Has anyone used Dr. Meltzer?

[Cowboi]

Personally i am having issues with his main nurse not getting back with me.  They have a post op nurse based in Oregon that will call you about every 3wks to check up on you.  That is about the  extent of their aftercare.  When you have an issue is when there seems to be no one of much  use there.

Well at least when we go to him we will actually live in the area since we are moving to Tempe, which would put us about half an hour from his office. So if they try to ignore me I'll just go in person lol. I can be pushy about things when necessary.

Also I was curious about the digital recorder you have. Do you know the brand/model of it? It sounds like the size makes it so easy to carry around with you, something like that would definitely help her. She also is a musician and posting on here before she was able to find a program that actually helps identify the sound by music note or something like that. For her it was a huge find since that kind of thing makes more sense to her. She has trouble telling what range her own voice is in and always questions rather or not what she is practicing is even in the correct range for a woman. I think that is something that would be helpful to a lot of people who have that kind of thought process.

She is a little different when it comes to the way she thinks, she's basically high functioning AS (she was never officially diagnosed but it's something the doctors speculated when she was younger and just never took the time to test for it) so her thought process is different than most people anyhow. Think of the character Brennan from the show Bones and you'd have a good idea of what Bianca is like. Very highly intelligent but with social problems that surround the ideas of emotions and how they are displayed. It's a hard thing to really explain (as far as the way it changes thought process and how they learn) but the character comparison is VERY accurate, lol.

The more I watch that tv show the more it just amazes me how true it is, the creator has actually come out in interviews stating that Brennan's character is based on someone he knows in real life who has AS. He said they weren't comfortable coming out and saying the character has it though because of the social stigma and the concern it could limit the number of viewers they'd reach. Sad to think that something like that would cause less viewers but it does seem to be true. Maybe now that it's becoming a more talked about illness that might change. I think it'd be interesting to have such a main stream show deal with the issue, and to have a character so many people respect have to "deal" with the news of a diagnosis.

[Cowboi]

Wow, I would expect much better care from them as well. With everything you've gotten done there and the amount of money these things typically cost (which you obviously have gone over the typical cost anyhow!) they should be much better at working with you. I too would consider it something where they should offer some kind of assistance if not completely cover the extra costs like the hospital and travel.

I emailed them about a month ago to even just ask questions about their pricing and inquire about setting up appointments to meet them when we visit this fall but also have not heard anything back. At least when they ignore me they aren't ignoring an actual patient of theirs.

Bones actually comes on tonight (Thursdays) with a new episode at 8 est I think. I know it's 7 central time. They also have some episodes up on the fox website and I know that Hulu has at least 5 new episodes and right now have been airing parts of the first season as well, I think 5 of those episodes at a time too. So it should be something easy to find

[Renee]

Update:  Still having issues dilating.  Taking at least 30 minutes just to get it up and very sore/irritated inside.  I have used Premarin and Triamcinolone cream.  Both do not seem to be helping. I will be 10 months post op July 7th..His nurse..i wont mention names got very rude with me when she  was supposed to call me back with word from Dr. Meltzer as to what to do.  I told her earlier that wk that i had to stop the Triamcinolone cream, as it was making things more irritatated and  she  threw  it up in my face like i did somethig against dr's orders, but it had been a wk and 1/2 and same old story with the very bad irritation/soreness and hard time with dilation.  They said my skin was too thin for Y-plasty and not ready yet..needed to wait at least a yr. and that grafting was my only option at this point.  I am depressed and disgusted with the $ I paid him..i hear of no one having this issue with Dr. Suporn or others.  When i asked the nurses if they had any other patient that ever had this prob and they were hesitant but the main nurse said they had one incident that took 18 months b4 it resolved itself.  I wish i had gone to another dr. I have worked very hard to get where im at and aesthetically it doesnt look that good either..and i have talked to several ppl on this an showed them.  It is like the second stage wasnt performed..very little labia..look like a 10yr olds.

Wow, I am very sorry for your problems with Dr. Meltzer.  I've been pretty happy with the results initially but am still not very sensate.  I got my Labiaplasty three months after the Vagioplasty and think that the labia is not very defined.  I'm thinking about getting it revised, but finances are really tight right now.  Linda at his office never follows up with me either.  I am curious to see what your results are like. 

