I've found comparison shopping to be complicated. The big reason I attended California Dreamin' was there were three GRS surgeons presenting there. I got a lot of information about THEIR techniques.
But I also got from them what could be considered to be FUD, or Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt. Such as using urethral mucosa to form the meatus (one surgeon loved it, another said it was bad.) Such as how 'some' Thai surgeons get maximum coverage from scrotal tissue by punching a bunch of slits into it and then stretching it like a mesh -- but the problem is, SCAR tissue forms in the holes inbetween, and scar tissue STICKS to itself.
So I discussed this with my therapist. She gave me the 'homework' assignment of researching SRS horror stories. I said I'd already googled the term and all the variations I could think of, but didn't come up with all that much. She said, try again. I did. Still, paltry results (and I think I'm pretty darned good at teasing information out of the 'net with Google...)
So, if you've already found sites with good first person accounts of the good -- but more importantly the bad -- could you please post the links here?
I wanna' get an 'A' in my assignment ;D
Thank you;
Karen
Here is one SRS horror story.
http://p218.ezboard.com/Jackies-in-Miami-/fthetransgenderboardsfrm21.showMessage?topicID=73.topic
Hi Karen, Im in the same situation as yours. Most of the horror stories Ive heard and read about are from Thailand and Singapore. Im from the Netherlands but plan to have my GRS in America or Canada. Im debating between Dr. Brassard (in Canada) and Dr. Bowers (in America} since both of them utilize the one stage vaginoplasty procedure which I am interested in.
B
Pretty scary stuff ain't it? That's ultimately why I went to Biber. When I was asking around, I heard nothing bad about his work. And he had been doing it longer and had done more than anyone else. We didn't have the internet back then. So I had to seek out and find people then living in stealth to ask. Now, that was pretty hard to do and I didn't find very many that I could talk to.
But in the end, even with the best surgeon, some of it will depend on how you heal. I was paranoid about being able to void AND control it. The first time I was able to actually urinate on my own was a huge defining moment in my life. Fortunately, it was only a few days after my surgery that they took out the catheter and let me have a go at it.
My best to you Karen. It's one of the most difficult decisions to make.
Cindi
I would like a list of US licensed doctors. So far I found 8 (with 5 being well known entities, one being inconsistent (and that is being kind), and one being a complete mystery.)
So far the ones I know are:
Brassard (he is in Montreal, but he does have a US license)
Nguyen
Bowers
Meltzer
Alter
Greenwald (mystery)
Reed (inconsistent, source of SRS horror stories in North America)
Foerster (Mostly does FtM patients and is well known for it, but does do MtF SRS as well, again unknown with regards to that. No website.)
Here is a list of surgeons who do work on transgender patients, but only a handful do MtF SRS, but as I am investigating I am finding more US surgeons. The problem is only a few have websites. http://www.intersexualite.org/Surgeon.html
The thing is I need to know the US licensed MtF SRS doctors. Not for now, but the future. So the post did help me do some research.
These five are known entities in the US and Canada. They are consistent with their results and are the source of the fewest horror stories (if any). They are also expensive.
Brassard (he is in Montreal, but he does have a US license)
Nguyen
Bowers
Meltzer
Alter
I have never heard of Foerster and I'm FTM and have researched it extensively. When I did chest surgery, I figured I'd pay more, it was my one shot, and I wanted the best I could get, given the limitations of my own body's reactions to surgery, but money was not in the equation.
I'm not near making a decision about lower surgery, but I will not go with someone who charges less just because of that. I'll wait and get what I want, with the most experience and skill I can get. Then if it does screw up, it's a bad luck day or my own body's healing.
Dennis
partly i relied on personal accounts from friends and people that i know. i also did plenty of research on my own and chose dr. bowers. my grs is scheduled for august of this year. why did i choose dr. bowers? particularly because of her expertise, her reputation within the tg community, the costs involved, the type of operation she performs, and, very important detail here, the fact that we live in the same state.
Quote from: Dennis on April 26, 2007, 01:53:13 AM
I have never heard of Foerster and I'm FTM and have researched it extensively. When I did chest surgery, I figured I'd pay more, it was my one shot, and I wanted the best I could get, given the limitations of my own body's reactions to surgery, but money was not in the equation.
I'm not near making a decision about lower surgery, but I will not go with someone who charges less just because of that. I'll wait and get what I want, with the most experience and skill I can get. Then if it does screw up, it's a bad luck day or my own body's healing.
Dennis
Thats the funny thing, I did hear about him from my FtM friends in the midwest. The thing is online information on this doctor is very limited. It is one of those doctors who relies on word of mouth and not a website. The thing is, he is one of the few doctors that does bottum surgery for FtM, so it is bound to get him somewhat known at least regionally. MtF he is a lesser known.
Quote from: Karen on April 25, 2007, 09:27:30 PM
Such as how 'some' Thai surgeons get maximum coverage from scrotal tissue by punching a bunch of slits into it and then stretching it like a mesh -- but the problem is, SCAR tissue forms in the holes inbetween, and scar tissue STICKS to itself.
