Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I'm ,looking at doctors.. and Dr Meltzer is my main #1 choice .. but I haven't been able to find more recent information about how his work is, aesthetically and functionally.. anyone that knows more I would love to have some info ( and possibly considering Dr Brassard as well as #2 option )..  i'm having a consulttation with dr meltzer  Feb 11 2012 .

So any girls out there that have information, (Maybe some pictures?)good and bad.. I would like to hear..

Thank you!

Jessica ( from NYC)

I am sorry for asking but why him?
I think that the Canadian team is a great option.

i fee he is reguraded as # 1 according to many reviews and what i gave read and found out online unfortunately havent really seen that many results from his vaginoplasty because sumhow is hard to find online not sure why , but i'm having my consult and if from there my feelings with going with him are strenghten  then it will be him.

I find it that if he says that two stages are better for preserving nerves and blood flow trough that area is better for the results which i think he refers to functionality results ..then i wanna  go with that  , i really hope that Dr Brassards funtionality results are good as well as he is in my 2nd or 3erd  on my back up list of surgeons,  i must mention i have read a couple of negative results and experiences from girls with dr brassard but  i dont feel 100% discouraged, just very cautious at this time and still reading  alot and looking for input input input lol till the day comes  oxoxox




PS. I always thought you get what you pay for, and  also at the same wonder about DR meltzer..Does he charge the most out there because he regards himself or feels he is regarded as the best?.. or is it because he wants to discourage the approach lol   just a thought hehe

Jessica.

Difficult to advice you. I personally don't think the price guarantees quality .For my AM I went with the most expensive doctor and it turned out to be a terrible experience .I think that his technique is outdated. Maybe my opinion only;)

i was really hoping to see some more replies here since i too was considering Meltzer.

I had a consultation with him over the summer, i really liked him but who cares if hes likable i want to know firsthand what his results are like!

Quote from: swan on November 22, 2012, 01:23:45 PM
Difficult to advice you. I personally don't think the price guarantees quality .For my AM I went with the most expensive doctor and it turned out to be a terrible experience .I think that his technique is outdated. Maybe my opinion only;)

What's AM (im sorry not familiar) and i understand about the outdated technique , but is favorable towards functionality results in my opinion and the fastest recovery proccess , again just my personal opinion.

Quote from: aprilrain on November 25, 2012, 07:41:58 AM
i was really hoping to see some more replies here since i too was considering Meltzer.

I had a consultation with him over the summer, i really liked him but who cares if hes likable i want to know firsthand what his results are like!

April, how your consult went and were you  happy with him are you decided will be him yet? did he show u results at all/ did you ask to see any photos?   i cant wait not only for my consult but im at an age where i don't want wait anymore and i wanna  really be done with my journey , i feel like i'm almost at the end of crossing a very long bridge and once in the other side well i hope  more doors open up for me, but if not ..hey! I'll  still be happy i don't have this extra part  in my body i not only  never identified with... but i never liked having ether grrrrr lol   

I am an ftm and plan to have top surgery with him.  I have had two in person consultations with him -- love him.  He has a great bedside manor and geniuely seems invested in getting the best results.  He is his worse critic.  I have seen pics of some of his work and he is very critical and talks about early on his mistakes and the corrections he made.  Even his early work looks fab.  He has a wing in the hospital that has all his clients in.

I have a couple friends who are mtf who have had surgery with him and are very satisfied with their experience and results.  I also know an mtf who got their work done in Thailand and got revesions done by Metzler and was very satisfied.

My experience has been nothing but great.  My insurance will cover my surgery and he was willing to work with me to get the required paperwork done --- he does make you pay up front and get reimbursed from your insurance.

Sounds so great  , cant wait  to have my personal one on one  with him in Feb. then hopefully my surgery  by the end of next year   with Gods favor

oxoxox

Quote from: JessicaNYCgirl on November 25, 2012, 04:37:43 PM


What's AM (im sorry not familiar) and i understand about the outdated technique , but is favorable towards functionality results in my opinion and the fastest recovery proccess , again just my personal opinion.

that is boob job sweetie:)

i have not yet made my decision but he is still high on my list. If i did not go to him it will be because of money issues primarily, He's so frikin expensive!