[Cruelladeville]

I suspect all the techniques in reality are fairly similar..... (just my view)....but there hasn't been that many amazing advances in options for the last twenty years or so....

Most use penile skin inversions, some glans nerve endings....and that's it more or less.

Then it's mainly a case of 1stage inversion, or two stages with supposedly better aesthetics, but I dare say that's debatable too.... or if one doesn't have enough material a colon graft.....?

I've seen evidence of good, bad, and plain ugly....and heard on the grapevine tales of joy and woe regarding every single surgeon going....

(This is because personal expectation vary widely too).... some settle quite happily to be just rid of the old member, where as those choosing to live in stealth and resume hetero style relationships – will be seeking a fool most men, most of the time result.

But the horrible truth is there is no absolute perfect choice, best results option.... and no surgeon no matter how expensive or supposedly top of their game they be - will ever give you a 100% guarantee on the outcome - they simply can't as everyone body is unique in the way they heal....and how graft take....if you're a smoker it gets even worse....

This is why they get you to sign-off on a consent form as it shifts the responsibility for outcome back onto you.....(unless they do something grossly negligent).... so a lot of it will come down to luck, age, weight, how fit & healthy you be.. and your healing metabolism... and what type of diet you eat.

These are just some of the variables...

I'm just back from Scottsdale in fact and would add two things to this thread, one the aftercare immediately post surgery in the Greenbaum is first rate....

But once you're back in the hotel you are own your own, apart from the telephone.

This is why I took the other option of using a private nurse, via Nip & Tuck Nurses....Michele was brilliant, and would answer a call in minutes any time of the day weekends as well. And on pre booked/agreed morning/nights visits she was always there for me – exactly as scheduled....very reliable.

The Meltzer clinic phone response only works Mon-Thurs, but there's a long gap at lunchtimes.... so often you can only get the emergency contact answering service but that's all....if you're not sure of something.

They will allegedly get some one too you if you're really worried over a complication, but they always prefer you to visit there clinic... and I did go in one Sat morning on the basis that the catheter would finally be removed, but it wasn't...

There remote LPN is just that too in another state.... so that's and end of the phone response also....not much help if say you have heavy bleeding....?

So my advice is if you can budget it in and you would like a real physical presence or support, once out of the hospital.... do contact Nip & Tuck Services.... all the Greenbaum team know them.... and they can take you direct from your Greenbaum room...to yer next recovery  place.

Alternatively as the phone message states....your last option to problems is dial 911....lol

[NikkiJ]

Well said Cruella, and techniques have come a long way since that experienced in the early 90s by some of my friends.

Right now, my ex is going to go out with me to Scottsdale, and leave the First Friday after my Tuesday surgeries. I have a friend who is going to fly back to the East Coast with me the following friday, the day after they say they'll release me (they advised I wait a day to fly home, just in case a rare complication arises after release), I do not plan on my friend taking care of me in any other way than moral support and making sure I get on and off the plane.

I will keep Nip&Tuck nurses in mind though. I'm not sure what to expect being on my own when I am released.

[Cruelladeville]

Good luck Nikki....

The whole surgery process for me went very smoothly.... the pre-theatre team too at the Greenbaum are uber efficient.....

On the Meltzer staff for me Linda Takata was my preferred choice of nursing help, once post-op..... she's a lovely person.... and I found her very genuine....

(The other more younger glossie blonde's didn't do it for me personally)  .....lol

If you need any more info you can PM me personally....

Cheers

Auntie C

[NikkiJ]

OK, I'm almost one week away from SRS with Dr. Meltzer, and I was talking to a girl who had hers last year.

I have decided to come home alone, after spending the night in a hotel following my release from the hospital. I know everyone heals differently, and there can be extenuating circumstances. This person I spoke with gave me the impression I'd be a bit more helpless than I thought I would be, and that has me concerned. I'm hoping to be able to get myself to the airport (via the hotel shuttle), and get on the plane OK.

Anyone have any thoughts based on their own experience post-op? How hard was it to get yourself home after being released? I can always call someone to come out and escort me home, but I really want to avoid the additional expense. This is the reason I booked first class on the way home, to just be able to rest and relax on the way home.

[Cruelladeville]

I would say flying back from any OP....allow at least 14 days for most of the tricky stuff to pass over!

