Bowers vs. McGinn -- Opinions?

[kytheragraves]

Can anyone help me decide between Marci Bowers and Christine McGinn? I've narrowed my selection to US only, ruled out Reed (don't like his aesthetics or the fact that his procedure is outpatient), and ruled out Meltzer (pricey, two step, and my GG partner doesn't like his aesthetics despite all the raves to the contrary).

I think Dr. McGinn's posted results are impressive cosmetically, but I'm worried because she's so new to the scene. In contrast, Dr. Bowers has performed over 500 vaginoplasties at this point, and her procedure is one step.

McGinn's pricing is about identical to Bowers when you consider both steps as one. And the fact that her procedure is two steps doesn't bother me because she's local to me.

I noticed McGinn's background is general and cosmetic surgery whereas Bowers started as an OB-GYN.

I searched the board for all the references to both surgeons, but it's hard to find information about Dr. Bowers' results from 2006 forward, and I understand she's tweaking her technique all the time.

Can anyone shed light on this for me?

[Janet_Girl]

I would prefer Bowers, because she is one of us and she is close.

Janet

[kytheragraves]

I would prefer Bowers, because she is one of us and she is close.

Janet

By that criteria, McGinn would carry more weight because she's also one of us, and she's closer to me than Bowers.

[Purple Pimp]

If you've narrowed it down to only these two, I say go for the one with more experience.  I'm sure that McGinn is a fine doctor, but I personally wouldn't want to be among anyone's first patients.

Lia

[Janet_Girl]

That is a big criteria.  But based on the closeness, I would be using Dr. Tuan Nguyen, he is only 30 miles or so away.  He studied under Meltzer and does the two step too.  But the price is only $18,000.  And no overnight stays or expensive travel.

It really comes down to how much is it going to cost, in total, and who's work looks good to you.  We are the ones who have to live with the results.

Janet

[kirakero]

Dr. McGinn is a very compassionate women - she performed my operations and I see her on a regular basis.  Part of her residency was conducted with Dr. Bowers (pretty sure).  She is very in tune with the needs of the transgender population, however can be specific when it comes to accepting patients.  She expects all of her bottom surgery patients to have a good support system and be in good mental/physical health.  She is one of those people that maintains a high interest in learning all she can about transgender health.

I had a complication during my operation - we think it was caused by too much testosterone running around.  In any case, I had an emergency operation the next morning.  Dr. McGinn was at the hospital very very early in the morning checking up on me before on I went into surgery.

My body has issues with scarring, so she is seeing me on a regular basis.  I live pretty close.  I trust her with my life.

You can read more about my experiences on my blog (should be a link in the signature).

[Ms.Behavin]

I'm a McGinn Girl too.  Dr. McGinn did train under Dr.Bowers amoung others and also worked with Dr. Bowers to develope a better procedure.  They still consult each other too. (Dr. Bowers came in with Dr. Mcginn, on my 2nd day after surgery.  (Now that was cool) The surgery Dr. McGinn does is just about the same as what Dr. bowers does.  I don't plan on getting the second stage as the results are pretty good as it is.  I also had BA done, that that turned out Great too.

You have to follow your heart,  But you'll not go wrong with either surgeon.  I would go to Dr. McGinn again.  She's very good, Two thumbs up!!! 

Beni

 

[Sandy]

I too am a McGinn girl.  Her fifth one at that.  And I had extensive conversations with her first patient, the lovely "First Lady of Doylestown, both before and after my surgery.

She had worked with Dr Bowers on at least 35 trans patients in her residency with her prior to that.  She is a skilled cosmetic and general surgeon as you mentioned.  She was a flight surgeon for the Navy prior to her transition.

Like Dr Bowers, Dr McGinn is also a trans woman.  And both are passionately involved with trans issues.

I went with Dr McGinn precisely because of her newness.  I do not think that her fewer patients at all impinge on her skills as a surgeon.  Had I gone to see Dr Bowers, I would have been one more of her long list of people that she had worked with.  I hesitate to use any term that would make Dr Bowers sound like she doesn't care or gives any less care to the 8th, 80th, or 800th patient, I am convinced that that isn't so.

With Dr. McGinn I had an opportunity to speak with her directly and at length where I may not have had quite that opportunity with Dr. Bowers.

