Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I got my date I got my date!!!

November 26th I will be in Montreal to undergo SRS with Pierre Brassard!

Got the email this morning.. SO SO SO SO happy and excited! I think I've done about as much research and mental prep as possible, but I've still got some room there because I know as the date approaches it will become more and more real.

Anyway I gotta go do some jumping jacks now, I can't think of any other way to work out all this EXCITEMENT!

I'll be detailing my experience in this thread when the time comes. All experiences/comments/criticisms/things-to-look-out-for are welcome and appreciated!

:D :D :D :D

Congratulations and good luck ^_^

Congratulations, girl! I'm so excited for you!
I know you can't wait - just remember, the date will arrive very fast, so be ready. Get together all your needed supplies and paperwork now, and have some good friends to help you out when you return.
One other thing: before you go, clean your tub to within an inch of its life! (You'll need it for the daily sitz baths)

Thanks Olivia :D Considering what the procedure entails, I don't think there's any possible way I could feel better about this doctor after all the positive experiences my research has shown me.

And thanks Zoe, I hope it comes fast. November still seems so far away. But you are right, I'm sure it will feel like yesterday that I was typing this. And thanks for the rec on the bath. Any suggestion if I don't actually have a bath? Am I going to be sitzing my butt in a bucket? ;)

You can buy toilet-top sitz baths on Amazon if you need to. Uncomfortable, but possible. :)

Jenny !

So happy for you!

People keep saying time will fly - Mmm

But spoke to Suzi this morning and time flew for her!

Congrats Sis

Cindy

Congrats!!!

Congrats Jenny,

Yes time will be here way before you know it. Relax and as has been said many times get all you will need post in order at home for your arrival back.

Isabell

Thanks so much everyone :)

One day closer!

Congratulations, Jenny!  I'm ever so happy for you.

Quote from: Kimberley Beauregard on June 23, 2014, 04:34:12 PM
Congratulations, Jenny!  I'm ever so happy for you.

Thanks Kim! Just added the countdown to my signature. Now it's REAL ;)

Congrats Jenny,
Currently the office is attempting to answer my extensive questions, or so I hope. Was contacted about do not get genital electrolysis though when i go in for facial on Thursday. So since i've scheduled the time for two techs i guess ill just have the second do belly button to panty line. Looking forward to hearing your experience come nov/dec.
~Jen

PS Did you just need the two psych letters or were others required?

Quote from: Jennifer.Alexandria on June 24, 2014, 07:25:09 PM
Congrats Jenny,
Currently the office is attempting to answer my extensive questions, or so I hope. Was contacted about do not get genital electrolysis though when i go in for facial on Thursday. So since i've scheduled the time for two techs i guess ill just have the second do belly button to panty line. Looking forward to hearing your experience come nov/dec.
~Jen

PS Did you just need the two psych letters or were others required?

2 psych and endo letter

and pass the pre blood work HIV and if they want EKG.
Isabell

Quote from: mind is quiet now on June 24, 2014, 07:57:48 PM
2 psych and endo letter

and pass the pre blood work HIV and if they want EKG.
Isabell

Yep bingo. They will not schedule you until you've got the letters in. Next step for me is the tests.

Also I am on the list for cancellations. I would do this much sooner if I could (i was originally hoping for September)

Quote from: Jennygirl on June 24, 2014, 08:39:57 PM

Also I am on the list for cancellations. I would do this much sooner if I could (i was originally hoping for September)

As always if i am around i could stop around.

Mine ended up being like 3 weeks earlier then i was scheduled due to cancellation.

Izzy

Oh jenny, I am so happy for you darling,  and I will be following your journey closely. Congrats on the date, I imagine finally having a date for it is like being engaged and finally knowing your wedding date... It finally hits you that it actually is gonna happen. Except this is even MORE life changing . Congrats !

Quote from: mind is quiet now on June 24, 2014, 09:39:45 PM

As always if i am around i could stop around.

Mine ended up being like 3 weeks earlier then i was scheduled due to cancellation.

Izzy

Sounds fun, I will totally take you up on that if you are around!

Also that's cool to hear about your surgery being a bit sooner. I would really love to be at least 6-8 weeks post op by the new year. Dunno why I just wanted it that way :D

Quote from: calicarly on June 25, 2014, 02:38:06 AM
Oh jenny, I am so happy for you darling,  and I will be following your journey closely. Congrats on the date, I imagine finally having a date for it is like being engaged and finally knowing your wedding date... It finally hits you that it actually is gonna happen. Except this is even MORE life changing . Congrats !

