My experience.
I had limited depth vaginoplasty one year ago last May. About half the price. One night in hospital, week with catheter (that part is the same) another week no lifting. Much less time under anesthesia, much simpler procedure, much less surgical risk of infection, complications, etc. Much faster recovery. No dilating. Still takes 6-9 months for all the swelling to go down and stitches to dissolve, etc.
This (IMHO) is the big difference. The surgeon is trying to make a vagina in a place never intended for it. The way they identify gender of skeletons is the size of the pelvis. It's like trying to put a walk in refrigerator in your kitchen without moving any walls. Something has to give. It works in most cases, but has some risks.
So, it is a decision that requires careful consideration and big commitment. It made sense to me because of my age and ability to get it done soon (my initial consult with DR was St Patrick's Day 2016, surgery month later). For me the good news was Medicare eventually paid all the fees except the Surgeon. I had a fear that if I waited two more years they might refuse me for age or medical condition (at this age anything can happen).
My doctor was Keelee MacPhee in Raleigh, North Carolina. I chose her because she is Board Certified Plastic Surgeon (means passed lots of tests on technique and infection control), trained with Dr Bower, routinely does GCS and other surgery, and is affiliated with Duke University (major teaching hospital: means must teach, publish and is subject to peer review). Hit the Jackpot! She is extremely personable, has fabulous "bedside" manner, and treated me like I was family! The last person I saw before the OR, the first person I saw when I came out, the first person I saw the next morning and in phone contact the day after the hospital. She's really great.
Anyway it is a difficult decision. I think age, physical condition, domestic situation, future plans, etc are all important factors.