Also, the hospital you will stay is is DSI of Bucks County in Bensalem PA.  DSI is a private, limited bed facility dedicated to woman's issues and is run more like a five star hotel.  The food is absolutely top notch!  The services are very personalized and the staff are wonderful!  If you go there, please say hello to them from me! 

As you mentioned, she is local to you so perhaps you could return home for your post surgical recovery.  That will save time and money.

I did not opt to have the follow up labiaplasty.  Cosmetically, I feel quite comfortable with the results.

If you have any specific questions feel free to post them or contact me via PM.

-Sandy(Proud Girl Number 5!)

[Butterfly]

My surgery is scheduled for May 19 2009 with Dr. Marci Bowers.  I'm very impressed with her. I find her admirable; she comes across as ethical and also as a humanitarian. She always comes across as truly caring for her patients, and when I talked to her on the phone-- not once did I feel as though she was just looking to make money (and I most certainly have run into surgeons who have). She has met my medical standards: years of experience, clean background check, board certified, gynecologist, and (heaven forbid this ever becomes an issue!!!) she has malpractice insurance.

I've got a few close friends that have gone to her as well & I've seen her work first hand.  It's quite remarkable what an experienced surgeon like Marci Bowers can accomplish by reshaping male genitalia. 

[Suzy]

From what I have seen, you will be quite happy with either.  Please correct me, Sandy....  Didn't Dr. Bowers refer you to Dr. McGuinn?

Kristi

[NicholeW.]

I don't know if Dr. Bowers referred Sandy, but I have two friends whom she did refer to Dr. McGinn. Apparently Dr. Bowers feels that Dr. McGinn is "up to snuff."

Nichole

[Sandy]

From what I have seen, you will be quite happy with either.  Please correct me, Sandy....  Didn't Dr. Bowers refer you to Dr. McGuinn?

Kristi

What actually occurred was when I made the original inquiry, I was informed that Dr Bowers backlog was such that it could possibly be over 12 months before I could have my surgery.  While there were usually cancellations that shortened that time, that was the current calendar.  When I balked at the time delay, I was told that Dr. McGinn was accepting patients as well.

At that time Dr. McGinn had just "hung up her shingle" and was accepting patients and scheduling operations within weeks instead of months.  Had I been in a real hurry I could have had my surgery in December of 2007, what a Christmas present that would have been.  I would have changed my name to Noel...

I believe that is still going on and that Dr. Bowers is referring to Dr. McGinn for those who would like a more flexible schedule.  Though I think Dr McGinn is starting to get a bit of a backlog now as well.

That was one more reason why I felt comfortable going with Dr McGinn.  If she had not had a recommendation like that, I doubt I would have been as willing to go with her until she had more of a public track record.

-Sandy

[kytheragraves]

Thanks so much for the information everyone! I'm going to schedule a consultation with Dr. McGinn before I decide.

[Yvonne]

I'm a Bowers' girl.  Had GRS in 2005.  Taking into consideration my history (born intersex, assigned male at birth) I'm very pleased with what she's been able to achieve for me.  Aesthetically my results are phenomenal.  Never had a complication.  None!  She answers all her calls and emails.  May take a few days but she responds.  It wouldn't hurt for you to drop her a line.

[mmelny]

What a lovely thread!  I've met both of these Dr's, and I was debating the same question in my head after the last SCC, in that, I wondered which one I was leaning closer towards.  (Brassard is still in consideration too).

My thoughts then, closely coincide with those already expressed on this thread, but these are the thoughts of someone that really didn't know much about either of the doctors, or SRS for that matter going into the 2008 SCC conference.  I attended Dr Bower's lecture, and met with Dr. McGinn privately, and these are postings from my impressions of the two Dr's at that point:

1. I got the distinct impression that Dr Bowers is extremely busy, and I had a bad taste, thinking of "take a number please".  From some women I talked to she's operating like 4 days a week, (not confirmed).   I guess this raises my concern about getting revisions and attentive individually tailored care if needed.

2.  I also got the impression that Dr Bower does extremely good work.  That is impressive, and despite point #1, keeps her at the top of the list.

3.  Dr McGinn impressed me in our consultation.  A) I didn't know she was a trans woman until she told me.  B) She is very confident, and super intelligent.   Her confidence, despite her relatively "green" status as a SRS (and FFS) surgeon are inspiring enough to believe she would do a good job with the surgery(s).   I had already booked FFS with another surgeon, but I talked to her about this, and was surprised that she did facial cosmetic surgery as well.   I was tempted to talk more to her about FFS, but I had already agonized over the decision of which FFS surgeon for the better part of 10 months, and just couldn't go back to that state of mind.

