Hi peoples!
I'm still new here, just asking questions I haven't found answers to yet.
I was wondering who the best surgeons are in the US to go to for GCS (aka GRS, SRS, SCS)? I'm interested in not as long of a waitlist as Bowers has grown, but my two biggest things are aesthetic and functionality. I like Brassard and Ting's work for external aesthetics for reference. And I know it shouldn't matter but lubrication is highly desirable and utilization of the 'excess' urethra is also a must. Even though I'm a few years out still from surgery, I still have several years ahead of me of 'active single life', so I want to be able to live how I should be living.
Preferably, closer to or in California, specifically Northern California would be nice, but I'm willing to go elsewhere if there are places to stay... I might be paying out of pocket, so travel does factor into it all.
Can't wait to hear back from you all!
Hey Little Sister!
I know it sounds like you don't want to wait but,
My surgery was with Marci Bowers in May 2015... Aesthetics, functionality including lubrication and orgasm are all great and trouble free... ( was able to orgasm at the 4 week mark!)...the waiting list was 16 months back then ( not sure what it is now... last I heard 3 years?) But I put in my deposit about 30 days after starting HRT and befor I knew it... the day arrived!!!...There are so many other things going on during transition that provide distraction from the wait!!! I did FFS in the months prior so that was plenty to keep me distracted! (2015 was a busy year!) 😀👍
Anyway, just food for thought... My second choice was Meltzer ( Dr Ley in his office seems to be doing good work now too) but, I had already had my heart set on Bowers... I had already used her for my first surgery which was a tracheal shave and geographic proximity for aftercare is important to me!
All good things to you as you explore the possibilities ahead!!!
Please PM me anytime if I can be of help
Ashley 😀💕🌻
The reason you haven't found an answer to your question is everybody will say their surgeon is the best. This is why you need to ask questions and learn exactly what each surgeon delivers and if it matches your expectations. If you want a relatively short wait time you might want to check Dr Lay at Dr Meltzer's office. She trained under him and can deliver the same surgery with a much shorter wait time.
Quote from: Dena on September 14, 2018, 05:52:48 PM
The reason you haven't found an answer to your question is everybody will say their surgeon is the best. This is why you need to ask questions and learn exactly what each surgeon delivers and if it matches your expectations. If you want a relatively short wait time you might want to check Dr Lay at Dr Meltzer's office. She trained under him and can deliver the same surgery with a much shorter wait time.
Thank you Dena! I feel stupid now because that was simply poor syntax choice. I realise that each person will choose their own as the best, that's why they chose them to start with. By 'best' I was looking for input, based on the criteria and examples I listed, as to who might best match that for me, and who to avoid, as post-ops would know if say... lubrication is lacking (which would then not meet my criteria)
Just saw this and thought I would add my experience. I went to Dr. Gary Alter in LA. I have a number of friends that also used him and all of us are very satisfied. He's in LA and really doesn't have a long wait list. You have to pay up front but they will bill your insurance for you. I some how got lucky and got my full cost reimbursed by the insurance company. He requires a full six days bed rest post op. His dilation schedule is 20 minutes 2 times a day. I have no idea what his schedule will be like in a couple of years but he is worth looking at.
Check out Dr. Dugi at OHSU in Portland, Oregon. 5 days bed rest. Dilation is 3 x 30 minutes/day. I had no problems with my surgery there and excellent results. Good Hospital food and Staff too!
Look the surgery is relatively straightforward these days if you were to go to any of the well known doctors. I will never endorse my doctor since he is not giving me money and I am not stupid enough to suggest my doctor is the best ect ect.
IF you go to ANY of the well known doctors you are very likely to be happy with the results..........
Katie
Funny, my biggest concern was how far I'd have to travel. I had zero interest travelling halfway around the world when there are great surgeons here in North America. I was especially lucky that Brassard was only 1.5hr. drive. Following my surgery, was nice that I didn't have to hop on a plane.
For NorCal, hard to do better than Heidi Wittenberg. I was her #33. The only surgeon I like better today is bluebond-langer in NYC, who I might have chosen had she been "on the map" when I was scheduling.
Close second would be Thomas Satterwhite who trained Heidi, also a good choice for NorCal. The main reasons I went with her over him were wait time, and that she's an uro/gyn surgeon by background. Also I'll always give the nod to a chick.
Ping me if you like for photos.
I have heard good things about Heidi Wittenberg. For being new she has gotten some great reviews, girls liking her bedside manner to her surgical results,
I have a number of friends who have used both Satterwhite and Wittenberg. I had a phone consult with Dr. Wittenberg (she was still in the same office as Satterwhite at the time) and I had expressed interest in using her. I was told that someone would get back to me. Someone finally called me to ask if I was still interested and I had to tell them I didn't want to have a second surgery. They didn't get back to me until two weeks after I had already had my surgery. I think that the lack of office support may have been part of the reason for her leaving that office. All of my friends are pretty satisfied with their results.