Has anyone here had surgery with him? I sent in my application and paid for it and stuff but I haven't heard anything back yet. The only time I was emailed back was when I forgot to send the letter and emailed them back with it. All they said was "thanks" lol
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I think they get in touch with you when they have availability to schedule if I remember correctly? You ask for a packet, they send a packet, you send it back, then you wait.
I know there are plenty of Medalie results in the Top Surgery Recovery thread. You could pop over there and ask some of the more recent guys about their experience.
@Alexthecat and
@palexander are the only two guys I can think of off the top of my head, but I'm sure there have been more recent ones.
Did you already send him nakey pictures? It's been a couple years but I think I sent him nakey pictures and some money. He looked at them then I picked a day for surgery. After that there was a phone consult. Then a big thick packet will come in the mail with all the information on it. Valerie is the person to email with any specific questions. vrowan@metrohealth.org I sent her like 50 messages.
Quote from: FTMax on September 15, 2016, 06:23:44 PM
I think they get in touch with you when they have availability to schedule if I remember correctly? You ask for a packet, they send a packet, you send it back, then you wait.
I know there are plenty of Medalie results in the Top Surgery Recovery thread. You could pop over there and ask some of the more recent guys about their experience. @Alexthecat and @palexander are the only two guys I can think of off the top of my head, but I'm sure there have been more recent ones.
Thanks man! I didn't think about asking people who already had it done
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Quote from: Alexthecat on September 15, 2016, 06:39:19 PM
Did you already send him nakey pictures? It's been a couple years but I think I sent him nakey pictures and some money. He looked at them then I picked a day for surgery. After that there was a phone consult. Then a big thick packet will come in the mail with all the information on it. Valerie is the person to email with any specific questions. vrowan@metrohealth.org I sent her like 50 messages.
Hahaha yeah I sent him the goods and then bribed him to look at the goods lol. I haven't heard anything yet. I'd like to know a date so I know how much time I have to save. Did you email her back to get a list of dates available or did she email you?
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I knew when I wanted it done due to my work schedule and told her some dates and then she said what was available. I was scheduling months in advance. You should not have to wait that long for a date. The only times that you may not get in around when you want to is christmas break, spring break, etc. Medalie operates in two different places. One is cheaper than the other so you might want to say you want the cheaper one.
Also do not schedule surgery for a monday or you will be stuck with drains for an entire week. That is brutal and I was not draining at all since there was nothing to drain.
Quote from: Alexthecat on September 16, 2016, 10:59:22 PM
I knew when I wanted it done due to my work schedule and told her some dates and then she said what was available. I was scheduling months in advance. You should not have to wait that long for a date. The only times that you may not get in around when you want to is christmas break, spring break, etc. Medalie operates in two different places. One is cheaper than the other so you might want to say you want the cheaper one.
Also do not schedule surgery for a monday or you will be stuck with drains for an entire week. That is brutal and I was not draining at all since there was nothing to drain.
Oh I didn't know I had to give them dates. I thought they gave me date and I just had to go with it. I should probably email them about that then. I'm actually looking for somewhere in the new year before spring break.
I thought the drains had to be in for a week? You can get them out earlier?
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Quote from: haeden on September 17, 2016, 07:05:12 PM
Oh I didn't know I had to give them dates. I thought they gave me date and I just had to go with it. I should probably email them about that then. I'm actually looking for somewhere in the new year before spring break.
I thought the drains had to be in for a week? You can get them out earlier?
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That is a perfect time to have surgery. You should be able to get a date really close to what you want. I had surgery on a monday so the drains were taken out on monday because they don't work on the weekend. If you have surgery thurs/friday then they can come out mon/tues. So that would make them less than a week. It all depends on how much you are draining and I was not draining at all so it was worse.
Quote from: Alexthecat on September 18, 2016, 07:32:07 AM
That is a perfect time to have surgery. You should be able to get a date really close to what you want. I had surgery on a monday so the drains were taken out on monday because they don't work on the weekend. If you have surgery thurs/friday then they can come out mon/tues. So that would make them less than a week. It all depends on how much you are draining and I was not draining at all so it was worse.
Ah okay that makes I'd should still book my flight and hotel for the week just to be on the safe side. Thanks for all the help man!
