I'm having top surgery between the middle and end of next year (has to be during College breaks). Already have the money situation squared away for the most part but I'm having problems deciding on a surgeon.
I'm a bigger mostly solid guy (except for my gut pooch) at 5'8" and 240 pounds (measured and weighed at the doc's last week). I'm worried that not every surgeon can do good work on a bigger guy. I am lifting weights currently but not working on my pecs too much because I'm afraid if I do it'll make it harder to bind.
That being said, I have two surgeons in mind. Dr. G of course, but going to him would mean about $1000 more between travel, lodging, eating out all of the time, and my gf taking a week or so off work to go with me. Then there is Dr. Macphee who is a two hour drive away. Her surgical fees are around $1,500 more than Dr. G BUT my gf won't miss any work and I can be sleeping in my own bed the same night. Macphee also offers free follow up care for up to six months afterwards which is a plus.
Macphee sounds about perfect for my situation. The only thing is I haven't seen many results from her. The only ones I have seen are of small guys and lets be honest...top surgery on a small guy with a bird chest isn't anywhere as difficult as it is on a bigger dude. I'm not worried about scars because they'll be there regardless. I don't want wonky nipples or dog tags.
How did you guys choose who to go to for top surgery? To me it just seems like a daunting task, thinking between what I really want but what is really realistically the best choice for my situation.
I can't say I've heard about Dr. Macphee and even though I won't be transitioning for a few more years, I have already chosen Dr. Garramone. Heck, I chose him before I even decided on a therapist.
I can understand your situation about being closer to home and having all of the extra costs cut out associated by traveling to Dr. G. I chose him for several reasons.
1. His Mansculpture surgery-I'm a bigger guy (horizontally speaking) and I feel that having this extra surgery will greatly improve my confidence (even though the price tag is going to hurt my wallet).
2. His results are pretty consistant, no matter what the size of the patient is and that's what I like: consistancy.
3. So many guys have went to him and that makes me feel more comfortable with him.
4. He's located in Florida. I like Florida.
5. New Beginnings Retreat will take care of me so I can go alone if needed. Granted, I would still go even if it didn't exist, but this is honestly a heaven-send and only serves to sweeten the pot.
Top surgery is a big thing for me. I would rather spend more money for the comfort aspect. The journey is also important to me too. I wouldn't mind traveling further, giving me time to anticipate top surgery and the future while I'm in the cab and on the plane. I'm sure there could be a surgeon closer to me, but I don't want the experienced to be rushed (the phrase "two-minute man" come to mind). Unless I need some type of revision, I only go through this process once so why not make it a memorable experience?
Quote from: Malachite on May 12, 2013, 03:43:03 PM
I can't say I've heard about Dr. Macphee
His Mansculpture surgery-I'm a bigger guy (horizontally speaking) and I feel that having this extra surgery will greatly improve my confidence (even though the price tag is going to hurt my wallet).
New Beginnings Retreat will take care of me so I can go alone if needed. Granted, I would still go even if it didn't exist, but this is honestly a heaven-send and only serves to sweeten the pot.
Unless I need some type of revision, I only go through this process once so why not make it a memorable experience?
Dr. Macphee doesn't advertise that she does ftm top surgery. She mainly specializes in females who need reconstruction after a mastectomy. She is however the only surgeon available in this State (and any surrounding State) that I am aware of that any trans person has recommended.
Before you are dead set on Dr. G's "Mansculpture" option you might want to ask him about specifics. If I am not mistaken it is mainly for guys with excess hip fat and side curves. It's liposuction so if someone has excess stomach bulge or big thighs it might end up looking disproportionate. Not saying it absolutely would but it is something to consider.
New Beginnings is an awesome option for guys who have nobody who is willing to go with them. Call me a weenie but my gf is definitely going to be there regardless of where I go. I don't think top surgery is a big procedure based on recovery time and no hospital admission but having someone there to help so you don't stretch out the incisions is a big deal to me. Funny enough I think the greatest potential for stretching them will be when trying to wipe your butt.
As far as making it a memorable experience, that's not important to me. I've had plenty of surgeries out of State (as well as been stuck in a layover at the airport after one) and I can tell you the whole time I was gone the only thing I wanted was my dog, my own bed, my couch, and my own toilet. The comforts of home do mean a lot when you're in pain.
Wow, I had no idea there was an NC surgeon for top surgery! That's cool to know, I'm gonna look her up.
