Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I went to my surgery consult with Dr. Keelee Macphee in Raleigh today.  I didn't feel nervous at first but I did once we got into the room and she looked at me and asked "so, tell me about yourself!"

I never know what to say to those lol.

She was super nice though, respectful and used all the right pronouns, and she said that she was amazed at how well I passed, and she said she always wondered if it was because of the T, or if it was partly due to the fact that its just how nature intended me to be in the first place.

My mom came with me, and she liked that, because most of her patients don't have family support.

She asked me to undress and put on a paper vest and she measured my chest and then had me lay down and felt it, and then (the worst part) I had to stand up, and do the shirtless photos.  Lets just say I didn't even let my ex boyfriend of 2 years see me shirtless without my hands covering up.  So it did feel weird

I had been hoping insurance would cover it, but she said that was really rare, and she told me her price, which is about 7,750 or so.  So I plan to save up 8,000.  She says that that fee also covers possible revisions (not including hospital fee's) and that fee also covers the next appointment of getting drains out, and she also likes to have a couple of visits after drains just to see how things are healing, and that is covered too.  And that seems pretty cool to me because you know you have the aftercare you need.

I have tried to calculate how much money i will be making each month, I work about 20 hours a week at my day job, and I will hopefully be working 30 a week or more at my new night job, If I can maintain those ours I will make 1,455 a month (already accounting for my rent/not accounting for taxes) SO I just got a job at target and will need to work there for at least 6 months until I can apply to get a month of medical leave.  SO, I am planning for the very beginning of january. That gives me a little more then 6 months. So, if I do it right, get the hours I need, and try not to spend much I will have 8,730 by that time, plus a few extra weeks give or take.

I am thinking that in a few months, when the money starts adding up, I may call and get a surgery date set, to motivate me not to spend my money on petty things until this is over with.  I quit smoking, and all of this calculating really is motivation to stay quit, because cigarettes are expensive.

sorry, long post, I had to get it all out.

Congrats, dude.

I understand the feeling of not wanting anyone to see you shirtless right now - I feel the exact same way.

Anyway, good luck with your surgery and I hope you are able to make the date ASAP.

Your long post is more than justifiable because this is definitely something to be excited about.
:)

Congrats! I'm saving up the same for my FFs but luckily I don't have to pay rent so I'll be able to save it up in good time.

Congo rats!

thanks everyone, and yeah the shirtlessness was awkward, but not as bad as I always assumed it would be, it was better then that gyno visit I had. the main awkwardness of it was there was a mirror when I turned to the side, definitely didnt look into it lol

but you know, for a moment, it was kinda weird/cool.  when she was done with the pictures and I had a few seconds in-between her telling me I could get dressed, I had the impulse to cover myself with my hands, but i didn't.  it felt very freeing.  I guess just being there in the hospital, I had a bit of a future flash of what it would be like when i can stand shirtless and not have anything to cover in embarrassment.

and yeah, but my rent isnt too bad, its just for my parents

Very cool, dude. Hope you can get your surgery date scheduled as soon as you'd like.

I had a consult today too in Madison with Dr. King. I had a good experience as well. He was really respectful when he was measuring/looking at my chest. And yeah I was facing the full-length mirror when this was happening... did not maintain any eye contact with myself, lol.

And same experience after getting my pics taken, in regards to that "future flash". I was less self-conscious about my body than usual the whole time I was there though, mostly, I think, because I knew I was there to get 'em off me and that they were there to help.

Quote from: tvc15 on June 11, 2012, 08:35:33 PM


And same experience after getting my pics taken, in regards to that "future flash". I was less self-conscious about my body than usual the whole time I was there though, mostly, I think, because I knew I was there to get 'em off me and that they were there to help.

yeah? I wonder if we were feeling the same exact thing, it was the weirdest feeling for just a moment.  It was almost like they were gone for a second, or maybe it was just knowing that sometime in the near future I would be in the same place, but with them gone.

Yes, that sounds exactly like it. You put it into words better than I could've.

Good man! I felt weird on the consult, too, but I just played it cool. Then the damned paper vest tore. ::)

Fortunately, he was finished taking photos and marking me up, but (unfortunately) he wasn't quite finished talking to me.