This is specifically a Dr. Suporn technique and with regular dialation during the formation of scar tissue in the healing process, there is no reason for it to stick to itself.
Quote from: Amy T. on April 26, 2007, 01:08:12 AM
So far the ones I know are:
Brassard (he is in Montreal, but he does have a US license)
Nguyen
Bowers
Meltzer
Alter
Greenwald (mystery)
Reed (inconsistent, source of SRS horror stories in North America)
Foerster (Mostly does FtM patients and is well known for it, but does do MtF SRS as well, again unknown with regards to that. No website.)
At California Dreamin' I sat through a seminar by Dr. Peter Davis (http://www.california-dreamin.org/spages/peterdavis.html) He says he has a website that he hasn't done anything to. He does a two-stage procedure like Meltzer. I don't think he's cracked 100 SRS procedures yet.
Karen
So far with my own research I havnt gotten very much info on very many surgeons... but I have made my choice for the op... its Bowers or not at all at this point... I havnt heard any horror stories what so ever about her... and Ive heard from quite a few people that were elated with her results so..... yeah... dosnt really help your homework but...
Quote from: Tink on April 26, 2007, 10:03:38 PM
There are, naturally, many other factors you have to consider (i.e, costs, distance, recovery time, etc) Personally I did not want to travel to the end of the world for my SRS due to potential complications which may arise during the healing process. If you take into consideration the differences in costs, you will realize that the overall grand total is only a few thousand dollars (I actually found out that there was an average of only 5K among US, Canadian and Thai surgeons).
For me, I'm probably saving around $7000-$8000 by going to Thailand. If you were to choose one of the pricier Thai surgeons, then I would be inclined to agree with you.
Quote from: Tink on April 26, 2007, 10:03:38 PM
Yes, surgery in Thailand is cheaper; however, you have to consider everything else (i.e, room and board after surgery, plane tickets, and, who knows, what else may happen) IMO
Additionally, other expenses might include a passport, possibly faxing documents internationally, and international wire transfer fees. Also, hotel (approx $25/night) and food is cheaper in Thailand compared to the US. Additionally, many Thai surgeons perform 1 stage procedures, where as many US surgeons opt for 2 stage procedures (which would require multiple trips). I think both the US and Thai surgeons have their strong points and I have good opinions of several North American surgeons as well as some of the Thai ones.
Quote from: Melissa on April 27, 2007, 11:32:11 AM
Quote from: Tink on April 26, 2007, 10:03:38 PM
There are, naturally, many other factors you have to consider (i.e, costs, distance, recovery time, etc) Personally I did not want to travel to the end of the world for my SRS due to potential complications which may arise during the healing process. If you take into consideration the differences in costs, you will realize that the overall grand total is only a few thousand dollars (I actually found out that there was an average of only 5K among US, Canadian and Thai surgeons).
For me, I'm probably saving around $7000-$8000 by going to Thailand. If you were to choose one of the pricier Thai surgeons, then I would be inclined to agree with you.
Quote from: Tink on April 26, 2007, 10:03:38 PM
Yes, surgery in Thailand is cheaper; however, you have to consider everything else (i.e, room and board after surgery, plane tickets, and, who knows, what else may happen) IMO
Additionally, other expenses might include a passport, possibly faxing documents internationally, and international wire transfer fees. Also, hotel (approx $25/night) and food is cheaper in Thailand compared to the US. Additionally, many Thai surgeons perform 1 stage procedures, where as many US surgeons opt for 2 stage procedures (which would require multiple trips). I think both the US and Thai surgeons have their strong points and I have good opinions of several North American surgeons as well as some of the Thai ones.
There is a risk factor with Thailand though that does not exist in North America. The cost savings is there compared to the the top five North American doctors (which not all are two stage, Brassard and Bowers are both one). In addition there is traveling significant distances after undergoing major invasive surgery. On top of that Thailand is a developing country and not all Thai doctors are reputable, one has to be careful. In the US it is clear...don't go to Dr. Reed. Thats it. For some people the risks of Thailand are not worth the cost savings and they believe thier body is worth the extra money, afterall you have to live with the changes the rest of your life.
There are risks no matter what though, it is major surgery. For me I have to pay the extra cost for a North American doctor, it is the only way I can change my birth certificate (I was born in Illinois, they only allow the change if the surgeon is licensed in the US). Changing every document is very important to me. Otherwise some Thai doctors would be on my radar.
Hi Karen,
You could try "ask.com" and search for bad results for srs surgery.
Quote from: Amy T. on April 27, 2007, 02:51:39 PM
There is a risk factor with Thailand though that does not exist in North America. The cost savings is there compared to the the top five North American doctors (which not all are two stage, Brassard and Bowers are both one). In addition there is traveling significant distances after undergoing major invasive surgery. On top of that Thailand is a developing country and not all Thai doctors are reputable, one has to be careful. In the US it is clear...don't go to Dr. Reed. Thats it. For some people the risks of Thailand are not worth the cost savings and they believe thier body is worth the extra money, afterall you have to live with the changes the rest of your life.
