Need help deciding on a Vaginoplasty surgeon - Mcginn, Brassard, Bowers?

[june bug]

Okay.

I had decided on Dr. Suporn a long time ago, because at the time he was the only surgeon who's results I liked the look of, and I had heard good things about the patient care there, but that was quite a while ago since I really read up on his work.

With money coming in to finally schedule a surgery, I began to look around again and based on the information I was reading and the pictures I was seeing, I decided to go with Dr. Brassard instead.

... but now that I've come here and been hearing a lot of great things about Bowers and Mcginn, I decided to do a little more research and I'm beginning to like Mcginn, especially her personal philosophy on... well everything.

One of the original reasons too with my first choice of Suporn was the whole vag/labia combo procedure, but lately I've notice the vaginoplasty in itself with some surgeons (like brassard) look fine to mine eyes.  This got me excited because I realized I could get breast augmentation at the same time.

Now I'm looking at Mcginn though, and realizing she provides the same procedures, same pricing, and I do like what I've seen of her work, and what I've heard of everyone's experiences, plus she is trans which of course means she understands the way someone like Brassard can only sympathize with... and I'm just kinda all up in the air now.

I'm kinda thinking about dropping the breast augmentation idea and going with Mcginn for vag/labia... saving the breast augmentation for later.

I just wish I could see more results. 

If anyone happens to have time who is reading this who has had personal experience with Mcginn, Bowers, or Brassard, I'd really love your input.

I'm getting my letters by the end of the month and am hoping to place a surgery date by September, so I'm thinking I need to get this set up asap.

Much love!

[sarahb]

I don't have personal experience of having had it done yet, but I chose to go with Dr. Brassard because he has pretty much the same reputation as the other top surgeons, his results are good that I've seen, and his price includes everything...from the minute you step off the plane to the minute they take you back to the airport. Plus, it's cheaper than the other top surgeons (and can get cheaper depending on the exchange rate)

All of your choices are good ones though, so no matter what you'll be in good hands.

~Sarah

[june bug]

I don't have personal experience of having had it done yet, but I chose to go with Dr. Brassard because he has pretty much the same reputation as the other top surgeons, his results are good that I've seen, and his price includes everything...from the minute you step off the plane to the minute they take you back to the airport. Plus, it's cheaper than the other top surgeons (and can get cheaper depending on the exchange rate)

All of your choices are good ones though, so no matter what you'll be in good hands.

~Sarah

Yeah... I'm mulling over the pricing too.

I appreciate the vote of support... I definitely think whoever I end up going to I'll be happy with the result. 
Post Merge: January 11, 2010, 06:39:16 PM
Actually Brassard is a little more expensive than Mcginn at the current Can / US $ exchange rate.  Not by much though.

[sarahb]

True, McGinn is a little cheaper in the base price. But then again, including the price of the post-op recovery facility and medication it could be another $500-$1,000, which is included in the price for Brassard.

However, $1,000 isn't really much relative to the cost of the surgery in total, and shouldn't necessarily be a factor in the decision since it's a major thing and the results are the only thing worth worrying about.

By the way, good luck with the FemLar next week! I hope it turns out great!

~Sarah

[june bug]

True, McGinn is a little cheaper in the base price. But then again, including the price of the post-op recovery facility and medication it could be another $500-$1,000, which is included in the price for Brassard.

However, $1,000 isn't really much relative to the cost of the surgery in total, and shouldn't necessarily be a factor in the decision since it's a major thing and the results are the only thing worth worrying about.

By the way, good luck with the FemLar next week! I hope it turns out great!

~Sarah

Oh... I thought Mcginn's was all inclusive. 

This price includes transportation to the hospital, the hospital stay, operating room fees, anesthesia fees, complimentary Myofascial or Reiki therapy, hospital blood tests, and dilators.

vs Brassard

The total for the surgery, anesthesia, hospitalization, transportation to and from the airport, medication for your return at home and residence

Am I reading all that wrong?

