I'm in the process of seriously beginning the planning stages of having top surgery next year. I have narrowed my choices down to two, Dr Keelee Macphee in Raleigh, NC and of course Dr G in Florida. She is around $8700 but only a two hour drive away. No paying the Vet to board my dog, travel expenses, hotel, or restaurant costs that I would have if I went to Florida. I figure either way I'll end up paying about the same when it's all said and done. She does offer one thing Dr G doesn't and that is free unlimited office visits for any issues for up to 6 months after surgery. Then again the results of hers I have seen are right up there with Dr Raphael but Dr G is basically the Picasso of double incision.

My question to everyone who has had top surgery is, how did you pick who your surgeon would be? Did you go directly back home after surgery or to a hotel since you were out of town? Is there anything you would have changed about your top surgery, surgeon choice, or recovery if you had it all to do over again?

First of all, congrats on getting closer to getting surgery!

I went with Garramone.  I live over 1,000 miles away.  I would say that if you go with New Beginnings, you can definitely come in under $8,700, as you will be able to cook and not order out food, and will not have to pay for rides for consult/surgery/pharmacy.  The lack of stress involved in getting to the office, surgi center, etc. made the staying there worth it.  I was there for 8 nights (which is the most common), and I believe I paid somewhere in the area of 8,000 when all is said and done.  I really need to get my receipts together to see.

You do need to do the math, though.

I chose Garramone for two reasons:

1) I liked the "look"/shape of his chests.

2) He had consistently great/excellent results.

I would choose a surgeon who had consistently good results over a surgeon who 80% of the time had excellent results with 20% of the time having ok/below average results.  It is too much of a risk for me, personally.  I feel fortunate that there is a surgeon out there who is both consistent with his results, plus they are excellent!

What one may see as a downside of Garramone is that we do all look the same.  I feel like I am a clone at this point.  It really makes me wonder about the whole idea of "it depends on the person's anatomy" as to how the shape/look of the chest will come out.  Except for our body size, the shape/contouring seems to be the same to me across the board.  Is there any other surgeon where you can look at a chest and name the surgeon?  Not one that I have noticed.  Therefore, I would suggest that if you like the look of his chests, go for it.  You will pretty much get that chest.  Unless you know of another surgeon out there (and I am not saying that there isn't one), who produces the chest CONSISTENTLY that you like the look of, go to Garramone.

To answer your last question, there is nothing I would have changed.  The whole experience couldn't have been any better.  Good luck to you.

ETA:  A couple more thoughts.  I would consider using a surgeon at home (as long as they are relatively good...I am near Fischer and even though she is known for keyhole, I think her DI looks good as well), IF I was staying at a hotel alone.  It will be hard to get food and all the other stuff you need without a companion.  Jay can speak to this, but it is much more doable to be alone if you stay at New Beginnings.

Unless it is really expensive, maybe you should go to see Dr. Macphee for consult just to see how you feel about her.  She maybe will feel just "so right", that it would make sense to go with her.

I have not seen any of her chests that I can recall, so I have no opinion on her work, but obviously you think she is good, so go meet her.

I'm going local because of cost and if something goes wrong the surgeon is like 40 minutes away. Also I'm like a DDD and I didn't see any results from dr G on anyone as big as me. Plus I don't know if my girlfriend would've been able to take off time time to go to Florida.

Thanks guys for your thoughts. Yeah, I plan on seeing Dr Macphee for a consultation closer to surgery time. She charges $200 for the office visit and wants to schedule surgery at that time her receptionist said so I'll wait till I almost have the money together. I'm a serious cheapskate so the possibility of throwing away $200 is rough on me. I think, "That's a year's worth of T", lol.

Brett: Thanks for the detailed message. I live about the same distance that you do from Dr G's office. Nice to know it can be done for around 8 grand total with him. I've discussed it with the wife and if I do decide to go to Florida I'd drive down the whole way and she'd drive home. I'm thinking that would be cheaper than two airline tickets.

Liam: I understand being iffy about asking someone to take off work and then travel all that way. I feel guilty about that too. I just think it'd be a little sucky to ask my wife to take her one week a year vacation to go do that. Even if she says she doesn't mind.

Darrin: While I am not as big chested as you (I think I'm about a C) I am chunky. The chunky guys typically don't show their surgery results online so I dunno what results I'd have with him either.

One last question if anybody sees this. What is the typical wait time for surgery with Dr G? I have read that he is backed up but not how long that wait is. I know with Macphee I can have surgery within the month I pay for it. If the wait for him is around 6 months or more that would probably be the deal breaker.

I didn't really have a choice like that. The guy who is local here, I don't think his results are very consistent/good. I have to be nice about it as a lot of guys go to him here.