Yes and usually
IF you need any additional revisions done, it would only cost a plane ticket/food/hotel. That would probably be about $1000 if you know where to shop. ;) You are also right that not all surgeons are reputable and I would strongly recommend researching your surgeon. That goes for any US surgeon as well. If you can actually talk to somebody (perhaps through a support group) who went to the surgeon you are interested in, all the better. With the surgeon I have chosen, I have talked to many patients and have only found 1 person who was dissatisfied and that was because she didn't like the size of her labia. Everybody else has been really happy and has gone back multiple times for various other surgeries. Not only have I talked to many people, my girlfriend also went to the same surgeon for SRS and lets just say I've examined the results very carefully and closely in person quite a few times. ;)
i personally met 3 GRS surgeons before i decided on dr. menard in canada. he is the senior physician at in montreal, and dr. brassard (the junior partner) is supposed to be every bit as good. they are both charming. the care at their facility, both before and after surgery, i can only describe as superb. i also considered dr. bowers, because as a ts woman she was very empathetic to my concerns. in the end though, i decided on dr. menard because he truly pioneered the one step vaginaplasty. all he thinks about is how to make a better vagina. seriously. added to that, no electroysis required in the genital area, literally thousands of successful operations, and excellent results reported in depth and functionality, cosmetic appearance, and sensation from several of my personal friends - the decision made itself. one surgeon had her vaginoplasty performed by a physician in the south west, and was absolutely not happy with the results of her two stage surgery. i have never regretted my choice, and i am extremely pleased with the results. in fact, i consider my GRS to have been the least troublesome of all the surgeries i had performed in transition. having GRS was the best decision i ever made...when i woke up after surgery, i felt as if God had answered a prayer i had gone to sleep with since childhood. just the same, don't take any single person's word or advice on this subject. research, research, research. speak personally or in private to patients from all of the available surgeons. make your very OWN very informed decision. corrections on surgeries are often more complicated than the initial surgery. whatever your decision, i am hoping that all of you will be very happy with your choice.
Like Jeri said above research research research. And you will then find bad result stories for all the DR's including the US ones. I chose Thailand because in my opinion they're results were better then the US and Canadian at the time, with less numbers of horror stories. Based on my own research. Same country but still a continents distance away from home is even worse on hotel costs then staying in a Thai hotel.
Note I'm playing the devils advocate here due to it seems to me like I hear a lot of downplaying the non US surgeons. Informed choice.
Rashelle
I'm going to Montreal (Dr. Bassard or Dr Menard) for my SRS sometime spring-ish or summer-ish 2008. I'm going there because they are good, and my province pays for the surgery there. I hear Meltzer is good, too (I have a friend going to Meltzer in July). Most of the post-op people I know here have gone to montreal and I haven't run into anyone with any problems, and everyone has said the results were great.
This probably one one the most important decisions that you will have to make Karen and while it is a prudent idea to get others opinions and thoughts on this topic the choice is ultimately yours as you well know.
There is also the inherent need to be up-beat about those surgeons we ourselves have chosen or have had surgery with. That being said my choice came down to two - Bowers and Brassard. Both have excellent reps and more importantly their results are phenomenal.
As you know I chose Brassard and although you have probably read my write up on my experience in my blog I would just add that I had no regrets and I would and plan to return for further surgeries (possible BA).
Just my thoughts.
Steph
Quote from: Steph on May 01, 2007, 08:18:35 PM
you have probably read my write up on my experience in my blog I would just add that I had no regrets and I would and plan to return for further surgeries (possible BA).
I agree with you Steph. Your results are exceptional.
Cindi
The 5 surgeons I have the best options of are:
Dr. Brassard
Dr. Bowers
Dr. Meltzer
Dr. Suporn
Dr. Chettawut
This is just my opinion, but I have heard almost all good things from these surgeons. I'm sure there are many more, but these were in the list of surgeons I personally did research on. Most of them were too cost prohibitive for me though.
Quote from: gothique11 on May 01, 2007, 06:32:52 PM
I'm going to Montreal (Dr. Bassard or Dr Menard) for my SRS sometime spring-ish or summer-ish 2008. I'm going there because they are good, and my province pays for the surgery there. I hear Meltzer is good, too (I have a friend going to Meltzer in July). Most of the post-op people I know here have gone to montreal and I haven't run into anyone with any problems, and everyone has said the results were great.
You might find that Dr Menard has retired by then ....
I can only add that my experience with Dr Brassard was first class, and my speed of recovery, lack of any complications, and cosmetic & functional result was exactly what I was hoping for.
You're lucky to have such a good surgeon on your doorstep, and a local health system which funds the surgery.
