Dr. Brassard review (After 2 years and 6 months) / Dr. Meltzer revision

[divineintervention]

Hi everyone,

Been a long time since I've been lurking back on here (Yes I'm stealth - having undergone GCS, voice surgery w Dr. Kim and fat transfer also in Seoul).

I've been meaning to write a review on my surgeons - and yes I may be needing another revision (not for cosmetic purposes, but for functional purposes). There were many occasions where I thought I should sit down and write my experience for the benefit of everyone here - having also benefitted to some extent from everyone's contribution here.

However, it has been difficult because my first surgery (GCS) did not end up where I expected. I never wanted to think about down there after the first surgery, but I am still having to do so from time to time after what is almost 3 years.

So first off, I'm going to try to view this in a positive light because I don't want to spend my time bashing my first surgeon (although it's clear where my view stands having needing a revision). Let's just say I would not recommend that option - especially having gone back to their offices and to acknowledge that there is error but turn me away (in some way, avoiding the responsibility).

I don't go on here too often, but I'll try to answer questions from time to time. I also like to keep things short. So, here goes... Dr. B operated on me as my first surgeon, and if you go through my previous posts, you'll see that I struggled with a number of problems - of which most of them still remains. I had my revision with Dr. Meltzer sometime earlier this year to have a better cosmetic appearance and he has improved on the outcome, but I still struggle with: messy urination, discharge which results in me having to wear pads everyday, unsightly scars (from my first surgery - Dr. Meltzer's stitching is worthy of his specialty), having to dilate more than once a week if not for a burning sensation around my introitus area and sensitivity (others which I don't feel comfortable affirming by mentioning).

In short, I would not recommend Dr. B, and comparatively speaking, I would prefer Dr. Meltzer.

I chose Montreal initially because of the reviews here and the doing away of electrolysis sessions. On hindsight, I should have read up more - and you should too because surgery is a great deal.

I've heard great things about Dr. Gary Alter and being qualified as both a Urologist and Plastic Surgeon, I am hoping that he would resolve my urethra-related issues in the future.

I try not to think about it and move on with my life - as for the other surgeries, I highly recommend the doctors I went to No regrets is the way to go!

O, p.s. I asked Meltzer about the Mesh scrotal graft and he says that it would not be wise to do as the mesh graft contracts easily (Suporn's method) - for those who are curious if I ended up with an answer. I also may take down this post in the event I get too much lash back/ don't feel like I want my private history to be affirmed in words.

Hope this was helpful!

[KayXo]

I'm sorry that things didn't quite work out as you had wished with Dr. Brassard. All in all, I must say I'm satisfied with the end result although...

I would have done electrolysis prior to the surgery because 11 yrs later, I still have hairs inside my vagina despite plucking those hairs occasionally ALTHOUGH the situation seems much improved in the last year (i.e. less hairs). Those hairs are quite weak and light.

My inner labia appears to be thicker than that of the average ciswoman.

Scars outside the vagina, on each side, remain although they are small and not so apparent but still, you can see them when there is no hair there.

On the plus side, I have amazing orgasms and I can lubricate profusely. From a small distance, looking at my vagina, you couldn't tell it was any different from any other woman's vagina. Looks aesthetically pleasing. It's when you come up closer and "open things up", that you can notice the thicker than normal inner labia. Except for some profuse bleeding, one night, soon after the surgery and some discharge early on during the first year which was corrected by him during a second intervention under local anesthesia, there were no complications. I barely felt any pain after SRS and during the weeks that followed but my tolerance to pain is quite high, too. The first few days, I was on morphine. Afterwards, nothing. Got a yeast infection 1 week after SRS due to the use of antibiotics. My vagina itched like CRAZY!!!

Depth was fine, around 4.5 inches. I haven't dilated in awhile though and as a result, lost some. I intend to restart soon.

[Nina_Ottawa]

My opinion, I would never diss a surgeon. What you've done now is putting fears and doubt into others who are booked or considering his facility.
I've said it once, I'll say it again: the Montreal team of surgeons is top notch. The aftercare and recovery facility is awesome.

[KayXo]

I just reported my own assessment of my results with him. I hoped this could be useful to others, even those not considering SRS with Dr. Brassard. Dr. Brassard and any other doctor in this world can only do so much. They are human and not infallible. In general, his results are very good and the vast majority seem to be happy, including myself despite some of the shortcomings. But, as with anyone, there will always be exceptions to the rule and a few will encounter more problems for which there may be a solution or not. Again, there is so much a doctor can do. We need to be realistic and fair.

I think as long as we simply stick to objectively reporting what happened, it should be fine and we are not dissing anyone which is wrong. It's important that readers know about everyone's experiences, including those that had less than "perfect" results.

My 2 cents.

[KayXo]

To add to the above,

Had I been more attentive in reading the documents handed to me before the surgery, I would have realized that despite his intervention, there might still be a risk of hairs growing inside the vagina afterwards. Mea culpa. I was made aware but just did not take the time to read thoroughly. I take full responsibility. He tried removing the hairs during a second intervention after SRS (i.e. cauterization, I think), without much success. So that was still nice of him.

Thick inner labia...I actually (just now) remember discussing this with the doctor and being told there was a wide variation in how womens' labias looked like, some having thicker ones, etc. True but still, would be nicer if the lips were thinner. He seemed fine with the prospect of improving its appearance through surgical intervention but at that time, I chose to wait and instead think it over, a little longer. Dr. Brassard was fair in his assessment and cooperative.

As far as scars outside the vagina, I believe this was inevitable as I also have a scar from a (VERY SUCCESSFUL) tracheal shave with him. My skin just doesn't heal as well post-HRT, probably due to the fact that my skin is now thinner (less testosterone). I never asked him if anything could be done for that so who knows? I did apply Polysporin the first few weeks, twice daily, as instructed. My scar from the tracheal shave is hyperpigmented, hardly visible as it's in the neck crease and could perhaps be improved by the use of Retin-A. I still have scars from my gallbladder removal surgery (laparoscopy), a few years ago, but those are also not that visible anymore and somewhat hyperpigmented.

If I am fair and just, I must come to the conclusion that his work was quite good and that perfection does not exist in this world. I'm not so sure if any other surgeon would have done better. He was always helpful and attentive. His staff was also very kind and I have only good words for them.