I didn't have anybody to take care of me, at least that I knew of (at the time). I think my best friend would have, but I didn't know that at the time. She helped me out post-surgery and she was great but it drove me a bit nuts. I stayed at New Beginnings. It probably saved a lot of money too, with taxis and food. (Probably spent $75 on food the whole time I was there--10-11 days). I went out to eat maybe 2-3 times. Staying there just saved a lot of trouble and so on. It was way cheaper than anywhere I would be willing to stay. (There are guys who take all public transportation, stay with their best friends at Motel 6 or something, but I wouldn't like that kind of thing.)

I also liked Dr G's results. I don't think he is the only good surgeon around, but do make sure you have seen some results for this doctor which are similar to your own chest. I think if he has a problem with this then you should have a problem with him. Clone of Dr. G lol. Well if so then I am happy to be his clone. Happy with the results and so on. I am much older, and did very well, very good recovery, and not much trauma.  IF you need someone to more hold your hand, I don't think he is the guy. He is nice enough but he isn't super personable. He says the same things to everybody unless you ask him something not usually asked. He will answer it.

I think the 6 months post-op thing is not really that big a deal. I think the number of problems post op are kind of low. I think Dr. G's percentage is 1%. The worst thing, I have heard is someone getting a hematoma later (usually they happen in the first couple days). In this guy's case, he had to find someone to use a needle to aspirate it. I'm sure my doctor would not have had an issue but in this guy's case apparently nobody wanted to work on him. So having someone local would be good in a case like that.

I found staying alone at NBR since Brett mentioned that, workable. In my case, I get picked up after surgery and they helped me out the day of surgery which was really all I needed. I'm not sure if it was supposed to happen but a friend of mine just got dropped off after surgery, which would not have been so good for me as I was fairly out of it. I was fine the next day and never needed any help beyond reaching things. There are other clients there and you can interact (or not) with them. We went out to eat as a house once and I think normally there is a more of that, but I stayed the week that they had a lot of trouble, so that all seems over. 

I felt reasonably comfortable (actually NBR is more high end than my house is.LOL). They have sweet little dogs who are good with people after surgery. I love my dog and cats but I was happy not to take care of them. It was pretty there and there were people I could talk with or I could just go watch Netflix.

The typical wait time is 2 months (I think). IF you want March or December, it's going to be longer as he is more booked up around school break times. If you made an appt now you might get in in Feb. You need to check out NBR if you want to stay there and make sure they have a room. They book up very fast. I got in within two months, called in Aug and got in Oct.


--Jay

Thanks for taking the time to share all of that with me Jay. I definitely don't need a surgeon that would hold my hand. Not trying to be macho or whatever but after multiple open kidney surgeries as well as brain/spinal cord surgery I think this will be a piece of cake. My only worries are nipple placement, dog ears, and hematomas as far as surgery goes.

I'm planning on surgery around this time next year...I've got it figured out and at the latest it would be around tax returns 2015. I am waiting to make an appointment with whoever I decide to go to once I have the cash in hand. I plan on paying in full at the time I book. That is why I was wondering his wait time. I am glad you mentioned everyone trying to crowd in around College breaks...didn't even think about that but I was planning on the same, lol.

Yes, as Jay said, you need to take college semesters into account.  I had my top surgery in October 2013, and I scheduled it at the end of August (a 6 week wait while school was in session).  I scheduled with Garramone and then the next day found out that New Beginnings was booked the week I was to get it done.  I called Garramone's office back and they begrudgingly changed my surgery to the following week.  I would suggest making sure of the availability of your housing, prior to the scheduling of your surgery.

Garramone wants $500 at the time of scheduling, and you have to pay the rest three weeks before.  If you are looking at a whole year out from now a lot of things could change, including the surgeon you want to use.

Quote from: Darrin Scott on December 28, 2013, 12:26:57 PM
I'm going local because of cost and if something goes wrong the surgeon is like 40 minutes away. Also I'm like a DDD and I didn't see any results from dr G on anyone as big as me. Plus I don't know if my girlfriend would've been able to take off time time to go to Florida.

Hey Darrin, that makes sense.  We really have to work with what we've got when we make these decisions (how much money we have, location, vacation time from work, availability of support from others, etc).

My partner and I both work for non-profits.   Non -profits often make up for their ->-bleeped-<-ty pay in the amount of vacation time they give you.  I (and my partner), were fortunate in that regard. We had the excess days that the travel time itself sucks up.

I probably spent more money doing mine locally but honestly, I feel it was worth it!

Being able to come home and sleep in my own bed, especially with all the problems I faced trying to get comfortable (I still struggle with sleeping on my back), it was so much better to be somewhere I was comfortable.  Also, knowing that I didn't have to take a flight was huge for me.  And also, being at home, I had everything I needed and local friends to do everything for me (within limits of course!  Ha!)  They could go shopping for me, pick up my prescriptions (I have extended health care so prescriptions are free if I'm home too).  I only went out in a car twice, once to get home and the next was almost a week later to go to the office to get drains out.  When you have a seat-belt on, car journeys become something you don't want to do too often, just in case!  Lol.  Knowing that I had friends who live locally who can pick up something for me if I realise I need something was big too.  If you go to Florida with a friend, it's not so bad but then they're unfamiliar with the area.  New Beginnings would be better for that though I guess.