Laura x
I had my GRS with Dr. Bowers two years ago. I'm German and I know I could have travelled to a few closer doctors in Belgium or the UK but didn't want to take risks. I'm happy with how everything turned out and so are my friends who have gone to her.
just to pop my head in for a rare post.......
The UK surgeons.
they're not too shabby. the sheer number of people i know who've gone to Phil Thomas and got around 6" depth excellent cosmetics, orgasmic function and a reasonable recovery speaks volumes, he's a bit expencive if you go private ('bout £10k).
Him and James bellringer both trained under Michael Royle so have similar techniques, everyone i've spoken to who went to bellringer says hes the best and everyone who's gone to thomas says he's the best.
The main differences are that thomas takes longer to do the deed as bellringer does it like a mad dash (2 1/2 hours an op) and thomas tends to make the labia majora more baggy and puffy than bellringer, also thomas prefers to have you lie flat on your back for 5 days following the op whereas bellringer likes to get you on your feet and on a solid food diet ASAP, from what I've heard from people personally bellringer's approach to recovery is better albeit a little scarier.
Tim terry. gods does he have bad rep and honestly I'm starting to think it's undeserved. there are two pics on anne lawrence both of which are a bit gross looking one's all melty and the other just looks weird, however I know people who've gone to him and were satisfied, he seems like a terribly nice guy who'll try his best even though he's not the best he's still allright.
I'm not quite sure about what terry does but both bellringer and thomas do either two procedures typically depending on whether you were circumcised or not, a peno scrotal flap technique if you were penile inversion if you were not. obviously it's not always that way, some well endowed people who were circumcised get inversion and some people with non circumcised micropenis's get peno-scrotal flap work done.
http://www.transgenderzone.com/library/srs/1.htm
That's a good set of photo's showing how peno scrotal flap work is done, inversion is pretty similar just the bottom flap is not used and the penils skin is just sewn up on it's own and inverted, there are a few other differences also but i've never seen intra op pics.
What this all means for you is that if you're getting peno-scrotal work done you need to clear the scrotal area of hair and around the base of the penis, and if you're just getting inversion you usually just need the base cleared.
http://www.transgenderzone.com/library/ae/fulltext/27.htm
That's a good page on bellringer.
The biggest trouble with phil thomas is that he's so damn secretive, there are 4 pictures of his work on the internet, one of which is early work and looks a bit weird, one is when he was doing a two stage and the second stage was not performed so looks a bit, um, basic. and the other two on anne lawrence are fairly typical though not that great examples. He doesnt have a website bar soem vauge details on a private practice page and I can't for the life of me get hold of an email adress to contact him at, I also hear he's not very good with people skills and makes promises like not sending pictures of examples of his work when he promises to
From what I've seen in real life and via pictures sent privately his work is better than what's reflected from what you'd research on the internet and from word of mouth he's definitely the best in the UK and is a world class surgeon, if he was in america or thailand he'd definitely be a prime choice.
A little something about the thai surgeons:
The never do the vagina entrence in a manner that looks vaugely natural, like, ever. it tends to look like a big gaping hole under the vulva when it should sit at the bottom of the vulva and be enclosed by the labia, that's a big cosmetic concern for me.
Personally as you can probably guess I'm going to thomas, partly because of my competence in him but mostly due to the fact that it's free on the NHS, I just have to wait 6 months more to get my letters apply for PCT funding and sit on the waiting list.... so probably about a year.
QuoteThe 5 surgeons I have the best options of are:
Dr. Brassard
Dr. Bowers
Dr. Meltzer
Dr. Suporn
Dr. Chettawut
This is just my opinion, but I have heard almost all good things from these surgeons. I'm sure there are many more, but these were in the list of surgeons I personally did research on. Most of them were too cost prohibitive for me though.
The best work I've ever...ahem...seen up close was done by Suporn and Chettawut. The results were incredibly natural-looking, sensate, and definitley had the big "O" going on. In fact, many women who knew one certain person, were jealous that she looked much better than any of them. I still do not understand why anyone would go anywhere else besides Thailand. Same surgery, same or better results, less money. You could probably get several procedures done over there for what you would pay in the states for just the bottom surgery.
Plus, with Suporn, you go to an island paradise. Surgeon + vacation. What could be better?
I've seen Meltzers work too, and I think the guy is overrated. Maybe he used to do a better job, but not anymore based on what I saw.
Quote from: Thundra on May 16, 2007, 10:37:13 PM
The best work I've ever...ahem...seen up close was done by Suporn and Chettawut. The results were incredibly natural-looking, sensate, and definitley had the big "O" going on. In fact, many women who knew one certain person, were jealous that she looked much better than any of them. I still do not understand why anyone would go anywhere else besides Thailand.
I could post more "horror pictures" and stories, needs for multiple revisions, fistulas, necrosis (of labia, and even of clitoris :( - it happens), haematomas, poor cosmetic results, pain .... of Suporn's work than any other surgeon I know.
