Deciding on a Surgeon

[Wynternight]

I realize this is a very subjective question but I'm trying to get some input on the three surgeons I'm considering. I've done plenty of research but there are people here far more along in the process than I am.

I'm trying to decide between Bowers, Brassard, and McGinn. The benefit to Bowers and McGinn is both of them are in the US, the downside to McGinn is she's on the east coast and I'm in Alaska. She and Bowers both work with insurance which Brassard does not. Bowers has a two year waiting list and I've been hearing things that make me leery. I've heard really good things about both Brassard and McGinn but Brassard is more expensive.

I'm just looking for opinions, experience, etc. Things to help me decide when I get to that point. Thank you all.

[jfong]

I guess factoring how much insurance provider will cover US surgeons will be cheaper. But if you compare $ to $, Brassard with weak Canadian currency right now, can be pretty cheap too.
I went to Brassard and happy with the outcome, but I am also covered by my local Canadian insurance so I don't actually paid that much.

[chuufk]

It seems to me that, based on your requirements, McGinn is the clear winner - in the USA, sorts out insurance, no "leery" stuff and shorter waiting list. She is "out east" but surely so is Brassard?

For the avoidance of doubt, I will never use any of them so I have no axe to grind or self-interest.

[KristinaM]

McGinn is at the top of my list right now, for several reasons.  Being on the East Coast is better for me, I'm in North Carolina and my wife has family up that way.  The waiting list is shorter I hear than Bowers.  And I generally like the aesthetic quality of McGinn over Bowers.  I'm hoping for changes to my insurance in the next couple years too, so a US surgeon would be more desirable.

[Wynternight]

I guess factoring how much insurance provider will cover US surgeons will be cheaper. But if you compare $ to $, Brassard with weak Canadian currency right now, can be pretty cheap too.
I went to Brassard and happy with the outcome, but I am also covered by my local Canadian insurance so I don't actually paid that much.

My understanding is that Brassard has a fairly long waiting list as well. Is this correct?

[jfong]

Approx 6 months in my case.

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[Jenna Marie]

I went to Brassard, and am wholly satisfied. Also, with the weak Canadian dollar, I think the conversion rate is like $15K US for him right now... that stuck in my head because I'm jealous after I paid $20K US (the CA dollar was stronger then). Pretty sure that actually is cheaper than McGinn, and don't forget that for him the price is all-inclusive : hospital stay, recovery residence stay, and ALL medications, food, and supplies. They even pick you up at the airport.  I chose him in part because I wanted the 24-hour nursing care for over a week afterward, and I was very grateful for that when I ended up needing a minor intervention in the middle of the night.

[Laura_7]

Brassard to my knowledge kind of streamlined his process to minimize risks.
He is also accredited in the us, so it might be asked if he is covered.

[mfox]

There are a lot of states who say they cover GCS, but considering how few surgeons there are (and the long waiting lists), how does that work exactly? Does the insurance tell you who they will let you see?

And if it's a relatively flat fee like Brassard, why wouldn't he be able to take money from insurance?

[KristinaM]

I have no firsthand experience with this, but from what I've read, it sounds like most surgeons are "out of network" with insurance companies.  Which basically means they either haven't tried to come to an agreement, or were unable to come to an agreement with insurance companies, usually on pricing.  So, they don't file insurance at all.

Instead, many offices will help you work with your insurance company for partial reimbursement.

[iKate]

I have no firsthand experience with this, but from what I've read, it sounds like most surgeons are "out of network" with insurance companies.  Which basically means they either haven't tried to come to an agreement, or were unable to come to an agreement with insurance companies, usually on pricing.  So, they don't file insurance at all.

Instead, many offices will help you work with your insurance company for partial reimbursement.

This is what I thought, although I believe Dr Bowers actually does work with insurance and the others will help you get reimbursed.

[KimSails]

I went on Dr. Bowers waiting list in June.  I was given a date 21 months out, but I was also told that it was reasonable to expect that I could get in maybe a year earlier than that (which would be an 8-10 month wait).  Of course that is not guaranteed and assumes scheduling flexibility on my part. I chose her because of her experience and because she accepts my insurance.