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I realize this thread is 2 months old, but rather than start a new one... I've scheduled surgery with Dr. Medalie for January! I'm not sure where you're at in the process now, Haeden, but it sounds like we might be scheduling for close to the same time? I'd love to talk to somebody else who's also seeing him! I picked the date and paid the surgery deposit, and Valerie said I'd get a packet in the mail 6 weeks prior to surgery with more information.
Quote from: Farm Boy on November 16, 2016, 12:26:39 AM
I realize this thread is 2 months old, but rather than start a new one... I've scheduled surgery with Dr. Medalie for January! I'm not sure where you're at in the process now, Haeden, but it sounds like we might be scheduling for close to the same time? I'd love to talk to somebody else who's also seeing him! I picked the date and paid the surgery deposit, and Valerie said I'd get a packet in the mail 6 weeks prior to surgery with more information.
I paid the application fee but I'm on a wait list. Valerie said she would email once his next set of dates open up. He's closed now but that works for me because it may be a little longer than I projected to save up all the money. I had a lot of unforeseen circumstances happen I have to pay for now. I hope it won't take longer than 2 months after January to have all the money and be ready to book an appointment. I have to buy two plan tickets because my mom is a diva and won't drive lol so my expenses are higher than I expected. I kinda forgot to account for airfare, room and board, and food
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Aw, that's a bit of a bummer, but it sounds like it'll work out alright. Good luck! You're on your way! :)
Quote from: Farm Boy on November 19, 2016, 09:32:40 PM
Aw, that's a bit of a bummer, but it sounds like it'll work out alright. Good luck! You're on your way! :)
Yeah I'm so excited! More of my dreams now have been of me with no chest and I can't wait to make those dreams a reality! I am kinda bummed it's not now or dates not set but I'm also kind of glad because I know it would stress me out having to get all that money at a confirmed date. Plus I can insure I get at least a week worth of time off I can use for work!
Let me know what the packet says when you get and how everything goes! I'm excited you get to do it in 2 months! Are you driving or flying there or do you live near by?
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Awesome! I've only had one dream where I had a flat chest, but I usually have no physical body in my dreams. Go figure. lol Getting time off for work is great. I'm really thankful I've got sick pay and vacation days saved up.
I will let you know! It should be here in a couple weeks, I think. I'm super excited, and realizing I actually need to start getting things together now. We will be driving. It'll take a day to get there, so we'll spend the night in a hotel and then I'll have surgery the next day.
Quote from: Farm Boy on November 19, 2016, 10:08:24 PM
Awesome! I've only had one dream where I had a flat chest, but I usually have no physical body in my dreams. Go figure. lol Getting time off for work is great. I'm really thankful I've got sick pay and vacation days saved up.
I will let you know! It should be here in a couple weeks, I think. I'm super excited, and realizing I actually need to start getting things together now. We will be driving. It'll take a day to get there, so we'll spend the night in a hotel and then I'll have surgery the next day.
I normally don't see myself in my dreams either but I know I'm there. Lately though I've had dreams and I know I have a flat chest because I somehow see my reflection or someone presses against me. I just started this position a few months ago so I don't think I have enough sick or vacation days just yet.
Nice! I feel like driving would be cheaper but my mom doesn't like when she's not the drive but also won't want to do all the driving.
Are you staying there the whole week? I feel like that's where a lot of my expenses will end up going. Renting a room for a week is gonna be a pretty penny
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I hope you can get some paid time off saved up by the time you schedule!
Yeah, I live too far away to come back to get the drains out. They say they can come out 5-8 days after surgery. I figure we'll be in a hotel for at least a week. The lower end hotels are about $55-60 per night from what I've seen, so it can add up quickly.
I'm sure I will! Yeah honestly I might just see if my mom will cover the hotel. I don't usually capitalize on her love for me but I think now is an appropriate time to cash in lol
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Hey, Haeden! Thought I'd update you now that I have more info! Apparenly I was mistaken and there is no packet in the mail, but I got an email from Dr. Medalie's nurse, Mary. It included info about what meds not to take before surgery, directions to the surgery center, and some medical forms to fill out. It also includes a breakdown of the payments, how they need to be made, and a list of nearby hotels.