Sure he hits real "jackpot" sometimes, and ain't he so pleased to publicise the result on his website !
I've never seen a single girl independently post a result of Suporn's work that I myself would have been happy with except maybe after a "revision" visit .... (maybe you or others could post links to correct this ?)
The Anne Lawrence "Suporn" pics (long removed due to legal action by Suporn) rest my case.
As do Suporn pics on dedicated surgery sites.
Suporn has this really wierd idea that you can create accurate "textbook" feminine genital anatomy ... but what he creates is often truly "Frankenstein" ... sooo "up front" and gross, no "finesse" at all, a five year old's picture of how the bits look ! Other surgeons (Thai and elswhere) are less fussy in being able to "label bits" and achieve a far more natural look ...
In my opinion far better Chettawut, or better still Sanguan, who work really well, take a more "conservative" approach, and have modest egos ! (Sanguan would have been my "safe" Thai choice).
Meltzer is good and incredibly reliable, but just check out Brassard ....
Every pic / story I've heard of Brassard has been so consistent (well on a par with Suporn's upper 10 percentile ) .... yes if you're really fussy you might go back for a secondary labiaplasty / revision .... but tramping the streets of Montreal at 10 days, and work in 6 weeks is something Suporn just cannot offer.
I definitely have the big "O" :) - but how can you tell Thundra that anyone else other than yourself has it "going on" ????
I've been very open with posting my surgical results on really "safe TS only sites", Susan's lets visitors in ....
I'm just so glad I didn't go with popular UK opinion ... and either risk our own one or two half decent surgeons, or jet off to Thailand !
Just wish that Suporn was knocked of his "mythical" demi-God pedestal ... and people would rationalize his true results like with any other surgeon.
(Preparing to be crucified for my observations !)
Laura
^ true, I've seen a fair few suporn results direct from the people who've gone to him and they're all so variable, what's on his site is cherry picked.
A little bit of firsthand experience here with Dr. Chettawut, a been there with my ex g/f look at Dr. Suporn, and a seen a bad example of Dr. sanguins.
First off choose your own surgeon based on your opinion, as after all your are the one to have to live with the results.
I went to Dr. Chettuwut in Bangkok and had both SRS and BA in Sept. of last year. For the most part I am happy and recommend him as a srs surgeon. I can see where the results could possibly of been a little better. But then I can see that for anything seing as we as people aren't perfect.
I went with my at the time G/F to her SRS with Suporn in Nov/Dec of last year and stayed with her. I liked her results. Might even of been better then mine. And Suporns staff does make a wonderful effort at taking care of the patients.
I played I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours with one of Dr. Sanguins patients who was not happy with her results and I agree I wouldn't be happy either.
So firsthand accounts I myself would have no problem with either Dr. Chettawut or Suporn doing further work on me if I was to decide to have something else done (with the exception of I don't recommend noses by Chettawut). I know one of Suporns patients that was there with me when I was in Chonburi who she isn't happy with Suporn mainly due to attitude.
Enough from me for now.
Rashelle
Interesting information on Suporn -- I went to another board, and several self-identified 'Supornistas' couldn't stop raving about his perfect results and how he fine-tunes everything in several clinic visits after surgery...
It's difficult to choose... :eusa_think: :icon_confused2: :icon_frown: :icon_dizzy: :icon_confused:
Karen
Quote from: gothique11 on May 01, 2007, 06:32:52 PM
I'm going to Montreal (Dr. Bassard or Dr Menard) for my SRS sometime spring-ish or summer-ish 2008. I'm going there because they are good, and my province pays for the surgery there. I hear Meltzer is good, too (I have a friend going to Meltzer in July). Most of the post-op people I know here have gone to montreal and I haven't run into anyone with any problems, and everyone has said the results were great.
aww really? I live in Ontario, does that mean if I move to Quebec, the province will pay me for the surgery with Dr. Bassard or Dr Menard? I though that's a private clinic?? The doctors sound really good, btw, i went to their website and it looks very professinal.
No, if your in the provicne of Quebec, they'll will pay for it but send you to another country for an operation!!!!!! because Brassard is outside the health system (he's gone private).
That's the stupidest I've ever seen.
They send people to get a major surgery on the other side of the world, when I could have one next to home and recuperate in my own appartment (I just can't wrap my head around this).
Quote from: Keira on May 20, 2007, 03:16:44 PM
No, if your in the provicne of Quebec, they'll will pay for it but send you to another country for an operation!!!!!! because Brassard is outside the health system (he's gone private).
That's the stupidest I've ever seen.
They send people to get a major surgery on the other side of the world, when I could have one next to home and recuperate in my own appartment (I just can't wrap my head around this).