Quote from: Arch on June 11, 2012, 08:50:42 PM
Good man! I felt weird on the consult, too, but I just played it cool. Then the damned paper vest tore. ::)

Fortunately, he was finished taking photos and marking me up, but (unfortunately) he wasn't quite finished talking to me.

its nerve wrecking isnt it? she took my blood pressure and she said "i think i know why its so high" (nerves)

Hey Elijah! I know this hasn't been posted on in a while but I was wondering if you already had your top surgery with Dr. Macphee? She's the surgeon I've been looking into because she will perform surgery on minors and shes in state but I'm having a hard time finding results from her. I've seen a few and they all look really well done but I'm trying to get a more rounded view of end results. If you have had surgery with her and would be willing to talk to me or can direct me to a place where there are the finished results I would really appreciate it. Thank you  :)

Skyler, you might want to wait until you hit fifteen posts and then send him a PM.

Skyler, nah I had my surgery with Garramone. The only results I saw for her were on youtube, there was just one video

Skyler, If you look her up on YT there are three guys I have found that have had their surgery with her. I'd say she is comparable to Dr Raphael maybe. She has a certain way she does the incisions under the arms to guard against dog ears. I live in NC too so have been considering her. I called her office and was told I would need to do a consultation to see result photos (consultation is $200). I understand respecting the privacy of her patients but was kinda put off that it would cost so much to see if I really like her work before I wanted to commit. Also, I was quoted at $8700 for the surgery and afterwards you get billed a $400 pathology fee from the hospital. Her price is only worth it if you want to do it close to home, imo.

Wow, Simon, that's a bit steep. Does the consultation fee go toward your surgery if you decide to proceed?

I don't know what my path fee would have been. My surgeon got it covered by insurance. I wonder if other guys can do that--if they have insurance, that is.

Quote from: Arch on December 30, 2013, 07:11:54 PM
Wow, Simon, that's a bit steep. Does the consultation fee go toward your surgery if you decide to proceed?

I don't know, they didn't say it did but I didn't ask either.

She is still on my list but I'm looking into Dr Alexander in Florida too. He's $5200. Only seen a keyhole procedure from him but spoke with his receptionist earlier today and am supposed to be getting some result photos by email soon. She wanted me to go ahead and email her photos of myself so they could tell me which procedure I would qualify for...I know I need DI, no doubts about it. I told her there is no point of them having my photos until I decide if I like his work or not.

Just trying to get my ducks in a row. Plan on going ahead and reserving a spot with someone by Summer to lock in on the current price. I think pathology labs are about $400 anywhere. I know Garramone has them listed on his site at that price.

Well, my surgeon quoted $8000 with a $200 consultation fee that went toward the surgery. They lowered the overall cost to $7500, so I had a balance of $7300 and no path fee whatsoever because of insurance. But that was 2009. I expect that the $8000 is now firm, or maybe they quote more but are willing to go down to $8000 if you dicker.

I was under the impression that my surgeon was just a little on the high end until he dropped it to $7500. That seemed a little more consistent with other quotes I had seen. But as I said, that was four years ago.

The Florida docs seem to be cheaper. Is that a trend or just a coincidence?

Quote from: Arch on December 30, 2013, 07:28:41 PM
The Florida docs seem to be cheaper. Is that a trend or just a coincidence?

I dunno, I've wondered that too. I remember a few years ago when most were around $5200 to $5700 across the board. Garramone is now $6900 total after everything is said and done (fine print on his site alludes to that). I'm leaning towards him. Just wish it wasn't so far away but then I think of people like Jay who went cross country to get to him and NC doesn't seem so far from FL. I'm a planner, always have been so I'll be focused on this for a good while. Just remembered I can't put my down payment in this Summer until I get back from Maryland though. I have kidney scans coming up next Summer/Fall. If they say I am due another kidney operation it would take priority over top surgery...always something, lol.

My surgeon is $500 for path labs and because I'm out of state I'm paying them out of pocket.

Quote from: Darrin Scott on December 30, 2013, 07:49:37 PM
My surgeon is $500 for path labs and because I'm out of state I'm paying them out of pocket.

