Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Post operative life => Topic started by: larkyn on October 05, 2016, 02:54:17 AM Return to Full Version

Title: Dr. Heidi Wittenberg with Brownstein and Crane (????)
Post by: larkyn on October 05, 2016, 02:54:17 AM
I was looking to schedule surgery with Dr Satterwhite in San Francisco but when I called the receptionist mentioned that they had a new doctor who had much faster scheduling options; Dr. Heidi Wittenberg. They said she was newer 'but has been in the business for almost 20 years' and is also an OBGYN, etc... But I can't find any information on her or anyone that has posted experiences with her for GRS.

Is anyone out there familiar with her?

At this point they said Satterwhite had scheduling starting in Fall of 2017 but she had availability as early as Spring 2017. If I can't find any info, I'm thinking I'll at least meet her and decide to go with her or Satterwhite... It's a big decision and I don't want to make a mistake =\
Title: Re: Dr. Heidi Wittenberg with Brownstein and Crane (????)
Post by: V M on October 05, 2016, 03:47:36 AM
She seems to be associated with several facilities in the San Francisco area, this might be somewhere to start:
WebMD:
Heidi Wittenberg, Urogynecology Center  (http://doctor.webmd.com/doctor/heidi-wittenberg-md-12e39f26-6186-4455-91ae-945ec4aedc5b-overview)
Title: Re: Dr. Heidi Wittenberg with Brownstein and Crane (????)
Post by: larkyn on October 05, 2016, 01:29:41 PM
Some more info I got from the doctor's office:
She has been performing vaginal reconstructive surgeries on cis women since 1999 and has worked with Dr. Crane an Chen on many of these. She has done 60 revisions with Dr. Crane and performed 20 GRS on her own. She has post op photos but they're not online yet...

Would I be crazy to consider her? What's the worst that could happen  ???

Quote from: V M on October 05, 2016, 03:47:36 AM
She seems to be associated with several facilities in the San Francisco area, this might be somewhere to start:
WebMD:
Heidi Wittenberg, Urogynecology Center  (http://doctor.webmd.com/doctor/heidi-wittenberg-md-12e39f26-6186-4455-91ae-945ec4aedc5b-overview)

Thanks for the link!
Title: Re: Dr. Heidi Wittenberg with Brownstein and Crane (????)
Post by: I Am Jess on October 05, 2016, 09:47:45 PM
I had a consult with her back in August. I told her I was interested and she told me someone would contact me about scheduling. At that time she told me she had dates at the end of Sept and into October available. I had a date for GCS in late August but her office took my insurance so I was considering canceling my Aug date even though it would cost me a substantial deposit amount. I didn't hear back from her office until two weeks after I had GCS. She seemed nice enough but I was a little concerned by her lack of experience.  At the time I spoke with her she indicated she had assisted on 30 surgeries and had performed 6 on her own. Also, because of accreditation issues she can't do the surgery in the local hospital but does them in a surgery center. I have a friend who is scheduled with her next month so I will get a first hand report then.

I ended up paying cash and will seek partial reimbursement. Glad that I did because I have not had any issues.  I am now 6 weeks post op and I'd probably still be waiting.
Title: Re: Dr. Heidi Wittenberg with Brownstein and Crane (????)
Post by: larkyn on October 05, 2016, 11:13:37 PM
Quote from: I Am Jess on October 05, 2016, 09:47:45 PM
I had a consult with her back in August. I told her I was interested and she told me someone would contact me about scheduling. At that time she told me she had dates at the end of Sept and into October available. I had a date for GCS in late August but her office took my insurance so I was considering canceling my Aug date even though it would cost me a substantial deposit amount. I didn't hear back from her office until two weeks after I had GCS. She seemed nice enough but I was a little concerned by her lack of experience.  At the time I spoke with her she indicated she had assisted on 30 surgeries and had performed 6 on her own. Also, because of accreditation issues she can't do the surgery in the local hospital but does them in a surgery center. I have a friend who is scheduled with her next month so I will get a first hand report then.

I ended up paying cash and will seek partial reimbursement. Glad that I did because I have not had any issues.  I am now 6 weeks post op and I'd probably still be waiting.

That's too bad that they failed to call you in so long. But it's awesome that your surgery went well!! I can't wait for mine...

I have a consult with her scheduled in two weeks just to get a feel for her... Otherwise I'd go with Satterwhite. So far, the office has been very nice.

I'd really like to talk to someone that has gone through her... if your friend is open to chatting I'd love to hear from them!
Title: Re: Dr. Heidi Wittenberg with Brownstein and Crane (????)
Post by: Jacqueline on October 06, 2016, 09:57:13 PM
Quote from: larkyn on October 05, 2016, 02:54:17 AM
I was looking to schedule surgery with Dr Satterwhite in San Francisco but when I called the receptionist mentioned that they had a new doctor who had much faster scheduling options; Dr. Heidi Wittenberg. They said she was newer 'but has been in the business for almost 20 years' and is also an OBGYN, etc... But I can't find any information on her or anyone that has posted experiences with her for GRS.

Is anyone out there familiar with her?

At this point they said Satterwhite had scheduling starting in Fall of 2017 but she had availability as early as Spring 2017. If I can't find any info, I'm thinking I'll at least meet her and decide to go with her or Satterwhite... It's a big decision and I don't want to make a mistake =\

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