I'm from Montreal, and I'm just lucky becoming a Dr.Brassard's girl recently, but I paid all the cost myself. The fact in QC is they'll pay for the op (only a part), only if you get your letter from the psychologist, who is from a certain sexuality clinic (pravite one too) in Montreal, and this clinic is controled by a group of people who are involved in the health system of QC. They charge 60-75$ for a 1h session, and what they're used to do is just try to keep their clients (they treat their patients just like clients) in their programes as long as possible before they agree to give you the letter. I was in their programe for a few sessions a couple years ago, but finally I decided to be out (smart decision!). I have some friends still in their programes for years and haven't got the paper yet. One of them even told me everytime she just felt she was facing a microphone and always repeated the same thing that she had said many times to her psychologist. As a result, the fact is you have to pay a good few thousands dollars and years to get the letter, and then finally the goverment agree to pay you a part of your surgery (something like max 10,000 CA$). That's why those, who finally get the letter from the clinic, have to go out of Canada to find some less expensive surgeons (IMO, the price in Montreal is very reasonable and worthy), cause in this way they might be able to pay their surgery fee, after they pay for the psychologist. So, finally the big part of the money offered by the gov. actually goes into the porket of the clinic, cause they control the whole province's cases by their exclusive authority (sort of monopoly). That's just like a kind of political game! The govermoent declares they pay for it, but there are some stories beneath...
Come back to the topic of this thread. The only thing I want to say is Dr. Brassard is really really good. So far I've been post-op for a bit more than 2 monthes, and he did a very good job for me. No matter the nurses or my boyfriend, they all told me it looked perfect. Specially for my bf, the surgery is like a magic. I would say he is very experienced with women (only with GG before me). He said if he wouldn't have known it, he wouldn't even have a second thought on my neo-vaginal... and for myself, I feel so lucky that I just happen to live in Montreal, and it just happens there is such a world famous clinic and surgeon in town. Frankly I didn't do much research online before the surgery(Actually I just found this great website during my recovering period at home, and this is my first post here, "Hi everyone and thanks! :)" ). I just naturally decided to go for Dr. Brassard directly, and when I saw him for the first sight, my 6th sense told me he would be just the surgeon that I've been waiting for many years since I was a few years old... and plus he is so charming and attractive... ;) Now even luckier, every a few weeks I can see him again (his clinic is just 10 mins from my home). He gonna follow my whole recovering period and check how it is going every so often... I feel much safer in this way, and that's also one of the most important reasons that I chose him...
PS. Dr. Menard hasn't totally retired yet, but he does do less job at present. Around one month ago, I was lucky to have him checking up my healing state in the clinic, cause that week Dr. Brassard was in vacation. He is such a kind and experieced matured man... I remember while I opened the door to leave the clinic, he told me "walk slowly and be careful", cause that day there was a big storm outside, which was unusual in April even for the cold Montreal...
Quote from: Steph on May 01, 2007, 08:18:35 PM
...
As you know I chose Brassard and although you have probably read my write up on my experience in my blog I would just add that I had no regrets and I would and plan to return for further surgeries (possible BA).
Just my thoughts.
Steph
Hi Steph, I'm a Dr. Brassard's girl too. I just had my op in March, and I had both GRS&BA at the same time (less expensive & less pain). I think it would be a very good ideal if you decide to come back for Dr.B for BA. As 2 monthes post-op, my breasts have become very soft and much natural looking... I'm very happy and satisfied with the result...
Quote(Preparing to be crucified for my observations !)
Laura
For being honest about how you feel? No way. Not from me. I like you, can only give an
opinion based on my own observations. If you feel Suporn is unreliable, than avoid him at all costs. It has simply been my observation, that in the limited sample of women I have seen, that Suporn did beautiful work. And, being a frugal person, I am all about why pay more if you do not need to? I have known numerous women that have gone to Thailand, paid less than 10K for their surgery and a few other things, in addition to lodging and food, and all of them had excellent results -- including the big "O" and having it going on as far as the partners they attract. I know of no one so far, that regrets their trip to Thailand.
If anyone has had less than positive results from the likes any Thai surgeon, than I have not had contact with any of them. I don't have much of an opinion on the Canadian surgeons, because I have not seen their work up close and personal. Based on the pics supplied the AL site, I would say, that in my opinion, the visual results seemed adequate but not as attractive as others I have seen. But that is just my opinion.
Quote from: Karen on April 25, 2007, 09:27:30 PM
...
So I discussed this with my therapist. She gave me the 'homework' assignment of researching SRS horror stories. I said I'd already googled the term and all the variations I could think of, but didn't come up with all that much. She said, try again. I did. Still, paltry results (and I think I'm pretty darned good at teasing information out of the 'net with Google...)
So, if you've already found sites with good first person accounts of the good -- but more importantly the bad -- could you please post the links here?
I wanna' get an 'A' in my assignment ;D
Thank you;
Karen
Hi Kraren, these a few links include some horror stories happened in Thailand... Hope it's not too late to help you to get an "A" in your assignment...