Thanks. I certainly am VERY happy that I did not get married earlier in life- I almost actually did... talked to her dad and everything ;) The relationship ended for reasons unrelated to being trans though~ just not a good match. Ended up dodging a major bullet there I guess! It is easier like this since I now seem to be more attracted to guys :P

Congratulations!

I actually forgot to submit the endo letter (I wouldn't suggest this, but that was true in my case.)

You may want to do the EKG anyhow. I was first told I wouldn't need it then had to scramble to get it done in time when they said I did need it.

Congratulations!!!  I am very happy for you.   For some strange reason however I thought you had already had your surgery  lol.  I'm sure you feel like you can't wait, I know after I got my date I felt as though it wouldn't come soon enough but it did and hard to believe it's been more than a year since! Well again congratulations and may you have a safe trip and your recovery quick.!!

Wow i got november 24th. We will see each other then   :D

Quote from: Agent_J on July 01, 2014, 09:46:42 PM
Congratulations!

I actually forgot to submit the endo letter (I wouldn't suggest this, but that was true in my case.)

You may want to do the EKG anyhow. I was first told I wouldn't need it then had to scramble to get it done in time when they said I did need it.

I had my endo do the letter anyway, but Brassard's office called me before it got there :P

Quote from: calico on July 02, 2014, 01:19:25 PM
Congratulations!!!  I am very happy for you.   For some strange reason however I thought you had already had your surgery  lol.  I'm sure you feel like you can't wait, I know after I got my date I felt as though it wouldn't come soon enough but it did and hard to believe it's been more than a year since! Well again congratulations and may you have a safe trip and your recovery quick.!!

It's okay actually a lot of my friends have even admitted to forgetting. I guess I should take it as a compliment and sign of respect that they don't think about what's between my legs as much as they do myself :) Congrats on being a year done with it! Sounds like you are happy with your result?

Quote from: Myarkstir on July 02, 2014, 04:32:04 PM
Wow i got november 24th. We will see each other then   :D

Neat!! Where will you be flying in from? I am coming from LA. Also welcome to the forums :)

I will be taking a 35 minutes subway ride and a 10 minutebus rife lol :D i live in montreal.

Oh wow how lucky is that, 45 minutes away from one of the world's top 3 srs surgeons!

Quote from: Jennygirl on July 02, 2014, 05:29:02 PM
Oh wow how lucky is that, 45 minutes away from one of the world's top 3 srs surgeons!

Or... Lol knowing for 17 years that 45 minutes away is the destination of your life's work and not having the funds. Thankfully now its covered in quebec.  ;D

I will try to get you as pic of me so ypou can recognize me overr there. No current one sadly.

Oh and i was there early june and the place is SUPER calm as nd relaxing

Quote from: Myarkstir on July 02, 2014, 04:32:04 PM
Wow i got november 24th. We will see each other then   :D

Now can visit 2 in the same week.

Myarkstir i wish you well in your up coming date.

And being local sure makes the travel home easier.

Isabell

Quote from: Jennygirl on July 02, 2014, 05:16:32 PM
I had my endo do the letter anyway, but Brassard's office called me before it got there :P

Cool!  It likely would have been pointless in my case as I'd had 3 different endos in the preceding 4 years, and the one I was seeing at the time had been treating me for far less than a year.

Quote from: mind is quiet now on July 02, 2014, 06:13:20 PM
Now can visit 2 in the same week.

Myarkstir i wish you well in your up coming date.

And being local sure makes the travel home easier.

Isabell

Yeah i asked my dad to provide me with a car ride home.

Oh and will put an avatar pic as soon as i am allowed

Darn I hate typing on a tablet lol

Quote from: Jennygirl on July 02, 2014, 05:16:32 PM

It's okay actually a lot of my friends have even admitted to forgetting. I guess I should take it as a compliment and sign of respect that they don't think about what's between my legs as much as they do myself :) Congrats on being a year done with it! Sounds like you are happy with your result?

Yes, indeed I am very happy with my result, I didn't go to Canada, but he was in my bucket list,  I'm very positive he'll do a fantastic job!,  oh I remember the excitement leading up to my date, I had so many Omg, and felt like I was running around in my head,  I swear I felt like a teenage school girl waiting on her date to the prom!  I positively wanted to scream with excitement,  but I kept quite because no one actually knew what I was going for, lol

Just took a look through the SRS threads again (as this is my next step!) and saw your post...