My consult went well, I really liked him, He's kinda cute too but short! LOL. I have seen results pics on Dr Anne Lawrence website. I posted a link but it got deleted. 

i most likely go with him , I  started my laser (genital hair removal ) treatment  today! im so excited   by the way i like ur face you are very pretty,  how do i post my face picture hehe

I had my SRS with Dr. Meltzer on 3/16/2010 and my labiaplasty on 6/21/2010.  I think that the results were good, but feel as though my labia minora is not very prominent.  This may be due to a lack of available material.  I was 11 years on hormones, so there was considerable atrophy. I think it is a good idea to heal longer than I did for the second surgery as it was very painful and I do have sustained numbness over my clitoral hood.  Overall, my vaginal dept is good and dilation progression went well.  I hear of a lot of other post ops that have considerable pain and difficulty maintaining depth.  This is not the case with me.  In fact, I believe that my depth has increased and my partner (female) has been able at times to fit her entire hand in me.  Hey... what can I say, i like the sensation :) Orgasms were challenging at first, but I think this is more to do with learning your new body than a lack of sensation.  I do recommend that you practice having orgasms frequently prior to surgery and get used to building yourself up mentally.  Stimulation of the region used for clitoral material would be helpful as well.  I never really liked the sensation there too much, so it has been a learning experience. My sensation has been good and continued to improve over two years.  Orgasms can range from good to earth shattering.  I think the mind has a lot to do with it.  When properly mentally stimulated, I can now actually have an orgasm simply by tightening my lower pelvic muscles.  Kinda a fun trick when you are sitting at your desk at work  :P.  Overall, I think that Dr. Meltzer is an amazing surgeon and his staff is top notch.   I hope this helps. 

Quote from: Jenna Renee on November 28, 2012, 01:50:47 PM
I had my SRS with Dr. Meltzer on 3/16/2010 and my labiaplasty on 6/21/2010.  I think that the results were good, but feel as though my labia minora is not very prominent.  This may be due to a lack of available material.  I was 11 years on hormones, so there was considerable atrophy. I think it is a good idea to heal longer than I did for the second surgery as it was very painful and I do have sustained numbness over my clitoral hood.  Overall, my vaginal dept is good and dilation progression went well.  I hear of a lot of other post ops that have considerable pain and difficulty maintaining depth.  This is not the case with me.  In fact, I believe that my depth has increased and my partner (female) has been able at times to fit her entire hand in me.  Hey... what can I say, i like the sensation :) Orgasms were challenging at first, but I think this is more to do with learning your new body than a lack of sensation.  I do recommend that you practice having orgasms frequently prior to surgery and get used to building yourself up mentally.  Stimulation of the region used for clitoral material would be helpful as well.  I never really liked the sensation there too much, so it has been a learning experience. My sensation has been good and continued to improve over two years.  Orgasms can range from good to earth shattering.  I think the mind has a lot to do with it.  When properly mentally stimulated, I can now actually have an orgasm simply by tightening my lower pelvic muscles.  Kinda a fun trick when you are sitting at your desk at work  :P.  Overall, I think that Dr. Meltzer is an amazing surgeon and his staff is top notch.   I hope this helps.

Funny you should mention it cause i have plenty orgasms  now ,i'm very sexual  and i happen to be very hyper sensitive specially under my penis now , i hope that i remain as sensitive after  surgery!,  your comments though help alot  to only even ensure what i have already decided  , did you have  laser or electrolysis before surgery how that went ..


thanks again

Jess.

Yes I did have electro in the basement.  It's the most painful thing I've ever intentionally done to myself.  Be diligent and start early. I've found a few hairs growing inside afterwards, but not really noticeable unless you are searching for them.  I have had no complaints from my partner, and we get pretty .... well... use your imagination.

I'm surprised that there are not more women here to comment on Meltzer.

Dr. Meltzer was one of the doctors at the bottom of my list.

Had many friends and acquaintances who had a horrible experience with him. They said his bed side manners was non existent,  he barely talked with you, he rushes everything.

He wasn't on the bottom of my list...but he was the bottom 3.