1. Dissatisfaction With Dr. Pichet : http://www.annelawrence.com/pichetdissatisfaction.html
2. Dr. Pichet Rodchareon, February 2003, #1 : http://www.annelawrence.com/pichet02031.html (Be careful, the pic could be a bit horrible)
3. Dr. Pichet Rodchareon, February 2003, #2 : http://www.annelawrence.com/pichet02032.html
4. SRS with Dr. Preecha: A Cautionary Tale : http://www.annelawrence.com/preechanarrative.html
Last quote I heard on Pichet is that Preecha never even trained him for that surgery, and wished he'd stop. Stay away from THAT guy for sure.
Dr. Preecha is an enigma of sorts. This is after all, the big kahuna of Thai SRS, but like Biber down in Colorado, he has long overstayed his welcome in the OR. His surgery team has great respect and admiration for him, but I think even they dislike having to fix some of his surgery on the down low. It is against custom in Thailand for a student to correct the work of the teacher, so if you choose Preecha, you may have a problem getting it fixed.
Right now, the buzz I have heard is that Chettawut is the guy of the hour. They all pretty much use the same hospitals and staff.
Quote from: Asianrose on May 28, 2007, 10:40:53 AM
I just naturally decided to go for Dr. Brassard directly, and when I saw him for the first sight, my 6th sense told me he would be just the surgeon that I've been waiting for many years since I was a few years old... and plus he is so charming and attractive... ;)
Isn't he just !!!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuk.geocities.com%2Flaura_eva_b%2FDay8_Aurore_Laura_DrB_Denise.jpg&hash=9a17548e05c5382fe35fd8e4a04b2c4103b5c36e)
Class of Aug 14 / 15th 2006 (me 2nd from left) :)
Laura x
Quote from: Laura Eva B on June 06, 2007, 03:51:18 PM
Isn't he just
one of the most handsome men alive?
I think so. ;D ;)
tink :icon_chick:
Brassard.... :icon_biggrin: ... Sorry, I was lost in my toughts...
I saw him several times because
I had my rhino + brow bossing with him and
I decided seperately on both ops, so I got to visit him twice for
evaluation visits before the op.
I would have got another ops just to have him examine some more, hehe.
Yeah, very handsome and since I'm french canadian, I speak his language :-).
Its funny, I mentioned to my therapist how attractive he was and she seriously said it would be unethical for him to go out with me because I was his patient ;D :D, Like there was any chance that he'd leave his wife and I think god knows how many children and be attracted to little me... For a moment, I did have this mental fantasy though. All PG rated... Of course hehe.
The strange thing is that my therapist has known him for more than 10 years and knows, so why tell me such a strange thing!! Is he know for affairs ? >:D (that's probably another fantasy of mine :angel:)
I saw him 3 times after my FFS because I had minor complications with my sutures, I got a bad reaction to the threads and the scar did not want to heal for a month, and also he removed the plaster on my nose.
After that, I kinda wish I had other slight complications so I could return... I'm suppose to see him this autumn for my 1 year followup.
I think I have a slight crush on the guy, maybe that's what the therapist saw :-).
Quoteone of the most handsome men alive?
I wouldn't know? ::yawn::
Thundra
Quote from: Laura Eva B on June 06, 2007, 03:51:18 PM
Quote from: Asianrose on May 28, 2007, 10:40:53 AM
I just naturally decided to go for Dr. Brassard directly, and when I saw him for the first sight, my 6th sense told me he would be just the surgeon that I've been waiting for many years since I was a few years old... and plus he is so charming and attractive... ;)
Isn't he just !!!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuk.geocities.com%2Flaura_eva_b%2FDay8_Aurore_Laura_DrB_Denise.jpg&hash=9a17548e05c5382fe35fd8e4a04b2c4103b5c36e)
Class of Aug 14 / 15th 2006 (me 2nd from left) :)
Laura x
What a nice pic, everyone had a great smile! :laugh: I can see the pic was taken in the recovery clinic, right? You know what? Actually, I just met Dr.Brassard this afternon to have my regular post-op check-up, again I just cant help myself to say he is so cute, charming and well-mannered... actually he looks even much better in person than in pics... I remember the night just before our op, my roommate and I were still discussing how cute he was... ;)
Here I've to mention my overall experience of the surgery was very nice except the disappointement of the recovery clinic. I've heard a lot of great stories and experience about the famous La Maison de l'Isle, so I was looking forward to something similar about the new recovery place, but unfortunately it turns out to be a cold/boring clinic (mixed with different type of patients from different private hospitals), no any family atmosphere like the old place (La Maison de l'Isle). I got the feeling it's more like a business/benifit orentated clinic with an un pleasant location... I've heard Dr.B is planning to buy a place just nearby his hospital to build his own recovery residence. Hope this will come to be true soon...
Quote from: Keira on June 06, 2007, 11:00:02 PM
Brassard....
I would have got another ops just to have him examine some more, hehe.
Yeah, very handsome...