Can I ask what is making you leery about Dr. Bowers?

[Wynternight]

I went on Dr. Bowers waiting list in June.  I was given a date 21 months out, but I was also told that it was reasonable to expect that I could get in maybe a year earlier than that (which would be an 8-10 month wait).  Of course that is not guaranteed and assumes scheduling flexibility on my part. I chose her because of her experience and because she accepts my insurance.

Can I ask what is making you leery about Dr. Bowers?

I'll send a PM.

[TG CLare]

Hello ladies;

Ok, I will admit I am biased here as Dr. McGinn did my surgery but I'll not hold it against anyone if they disregard what I write here.

I had contemplated Dr. Brassard in Quebec as he was close by relatively speaking, but I ultimately went with Dr. McGinn.

My reasons were that a lady at work went with Dr. Brassard and was in hospital for an additional 10 days with an infection. She fortunately speaks French too as she said that if you didn't, the hospital staff treated you quite differently. Sad to say, some people in Quebec still treat English speaking people like dirt. I know another lady who had a friend go to Dr. Brassard and she still has a recurring infection 3 months later.

I don't know how long Dr. Brassard's wait list is, but he and another surgeon in Vancouver, I believe, are the only 2 surgeons in Canada who can perform GCS. I feel the lack of competition among doctors is not a good thing.

I chose Dr. McGinn for her surgical track record, quality of the work over price and location. She is some 480 miles from me but it was well worth the drive. Because of the distance involved, we did a telephone consultation and the surgical wait time was 6 months. It sounds long but with the lab tests required, the 6 months goes by pretty fast!

The staff at Lower Bucks Hospital were absolutely fabulous and are very kind and attentive. I just wish every nurse I have encountered in hospital were as nice as they were.

I will admit, the information on Dr. Brassard is second hand and from one who went there so I cannot actually verify the stories.

Infection can happen in any patient from any surgeon, it's a risk true, but I didn't get one, am happy with the outcome and if I had to do it all over again, I'd go to Dr. McGinn again.

Ultimately, it is your choice but the more information you have, the easier your choice.

Good luck!

Clare

[mfox]

She fortunately speaks French too as she said that if you didn't, the hospital staff treated you quite differently. Sad to say, some people in Quebec still treat English speaking people like dirt.

The language barrier is my main reason why I haven't considered Thailand.  Especially if something goes wrong.  It would be unbearable to be stuck there with an infection or some other issue, and you can't even speak the language.  How do you say "I need pain killers" or "I feel nauseaous" in Thai?  At least in Montreal more than half the population can speak English?

[Laura_7]

My reasons were that a lady at work went with Dr. Brassard and was in hospital for an additional 10 days with an infection. ...
I know another lady who had a friend go to Dr. Brassard and she still has a recurring infection 3 months later.

concerning infections you could have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,190515.msg1697107.html#msg1697107

-some surgeons recommend bromelain and some recommend betadine solutions in the first two months.
Many say the probiotic pessaries helped after three months. It is supposed to restore a natural flora..
many people do not know that douches with the wrong ingredients after the first few months can prevent a natural flora.
Talk it all through with your doc.

hugs

[iKate]

I know that ladies typically go to Brassard for the aesthetic as his technique would hide the scars very well.

[jfong]

I know that ladies typically go to Brassard for the aesthetic as his technique would hide the scars very well.

Only if you don't go total brazillian. When you go brazillian the scars will still shows, at least on my case (11 months). Hopefully it will fade over time.

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[mfox]

Only if you don't go total brazillian. When you go brazillian the scars will still shows, at least on my case (11 months). Hopefully it will fade over time.

You mean brazillian hair removal?  This is a big worry for me, because I've had laser+electrolysis everywhere, so there's no hair to hide scars.

[jfong]

Yes, I barely have any in that area too, so the scars are quite visible. It also maybe due to it's only been 11 months since.

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