4.  Dr McGinn was honest with me about her relatively new status as a surgeon, but she's had all of the years of residence training, and her own practice now for 2 years.  I would guess by the time I'm ready to go, she will have quite a few more surgery's under her belt, so that makes me a bit more solid towards considering her.   I need to go back to my notes, but I thought she did a single stage surgery, maybe she's added the labiaplasty to a single stage technique recently?  Don't quote me on that, I'll check my notes from SCC tonight.  If she still requires two operations to get to the labiaplasty, that makes it a hard call for going with her.

Sooo, with that said, I'm still out on the fence, not needing to make a decision for a few more months.  (I may see who is at Be-ALL) to try to catch them there.    I may take a trip to PA too, for a longer consult with Dr McGinn.

Ohh (off topic surgeon), Brassard canceled on my consultation with him at SCC at the last minute, *sticks tongue out at him*.   Although my health centre here in TO may be authorized to send their patients to Brassard under public funding soon, so that will definitely push him up the list *giggles*.

Good luck in your decision making!  Post back your choice, if you care to!

*huggs*,
Melan

[Jeannette]

I'm French but I had my GRS surgery on October 21 2008 with Marci.  I have nothing but praise for Marci, her staff, and the staff at MSRH. I've truly been blessed by not only being a patient of Marci's, but I feel like I can call all of them "my friends". 

Overall  My Trinidad experience was beyond incredible.  Everybody was so unbelievably helpful, from Marci to the MSRH staff to every employee at the drugstore & the restaurants in town, I'd never have the right words to thank Marci & her staff for doing what they do for so many people there.  I had to pick up my jaw from the floor several times after realising why there were so many peeps looking for Marci. GRS patients come & go everyday, morning & night.   I'd never before had an experience with a surgical procedure that left me a little sad to see it end.   I'd travel across the world all over again to put myself in Marci's hands.  I know there are some European gals on this site that travelled to the States to have their GRS with Marci too.  Maybe they haven't read this topic yet or don't care to post.

[mmelny]

My surgery is scheduled for May 19 2009 with Dr. Marci Bowers.  I'm very impressed with her. I find her admirable; she comes across as ethical and also as a humanitarian. She always comes across as truly caring for her patients, and when I talked to her on the phone-- not once did I feel as though she was just looking to make money (and I most certainly have run into surgeons who have). She has met my medical standards: years of experience, clean background check, board certified, gynecologist, and (heaven forbid this ever becomes an issue!!!) she has malpractice insurance.

I've got a few close friends that have gone to her as well & I've seen her work first hand.  It's quite remarkable what an experienced surgeon like Marci Bowers can accomplish by reshaping male genitalia.

Sorry for off-topic, but Leslie, that ticker thing is really neat in your signature.. if you see one magically appear in my sig, I stole (ok, borrowed!)  the idea from you!!!  Lol...

Best wishes for your surgery, happy and fast healing!  *huggs*

Thank You,
Melan

[Natasha]

dr. bowers was my surgeon.  i chose her because i used to live in colorado at that time.  having been trained by the eminent dr. biber, she brings extensive expertise to her s.a.s patients.  i also wanted the one-stage procedure.  less risks and all that jazz.

  Never had a complication.  None!

same here.

[DanielleP]

Hands down...if I was going to have this surgery again, I would use Dr. Christine McGinn.  While The First Lady of Doylestown has been referenced in a previous reply, I am the 2nd Lady of Doylestown.  Actually Christine's 3rd surgery.  I believe her 2nd surgery was actually perormed in Bensalem.  At any rate, I feel that Christine's expertise exceeds, in a lot of cases, Marci's.  And in my case, only about a 5 hour drive, which has been very convenient for the several follow-up visits I have had.  While she is very professional, she is equally caring and understanding.  If any specific questions require further answers, please let me know.  My GCS (Gender Confirming Surgery) took place in August, 2007. 

Take care everyone,
Danielle

[V M]

I'm glad this topic came up because I also have been trying to decide who to go with. This decision will also include moving to be closer nearby and it is very important to hear about results and costs