You know everytime when I leave his office, I start to count in how many weeks/days I'll have my next rendez-vous (appointment) with him... ;)
Quote from: Keira on June 06, 2007, 11:00:02 PM
Its funny, I mentioned to my therapist how attractive he was and she seriously said it would be unethical for him to go out with me because I was his patient ;D :D, Like there was any chance that he'd leave his wife and I think god knows how many children and be attracted to little me... For a moment, I did have this mental fantasy though. All PG rated... Of course hehe.
Don't even think about it... He has 4 children, and he once showed me his youngest son's pic. From his eyes I could see how much he loves his family, wife and kids... I guess this great quality makes a man more charming... Probably that's why we all love him... :)
Btw, I've ever discussed with him that how a man would feel a neo-vagina during an intercourse with a post-op... and he told me the feeling might be...%@#% ... I joked to him if he had some real expereince, he answered no, and he would never touch his patients... here you go... :icon_mrhappy:
Quote from: Keira on June 06, 2007, 11:00:02 PM
... I think I have a slight crush on the guy, maybe that's what the therapist saw :-).
That's pretty normal to crush on a guy like him... You know what? Actually my therapist happens to know him too, and before I went to see him, my therapist told me that "il est un belhomme" (he is a good looking man). I didn't really keep that in my mind (never lack of male admirers :P), but after I saw him in person and talked to him, I began to realise why many of his patients said "He is a very good surgeon, but he is cute too!" ;D
wow, he is good looking....okay, i live in Toronto, so I think i am going to Montreal for srs. =D Dr.Brassard would be my ideal choice , for sure.
Quote from: asiangurliee on May 20, 2007, 03:04:17 PM
Quote from: gothique11 on May 01, 2007, 06:32:52 PM
I'm going to Montreal (Dr. Bassard or Dr Menard) for my SRS sometime spring-ish or summer-ish 2008. I'm going there because they are good, and my province pays for the surgery there. I hear Meltzer is good, too (I have a friend going to Meltzer in July). Most of the post-op people I know here have gone to montreal and I haven't run into anyone with any problems, and everyone has said the results were great.
aww really? I live in Ontario, does that mean if I move to Quebec, the province will pay me for the surgery with Dr. Bassard or Dr Menard? I though that's a private clinic?? The doctors sound really good, btw, i went to their website and it looks very professional.
No, the only Province that Covers SRS fully in Canada is Alberta. Ontario no longer covers SRS (de-listed in 1998). Quebec only covers SRS if it is done at a public hospital, and Dr. Bassard is in a private clinic, so no, Quebec will not cover it. B.C.'s funding for the surgery is dried up, so very few people are able to get through the system there. Other provinces sometimes cover parts of the SRS, but I'm not sure how much. And sometimes the loops you have to go through are silly.
If you're a Canadian Citizen, moving to Alberta and getting onto Alberta Health Care are easy (if you're not Canadian, it's harder and the cost and wait of immigration is a lot). I can't remember how long you need to be an Albertan Citizen before you can access the benefits, but I don't think it is longer than six months. During that wait, however, you can always get your referral into see Dr. Warneke in Edmonton. He is the only doctor in the province who can approve SRS funding. The other doctor has retired. Dr. W is also on his way to retirement. The wait list to see Dr. Wis a year to a year and a half. After that, it is a year or more before SRS. So, a good plan is to look at it as 2-3 years. And, by then, you may be shuffled off to another doctor if he retires. If two doctors go on, then the wait list might go down. I believe they only approve a certain number of surgeries per year. Mine is in the process of being approved this year, for me to go next year.
Alberta covering SRS is almost ironic, considering how red-neck the province is and how conservative it is. I live in Cowtown (Calgary) if you're wondering.
Posted on: August 16, 2007, 06:06:04 PM
And, yes, there are a lot of trans people in this province... Wez tak'n overz!
Quebec covers SRS , but they send you to the US (Metzer I think), just to spite Brassard for going private; its very childish I think!!
Intresting. I've heard different and met people from Quebec who have moved out here for Surgery. Maybe the changed things some? Alberta will send people to Meltzer, but you have to have a health condition that Bassard won't deal with (ie diabetes). But, if Quebec send people to Meltzer, then that's not half bad, actually. Meltzer is a good doctor. Of course, finding real information on what province does what his tricky, since I've heard conflicting things at times.
Here's one article (written in 2004, so things could of changed since then) that mentions what each province does: http://www.egale.ca/index.asp?lang=E&item=1086
I think the rule in Quebec is that you have to go through the program, at hotel dieu or montreal general and if you've gone through RLT, they send you abroad, just like they would send anyone else if there is a medically necessary treatment with no Quebec public alternative (this exists in other fields too).
That's cool. I'm glad another province has coverage through their Health Care plan. Quebec is a nice province as well.
Quote from: gothique11 on August 17, 2007, 03:00:47 PM
That's cool. I'm glad another province has coverage through their Health Care plan. Quebec is a nice province as well.
Thank you ladies, This is all very informative. I don't know how there can be no money for SRS but we have money for war and tax cuts. Blah.