Info Needed-Crane and Brassard lengthening complications

[anthonymdrs]

Hey Guys,

Im new to this group, thanks for all the info/pics you guys have posted, its been a great resource for me so far.

So i am 6 years on T and have a phallo booked for Nov 2018 with crane but am reconsidering after a recent appt with my family doctor.  I am very sure about wanting/needing a phallo, however my dr says that she has seen nothing but complications with crane patients that come to her post op--specifically with their urethra-and in one case a guy had to have it reversed and is now back to sitting down to pee after 2 years of complications and revisions, and now says he regrets having the surgery in the first place. 
Now let me say that i am not pleased with my dr at present lol and i know she has a duty to warn me of possible complications but i definitely felt like she was trying to sway me away from crane and really from the surgery itself, as she said to me at one point "you know this may not work and you end up with what you already have anyway"  Though she did seem to be more fond of dr brassard (i live in canada) and said that he seems to have much less complications with his phallo patients as they have recently changed how they perform the lengthening-specifically how and where the incision and stitching is done as to reduce the risk of strictures as it heals.
So my reasoning for choosing crane was that i had heard from many of his patients that they were very happy with their results, i like that he is also a urologist and aesthetically i really like the work that he does and how he tries to get everything to as natural positioning a possible.
I have some experience with brassard as i had my meta with him 2 years ago-had no complications yes but his technique was quite different from crane's.  I was not happy with positioning of the scrotum and the way that he did that particular lengthening-did not allow me the ability to stand to pee as the phallus is still partially tethered at the base preventing any ability to "pull it out" to pee.
So i am unsure as to what brassard's phallo results/techniques are like?? there are very few pics/info online that i have been able to find.  I am currently trying to reach someone at the montreal clinic so that i can book a consult and try to get some more info.
I would love to get some feedback from you guys about this. any info/experiences that you guys have had with Either surgeon, and/or any words of advice from those of you that have been through this process already would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Have a good day everyone





Sent from my SM-J320W8 using Tapatalk

[NothingHere]

It is true Crane has had a recent flush of lawsuits tied to post-op phalloplasty complications despite previous glowing reviews from the community. I follow someone on tumblr who has had terrible complications and it has definitely given me something to think about, though, at the same time, I follow others who have gotten great results from Crane (Or Dr. Chen who works in his practice) and have had no complications. I am uncertain if the fault really lies with Crane or if it is the nature of these surgeries mean that complications (even terrible ones) are simply something you are risking. That is, somebody is that unlucky percent who experiences failure no matter how small the percent is.

Though, it seems in the majority of cases the lawsuits were filed due to negligent post-op care which seems an unfortunately common complaint across surgeons.

Hopefully someone with more direct experience with Crane's practice can provide more perspective.

[anthonymdrs]

Thanks for your perspective on things, it does reassure me.  Yes that has been my experience too (This will be the 4th/5th surgery for me) and it does seem across the board that the surgeons are great unless/until complications arise, and suddenly the care that is needed is often not there. I really do like Crane's technique and his extensive experience, guess I will wait and see what the consult is like with Brassard and that should give me a better idea.
I do rely a lot on the experience/Info other guys can share to make these decisions, because at the end of the day we are the ones that know what the reality is post-op, good, bad or in between.

Sent from my SM-J320W8 using Tapatalk

[CMD042414]

I think the issue with Crane and many other surgeons is the 2-3 stage technique. Too much is done at once and it is taxing on the body. Your entire genital area is being reconstructed. I am going into stage 1 of 5 with Dr. Bluebond-Langner in a few weeks. She takes her time reworing your existing anatomy and making sure it is a solid foundation for which to build your phallus on. The UL is incrementally done and has to heal fully before moving on. Complications are a given. But with the extra stages the cause of the problem can be pinpointed immediately and easily fixed.

I don't think it is Crane's work, his attention or lackof post op, or patient aftercare quality. I think it's his method. Dr. B-L quotes a 40% complication rate, half of which heal quickly on their own with no need for medical intervention. I think Crane under estimates his rates. 

[anthonymdrs]

I think the issue with Crane and many other surgeons is the 2-3 stage technique. Too much is done at once and it is taxing on the body. Your entire genital area is being reconstructed. I am going into stage 1 of 5 with Dr. Bluebond-Langner in a few weeks. She takes her time reworing your existing anatomy and making sure it is a solid foundation for which to build your phallus on. The UL is incrementally done and has to heal fully before moving on. Complications are a given. But with the extra stages the cause of the problem can be pinpointed immediately and easily fixed.

I don't think it is Crane's work, his attention or lackof post op, or patient aftercare quality. I think it's his method. Dr. B-L quotes a 40% complication rate, half of which heal quickly on their own with no need for medical intervention. I think Crane under estimates his rates.

Thank you , this is really helpful information.  I was wondering about that too after I had learned that Brassard will not do the extension until at least stage 2, as well as some other surgeons such as yours.  I mean it only makes sense,  Its such a complex, multi layered procedure, rushing things is probably not the best way to go.
I had complications with my first 2 surgeries which were very difficult for me to deal wth at the time, so I will  definitely sway towards the surgeon that takes more time to do things so that those complication risks can be reduced as much as possible. 

Thanks again!

Sent from my SM-J320W8 using Tapatalk

[SaerJoe]

This is great information--thank you all for the comments.  I, too am hearing varying degrees of commentary about Dr Crane and the mainly post-op complication rate.  As well, I hear that Dr Bluebond-Langner does the surgeries in 1-5 stages, which for some is a non-starter and I tend to agree with that as well, except for the fact that right on her webpage she indicates that she is "safety first" which means protection of the patient first and foremost, allowing the body to heal with each stage.  Tough decisions.

[JesseO]

I know this is an older topic, but I had a meta w/ UL with Crane and was thrilled with the way things went.  I had a phallo with a surgeon in Chicago (you can probably look up who) and was thoroughly disappointed, to the point of regretting it.  Not only was the UL not okay, the phallo itself, as a whole was not okay, at all.  To the point where I have discussed possibly starting over completely, if only insurance would cover it.  I think this surgery is very complicated, and I wouldn't completely discount Dr. Crane.  I know my experience isn't the same because it was the meta, but the UL I had for that was perfect.

[randomdude5]

I don't know if OP still comes here or is still wondering about Brassard, but I am in Canada too and the first surgeon I considered was Dr. Brassard. We contacted his office and they sent us photos and well... LET'S JUST SAY THOSE PHOTOS WERE DISAPPOINTING. After that, went with Crane. Doing MLD so I am having it done in 4 stages rather than 2 like he does with RFF and ALT, and I have not had any major complications yet. (A minor one though, yes.)

[SaerJoe]

I don't know if OP still comes here or is still wondering about Brassard, but I am in Canada too and the first surgeon I considered was Dr. Brassard. We contacted his office and they sent us photos and well... LET'S JUST SAY THOSE PHOTOS WERE DISAPPOINTING. After that, went with Crane. Doing MLD so I am having it done in 4 stages rather than 2 like he does with RFF and ALT, and I have not had any major complications yet. (A minor one though, yes.)

Hi Randomdude-

I also am having MLD w Dr Miro.  My only quandary is the distance and potential for complications.  I am comforted that Dr Nikolavsky is close, but an hour away.    When is your surgery?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk