex is immutable unto eternity.  Seriously, it would be a BIG help if the Fed would step in and say you can too change your gender, and put teeth into a mechanism to do so, states' rights be damned.

Karen

[Butterfly]

I found Ann Lawrence links to be very helpful.

Vaginoplasty results from 23 surgeons:
http://www.annelawrence.com/vaginoplasties.html

Vaginal Depth:
http://www.annelawrence.com/genitaldimensions.html

Rates of postoperative orgasm in transsexual women:
http://www.annelawrence.com/orgasm.html

Effects of sexual arousal post-vaginoplasty:
http://www.annelawrence.com/arousal.html

Transsexual surgery:  Its pros and cons:
http://www.annelawrence.com/prosandcons.html

Vaginoplasty nightmares:
http://www.annelawrence.com/ruchnarrative.html

http://www.annelawrence.com/pichetdissatisfaction.html

Many more links to MTF GRS:
http://www.annelawrence.com/twr/


I also found this from a member here.  Horrid results of vaginoplasty done in
Asia.

OK !

But just to close the photo which really put me off Suporn :

http://uk.geocities.com/laura_eva_b/Suporn_discharge_7Weeks.jpg

Imagine flying back home looking like that  !!!

And also the five month result of a UK girl I know personally :

http://uk.geocities.com/laura_eva_b/Suporn_5months.jpg

And finally the Anne Lawrence pics that Suporn had removed :

http://uk.geocities.com/laura_eva_b/suporn0501a.jpg
http://uk.geocities.com/laura_eva_b/suporn0501b.jpg
http://uk.geocities.com/laura_eva_b/suporn0801a.jpg
http://uk.geocities.com/laura_eva_b/suporn0801b.jpg

Laura x

I'm planning to have GRS in 2008.  I'm still debating between Dr. Bowers in the States and Dr. Brassard in Canada.  I've got to make a decision soon if I want to have it done next year.  I understand the waiting period is long (12 months to 18 months in some cases)

[cindianna_jones]

You know, I think I've now seen more pictures of constructed vagina's than those of natal females.  I don't even know what a natural one looks like anymore! 

Cindi

[Dennis]

You know, I think I've now seen more pictures of constructed vagina's than those of natal females.  I don't even know what a natural one looks like anymore! 

Cindi

I can send you some links....

Dennis

[tinkerbell]

You know, I think I've now seen more pictures of constructed vagina's than those of natal females.  I don't even know what a natural one looks like anymore! 

Cindi

Well, Anne Lawrence has this picture of a natal vulva for comparison.

Graphic photograph below

Link


tink

P.S.  As you can see, constructed vaginas are totally undistinguishable from natal ones. (if you go to the right surgeon, that is.)

[Fer]

I dont plan to travel overseas for my genital reconstruction.  I have chosen Bellringer.  One of the best GRS surgeons in the UK.  I have not a day yet but I am looking forward to having it done in July 2008.

[cindianna_jones]

I've had 20 years experience with mine. I've had a few boyfriends... not a lot, but more than some. The only person to ever really look at it has been my doctor. 

After looking at the "reference picture", I am truly relieved to see that mine looks just swell.  Yeah... right   Although I did have one doctor that asked me point blank after seeing me if I had a sex change operation.  I'm sure that it's hard to fool any competent physician.

Even if it didn't look okay, I seriously doubt that it would make any difference in my life.

I was always much more worried about having complications.  Fortunately, I have had no problems with that part of my life.

Cindi

[Sheila]

Cindi, I think that I have seen more converted vaginas than natal one too. I don't look anymore, I don't care. Mine looks normal, anyway that is what two doctors have told me. I went to Dr. Preecha in Thailand, I don't think he does them anymore. I heard that he had taught a lot of surgeons, including Suporn, and that he only over sees the facility that he had built.

[jillian]

I dont plan to travel overseas for my genital reconstruction.  I have chosen Bellringer.  One of the best GRS surgeons in the UK.  I have not a day yet but I am looking forward to having it done in July 2008.

Fer,

Wow, July 08 is the big date? Wonderful! I'm also planning for July 08. It would be fun to stay in contact with you over the year to come to see how things are going. I think about this everyday and I'm guessing that won't change until after the procedure.

-Jillian

Posted on: August 24, 2007, 03:37:17 PM

I had my SRS/GRS on Dec 11th, 2006.

After checking out and comparing all the surgeons I narrowed my list to Brassard, Bowers and Suporn (in no particular order).  They all have good reps and their results are all comparable based on the method they use.  The defining factor for me was the distance to, and the travel requirements to each, as price was not a real factor for me.  I went with Brassard as he is in Canada and only a 4 hour drive from where I lived.  I wrote about my experience in my blog found here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,130.0.html.

There are also pictures of my results posted in the wiki found here:

https://www.susans.org/wiki/Penile_inversion

Tink, another member went with Bowers approximately one month later and she recounts her experience and she will no doubt provide information on her experience.

Additionally there are extensive articles that cover SRS/GRS in our Wiki found here:

https://www.susans.org/wiki/GRS_male-to-female

Read the article and follow the links for a complete read.  There are many here who have dealt with several of the surgeons and they too will no doubt post their feelings.

Steph.

Steph,

Thank you for posting all of this great information and sharing your experiences as it is a very personal journey. It sounds like You narrowed it down to the same doctors I have and also considered the travel distance as a major factor. Your results with Dr. Brassard are excellent and look very natural. You must be ecstatic!

At this point in time, I'm planning on contacting Dr. Brassard and Dr. Bowers and discuss my intentions to have SRS in July 08. This will be a good opportunity to get to know the surgeons on a more personal basis as well as to get some more information about the procedures.



-Jillian

[tinkerbell]

Although, I have to say, that sample isn't one of the prettier ones I've seen.

Gina M.

Okay Gina.  I have this other link which was kindly provided by our beautiful Mawd.  Thank you, Mawd. 

Warning: Graphic Photos

http://www.the-clitoris.com/y/vulva/m_vulva.htm


Better?


tink