Congrats on the date Jenny...you really are getting through your transition quickly and effectively, I have to say!! Been following your thread on Yeson as you know so I'll be following this one with just as much curiosity - Brassard is one of my two top surgeons that I'll be deciding on.

If you don't mind me asking, can I ask if Suporn (my other choice) was among your top surgeons? And if so, the main reasons (in a nutshell) you chose Brassard over him? I'm finding the choice despite huge amounts of research very difficult.

Take care and I'm sure November will be here before you know it!

Gigi

Quote from: Gigi_J on July 07, 2014, 10:04:24 AM
Just took a look through the SRS threads again (as this is my next step!) and saw your post...

Congrats on the date Jenny...you really are getting through your transition quickly and effectively, I have to say!! Been following your thread on Yeson as you know so I'll be following this one with just as much curiosity - Brassard is one of my two top surgeons that I'll be deciding on.

If you don't mind me asking, can I ask if Suporn (my other choice) was among your top surgeons? And if so, the main reasons (in a nutshell) you chose Brassard over him? I'm finding the choice despite huge amounts of research very difficult.

Take care and I'm sure November will be here before you know it!

Gigi

Hi Gigi! To answer your question about Suporn, yes he was my other top choice. What it came down to for me was the number of slanted reports ad complications from his slightly more risky procedure. That is also of my own research, nowhere is there proof that his is more risky.

What I determined to make it more risky was the amount of time required to do the actual procedure, the recovery time, and from patient testimonials.

Procedure time varied greatly, with Suporn's technique taking upwards of 8-9 hours compared to 2 hrs for Brassard.

Recovery time seems to be about a third to quarter as long with Brassard as well.

To cap it off, I had heard too many unhappy patient testimonials for me to consider the benefit of "chonburi organ" to be that much more worth it... Especially when most of Brassard's patients say they are easily orgasmic.

That pretty much sums it up where I was in my head choosing Brassard. Hope it helps :) and best of luck with your decision!

Awww thanks Jenny!

Oh and I meant it about you being so quick and efficient with your transition...well done for being so decisive and just getting things done..I really admire you for that. I, on the other hand, started transition and HRT over 4 years ago and have reeaaaaally taken my time (too much with hindsight!) with most steps along the way due to being one of the most indecisive tossers on the planet, always worried I'll regret something if I go in too quickly. Promised myself this year I was gonna get myself well on the way to getting all the other major steps done tho...you are someone I'm looking up to a lot in that sense!

So yeah, I had a feeling Suporn was your other top choice because I remember reading a thread you were talking so positively about him.

I'll admit though, despite him being firmly top spot for some months, I have started to lean a little more towards Brassard for many of the exact same reasons you've just stated.

Personally, I think the difference between surgery times is a double-edged sword; on the one hand, I think...well....if Suporn does THAT much work for that many hours then surely it has to be a more intricate technique leading to a....more intricate result?..a vagina with the most bells and whistles possibly so to speak! On the other hand, anyone who researches surgery knows that the quicker you're off that operating table the better in many ways and if Brassard's more streamlined, somewhat simpler (?) (yet obviously very effective from the many positives I've heard) 2-hour technique gives a good result with far quicker and (relatively!) more pain-free recovery time then surely that has to be a winner.

You're absolutely right that as well as all the shining reviews, I have come across more unhappy testimonials for Suporn than I have with Brassard - saying that though, is that because Suporn (For the last few years at least..even if the tide seems to be changing) has been the 'surgeon of the day' doing many more SRS procedures than Brassard? Possibly. I know Suporn does several a week. I actually can't remember offhand how many Brassard does a week now, hmmm.

Like you, I think I'd be very satisfied with Brassard's sensation and orgasmic potential going by the positive things I've read - but sure, the promise that Suporn gives the 'most' sensation by means of preserving the most nerve endings (and using some of those in the 'Chonburi' organ) seems a huge positive. But then with the extra nerve endings comes the extra pain and lengthy recovery. Wow, I'm arguing with myself yet again and still feel no closer to deciding 100%, arghhh!

Aesthetics for me are hugely important too. Like us all, I don't want to settle for anything less than the most natural result possible. Even though it's been said many times, the average guy is very unlikely to be studying it with a magnifying glass but still...natural enough to never risk being clocked as anything but original is the aim!

I think seeing some results in person could possibly swing this decision firmly in one direction, if I'm honest - only had relatively few photo results to work with so far. And I've seen results I've both liked and disliked from both surgeons. Brassard's office sent me a few results in an email and Suporn only has the ones he's willing to show on his website but it's obvious both will only want to show the best examples.