Can't really help with the 'why did you pick your surgeon' question though, since I haven't yet :P
If you want more pics, try joining a Yahoo group for FTM surgeries. I'm a member of one, but there might be more than one. Anyway, guys talk about their surgeries and post pics. MacPhee might be in there.
I picked my surgeon for lots of reasons that had little to do with his experience, which was limited. He was an hour's drive away, he and his staff treated me right, the price was right, and he had an opening that fit my academic schedule, my ex's work schedule, and my proposed move-out date (my ex and I had broken up). Both Brownstein and Meltzer had waiting lists a mile long and wouldn't have been able to accommodate my scheduling needs, and they both required travel and probably accommodations.
If I'd been a younger guy and more worried about aesthetics, I might have tried a different surgeon who had lots more experience. As it is, my chest looks pretty decent after almost four years. The areolas could be a little better placed, the nipples could be smaller (maybe), and the scar could be more in line with my pec muscles (the scars don't show so much now). But all in all, I am pretty happy with what I've got. I knew that at 46 (going on 47), I wasn't going to be running around shirtless at the beach.
But I have to say, I was at the end of my rope. I had come out as a transsexual twenty years before, and I JUST COULDN'T WAIT ANY LONGER. I was barely hanging on, and another two months might have done me in.
If you're a chubby guy with loose skin, mansculpture is a bad idea and Dr Garramone probably won't do it on you.
Finding a doctor for surgery involves figuring out if your insurance will cover anything, if distance is reasonable, cost all sorts of stuff. In general it doesn't seem that too many big guys post top surgery results online. Dunno why.
Quote from: Arch on May 12, 2013, 05:40:37 PM
But I have to say, I was at the end of my rope. I had come out as a transsexual twenty years before, and I JUST COULDN'T WAIT ANY LONGER. I was barely hanging on, and another two months might have done me in.
^I feel you on that.
I'm 31 and have been binding since I was 17. It's really crazy to think about sometimes, but surviving always took precedence over top surgery.
Now I'm just thinking "what is one more year", in an attempt to preserve my sanity. Luckily for myself, I'm a rather patient individual.
Quote from: Nygeel on May 12, 2013, 06:25:39 PM
In general it doesn't seem that too many big guys post top surgery results online. Dunno why.
Body issues.
Most transguys grew up with the social pressures that cis women deal with on a daily basis, to be thin and perfect.
Ever go to the beach and notice that the majority of men don't care how they look shirtless? A hairy gut flopped over the front of their trunks and they still are out there for the world to see, lol.
Quote from: Simon on May 12, 2013, 06:32:09 PM
Body issues.
Most transguys grew up with the social pressures that cis women deal with on a daily basis, to be thin and perfect.
Ever go to the beach and notice that the majority of men don't care how they look shirtless? A hairy gut flopped over the front of their trunks and they still are out there for the world to see, lol.
Ugh, not this argument again.
Quote from: Nygeel on May 12, 2013, 06:35:30 PM
Ugh, not this argument again.
What argument?
Just a discussion and it is true that men and women have a different set of social standards and expectations they grow up with. In a perfect utopian gender neutral world things may be different...but that's not the case for most people.
Quote from: Simon on May 12, 2013, 06:40:26 PM
What argument?
Just a discussion and it is true that men and women have a different set of social standards and expectations they grow up with. In a perfect utopian gender neutral world things may be different...but that's not the case for most people.
It's something that keeps getting brought up that I think isn't universally true. I didn't start having body issues until I was well into my transition. Plus, plenty of cis guys do have body issues.
Quote from: Nygeel on May 12, 2013, 06:47:57 PM
It's something that keeps getting brought up that I think isn't universally true. I didn't start having body issues until I was well into my transition. Plus, plenty of cis guys do have body issues.
Ok, that's a respectful reply instead of, "ugh, not that argument again" because what was said didn't personally pertain to you.
I had more body issues before transition. Now that I'm passing without fail I'll get my top surgery and dysphoria will be a thing of the past. I'm trying to get in shape but if not my own hairy Buddha belly will be on display with the rest of the rednecks at Myrtle Beach, lol.
Most of the guys in my family are
FAT and could care less who looks at them topless. They'll say, "If you don't like it, don't look". I don't know any large females with the same mentality.
Then again this discussion is all relative to our own personal experiences.
Quote from: Nygeel on May 12, 2013, 06:47:57 PM
It's something that keeps getting brought up that I think isn't universally true.
That's probably why he said "the majority of men." He certainly didn't say "all men."
