So some of you know that I have SRS planned and a surgery date set in stone for 4.22.2014. I have picked Marci Bowers and my justification prior was her long track history of successful operations, the length she has been in practice, and her general location to where I live (Phoenix, Arizona).

Some things have changed since I put down my non-refundable deposit. The biggest thing is I found out during open enrollment for this years health coverage at my empolyeer is that SRS is not covered by my medical. (Which is a completely other discussion because in December I printed a letter from Aetna and a person in their office stated that it was covered in my plan).

Being now that I have to pay out-of-pocket for my surgery it's changed my mind kind of sorta. Prior to knowing Marci took Aetna I had it up to her and McGinn. I have heard wonderful things about McGinn's practice and care.

Cost wise Marci is more I got a quote of $23,500 for Marci and McGinn is a little under 20k. Here's my dilemma it appears that McGinn has a lengthy pre-approval process compared to many other surgeons and more up front cost. Must have consultation prior, must have $1000 deposit , and her letter process looks like a royal pain in the butt.

I already have one letter signed and faxed to Marci and a $500 deposit down. So this has kind of turned into a rant but this is what I'm going threw my mind right now.

I have looked into Meltzer here locally. I have also looked at Suporn in Thailand I axed suporn for the fact of plane tickets for my mother plus cost of surgery; I'm the same cost as doing it here in the states and a super long plane ride with sore equipment could suck. The thought of dilating in the plane scares me too.


Thoughts anyone? I'm fine losing my $500 with Marci because this is a lifetime decision

I wonder if a lawyer could say something about your making a decision based on the then-current coverage? Grandfathered in, sort of? (That'd be something to ask a lawyer during their free 20-minute consultation)

Assuming you could get the $20K for McGinn by next April, how hard would it be to get an additional $4K for Bowers? For me, having fewer hoops to go thru is a big plus. I hate paperwork, and "getting permission." If the $4K takes an extra few months...Ask Dr. Bowers if she can work with that (if not, you can still go with her anyway, it'll  just cost an extra $500 deposit).

I dunno...just a couple thoughts.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on June 07, 2013, 06:00:07 PM
I wonder if a lawyer could say something about your making a decision based on the then-current coverage? Grandfathered in, sort of? (That'd be something to ask a lawyer during their free 20-minute consultation)

Assuming you could get the $20K for McGinn by next April, how hard would it be to get an additional $4K for Bowers? For me, having fewer hoops to go thru is a big plus. I hate paperwork, and "getting permission." If the $4K takes an extra few months...Ask Dr. Bowers if she can work with that (if not, you can still go with her anyway, it'll  just cost an extra $500 deposit).

I dunno...just a couple thoughts.

You know thats what I have wondered as well because it has really thrown a curve ball at me because in the letter I asked specifically asked their agent IS IT COVERED YES NO and she said yes. I set myself up for this moment prior though because there was that "what if" factor that if it was not covered. Money shouldn't be a issue between the two because my plan has been to borrow against my home. If housing market falls off I'm in a huge pickle lol.

I'm like you though girl I don't want to deal with a bunch of hoops!

I chose McGinn, and price was not an issue for me. I wanted the best cosmetic and functional result I could get. I've never been overly impressed with Bowers's results myself. Here is a detailed accounting of my SRS experience with Dr.McGinn:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,137774.0.html

McGinn is not a hand-holder either. She's a straight-forward, no-nonsense, type A personality, former military, and she doesn't suffer fools. I share many of these same traits, so we got along great. 

I had my SRS 3 months ago. McGinn has lots of before and after pics posted on her site.

I'll also say that yes she is very strict in her pre qualification process. She will absolutely not operate if your BMI is over 28, or in overall bad health. She does check with both of the people that write your referral letters, one of which must be a PhD. She will also check with your hormone prescribing doc to make sure you have been under their care for at least a year. So no DIY HRT peeps either. Basically, if you've been skating/taking short cuts here and there like DIY HRT, did not go thru the WPATH process of transitioning, RLE, or are overweight or have any weird health issues... Pick someone else. This is also why she wants to see you in person, to see what she has to work with. She also asks for a pic with your application upfront too. Lastly, she has a fairly rigorous list of preop testing, which many surgeons don't do. But she's a great surgeon. Period.

McGinn's after care was excellent. The staff t Lower Bucks hospital couldn't have been any nicer nor more caring. The nurses were amazing. McGinn's PA, Heather is great and really cares about her job and her patients. I can't recommend Dr.McGinn highly enough. Both myself and my boyfriend are very pleased with cosmetic outcome.


PS: Total cost with McGinn comes out closer to $25,000 with food, travel, lodging, and incidentals once its all said and done.

I don't know any of these surgeons, but honestly, if I were you, for a 15 % price difference, I'd try to forget price as a factor in my decision.