Anyway those are my main thoughts so feel free to reply to any of the points you feel like - but I'm so happy for you that you've managed to get through all these things in your head firmly enough to have made your choice..which you're sounding really confident about and that's the most important thing. I hope to be in a similar place very soon!

Wow congrats Jenny, too bad I won't have a chance to see you there. I am scheduled for Nov 12, at  least that's what suzanne told me.

Congrats!
He will be doing my surgery too 7 months or so after yours.

You must be so excited!

Hey again Jenny...

just a quick note to say reading back I didn't mean to completely hijack your thread into a discussion between Brassard and Suporn so please don't feel any need to reply at all..maybe I'll start my own thread in the next day or so and if you spot it you can feel free to comment there!

Like I said above though...so happy you've come to your decision...you sound confident and at peace with your choice and with any luck I'll be there very soon...and as I said, lately I've started swinging more towards Brassard.

Take care and big hug,

Gigi

Quote from: Gigi_J on July 09, 2014, 08:18:41 AM
Hey again Jenny...

just a quick note to say reading back I didn't mean to completely hijack your thread into a discussion between Brassard and Suporn so please don't feel any need to reply at all..maybe I'll start my own thread in the next day or so and if you spot it you can feel free to comment there!

Like I said above though...so happy you've come to your decision...you sound confident and at peace with your choice and with any luck I'll be there very soon...and as I said, lately I've started swinging more towards Brassard.

Take care and big hug,

Gigi

Haha hey no worries. Yeah I went through a similar consideration as you, and eventually landed on Brassard. You pretty much nailed it in your comparison :) I think it will be helpful for people reading this thread and doing the same... I'm sure we're not the only ones who will compare Brassard vs Suporn. They are (in my opinion) the top 2 surgeons with two very different techniques.

And yeah my mind has been made up for months, I've written off Suporn as a surgeon that is not right for me so there really isn't any more consideration to be had on my end. Plus, I've got my date with Brassard and sticking with it :)

Quote from: jfong on July 08, 2014, 08:03:13 AM
Wow congrats Jenny, too bad I won't have a chance to see you there. I am scheduled for Nov 12, at  least that's what suzanne told me.

Dang so close! Well, keep the place warm for me :D

Quote from: HelloKitty on July 08, 2014, 05:29:18 PM
Congrats!
He will be doing my surgery too 7 months or so after yours.

You must be so excited!

I AM! I've been visiting with my parents in FL and going to public beaches. Holy crap I can't wait to not have to worry about what's between my legs. It's been a reality check and a huge confirmation that I am really so very excited to have this done!

And my mom is going to be there for the surgery day :D :D

Congrads Jenny!!!

Very good news!

Hugs, 

Jen

Congrats Jenny!! You're going to be very happy with Brassard, I have heard so many fantastic things about him. :)

Although I am a lot further off, I removed Suporn from my list for reasons similar to Jenny.

From what I've heard Suporn can be summarized like this - when he's good, which is most of the time, he's very, very good,  but when he's bad, he's horrible. :P

Btw Jenny, have you received the information package from Brassard? I just received mine and looks like the number of days in Montreal has been reduced from 12 days to 10 days (1 night @ B&B, 3 nights at the hospital & 6 nights at the recovery centre). Not sure if it is his new perfected technique with faster recovery or just trying to cut costs.

As a matter of fact, I had 1 night at the B&B, 2 nights in the hospital, and 6 nights at the recovery center in 2012. I wonder if he adjusts by yearly schedule or something?

According to izzy he used to give operations on tuesday and wednesday only. Now he added monday as well. Maybe he shortened the stays to allow more girls in per week?

I was there after he added Mondays, it's true (my surgery was in fact on a Monday).

Congrats! I had my surgery with Dr. Meltzer 2 weeks ago. Healing well:)

Sending you positive energy!

I hope it's not to late to wish you good luck jennygirl :angel:. Im sure Dr. Brassard will do a great job. You are in great hands :-*

Congratulations Jenny, one more step, hopefully the last. I hope everything goes well for you. From what I have read he is one of the bests.

