Crane Moves to Austin, TX this July

[AGhostInMyArms]

Hey all,

After calling Crane's office with numerous questions, I can confirm he is in fact moving his practice to Austin, TX this July, and Dr. Chen will be taking over the practice in San Francisco. On their brownsteincrane website, they state there is available housing in SF for as low as $50/night.

I called to inquire if they'd have this same housing service in Texas as well. They couldn't give me any definite answers yet, but was told I was placed on an email list for an update. Does anyone who has the opportunity to speak with Crane/Chen on the phone or in person know anything more about this?

I know there is a possibility this site may no longer be around after the 20th so I wanted to get this out there beforehand. Thanks

[FTMax]

Yep, Crane is moving. Finally.

I don't exactly believe the $50/night housing in SF. Most guys I know spent several thousand dollars on a month's worth of lodging, and many of them weren't able to find anything in their price range in SF proper and had to stay outside the city. I don't know of anyone who has had their post-op accommodations (aside from their hospital stay) arranged by Crane's office, so I'm not sure they can actually promise you that $50 accommodations are available.

I would imagine the situation will be immensely better in Texas. I encourage everyone who's having to do longer-term stays for bottom surgery to find a place on AirBnB. Much, much cheaper than finding a hotel or anything else for the length of time that you'll be there.

And why wouldn't this site be around after the 20th?

[Colleen M]

I spend more time in Austin-area hotels than I care to admit.  Some of the surrounding towns, like Buna, can actually be fairly reasonable.  Even so, and I know the schedule can be inflexible, some of the cultural events Austin hosts can really drive housing costs through the roof.   

[Bimmer Guy]

$50 per night?  That is laughable.  It would have to be scary accommodations.

I was there for 17 nights in Berkeley (half hour away), and I paid $2,800.  Airbnb 2 bedroom place.  It wasn't lavish, I assure you.

I was originally scheduled in Austin in March 2016, so I was pretty pissed when I had to change that to San Fran.  Part of what clinched the deal for me to get bottom surgery at the time I did, was learning from Crane that he was going to be in Austin.  Not only was the cost for lodging much more in San Fran, but since I live on the east coast, the cost for the flight was much, much higher than it would have been to Austin. 

Fortunately, my second stage will be in December 2016 in Austin.

[AGhostInMyArms]

Thank you everybody for the input! I thought it sounded a little too good to be true ($50 a night), so I appreciate hearing some experiences firsthand.

I'd love to go to Crane himself in Austin, but I'm not sure which will be easier for me yet - paying for a place nearby in TX, or staying with family in CA and taking a 45 min flight to SF. I know Crane and Chen both do good work, and though I'd prefer Crane to do my ALT I'm not particularly picky.

[Bimmer Guy]

Thank you everybody for the input! I thought it sounded a little too good to be true ($50 a night), so I appreciate hearing some experiences firsthand.

I'd love to go to Crane himself in Austin, but I'm not sure which will be easier for me yet - paying for a place nearby in TX, or staying with family in CA and taking a 45 min flight to SF. I know Crane and Chen both do good work, and though I'd prefer Crane to do my ALT I'm not particularly picky.

I am really impressed with Chen's phallos, for what that is worth.  The thing to remember about ALT is that you will be having several surgeries (especially if you need lipo, which many (most?), people do.  So, if for some reason you want the same surgeon to do all your surgeries, you might want to think about that.
Also, Crane expects you to stay nearby for a month. 

[FTMax]

Most

I am a big fan of Chen's work. Very, very impressive. I think you'd be in good hands either way.

I think it really depends on your comfort level. Are you 100% comfortable staying with family for at least 4 weeks after surgery? Are you comfortable making multiple trips to and from Crane's office in SF throughout that stay?

I think Austin would be much cheaper overall.

[zyero]

I'm having RFF phalloplasty with Crane in Austin, TX on June 30th. I think I'm the first in the Austin location (previous dates and hospital contracts fell through). Extremely excited! But also nervous being the first with a different microsurgery team than San Francisco. I trust Crane's judgement on the new team though, and I know this has been in the works for a long time so I'm sure they all have the experience and expertise he's looking for. Plus there's two transgender nurses at this hospital and the website photos make it look like a spa resort so that's a nice bonus, haha.