And defo I found that using Nip & Tuck as an outsourced service while in Scottsdale was very useful....just for the moral/emotional support....

And I stayed in the Holiday Inn, which was not great for the food in the evenings stakes.... so again someone to help you can be key....

But I'm still on balance pleased with what transpired in AZ, as to the results, well things do steadily seem to be improving...though I have one wound area that's slow to progress nowt to do with the labiaplasty....

Good luck Nicks for next week.... and pass on my regards to Rachel (if/when) you meet her..... and don't mention 'Black'...lol

[NikkiJ]

Thanks for that, Cruella, I'm just going to hope for the best for now. Maybe the Holiday Inn will have a delivery menu, LOL!

[Cruelladeville]

As an aside...if yous be in the HI for the duration ma dear....

The mall down the road has a good Albertsons.... (stock up in yer appt fridge) night before you go in for the Op Nicky....

(The Inn shuttle-bus is free... and me and Frances used it extensively)

And the best eatery we found for a walk across the road and back in the evenings was the Olive Garden italian, (Wallgreens next door too)..... the restaurant do an outservice to go... pasta is a great carbo/heal/energy food and they do a meal deal with a salad or a soup! Which we used for lunch next day....

Once more the Greenbaum crew are super-slick and Morgan if you meet him (Nurse) a great guy.... was a star with helping me, and he knows Michelle of Nip/Tuck well...so tell him that dah tall brunette mouthy chick from the UK says 'Hi' and how you doin?

In fact most of the nurses there are rally ab-fab.... and will take great care of you till Toby signs you out...

Will keep all crossed for you....

[NikkiJ]

Well, the plan is, my ex is going with me this Sunday, and will stay until Friday. We'll be in the HI Express Sunday night and Monday night, then just her there the rest of the week before she leaves. She has friends there to visit, and the nice mom of a mutual friend of ours lives there too.

I have a room reserved for myself at the HI Express the night of the 18th, after I'm released, so I'll stay over that evening, then fly out the next morning.

So, I only need to feed myself dinner on the evening of the 18th, I should be able to scrounge up something.

Lindsay will probably call me today for a pre-op call, I know she tried to reach me yesterday, but my phone ran out of juice and I did not have my charger with me. So I'll call her today when she gets in out there in the SouthWest.

Checking my list of stuff to bring....I can't believe my day is almost here! Yay!

[Cruelladeville]

Always err on the side of caution....Nicky

While I was in AZ for a month back there in Sept..... I allowed 14 days off both times before going on with a more normal routine.... and I was uber-fit before heading out there... I've never smoked and do minimal alcohol....as it happens.

I also used the HI gym for three hours last nite of grace.....

And I was only there for a second stage op, not the full blown SRS....which I did back in 1992.

Driving a hire car 14 days later (to Sedona and the GC) was extremely uncomfortable.... and as planes see you seated for a fair wee while.... make sure they prescribe you good pain-killers and some valium, in case you need it to sleep the worst of it off....

Take care.... and see you on the other side! Dr Best will no doubt make sure you get the very best out of his special cocktail cabinet....lol

Auntie C

[NikkiJ]

Good advice, and I am happy to receive it Auntie C!!!! 

[Cruelladeville]

Hello Nicks....

Just a quick hello to see if all went well for you in the Greenbaum and you're safely through to the other side?

If so, rest up and heal well!

[NikkiJ]

Hi Auntie Cruella!

If I see Morgan again, I'll tell him you said hi! So, as mentioned on another thread I started...

I had my surgery at 11:45 on Tuesday (well, later than that, Dr. M needed some lunch between operations), and woke up still in the operating room under the big lights with everyone telling me "Nicole, it went really well!" I looked over (all the while taking deep breaths to defog myself) and Dr. M was wiping up and said the same to me, which was very reassuring. They brought me to room 14, and you're right, the staff and the hospital is fantastic. The only patients over this weekend were myself and a young, quiet girl in the next room that received here SRS before me that morning. I still haven't met her, she's cloistered in her room.

Saturday night, I got the nerve to go out and wander, and walked to Old Town Scottsdale, and came upon a Greek Festival, that was fun, and I bought myself a pendant.

Sunday afternoon, I got out (they had removed my drains that morning) and took the free trolley to the Fashion Square Mall, as I needed a new suitcase to replace the one that was rendered unlockable on the way out. I also discovered a great sale on clothes, and bought four new pieces. I was pretty worn out, and took a Lincoln Town Car taxi back to the Hospital, which was worth every penny.