When she wakes up i will be on day 2 after mine. With her permission i will keep you guys updated if she can't :)

Quote from: Myarkstir on August 29, 2014, 10:36:42 AM
When she wakes up i will be on day 2 after mine. With her permission i will keep you guys updated if she can't :)

I also wish you good luck and hope you two recover quickly. :-*

I just got the final confirmation for my date as well, November 24th! (there was some worry about weight restrictions, but I'm good to go)  I guess I'll see you around the hallways Jenny and Myarkstir.   ;D

Cool sounds like we might be roommates, we are going in on the same day :)

This might not be the right thread to ask this question, and if not, my apologies.  My question is, in one of the earlier posts Dr. Brassard was mentioned as one of the top three SRS surgeons along with Suporn, who is the third?  I have several friends who have gone with either Dr. Bowers or Dr. Meltzer and they are both very pleased with their results.  So is there that much difference between surgeons?  I've been researching mainly U.S. surgeons and find that each has strong points and  also weak points.

Thanks so much for any feedback!  Sarah  :D

Quote from: SarahJ on September 10, 2014, 04:24:33 PM
This might not be the right thread to ask this question, and if not, my apologies.  My question is, in one of the earlier posts Dr. Brassard was mentioned as one of the top three SRS surgeons along with Suporn, who is the third?  I have several friends who have gone with either Dr. Bowers or Dr. Meltzer and they are both very pleased with their results.  So is there that much difference between surgeons?  I've been researching mainly U.S. surgeons and find that each has strong points and  also weak points.

Thanks so much for any feedback!  Sarah  :D

My feeling US/Canada top 3 is Brassard, McGinn/Bowers.

Also to the list Leis, Kathy R. And Meltzer are also great surgeons.

Not to fond about flying halfway around the world.

Just me

Quote from: mrs izzy on September 10, 2014, 05:18:22 PM
My feeling US/Canada top 3 is Brassard, McGinn/Bowers.

Also to the list Leis, Kathy R. And Meltzer are also great surgeons.

No to fond about flying halfway around the world.

Just me

I'll go along with that assessent.  I booked Bowers because 1.  She was in the top three, 2.  She would write a nice letter so that my insurance would cover FFS and 3.  She, herself would take my insurance. 

I hate the money emphasis.....

Brassard is good and McGinn was actually my first choice. 

I'm still on the fence about who to go with, Brassard or McGinn. Brassard seems ideal for me but McGinn is closer and does the same kind of process from what I've read. I guess I'll be able to make my final decision once I've had consultations with both docs sometime next year.

Gonna make a thread on it later

But the genital electrolysis needed... Shiver! This is the one thing which might send me to Suporn.

Brassard recommends *against* genital electro...

Quote from: Jenna Marie on September 26, 2014, 06:14:14 PM
Brassard recommends *against* genital electro...

Does he scrape the follicles like Suporn? I'd be interested in hearing of the long term incidence or absence of hair in the vagina. The only advantage Suporn would have then is that he creates two sensate areas instead of just the clitoris. I also wonder about the ability of the skin in an inversion operation to accomodate a partner when the original equipment may well have shrunk a lot. Still, being in England, I'd rather go to Canada than Thailand.

Electro cortorise

1 year and half, last gyno check last month and still 0.

Was expecting maybe 1 or 2 but so fare good.

Quote from: Teslagirl on September 27, 2014, 08:31:48 AM
Does he scrape the follicles like Suporn? I'd be interested in hearing of the long term incidence or absence of hair in the vagina. The only advantage Suporn would have then is that he creates two sensate areas instead of just the clitoris. I also wonder about the ability of the skin in an inversion operation to accomodate a partner when the original equipment may well have shrunk a lot. Still, being in England, I'd rather go to Canada than Thailand.

I can very much relate.
I live in Surrey (UK) and was considering Supporn or Brassard as neither of them want pre-op genital hair removal.  After considering various factors (length of op, their reputation, destination culture) and speaking with several ex-patients about their experience of various elements (including post-op hair) I made my selection.

On Tuesday I'm having GRS with Dr Brassard :)

Sam xxx

By the way, in the document pack they send they write "During surgery hair roots are killed with the cautery on the scrotal skin that is used as a graft"

Yep, as others have said, he scrapes the follicles. 2+ years post-op and I have no hairs in my vagina (and still hair where I want it to be, because he's careful to put hair-bearing skin where cis women have hair, like on the far portion of the outer labia).

He also succeeds in getting more length than the original equipment necessarily has, as everyone I was there with got 5.5-6" despite some having donor material of less than 3". I hear he uses scrotal skin for a bit of extra if necessary, and he also saves the perineal skin that has to be removed anyway and adds it in as a graft.

