Questions about surgery through Kaiser.

[HouseHippo]

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with SRS through kaiser that they would like to share. I know that I'm covered by my insurance, but I've been unable to find information on the surgeon. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[NatalieInProgress]

I realize this is an old post and I don't have too much new info, but will gladly tell you the little bit I do know.
     According to Dr. Bowers, Kaiser tries to push all of their customers to Dr. Meltzer for this procedure and refuses to find for anyone else because they are out of network. I myself am hoping to work around this by getting a referral from my doctor who just so happens to be on the board for Kaiser in the state of CO.
      I will have to let you know what else I learn after my appointment on 7/21.

[sunshine]

All the regions outsource to the Nor-Cal Multiple Specialty Transition (MST) Clinic in Oakland California. They currently outsource surgeries to Crane -Brownstein in Greenbrea CA (at least 7mo wait) and Dr. Meltzer in Scottsdale AZ (at least 18mo wait). I'm less than 30 days from vaginoplasty surgery with Dr. Satterwhite at Crane-Brownstein. I have turned up 3 glowing references for Dr. Satterwhite through internet research even though he has been doing vaginoplasty for less than 2 years. The MST is training KP surgeons with Dr. Meltzer with the hope of not outsourcing in the future. I am in Mid-Atlantic region (and their first vaginoplasty) where the Chief of Transgender Medicine has told me they are negotiating with surgeons in Philadelphia to outsource to them instead so that future patients won't have to fly cross country for consultations and remote surgery and recovery.

[RubyAliza]

Hey,

      To add to what Sunshine said, Kaiser has their own kind of evaluation where they have you meet a panel of different doctors back to back at the Nor-Cl Multiple Specialty Transitions.  I'm going for Dr. Satterwhite as well and hopefully I'll get my date soon because I am eagerly awaiting my evaluation tomorrow. Dr. Watson at the MST clinic did tell me eventually Kaiser Nor-Cal will have their own surgeons and will stop outsourcing to Dr. Satterwhite and Dr. Meltzer.

Congratulations Sunshine 🙂 So very happy for you. How long was the waitlist? I'm hoping it hasn't gone up terribly. I really love the samples he shows in the consultations, better even than the website. Side note - he's really nice as well, seems like he has excellent attention to detail and bed side manner.

- Ruby

[WendyAnn.1969]

I'm less than 30 days from vaginoplasty surgery with Dr. Satterwhite at Crane-Brownstein.

I have turned up 3 glowing references for Dr. Satterwhite through internet research even though he has been doing vaginoplasty for less than 2 years.

Please report how it goes. I'm (by choice) scheduled in late July.

Please send me the reviews. I have got nothing..and gave up searching .

Satterwhite's reputation is great and he is also very personable and approachable.


Best of luck.

Wendy

[RubyAliza]

Hi Wendy,
Here's one of the reviews I found:
https://www.->-bleeped-<-.com/r/asktransgender/comments/3o0h0m/my_grssrs_surgery_experience_and_one_month_postop/

- Ruby