This morning, nurse Tasha came and removed the sutures from my breasts as well as down below, and taught me how to dilate, than had me do it to show that I learned. I've done it a second time today by myself, and have 6 inches of depth. Dr. M told me he was able to avoid doing a skin graft...just barely! I lucked out. I went to the mall again this afternoon as I needed more underwear. The food has been great, and I am cutting down on the amount and eating more salads and soup so as not to be as big as a house!

Tomorrow morning, the catheter will be removed! More Progress!

Hugs,

Nicole

[Cruelladeville]

Yep post my labiaplasty.... I was able to rent a car and get up to Sedona and the GC via Flagstaff.... Nicki, after 10 days or so.
And what can one say?.... Awesome geology...but in Sept 43c out on the streets in the superheated air was just too dry arid and hot - so the fashion mall was my walk and get fit zone too.

Rachel for me was a real doll, and we did several lunches and one dinner together - i think she twigged my Brit sense of humour... and my exiting the Greenbaum post my second procedure in the company Volvo... will go down in the annals of Meltzer folklore for sure....

Yep heal well, and hope that the 2nd stage is a stress free event too Nicki.... I'm sure it will be.

And give my best regards to all Dr M's support team.

Cheers

Auntie C

[NikkiJ]

Will do Auntie C!

I'm healing quickly, and word is that Dr. Meltzer may release me one day early!!!! (Today!)

If that turns out to be the case, I'm just going to add an extra day to the hotel stay, and keep my flight home to Friday, to err on the side of caution, being in town in case any unforseen events arise, etc.

Went shopping again yesterday! Sales!!!!! Charge! It!

Best to all,
Nicole

[AnatomicFemale]

I"m Meltzer's Patient and i had my Labioplasty 8 days ago, and Honestly Looks Great. It's very swollen and very painful. I live out of AZ state and the only bad side i see It's that Labioplasty is more painful the Our first stage SRS and Percocet works very good but i ran out of the second prescription already, I called Meltzer's office and they cannot call in my Pharmacy for percocet, They wanted me to see a local Doctor in my area for a second prescription of Percocet, But also keep in mind that Any doctor has a calendar and we cannot come see a Doctor just like that for a prescription in the mean time pain still there while we wait for our refill. Sensation it's great in the clitoris, i guess everybody it's different. The outcome is very narural and if you decide to get your SRS with Meltzer, definitaly you need a labioplasty, very expepensive but i guess we get for what we pay for!

I have a friend who went to Suporn and she came back so sad from thailand, she is not happy with her outcome, her vulva is not even close to a natal vagina. We compared out vaginas and Honestly i felt so sorry. She is got horrible noticeble scars they will never dissappear.

I'm very thankful i went to Meltzer, he is great and he even knows he is the best.

[Cruelladeville]

Percocet didn't work for me.... back in August...

But after having had great success at pain relief with my dental work in May, opted for the US match of Cataflam (diclofenac) a newer NSAID. This did the rick and got the swelling down.

And I would agree that it twas much more difficult a procedure than I was expecting.... I had to live with a catheter for a long time after....

However now some months in the results are good for sure.... and no I have no bad scarring... at all! And I would agree that it twas much more difficult a procedure than I was expecting.... I had to live with a catheter for a long time after.... longer than my original op 18 years ago!

However now some months after the results are good for sure.... and no I have no bad scarring... at all!

His inner lip definitions and urethral deep plant also make you much more natal chick like.... which is why any of us would opt for him.... if you can stump-up the $ bucks... and stand the summer heat of AZ if yous not be local....lol

Glad you're a happy bunny.... take care and happy healing!

[NikkiJ]

I'm planning to go back to Scottsdale for the 2nd stage next fall.

The Percoset worked in the hosp, but I stopped taking it after the morning of the 2nd day after surgery. I've taken it a couple times here at home, but after the first dose, it just keeps me from sleeping if I take it at night. And I don't like to be too out of it anyway.

I wish I had the Ambien they gave me in the hospital to sleep. It's not addictive and it works for me. 

I'm healing at home, taking it easy, recognizing my limits and of course, performing the aftercare.

Very glad I went to Dr. Meltzer.