I am not advocating for one surgeon over another, just reporting my own experience with Brassard - which is that I am fully sensate, orgasmic, adequate depth, and have had a gyno insist I was a cis woman who'd had a hysterectomy. I'm content. :)

Quote from: JourneyingSam on September 27, 2014, 08:46:10 AM
I can very much relate.
I live in Surrey (UK) and was considering Supporn or Brassard as neither of them want pre-op genital hair removal.  After considering various factors (length of op, their reputation, destination culture) and speaking with several ex-patients about their experience of various elements (including post-op hair) I made my selection.

On Tuesday I'm having GRS with Dr Brassard :)

Sam xxx

By the way, in the document pack they send they write "During surgery hair roots are killed with the cautery on the scrotal skin that is used as a graft"

Woo! Congratulations! I wish you all the best for a rapid recovery.

Quote from: Jenna Marie on September 27, 2014, 11:01:26 AMand have had a gyno insist I was a cis woman who'd had a hysterectomy. I'm content. :)

:) :) :)

Quote from: Teslagirl on September 27, 2014, 12:11:18 PM
Woo! Congratulations! I wish you all the best for a rapid recovery.

Thank you <hugs>

Flight is in 16 hours ... guess it's time to pack!

Sam x

PS  'Tammy M'  is currently in Montreal visiting Dr B ... if you go to her profile, you can get a link to her FB & Blog of her journey ... an amazing read!

Quote from: JourneyingSam on September 27, 2014, 02:19:16 PM
:) :) :)
Thank you <hugs>

Flight is in 16 hours ... guess it's time to pack!

Sam x

PS  'Tammy M'  is currently in Montreal visiting Dr B ... if you go to her profile, you can get a link to her FB & Blog of her journey ... an amazing read!

Safe trip and see you on this side. Give a shout.

Hugs.

Quote from: JourneyingSam on September 27, 2014, 02:19:16 PM
:) :) :)
Thank you <hugs>

Flight is in 16 hours ... guess it's time to pack!

Sam x

PS  'Tammy M'  is currently in Montreal visiting Dr B ... if you go to her profile, you can get a link to her FB & Blog of her journey ... an amazing read!

Come back and tell us all about it!!

Ah; I didn't know that Tammy was on here. I've known her for a few years and met in person a few times (she lives about two hours from me.) Also sent her flowers at the residence in no small part because I remember how much the flowers I received while there meant to me.

Been checking up on her and will also Samantha. Once she is settled and can make contact again.

All been good in Montreal.

  Well, damn, it seems like everyone is having SRS with Brassard shortly!  Gotta wait a while for my turn, unfortunately.

  I'm supposed to be going to Montreal soon for an FFS consultation with Dr. Bensimon (I was actually referred to him by Dr. Brassard for a specific reason).  Toronto is a relatively short train trip away so I have some flexibility on when I do it.  I've yet to arrange this trip so perhaps I will try to be there around Nov. 24th/26th since a few of you will be in town for Brassard then too.  It would be awesome to meet you all, particularly Jennygirl, I mean even if you're all bedridden by the time I appear ;) - likely a once in a lifetime shot to see any of you!  I am eagerly following the stories of Brassard patients because this is where I'll most likely go for my SRS when the time comes.  All of your experiences are important for me to hear.

  Congrats, Jenny, and the very best of luck to you!  Please keep us informed if the date changes.

~V

Quote from: Violet Bloom on September 28, 2014, 10:27:25 PM
  Well, damn, it seems like everyone is having SRS with Brassard shortly!  Gotta wait a while for my turn, unfortunately.

  I'm supposed to be going to Montreal soon for an FFS consultation with Dr. Bensimon (I was actually referred to him by Dr. Brassard for a specific reason).  Toronto is a relatively short train trip away so I have some flexibility on when I do it.  I've yet to arrange this trip so perhaps I will try to be there around Nov. 24th/26th since a few of you will be in town for Brassard then too.  It would be awesome to meet you all, particularly Jennygirl, I mean even if you're all bedridden by the time I appear ;) - likely a once in a lifetime shot to see any of you!  I am eagerly following the stories of Brassard patients because this is where I'll most likely go for my SRS when the time comes.  All of your experiences are important for me to hear.

  Congrats, Jenny, and the very best of luck to you!  Please keep us informed if the date changes.

~V

Hi Violet, I got your PM but can't reply as I do not have that option for some reason.  In any case, feel free to pop by if you are visiting some of us on those dates, though I have no idea how groggy I'll be the first day or so.

Just posting an update, I had to push my surgery date back to Feb 24th due to needing to move in November/December. No way I am going to try to move all my stuff somewhere else while recovering from this surgery!