I think my ex had (probably still has) body image issues because he was so thin. Even at home, he never walked around in just shorts (and certainly not naked). At the very least, he wore a white t-shirt and briefs, but he was more likely to wear the t-shirt with Levi's.
Regardless of why those body issues are there it's probably why larger guys aren't as willing to show off their bodies on the internet, or in general. It could be due to being raised as female for many years, could be to do with the whole "trans men are sooo hot" deal which gets thrown around which they don't feel they fit into, or could just be body issues that would be there regardless of gender or any specific experience.
As for surgery, I am no where near starting a medical transition, so I can't specifically help, but I'd just say that it's worth not just taking the easy option if you can wait that little bit longer to save up. There isn't really an easy option in your case, they both have their pros and cons, but just something to note. You've got to live with that decision for the rest of your life, and don't want to be having "what if"s at the back of your head all the time.
Simon, you might want to see if any of your possible surgeons have any issues with bigger guys--if so, that would influence your next move. I had a friend who was very heavy, and he was told that he would have to lose weight. But I think it was the insurance company, not a particular surgeon, that told him that.
Quote from: Arch on May 12, 2013, 07:04:30 PM
Simon, you might want to see if any of your possible surgeons have any issues with bigger guys--if so, that would influence your next move. I had a friend who was very heavy, and he was told that he would have to lose weight. But I think it was the insurance company, not a particular surgeon, that told him that.
Thanks for the advice. I'm not that big really. I've always been solid looking (just got the belly issue) and lucky for me the T is helping a lot with muscle development. Since I have a year or so before surgery I'm biding my time by working on my fitness.
When I got sick and was told I had cancer I let myself go, so gotta get back in the swing of things. I just wish I wasn't so paranoid about working on my pecs right now. I probably will start working on them hard about 6 months before surgery.
Quote from: AlexanderC on May 12, 2013, 07:02:39 PM
You've got to live with that decision for the rest of your life, and don't want to be having "what if"s at the back of your head all the time.
You're absolutely right Alex. That's the biggest problem with trying to decide at this point.
For me it was somehow tradical simple.
we only have 1 place who could the permission to do sexchange surgerys in the country and they didnt give me permission (because there idiots)
So I had to look around, many doctors refused to have anything to do with transexual patiens but there where a few who agree to help. one where a sweet lady, but she didnt had any knowlegde and I didnt felt like taking the risk on her and im happy I didnt,
another doctor had done the surgery a couple of times before but not much. he seamed abit more experienced and trusty, nearby and cheap. Yet I said I prefern to go to german because I had heard other people going there and that they had way better threatment and results of transgender people. So I contacted a few people to ask of there experience and signed up for germany sites to watch pictures and ask some practical details.
In the meanwhile, the second doctor I had contacted had to stop making top surgerys or he would lose his job or get arrested.
I could maybe had still had my surgery at his hospital but I didnt feel like making everything worse, upset people or put him in danger to lose his job.
I dont think it changed my desicion but only made it more clear, I had already made clear I preferned to go to the german doctor because I preferned a doctor I knew had made the surgery a couple of times and had experience, rather than someone closeby but with less experience.
Quote from: Simon on May 12, 2013, 07:22:54 PM
Thanks for the advice. I'm not that big really.
You aren't short like my friend, either. I'm not sure how much he weighed, anyway.
Just don't go by BMI. I think everyone but Keira Knightley is overweight by that standard.
I'm going with Dr. G in Florida because I like his results and travel doesn't bother me.
Fitness is a huge deal when it comes to any kind of surgery but I'm sure you know that. Hydration is doubly important for decreasing the risk of complications and increasing the ability to heal. The less fat on your body the easier it is to recover from something so high stress as surgery.
Quote from: randomroads on May 12, 2013, 09:30:15 PM
The less fat on your body the easier it is to recover from something so high stress as surgery.
...unless you're Keira Knightley!
Quote from: Simon on May 12, 2013, 05:17:18 PM
Dr. Macphee doesn't advertise that she does ftm top surgery. She mainly specializes in females who need reconstruction after a mastectomy. She is however the only surgeon available in this State (and any surrounding State) that I am aware of that any trans person has recommended.
Before you are dead set on Dr. G's "Mansculpture" option you might want to ask him about specifics. If I am not mistaken it is mainly for guys with excess hip fat and side curves. It's liposuction so if someone has excess stomach bulge or big thighs it might end up looking disproportionate. Not saying it absolutely would but it is something to consider.
