Im having mixed feelings ive beeen reading alot of comments and dont seem to see anyone who has been to Scottsdale and only one to Trinidad ......Please help ............. backround on me ......... I,ve been a trans woman for 30 yrs and im pre-op. I had my orchy when i was 18, Ive had my name changed and I have adopted a child , I have fulfilled all my lifes dreams except the uld make me complete and now i,m ready , ive had a sit down with Meltzer and he says im ready and ive spoken with Bowers and wanted to know if anyone has any experience with either i would greatly appreciate any info . .............thanx in advance
Hi !
I am traveling now but if you like, reply to me off line and I will get you some info.
Patience
I know how crazy hard this decision can be... :-\
I've never met Dr Bowers. I had SRS with Dr Meltzer on June 1.
The surgery was flawless and I'm very pleased with the outcome so far. He does push for (require?) a two stage surgery if you want a best case aesthetic outcome (labiaplasty)...His aftercare in Scottsdale is excellent because you are staying in the surgery center/hospital with total nursing care..I was there over a weekend and it was just me and two nurses!! LOL...The nurses were wonderful and friendly and have multiple trans patients going through there every week.
He came and saw me everyday and his medical ass't personally helped to dilate the first time, and she was very helpful in showing me how to douche and clean myself for the first time.
I have heard from others that post-Scottsdale there have been communication and responsiveness issues, but I have not had that..In fact, I get calls every week to go over things.
One thing I really like about Dr Meltzer himself is that he is very responsive and patient with my questions and gives me as much time as I need in my consults. (and i tend to ask my questions over and over).
I think its also important to know that he is about as expensive as it gets. I had saved up the money for years and was less cost conscious as I made my preparations. Also, BTW, I've heard that Dr Bowers is leaving Trinidad and there's probably some info on that around the forum.
All the best!
Kaitlyn
I have no experience with Meltzer. Bowers did mine in Trinidad. She is definitely leaving for San Mateo. The timing is related only to getting her certification, etc. with the hospital there.
I would rate my surgical results excellent. It was a one-step procedure and everything looks good. Three weeks post-op, while things were still swollen, I showed a cis friend and she said: It looks real. (I told her it is real, just not factory-installed.) I have absolutely no complaints about the looks or how everything works, but then I have no experience with any other GRS's.
I was treated very well in Trinidad, and I've talked with the nurses in Bowers' office when I had questions and concerns. They were very helpful and would go over things again and again if I needed them to. A nurse showed me how to dilate and gave me the Vaginas 101 lecture and then watched while I dilated. She was wonderful. But Bowers is leaving for San Mateo, so who knows what the staff there will be like.
The only thing I didn't like was that Bowers saw me only once after the surgery and never looked at her work.
One thing I did (and do) like is Bower's dilation schedule is much more reasonable to me than Brassard's or McGinn's. I don't know what Meltzer's is.
I think Bowers is a top surgeon, but if you want/need touchy-feely than you may be better off with someone else. (Actually, her office in Trinidad provided the touchy-feely and were excellent at the job.) But that's just my take on it.
- Kate
I'm in Scottsdale right now and will meet Dr. M for the first time tomorrow....
(a) Some observations about the local American's....none of them walk anywhere if it involves going any further than from the car door to the sidewalk....lol
(b) Diesel hasn't been discovered as a mainstream fuel yet.....no really it hasn't!
(c) If you wish to eat a low-cal diet you're going to be hard pushed....but at least Albertsons does have a good range of fruit available....
(d) Most of the men I've encountered have been uber-charming....Edward at the Starbucks, and Brian at a bar in old town Scottsdale to name but two...and its only day one of my wanderings *s->-bleeped-<-s*... but then a well-spoken leggy (skinny) by local standards Brit babe down here in AZ is I guess a bit of a novelty....
I've had a looksee at the Greenbaum centre....and all seems tickety-boo to me....and for any that are interested.....I'll fill you in (candidly) on the rest as it unfolds over the coming month...