OH WAIT.  Residence!  You still have to pay for and book a place to stay when getting surgery with Mcginn, correct?  Where-as brassard has a place set up and the price of staying there is apart of everything?

- - -

Thanks for the good vibes about next week!  I'm frickin' thrilled and terrified!

... and yeah, price really shouldn't matter as much as the result, which is why I wish there was more info on results out there... plus price is kinda an issue when the results are pretty good on both sides. 

arg! 

[MMarieN]

With Brassard the price is all inclusive. His clinic is right next door to the residence where patients stay post op.

The only drawback to McGinn as I see it is that her price is not all inclusive. You need to add in the costs for hotel. Also, make sure that you have someone with you. She uses one of the major hospitals in the Philly suburbs and you will need to be driven between the hotels, the hospital, her office, etc.

As for results and philosophy, I highly recommend McGinn. But I'm biased. I'm very happy with the work she did on me.

[june bug]

Also, make sure that you have someone with you. She uses one of the major hospitals in the Philly suburbs and you will need to be driven between the hotels, the hospital, her office, etc.

As for results and philosophy, I highly recommend McGinn. But I'm biased. I'm very happy with the work she did on me.

Yeah, I'll be there with my mother.

Glad you are happy with your results with McGinn.  Was there a place you found with more information than her website that helped you decide?

I'm thinking I probably just need to google / search here in the forums more.

[Janet_Girl]

I have not found Brassard price yet, but I like the idea for it all inclusive.  And I am just price shopping right now.


Janet

[june bug]

I have not found Brassard price yet, but I like the idea for it all inclusive.  And I am just price shopping right now.


Janet

This is what I was quoted for SRS and BA, prices in canadian :

The total for [ srs ], anesthesia, hospitalization, transportation to and from the airport, medication for your return at home and residence is 18,040$ Canadian money.

Breast augmentation at the same time of GRS  is 5,500 more for salines implants and 6,700 more for gel.

[Flan]

the accessory cost of mcginn is 5 to 7 days at a local hotel and food, it's implied travel to/from airport is covered, but I don't know what else is. (I'm going to another surgeon)

[MMarieN]

Yeah, I'll be there with my mother.

Glad you are happy with your results with McGinn.  Was there a place you found with more information than her website that helped you decide?

I'm thinking I probably just need to google / search here in the forums more.

Part of my decision came down to timing. I was originally scheduled with Bowers for the end of September. I worked for a company that provided coverage for SRS so I had to go with an American surgeon. I knew that my position was due to be eliminated. McGinn scheduled me with a 6 week lead time. She was recommended by Bowers. I had a consultation with her and found that I really liked her as a person. I saw her results online and then I went with a gut decision. My gut told me that McGinn was right for me. I'm extremely happy that I made that decision.

The week before surgery, I found out that my job would end in 10 weeks. I had surgery, spent a couple of weeks in PA and then flew home. I spent the next 6 weeks at home then I worked from home for a week before I got laid off.

[june bug]

Part of my decision came down to timing. I was originally scheduled with Bowers for the end of September. I worked for a company that provided coverage for SRS so I had to go with an American surgeon. I knew that my position was due to be eliminated. McGinn scheduled me with a 6 week lead time. She was recommended by Bowers. I had a consultation with her and found that I really liked her as a person. I saw her results online and then I went with a gut decision. My gut told me that McGinn was right for me. I'm extremely happy that I made that decision.

The week before surgery, I found out that my job would end in 10 weeks. I had surgery, spent a couple of weeks in PA and then flew home. I spent the next 6 weeks at home then I worked from home for a week before I got laid off.

Bummer about getting laid off.

... man... I can't help but feel, just a gut thing too... that McGinn is the way to go.  I keep thinking back to her website and I really like what she has to say.

Grawr. 

Will definitely sit on this for a while... can't make a decision until I get my letter anyhow. 