She asked me to go ahead and order my post surgery compression vest, which I have done and already received. You call the place and give Dr. Medalie's name, so they give you a discount. Mine was about $80 including shipping. This payment is not counted toward your surgery, and it's something you buy separately.
My surgery is scheduled for a Monday, and my post op appointment is scheduled for the following Friday. Maybe it depends on whether you're having DI or peri? (I'm having peri.) This is probably a your mileage may vary situation. Mine is 4 weeks from today, and I'm excited! I'll start posting in the recovery updates thread after surgery, but if you have any questions before then, feel free to ask!
Quote from: Farm Boy on December 19, 2016, 11:34:45 PM
Hey, Haeden! Thought I'd update you now that I have more info! Apparenly I was mistaken and there is no packet in the mail, but I got an email from Dr. Medalie's nurse, Mary. It included info about what meds not to take before surgery, directions to the surgery center, and some medical forms to fill out. It also includes a breakdown of the payments, how they need to be made, and a list of nearby hotels.
She asked me to go ahead and order my post surgery compression vest, which I have done and already received. You call the place and give Dr. Medalie's name, so they give you a discount. Mine was about $80 including shipping. This payment is not counted toward your surgery, and it's something you buy separately.
My surgery is scheduled for a Monday, and my post op appointment is scheduled for the following Friday. Maybe it depends on whether you're having DI or peri? (I'm having peri.) This is probably a your mileage may vary situation. Mine is 4 weeks from today, and I'm excited! I'll start posting in the recovery updates thread after surgery, but if you have any questions before then, feel free to ask!
Ah I'm just now seeing this! Have you had it yet? I'm really excited for you dude! Are you already on t? I think I'll start after the surgery. Still not sure
How do the payments work? I got an email saying there's spots open in February but my mom just had her gallbladder removed so I don't think now is good time to do it and I had to use some of my savings for this for her. But if the payments are in installments then I may be able to have it in February which would be perfect honestly.
I'd have to get DI but how do you know what size compression to get?
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I paid out of pocket in full before surgery. When you go to buy the post surgical vest it has a sizing guide but you have to remember you will be flat so take that into consideration when measuring.
Hey! Not yet; my surgery is on Jan. 16! And yes, I've been on T for a little over 4 years. It's helped to decrease my chest size, but plenty of guys have top surgery first, or never go on T, and they still look great. It's entirely up to you when/if you start. For me, it was definitely something I wanted to do. I've got before and after pictures posted on the last page of the "Before & After" thread, if you're interested.
Sorry to hear about your mom! Hope she heals quickly. There are 3 separate payments. Dr. Medalie's portion is the largest, and it's due 2 weeks prior to surgery. I mailed a cashier's check, because there is a 3% processing fee for card payments. The next payment goes to the Cleveland Anesthesia Group, and it's due 1 week prior to surgery (no processing fee for cards). The last payment is to Wright Surgery Center, and you pay that the day of surgery (card payments only, not sure if processing fee is included or not).
There is a size chart online, but you have to call to order the compression vest, so they can help you if you're not sure about the size. You measure your rib cage directly below your chest!
Well it's definitely something to look forward to for the new year then! Yeah I figured I would know more after this surgery. Right now this is all I need. Yeah I'll go check them!
I'm sure she won't. She doesn't understand the whole you're missing an organ and need to rest thing.
Hmm I definitely want more saved up then before I make my appointment. I don't think I can get a loan for it at least not a large one. So I'll probably have to do what AlexTheCat had to do and pay out of pocket upfront.
I'll probably have my mom measure me then. I'm so bad at that lol I'm pretty sure I just got lucky the first time I ordered my binder
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Actually do you mind if I ask roughly how much each installment is? It might actually be more manageable if I think of them as smaller payments instead of one large payment
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Not at all! My total for everything (including the $65 consultation fee and $250 surgery deposit) is $7,087. Dr. Medalie's fee is about $5,000. The fees for the Cleveland Anesthesia Group and Wright Surgery Center are each about $1,000. Of course, your amount may be more or less, but at least that's what it came to for me.
Well I could pay for anesthesia and part of the hospital now but Dr. Medalie is a different story lol
I should probably look at my estimate again. I'm sure it has my break down there
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