I booked an airbnb a little south of the city (maybe a 20 min drive from the hospital) for about $2100. If you opt for staying 28 days or more, you can get a big discount on your stay depending on the place (I saved 40%, which was about $1400, if I remember right). I'd recommend doing that since he requires you to stay in the area for 25 days after surgery and you'll need to be there 2-3 days before it for your pre-op appt and getting settled in.

Any other questions about Austin, let me know. I'm sure I'll have some more answers soon or can ask while I'm there. Also, I vouch for Chen just as much as Crane now imo. Had my phone consult with him and he was great, plus he did the same fellowship as Crane and was hand-picked and vetted by him.

[Bimmer Guy]

I'm having RFF phalloplasty with Crane in Austin, TX on June 30th. I think I'm the first in the Austin location (previous dates and hospital contracts fell through). Extremely excited! But also nervous being the first with a different microsurgery team than San Francisco. I trust Crane's judgement on the new team though, and I know this has been in the works for a long time so I'm sure they all have the experience and expertise he's looking for. Plus there's two transgender nurses at this hospital and the website photos make it look like a spa resort so that's a nice bonus, haha.

I booked an airbnb a little south of the city (maybe a 20 min drive from the hospital) for about $2100. If you opt for staying 28 days or more, you can get a big discount on your stay depending on the place (I saved 40%, which was about $1400, if I remember right). I'd recommend doing that since he requires you to stay in the area for 25 days after surgery and you'll need to be there 2-3 days before it for your pre-op appt and getting settled in.

Any other questions about Austin, let me know. I'm sure I'll have some more answers soon or can ask while I'm there. Also, I vouch for Chen just as much as Crane now imo. Had my phone consult with him and he was great, plus he did the same fellowship as Crane and was hand-picked and vetted by him.

zyero,

How did your surgery go?

I wanted to make a comment about you stating that Chen did the same fellowship as Crane.  Chen didn't do any fellowships in trans surgeries.  All of his training was with Crane.  Chen did the same reconstructive urology fellowship (general).

Crane took one year and worked with three different trans surgical teams.  He did it on his own to get experience.

[zyero]

I'm alive! Sorry it's taken me so long to post again but the healing process has been interesting, to say the least.

Bimmer Guy, you're exactly right about the fellowship - my wording wasn't clear enough.

For anyone interested, I started a tumblr to document my phallo experience at zyerophallo.tumblr.com. I didn't have the energy or mind to document everything as I went through it, but I'm doing my best to recount as much as I can in the next few weeks in the hopes that it will help someone else. I know I spent so much of my time stressing through this whole process just scrounging for any information I could find that would give me and idea of what to expect and if it would all be worth it. I still have some minor complications to heal through and I'm having a hell of a time finding an affordable, comfortable pair of underwear that doesn't make me worry it's getting smooshed or sat on, but the feeling I get when I shower now and wear the right (albeit expensive - a brand called Obviously) underwear is a total 180 from all the insecurities I used to and sometimes still have. I'm "out of the woods" already but I know I'll be even happier when I'm a little further out and my last few issues clear up.

[FTMax]

On the underwear topic - find your nearest Marshall's and get a pair of Saxx. They come highly recommended by folks in several bottom surgery groups I'm in, and Marshall's has them for $5-$8 per pair, as opposed to their usual $30/pair retail price.

[Bobbedone]

I had A Consultation scheduled with Cranes office on the 12th of July. I was told that Chen would be doing the surgery in Austin and Crane supervising. Due to other complications I had to put my appointment off another 6 months.Now I am wondering who is opperating in Austin.

[FTMax]

I had A Consultation scheduled with Cranes office on the 12th of July. I was told that Chen would be doing the surgery in Austin and Crane supervising. Due to other complications I had to put my appointment off another 6 months.Now I am wondering who is opperating in Austin.

AFAIK, Chen is staying in SF and Crane is in Austin. Chen is well past the point of needing a supervisor.