[Janet_Girl]

I am just dreaming until i figure out how to pay.  I really would like to stay close to home, but the prices here are so high.  If I really want to stay that close I would go with Dr. Nguyen, he is just down the road from me.  Then I could just come home afterward.


Janet

[MMarieN]

Bummer about getting laid off.

... man... I can't help but feel, just a gut thing too... that McGinn is the way to go.  I keep thinking back to her website and I really like what she has to say.

Grawr. 

Will definitely sit on this for a while... can't make a decision until I get my letter anyhow. 

You can set up a consult with her office. I did a phone consultation with her. She prefers face to face but she will do phone consults that take an hour or so.

[june bug]

I am just dreaming until i figure out how to pay.  I really would like to stay close to home, but the prices here are so high.  If I really want to stay that close I would go with Dr. Nguyen, he is just down the road from me.  Then I could just come home afterward.


Janet

Ha ha.  Yeah, I'd _love_ to just drive over to Dr. Nguyen but there's no information about him online really.  I know an acquaintance who's had vaginoplasty done with him and is happy, but I feel weird asking for pictures.  Ha ha.

Not to mention too it makes me real nervous that he does SO many cosmetic procedures.  I'd rather stick with someone who is specialized.

Also, even though I felt fine about him doing my orchi, I dunno... I didn't get the best vibe about him personally... just a personal thing.  He's definitely a nice guy and answered all my questions, and they were great about getting me my letter for the F on my passport.  Once again, just one of those gut feeling situations.

If there was more info out there about his work I'd probably consider it.

My therapist actually mentioned someone in seattle who also does work, but I don't know there name.... and would still end up flying.  That'd be a LONG, exhausting, car ride.
Post Merge: January 11, 2010, 08:04:48 PM

You can set up a consult with her office. I did a phone consultation with her. She prefers face to face but she will do phone consults that take an hour or so.

Yeah, I'd prefer face to face too, but a phone consult would definitely help.  Thanks for mentioning that.  I think I will set that up.

[Janet_Girl]

The only thing I am not sure of is that he does a two step procedure.  But bing close to home is a plus.

[june bug]

The only thing I am not sure of is that he does a two step procedure.  But bing close to home is a plus.

Here's his site : http://www.mdtnguyen.com/

The SRS info is kinda sparse.  They're pretty good about answering questions via email.

[Janet_Girl]

Yes I never had a problem with getting info.  I would like to see how other patients felt about his work.

I am drop them a line.


Janet

[june bug]

I also still have Thailand in mind as a third option, though which surgeon there I am very unsure. A friend of mine had a difficult recovery there with complications and she doesn't recommend me going there. She did get an excellent result, but went through a tough time.

This has been what I've been hearing a lot more of recently as well, and I haven't seen a result I really like yet, but yeah... not to mention the idea of flying around the world is really a bummer to me with all the work and stuff I have to do this year.

Any-who.

I'm doing some more research on everyone via youtube vlogs and such.  I'm still feeling good about McGinn but definitely want to hear more from people.

[juliekins]

I've been to Montreal TWICE for GRS! How many girls can say that? (Once for me, and the other time for my GF, Julie Marie)

We both had an excellent experience there, and the aftercare can't be beat. It does get a little boring being cooped up, but it's nice that you share the experience with the other women going through it at the same time. (kind of like the class of June, 2008)

Brassards GRS work is great, but I'm not quite as pleased with my BA. It's fine, but at times I thought it may have been better going with someone who really specializes in it. In retrospect, I think I may have had it done 3 months later with my FFS, but then again I wanted to come home from Montreal as a complete Canadian girl. I couldn't fathom having the GRS done, and not the breasts too. I'd rate Dr. B a 9/10 for the GRS, and maybe a 6-7/10 for the BA.

I've known about 3 ladies who have gone to McGinn, and all have been happy. That said, I would prefer the  attached recovery house and single source of pricing idea.

Good luck with your decision!