Who are you going with Darrin? Sorry if you've said elsewhere, I can't remember though. I am really happy for you. I can sense your excitement from reading other threads, lol.

Garramone's path tests are $380.  For ->-bleeped-<-s and giggles I sent the path lab my insurance information after I got their bill in the mail and my insurance ended up paying $200 of it.  I was surprised.  I see that two weeks after I had my surgery with Garramone, his site says you have to pay for your labs directly to his office.  I am thinking the pathology group maybe weren't getting paid.

Quote from: Simon on December 30, 2013, 07:48:52 PM
Just remembered I can't put my down payment in this Summer until I get back from Maryland though. I have kidney scans coming up next Summer/Fall. If they say I am due another kidney operation it would take priority over top surgery...always something, lol.

Ugh. I hope it doesn't come to that.

Quote from: Simon on December 30, 2013, 07:48:52 PM
I dunno, I've wondered that too. I remember a few years ago when most were around $5200 to $5700 across the board. Garramone is now $6900 total after everything is said and done (fine print on his site alludes to that). I'm leaning towards him. Just wish it wasn't so far away but then I think of people like Jay who went cross country to get to him and NC doesn't seem so far from FL. I'm a planner, always have been so I'll be focused on this for a good while. Just remembered I can't put my down payment in this Summer until I get back from Maryland though. I have kidney scans coming up next Summer/Fall. If they say I am due another kidney operation it would take priority over top surgery...always something, lol.

It sounds so dramatic when you say "cross country". It was from New Mexico to Florida. The "to" trip isn't so bad, but it wasn't much fun to fly after surgery. I feel it was all worth it. I am only about 7 weeks post-op and I have almost forgotten all the unpleasant stuff. 

--Jay

Quote from: aleon515 on January 01, 2014, 02:14:08 AM
It sounds so dramatic when you say "cross country". It was from New Mexico to Florida. The "to" trip isn't so bad, but it wasn't much fun to fly after surgery. I feel it was all worth it. I am only about 7 weeks post-op and I have almost forgotten all the unpleasant stuff. 

--Jay

Wasn't trying to be dramatic, just saying if someone can make even more effort than I will to get to Florida then I can't complain. If I decide to go to Garramone my wife and I plan on driving to save cash. It's an 11 hour or so trip from my house so maybe that's why I feel like it's so far. You flew so it probably didn't seem like such a stretch.

Quote from: Simon on January 01, 2014, 02:30:43 AM
Wasn't trying to be dramatic, just saying if someone can make even more effort than I will to get to Florida then I can't complain. If I decide to go to Garramone my wife and I plan on driving to save cash. It's an 11 hour or so trip from my house so maybe that's why I feel like it's so far. You flew so it probably didn't seem like such a stretch.

Switch drivers at the 5 or 6 hour mark. Driving for 5 or 6 hours feels the same as driving for 2, to be honest. Being the passenger is the worst part, IMO. Source: Loads of long road trips.

Quote from: DCQ on January 01, 2014, 02:40:02 AM
Switch drivers at the 5 or 6 hour mark. Driving for 5 or 6 hours feels the same as driving for 2, to be honest. Being the passenger is the worst part, IMO. Source: Loads of long road trips.

I plan on driving all the way down since she would have to drive all the way back after surgery. I agree, time drags when you're riding and it will suck since the map I have shows I'll be taking I-95 almost the whole way down. Just one long boring highway, lol.

Quote from: Simon on January 01, 2014, 02:30:43 AM
Wasn't trying to be dramatic, just saying if someone can make even more effort than I will to get to Florida then I can't complain. If I decide to go to Garramone my wife and I plan on driving to save cash. It's an 11 hour or so trip from my house so maybe that's why I feel like it's so far. You flew so it probably didn't seem like such a stretch.

Flying if you think about it these days, you go to the airport and get to security. You get there an hour and half or two hours early. Then you wait as you are too early, then your plane comes and you wait in the plane. It probably takes a long time these days by plane and almost none of it is in actually flying. If you change planes, you wait some more (which I did flying to FL).  I think that's why people hate flying so much these days, plus all the silly little things that I don't think actually keep you safe that they say "keeps you safe". But maybe that's just me, always was kind of cynic.

