GCS

[SusanL]

Hey all. Does anyone know of GCS in the boise idaho area? I would like to find out cause if not, I will have to move. Thanks

[Dena]

I don't know of any surgeons in the area but what's wrong with flying to one that preforms the type of procedure you desire? When I had my surgery I traveled from Orange County California to Trinidad Colorado. While I flew, the trip from Denver to Trinidad was by bus. The trip home was a bit uncomfortable however I was able to make it home in less than a day.

Now days, most of the major surgeons are located in or near cities with major airports. Here in Phoenix, the surgeon is probably less than 10 miles form the airport and other surgeons are a similar distance.

[SusanL]

Hello. The 2 main problems are money and having someone to be with me during the first recovery period after surgery.  I think its like 10 days. So that's the two main hangups.

[KathyLauren]

Hello. The 2 main problems are money and having someone to be with me during the first recovery period after surgery.  I think its like 10 days. So that's the two main hangups.

Having someone with you needn't be a problem.  My wife can't be with me when I go for my surgery, and I don't really have anyone else who could do it.  So I asked my doctor about it. 

She said that, for someone in good health, an assistant is not really required.  The main post-op requirement is not to lift more than 10 lbs, which relates to luggage when travelling.  If your luggage has wheels, including your carry-on, the only hassle is recruiting someone to do the lifting into taxi trunks or bus holds.  Vehicle operators should do that, and airports have porters that can help.

My doctor has sent another trans woman for surgery who did not have a travelling companion.  She had no difficulties.

I hear you on the financial stress, but hopefully you won't need to stress about the lack of an assistant.

[SadieBlake]

Susan, search on http://www.transhealthcare.org/

I found Dr Stiller in Moscow ID, not too far, I have no idea what insurance he accepts.

Kathy, I've never heard of hospital / surgeon is going to let any post-op patient, leave the hospital without a friend to sign you out, especially for something as invasive as vaginoplasty. The general rule is you can't leave in a cab (lyft uber etc) without someone taking responsibility for you.

Now that need for immediate help postop may be critical for everyone. I know it was for me, I couldn't get up out of bed or a chair without help for several days, wanted to spend my time on excercise doing things that were fun and felt healing of my soul, and definitely wanted / needed help with food prep for a week (not counting the first 3 days of inpatient recovery).

At the end of my first week my partner had to return home, I spent 3 days on my own, at which time I was 10 days post-op and they were very hard days indeed. It was thanks to a friend here that I was able to get a necessary ride to my 2nd post-op appointment and then dropped with friends  for my final week of the 3 I was required to be in the vicinity of my surgeon.

I consider my recovery was about middle-of-the road. I've heard of people having much easier times as well as much harder.

[KathyLauren]

Kathy, I've never heard of hospital / surgeon is going to let any post-op patient, leave the hospital without a friend to sign you out, especially for something as invasive as vaginoplasty. The general rule is you can't leave in a cab (lyft uber etc) without someone taking responsibility for you.

I understand the need for post-op care.  Dr. Brassard has you stay 2 nights in the hospital after surgery, then 6 nights in the convalescent home before they let you leave.  I am sure that if someone was still not fit to travel at that point, they would not let them leave. 

The letter says, "If you have a companion who would like to come with you, ..." and goes on to recommend accommodations.  So far, that is the only reference to an assistant in the material I have received.  That certainly suggests that a companion is optional in Dr. Brassard's opinion.  The experience of my doctor's previous patient supports that.

[SadieBlake]

That's good, I think your suggestion is specific to your situation. I understand that Brassard, McGinn and other dedicated facilities work that way (Suporn has patients staying locally for a month post-op if memory serves).

From what I've seen, the surgeons doing GCS in a hospital setting generally don't provide for care past that first 3 days however the practice I went to was very clear that I had to tell them what my support would be during the first 3 weeks post-op and they followed up on this multiple times, including a document they had me sign as to who would be taking care of me and where I'd be staying while still in San Francisco.

[Dena]

When I had surgery, the minimum was 8 days after surgery in the hospital. I had complications so I stayed longer but I rode both a bus and a jet home without any company. I believe that the same rules apply for Dr Meltzer's office as I have visited a few people who didn't have anybody other than me for company. After day two your permitted to walk around the hospital so by 8 or 9 days you should be able to care for your needs. Heavy lifting isn't permitted so if you have heavy luggage, make sure it has wheels on it.

[AnneK]

Kathy, I've never heard of hospital / surgeon is going to let any post-op patient, leave the hospital without a friend to sign you out, especially for something as invasive as vaginoplasty. The general rule is you can't leave in a cab (lyft uber etc) without someone taking responsibility for you.

A friend had to accompany me, when I had some wisdom teeth out.  However, they booted me out of the clinic, shortly after I woke up from the general.  My understanding is that's the reason for having someone.  If you had time to fully recover from the anesthesia, you wouldn't need assistance.