Also, the fact that he does not involve himself in any health insurance policies scares the hell out of me. Even if you had insurance that covers SRS, he would not do it. He wants cash from you and no one else. That was a def NO NO in my book.

He was big back in the day when insurance didn't cover insurances ...now that more and more insurances cover SRS, I find it odd he does not accept health insurance....also, he only accepts one type of medical loan on a tentative bases.

I just didn't care for him and honestly, not a whole lot of people go to him anymore.

250 dollars for SRS with Dr. McGinn or 29,000 dollars for SRS with Meltzer.  Constant interaction dialogue, constant face to face contact (pre and post op) with my Doctor or have a Nurse visit you vs Meltzer. To me, it was an easy decision.

If you have a choice between Brassard and Meltzer, I would figure that wouldn't be a hard choice. Brassard was on my top 3. Meltzer was on my bottom 3..out of 15 doctors.

And as others said...Dr. Meltzer's technique is old school SRS. No Beuno.

Quote from: Annah on December 11, 2012, 04:36:59 PM
Dr. Meltzer was one of the doctors at the bottom of my list.

Had many friends and acquaintances who had a horrible experience with him. They said his bed side manners was non existent,  he barely talked with you, he rushes everything.

He wasn't on the bottom of my list...but he was the bottom 3.

Also, the fact that he does not involve himself in any health insurance policies scares the hell out of me. Even if you had insurance that covers SRS, he would not do it. He wants cash from you and no one else. That was a def NO NO in my book.

He was big back in the day when insurance didn't cover insurances ...now that more and more insurances cover SRS, I find it odd he does not accept health insurance....also, he only accepts one type of medical loan on a tentative bases.

I just didn't care for him and honestly, not a whole lot of people go to him anymore.

250 dollars for SRS with Dr. McGinn or 29,000 dollars for SRS with Meltzer.  Constant interaction dialogue, constant face to face contact (pre and post op) with my Doctor or have a Nurse visit you vs Meltzer. To me, it was an easy decision.

If you have a choice between Brassard and Meltzer, I would figure that wouldn't be a hard choice. Brassard was on my top 3. Meltzer was on my bottom 3..out of 15 doctors.

And as others said...Dr. Meltzer's technique is old school SRS. No Beuno.

It would seem that your opinion of Meltzer is based upon second hand information.  Did you actually meet him?  I am sure that McGinn in a great option and I've heard that Bressard can also give really wonderful results, but I think it is unfair to discount the amazing work that Meltzer does.  I have had none of the depth and dilation issues I hear of from so many other woman that have gone to the other Surgeons. In fact, my ability to stretch and enjoy sex has exceeded my expectations.  My one complaint is that I find the labia is too small, but I had been on hormones for 12 years prior to surgery, so there was only so much to work with.  My original equipment size was about 4" and I have 6" depth and expanding (My wife and I like to push the limits), so I have no idea how he was able to accomplish that but I'm not complaining.  I did have difficulty learning how to orgasm, but I believe that was more of a mental issue than physical.  I can actually do that now without even touching myself.  The staff in Scottsdale is first rate and Dr. Melter checked on my frequently, even on the weekends.  He is a skilled and caring surgeon, and I get tired of hearing him get bad mouthed because he charges a few dollars more.  All the North American Surgeons use pretty much the same techniques, he just happens to be one of the most experienced. 

Quote from: Jenna Renee on December 13, 2012, 04:17:31 PM
It would seem that your opinion of Meltzer is based upon second hand information.  Did you actually meet him?  I am sure that McGinn in a great option and I've heard that Bressard can also give really wonderful results, but I think it is unfair to discount the amazing work that Meltzer does.  I have had none of the depth and dilation issues I hear of from so many other woman that have gone to the other Surgeons. In fact, my ability to stretch and enjoy sex has exceeded my expectations.  My one complaint is that I find the labia is too small, but I had been on hormones for 12 years prior to surgery, so there was only so much to work with.  My original equipment size was about 4" and I have 6" depth and expanding (My wife and I like to push the limits), so I have no idea how he was able to accomplish that but I'm not complaining.  I did have difficulty learning how to orgasm, but I believe that was more of a mental issue than physical.  I can actually do that now without even touching myself.  The staff in Scottsdale is first rate and Dr. Melter checked on my frequently, even on the weekends.  He is a skilled and caring surgeon, and I get tired of hearing him get bad mouthed because he charges a few dollars more.  All the North American Surgeons use pretty much the same techniques, he just happens to be one of the most experienced.