New Beginnings is an awesome option for guys who have nobody who is willing to go with them. Call me a weenie but my gf is definitely going to be there regardless of where I go. I don't think top surgery is a big procedure based on recovery time and no hospital admission but having someone there to help so you don't stretch out the incisions is a big deal to me. Funny enough I think the greatest potential for stretching them will be when trying to wipe your butt.
As far as making it a memorable experience, that's not important to me. I've had plenty of surgeries out of State (as well as been stuck in a layover at the airport after one) and I can tell you the whole time I was gone the only thing I wanted was my dog, my own bed, my couch, and my own toilet. The comforts of home do mean a lot when you're in pain.
I can respect that. I do tend to exaggerate on my behalf (probably because this will be the biggest thing I will have ever done so far). I definately have considered the potential downside of the Mansculpture procedure and I think what it comes down to is just to make a consultation to see what he has to say about my particular case. Hopefully I will still qualifty, but if not, then that's fine. Nevertheless, I am planning on joining a gym in the near future so that will definately help.
For me, it is a little discouraging that not many larger guys show their top surgery results online. About 95 percent of the results I've seen from Dr. G on Youtube comes from skinny, average sized, or muscular guys. I've seen only one guy who is close to my body size that has went to him and posted on Youtube recently. There was another larger guy I was following who went to someone else and he was even more closer to my size that showed off his results but for some reason, he deleted all of his videos. :( There was another guy that looked around my size that discussed his consultation with Dr. G, but never posted his results. Other than that, I can rarely find any guys around my size that post.
I understand why many of them wouldn't post. Heck, I'm not going to post my results (on Youtube at least). Because very body concious. Yahoo groups and Transbucket may be another story though.
Regarding Dr Garramone doing surgery on larger guys, if it helps, when I went with my friend when he had surgery with Dr G (he wanted a travel buddy as he had never been out of the UK before, and obviously Ive had some experience, to say the least, in top surgery :p) we stayed at New beginnings retreat and were there for, I cant even remember now, but around 11 days. We saw several people come and go, and a few of them were not your typical skinny/fit guys. Post surgery, most of them were happy/comfortable enough to walk around with open shirts once their drains were taken out, and pretty much everyone had similar results; all had small nipples (they didnt look like they needed trimming), and had the thin incisions and were more straight, then curved, from what I remember.
As for choosing my surgeon, I didnt get a choice, I was just put forward for one in Leicester, UK. But I do hear that alot of guys in the UK do get to state a preference. I dont know why I didnt get the option....but Im not complaining :p
I figured it was a once in a lifetime procedure and I wanted good results. Also, I wanted the letter and the closest surgeon to me did not provide one. I was overweight but not big. Garramone was on the list, but since I needed to travel far, I picked a place I'd never been. So I chose Brownstein. If I was a candidate for keyhole I would have chosen Fischer. I enjoyed my SF vacation, visited friends I hadn't seen in years. It was nice. Travel post op sucked, though; my chest was burning by the time I got home.
Find surgeons whose work you like, then weight them by what other factors are important to you: travel, cost, etc.
Jay
I chose my surgeon based on the technique he would use. I wanted to come away from surgery without getting the long scars along my pecs and I also wanted to keep my nipples, but reduce their size. I got just what I wanted and one of the surgeons who used the technique was even in my county.
I honestly went in blind with surgery. He had no results I could see because who mainly worked with ciswomen and men. He used the same technique for them in reductions and the men typically refused post op photos. I had to trust him and his staff doing this. He was a genuine guy and I felt that he honestly cared. So I took the plunge despite it being a top price at $8950. He also didn't need a letter and didn't make me stop taking my shots.
I'm 4 months post op and I couldn't be happier.
I'm not sure about the size department though. I weigh 270 now, but around surgery I weighed 260 and I'm 5'8. My chest though was fairly small. Guys here had said they looked like man boobs, which I was told many a time by my SO, and what I'm taking from here is that you're large in that department as well.
I also forgot to state that retaining nipple sensation was a big hairy deal for me, and I don't heal well--so I was worried about grafts. One reason I opted for this surgeon was that he was the only one I could find west of Chicago who did the procedure I wanted. And, as I said before, he was close and respectful, and he had an open schedule. He was originally booked pretty solid for a while, but he opened up another day of the week, and I nabbed the first opening I could get.
I have the nipple sensation, but I do wish the nipples were smaller.