I think Bowers will practice at the main hospital (San Mateo Medical Center main campus), but I'm not sure if I just assumed that or read it somewhere. This is major surgery, after all. And of course the hospital would say that nothing is confirmed, but my understanding is that the move is a done deal that just needs all the ends tied up.
I'm not sure that there will be a recovery house setup in San Mateo, at least in the beginning. I know that Bowers was trying to set something up but don't think there's anything in place yet.
I think Bowers is probably one of the best there is at GRS, and not just because I'm walking around with her work. But there are many other excellent surgeons, too.
- Kate
Yeah I'm excited about my surgery with Dr. Bowers in March. I personally know 2 friends that had surgery from her, one 10 years ago and one this year, and both of them are extremely happy. I can only hope everything well work out for me too.
I'm presently in Scottsdale, recovering from SRS and BA with Dr. Meltzer, and I have to say, it's a wonderful friendly caring atmosphere. Being able to make this a semi-vacation by going out and about makes it really fun and people have been very nice to me everywhere.
I am quite satisfied with my results, and will be back eventually for the 2nd stage of SRS. Food is good here too!!! You have to be careful you don't gain weight!!
Nicole
:)Congrats !! Nikki :) HEAL WELL
Yep well done Nicki....
I gather 2nd stage Meltzer gals are encouraged to trek back after just 3months....but at least you know you'll be well looked after at the 5* Greenbaum!
A kulture tip if you like art the Scottsdale contempoary gallery is a fab building.... has an amazing room in the garden if you find it....
Toodle-pip
Auntie C
Thanks for the kind words everyone!
Auntie C, I have thought about checking out the contemporary art museum, that's right up my alley.
Morgan remembered you, he just got back from a few days in San Diego, and he and his sister took my bags out to the hotel shuttle this afternoon. His little sister just got assigned to Greenbaum for the first time this morning and she was the aide for me today, a real cute sweetie pie! She had been at the main hospital until now, and she appreciates the plum assignment working at Greenbaum is. Totally comfortable with TS girls, and fun to talk to. They obviously have good genes.
I'm ensconced and Oxycodoned in the hotel this evening. I did not know until today of the special rate for Meltzer patients! The online code in the paperwork doesn't work. They wouldn't budge on a refund for last week's stay, and I was too knocked out to fight about it. It's OK, at least these two days are being billed at the amazingly good price I got.
And, I walked down to Albertson's and bought a big bottle of water and some frozen Chinese. I'm indulging a bit, but only had 3 egg rolls and I'm stuffed. I was disappointed that they don't have a salad bar.
I was tempted to stop in at the "Two Hippies Beach Club", but thought I would wait until I'm in a better condition to make a judgement about food...don't want to get sick in the event it's a Ptomaine Palace.
Dr. Meltzer and Linda came in this afternoon to set me free. I told him I would probably come back in a year for Stage II, and gave Linda my Wired magazine that I was done with.
Debbie was in earlier, and talked with me about the emotional, practical and other issues of my new life. She's a neat person. She was out of town last week, which is why I didn't see her until now.
Yep.... I would defo go for a part II if that's what the recommended norm would be with Dr M babes... Nikki
As I didn't do part one with him, not sure what he does initially.... ? But I'm now more or less all healed up... and fully sexy/sassy... once more....
Having lived in the HI Express for a month apart from my long weekend in Sedona.... I was glad to leave.... the lack of real English style breakfasts was a killer!
But the shuttle bus as a frebbie bonus, swung it, (as does the central position of the place) my second attendance at the Greenbaum, I simply walked down just a few blocks....... and I'd negotiated a rate by phone before leaving the UK.... so.... paid a daily rate.... that was v.good value....around $64 from memory....
Of all Toby's staff Linda was my favourite person.... and the woman on his team I bonded best with.... so she did all my (hands-on) aftercare.....
To each there own....lol
But he's defiantly a top-flight, well motivated surgeon.... and I wouldn't fail to recommend him, if you can muster the funds and make it down there to Arizona...
Heal well and good luck for when you head back out in a years time Nikki....
(My only crit was the damn water-wall in his reception).... a tad too 80's and a diuretic affect for sure)....lol
And while on an eco kick...no Colardo... no life at all.....