A lot of my experience was from friends I have talked to face to face who had surgery from Dr. Meltzer...so I am pretty confident this wasn't based around rumors...it was actual face to face interaction. And it was more than one. I have seven different friends tell me this. I am sure they wouldn't just lie about this...there's no reason...and I believe my friends who got it done.

And yes, it is a fact that he uses a very old SRS technique that other doctors are no longer doing.

And yes, he does not accept any form of insurance..even if you are covered. It says so right on his website under his finance section.

And yes, he only uses one form of medical based loan program and he doesn't accept it all the time...it says so right on his website.

So this isn't naysayer knowledge.

She wanted both the good and the bad.

And for the record, yes I did have a consultation with him. Yes, he was nice. But I don't look for doctors who are just nice. And yes, he did tell me he isn't as personally involved with this patients post SRS compared to other docs because he's too busy with other patients throughout the day.

And it isn't that he just charges a few dollars more...he is almost 10,000 dollars more expensive than doctors who are better than he is...and he doesn't accept insurance. That tells me he wants all the money right then and right there. Other SRS doctors in the US accepts insurances...he does not.

I am sorry if you got offended that I "bad mouthed" him but like I mentioned..the OP wanted the good and the bad. When I looked for a doctor for a life changing surgery I spent two years researching the doctors.

I have nothing personally against him. I just don't think he's that good of a doctor...and certainly not that good for the prices he charge and for the technique that is outdated.

First of all, Meltzer does accept insurance. I had CIGNA Healthcare and they got all the pre-approvals by working with my provider. I did nothing. Once they had the pre-approvals, they only collected the amount of money which my insurance didn't cover. A few thousand dollars. So I can say 100% that they do accept health insurance. I can't speak for any policy, but they took mine.

Also, Meltzer has excellent bedside manner. True he doesn't dote on his patients, but he doesn't need to. He has the best staff of any surgeon I have ever been to. I was constantly visited by his nurses from his office, some woman who acted as some sort of counselor, and other female office staff such as my coordinator.

As far as calling his techniques dated, I would only say, that aesthetically, Meltzer's SRS work is superior to any other surgeon. This isn't blind faith, it is personal experience combined with a tremendous amount of research. They kept telling me that the initial result (pre-vaginoplasty) was often good enough for many of his patients, and I would tend to agree. I have free surgery (insurance) and I haven't felt the need to have the second procedure because the initial result is so attractive. This isn't just my opinion, it is the opinion of men who I would trust with a great deal of experience with GG women. It is also not because I am afraid of surgery. I have had over a dozen procedures... OK well over a dozen.

For aesthetics - no scars. Perfect symmetry. Natural appearance. Clitoris looks right and is extremely functional. It can get blood flow from a simple kiss on the lips. Depth was 6-6.5" with a #4 originally but that has come down a bit due to irresponsibility on my part in terms of dilation consistency. I think this is the bane of many TS women.

I have personally seen other results of Meltzers, not just pictures, and I think the term universally impressed would come to mind. I have seen some horrible vaginas from other surgeons.

Then he may have taken special exception with you. My friends' insurances was not accepted.

Per Dr. Meltzer website:

Dr. Meltzer does not participate with any insurance plans. Dr. Meltzer does not participate with any health insurance companies.

However, I am glad he covered yours

Yes. They had a staff member who worked everything out in advance (pre-approvals) with the healthcare company. I think it would be wise to call to validate.

Hi,

I am also planning to have my SRS next year and searching for a surgeon, I have heard that Dr. Meltzer is really good, but couldn't find much details. The only pictures I have seen is more than 5-6 years old and not many are talking about his result. I really like to here more about him.

After seeing that someone said that their CIGNA plan covered most of Meltzer's surgery I decided to include Meltzer as a potential for me. I was checking out his site and found that he doesn't participate in any insurance plans but that Greenbaum does so it's possible to get it at least partially covered that way(according to the site). It would be great to hear if other people with insurance were able to get it covered this way.