Anyway it's a LONG drive what you describe. For me it was actually in the air 5-6 hours. But it turns into a whole day thing. So maybe you can think about it that way. The car will be VERY useful there if you don't stay at New Beginnings, even if you did it would be nice.

Anyway, I survived. I don't even think about it now except to write a post like that.


--Jay

Simon, are you planning on staying at New Beginnings?  It really will save you some cash.  Even if you did bring your car, if there is room in the van, you could still ride with them to surgery.  I actually found that my time in the van with Leland (one of the owners), back and forth to appointments and the surgi center was the most useful time.  He gives you so much information on what to expect, tips for recovery, etc.  He opened their group home after he had his own surgery with Garramone.

If you aren't planning to stay at New Beginnings, driving really is a good idea.  You won't have to rent a car then.  The airport is a bit away from Garramone's office.  I don't know where the surgi center is in comparison to Garramone's office, but I suppose that since you drive to Garramone's office twice and the surgi center only once, you will choose to stay near his office.

It actually is good that you will be driving along I-95 if you think about it.  Smooth road with no sharp curves.  I was trying to think what my ride was like back from the airport when I got home from surgery, and it really wasn't bad.  We took one large suitcase (we shared), because I wouldn't be able to handle a carry on.  Instead I just looked like a douche who wouldn't help my girl drag along our suitcase and laptop!

Quote from: Brett on January 01, 2014, 01:00:29 PM
Simon, are you planning on staying at New Beginnings?

Right now we're not considering it. I've been on Kayak's site and have found some decent hotels with kitchenettes for around $80 a night (near the beach). It would be nice to stay there but I've had previous surgeries in the past so I don't really see any advantages if I'm driving, except for the social aspect. I figure with the extra money I'd save with staying elsewhere my wife and I could afford to eat a lot better meals. Plus I have to kennel my dog when I'm gone and that's a big extra cost. If anyone is at New Beginnings while I'm down there I'd be down to meet up and go grab a bite or whatever but I can't see myself paying so much extra just to do this around other transguys.

Quote from: Simon on January 01, 2014, 03:05:33 PM
Right now we're not considering it. I've been on Kayak's site and have found some decent hotels with kitchenettes for around $80 a night (near the beach). It would be nice to stay there but I've had previous surgeries in the past so I don't really see any advantages if I'm driving, except for the social aspect. I figure with the extra money I'd save with staying elsewhere my wife and I could afford to eat a lot better meals. Plus I have to kennel my dog when I'm gone and that's a big extra cost. If anyone is at New Beginnings while I'm down there I'd be down to meet up and go grab a bite or whatever but I can't see myself paying so much extra just to do this around other transguys.

With finding such good deals, along with having a car, staying at a hotel with kitchenette does make more sense.  Can you find a hotel that takes dogs?

Simon, have you checked for any Red Roof Inn hotels around there? Almost all of them are very pet-friendly. We always stay at that chain when we're on a trip.

Quote from: DCQ on January 01, 2014, 08:16:52 PM
Simon, have you checked for any Red Roof Inn hotels around there? Almost all of them are very pet-friendly. We always stay at that chain when we're on a trip.

I thought about it but with just the two of us going I don't know how the pooch would be alone when I'm getting surgery. She is typically ok by herself at home but in a strange place I'm afraid she'd bark her head off when nobody was in the room. She's a pit mix so her bark is loud.

Quote from: Simon on January 01, 2014, 10:25:06 PM
I thought about it but with just the two of us going I don't know how the pooch would be alone when I'm getting surgery. She is typically ok by herself at home but in a strange place I'm afraid she'd bark her head off when nobody was in the room. She's a pit mix so her bark is loud.

Every time I've been to a Red Roof, dogs are barking nonstop. You can't really hear them through the walls though, just when you're outside. You could always call and find out if it would be a problem. It's not really an issue from my experience as long as it's not at night. You could also kennel her just for that day, it'd be much cheaper; I'm sure you've thought of it, though. :)

And pits are awesome!