Quote from: JennX on June 08, 2013, 08:35:03 AM
I chose McGinn, and price was not an issue for me. I wanted the best cosmetic and functional result I could get. I've never been overly impressed with Bowers's results myself. Here is a detailed accounting of my SRS experience with Dr.McGinn:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,137774.0.html

McGinn is not a hand-holder either. She's a straight-forward, no-nonsense, type A personality, former military, and she doesn't suffer fools. I share many of these same traits, so we got along great. 

I had my SRS 3 months ago. McGinn has lots of before and after pics posted on her site.

I'll also say that yes she is very strict in her pre qualification process. She will absolutely not operate if your BMI is over 28, or in overall bad health. She does check with both of the people that write your referral letters, one of which must be a PhD. She will also check with your hormone prescribing doc to make sure you have been under their care for at least a year. So no DIY HRT peeps either. Basically, if you've been skating/taking short cuts here and there like DIY HRT, did not go thru the WPATH process of transitioning, RLE, or are overweight or have any weird health issues... Pick someone else. This is also why she wants to see you in person, to see what she has to work with. She also asks for a pic with your application upfront too. Lastly, she has a fairly rigorous list of preop testing, which many surgeons don't do. But she's a great surgeon. Period.

McGinn's after care was excellent. The staff t Lower Bucks hospital couldn't have been any nicer nor more caring. The nurses were amazing. McGinn's PA, Heather is great and really cares about her job and her patients. I can't recommend Dr.McGinn highly enough. Both myself and my boyfriend are very pleased with cosmetic outcome.


PS: Total cost with McGinn comes out closer to $25,000 with food, travel, lodging, and incidentals once its all said and done.

Thank you for the input what your saying on her sounds on point from what everyone I've spoke with that has had history with her.

As far as the pre qualifications and such I shouldn't have a problem with that. Been seeing a board certified Endo for over a year and my therapist has a PHD, and I'm healthy with great BMI. She just seems like a lengthy process but your saying she was worth it. 

Quote from: Serena Lynn on June 08, 2013, 10:34:31 AM
Thank you for the input what your saying on her sounds on point from what everyone I've spoke with that has had history with her.

As far as the pre qualifications and such I shouldn't have a problem with that. Been seeing a board certified Endo for over a year and my therapist has a PHD, and I'm healthy with great BMI. She just seems like a lengthy process but your saying she was worth it.

You should be good to go then. She did a great job and I'm very pleased. Both cosmetically and functionally speaking. I'd recommend her in a heartbeat without any reservations. I was very particular before picking her and consulted with several other surgeons in person.

Quote from: JennX on June 08, 2013, 12:36:59 PM
You should be good to go then. She did a great job and I'm very pleased. Both cosmetically and functionally speaking. I'd recommend her in a heartbeat without any reservations. I was very particular before picking her and consulted with several other surgeons in person.

I think its just the upfront cost that is not committing me to her. She wants to meet in person. I'm in Phoenix so will have to get two different flights

Quote from: Serena Lynn on June 08, 2013, 12:43:18 PM
I think its just the upfront cost that is not committing me to her. She wants to meet in person. I'm in Phoenix so will have to get two different flights

I flew up from Miami, Fl and rented a car at the airport, saw another surgeon first and then her... and drove back to the airport then home. All in the same day. I was up for like 22 hours straight or something. It's one of those things that I don't think anyone "enjoys"... but I wanted to meet all of my prospective surgeons in-person. That's the best way for me too see what they're like in-person. The deposit is there because I know many people back-out of this type of surgery... especially at the last minute... and when things are booked like a hospital OR and there are no-shows, it gets expensive. Brassard has a higher up-front deposit, and another surgeon (I won't mention) has a very high 50% up-front non-refundable deposit. Take your time and weigh your options.

A few thoughts fairly randomly from someone who's had surgery with Suporn: I would cut absolutely everything out of my budget in order not to skimp on SRS, so if you pick Bowers, then I'd shoot for her. However, Suporn is an amazing experience, many friendships, high level of satisfaction from a bunch of us (with one or two strident opponents with their own stories, tho very much in the minority). Dilating is NOT necessary on the plane or even at the airports; they told me not to worry about it even on a long return trip. Plus, you'll be hopped up on a bunch of quite strong pain killers for that plane ride, along with a note entitling you to free wheelchair service through all airports, which is amazing (cutting through all lines, being pushed, being made sure to get everywhere on time, and using private rooms for security/customs/etc).

That's about all the advice I have, but I hope a nugget or two of it helps! Good luck...

For what it's worth, I also live in Phoenix. I considered Meltzer until I saw that he performs two procedures and I am not wealthy. I looked at the others, spoke with a lot of folks and ended up traveling to Montreal to see Dr. Brassard. For me, I found the price/results/aftercare all favored Dr. Brassard and I could not be happier with my results. But I have friends who went to Bowers, McGinn and others who will say the same about their experiences. Consider all factors and go with the surgeon who feels right to you.