The thing that concerned me about being away was just the idea that things don't always go right.  Drains might not be ready to be removed for example.  Things can go wrong.  And then you have the concern of when to book flights and whether you'll make that flight, etc.  For me, the very first night I actually came very close to passing out twice and got to the point where if it happened again I'd get my friend (who was staying over with me) to drive me to the hospital.  The first time I nearly passed out, my ears started buzzing and from experience I knew I would pass out very soon if I didn't lie down ASAP.  My head was foggy but because I was home I knew a safe and quickly accessible place to lie down within 5 seconds without having to be able to see exactly where I was going (this was at night and only light was a nightlight).  If I was in a hotel for example, with my head foggy I'd probably have been stuck just lying wherever I happened to be and that's not as comfortable as say the couch I was steps away from when it happened to me.  Or I'd have panicked more because I was in unfamiliar territory, which would have raised my heart rate and BP and I'd have maybe fully passed out then and that's never fun!  This all happened to me because I did have a medical issue that I didn't realise I had as I haven't lost that much blood during surgery without transfusions and it became apparent a few days later what was wrong.  So it's very easy for things to go wrong and, for me, familiar surroundings was very important to me.

Another issue for me was results.  While I do like the look of Dr. G's work, I actually went with my surgeon Dr Bowman in Vancouver because I preferred his results.  This will be controversial because I was originally put off because online it's more complaints about him than positive...until I started actually talking to people who had had surgery with him and were very, very happy!  I saw more pictures in his office and it appears people just aren't commenting on the good results online.  I guess that's always an issue, people are more likely to complain than compliment.  When things go right it's what we expected and paid for.  When things go wrong we complain and bitch to the world with our frustration.  When I saw results I concentrated on those from people my shape and size, who obviously worked out and I loved the results.  I preferred his results because he cuts in a different way. He cuts more up the way and away from the side so scars are less obvious when wearing a sleeveless jersey and more follows the normal line of where your pecs would be (assuming you work out).  For me I do work out a lot and intend to do so even more now I don't have to worry about my chest looking bigger in the bad way!  So for me, the results from Dr Bowman were going to be far preferable to Dr. G.  With Dr. Bowman's results I actually have the chance of having scars that may end up entirely hidden!

So it's really a case a weighing up pros vs cons.  Home VS away and who has the results that are right for you.  In my case Dr Bowman had results that would be better for me, but perhaps not for people less in shape or interested in being that way with working out.  And being at home just saved me a multitude of other issues.  Even something as simple as being able to work late the day before surgery and arrange it so I need only take 4 days off work total.

Dr. G may be the general "Picasso" of top surgery, but there's so many different surgeons and techniques out there, he's not always the best for everyone.  For me, his results weren't what I wanted.  He's the go to when people think top surgery but I for one believe it's worth checking out more people to see if they have different ways of doing it that you maybe didn't realise were out there that might be more what you're looking for.  I looked into quite a few, including some places in surrounding provinces and US states before I chose local.  Dr. G has easier access to result pics but you should be able to see before and afters without having to commit to a consultation.

Jack, I didn't even think about the jp drains not being ready for removal. Technically my wife is an EMT and they're nothing to remove so she could do it but that would be at the surgeon's discretion. I'm looking at two other surgeons now besides Dr G (also Dr Macphee and Dr Alexander) so I'll see where I end up. I don't think I'd be so picky if I wasn't neurotic about nipple size and placement. Everyone is always "the scars the scars" and I'm in my own little world of nips, lol. To me the areola size/placement can make or break the whole thing.

Totally get that.  I've been absolutely blown away with how awesome my nips look but it is a big concern.  For me I have to keep reminding myself for example that they ARE in the right place, my right side is just swollen still and to chillax lol.

Other thing I forgot to say: when problems occur, other docs often refuse to touch another surgeon's work.  It can be rare for problems to occur but like Jay said, even simple aspiration of haematomas won't often be done by anyone other than the surgeon and if they're in another state, you have to plan to fly out again.  It's extremely rare for issues like that to happen but definitely worth putting in the con list.  Also, if local covers revision in costs, that can make a difference if results aren't exactly as you hoped.  Revision costs are less if you don't have to add in flying and accommodation.

Jack, great post.  I think you did a great job laying out the way to make a thoughtful decision on surgeon, especially when looking at home versus away.  Also, I agree on the importance of looking at pictures of completed chests that match your body type.

Simon, I actually meant to say in my first post that what also made me lean toward Garramone is nipple shape, size, and also placement.  I think that when we look at a chest, our eyes naturally eyes drift to the nipples (both male and female).  I like that Garramone's nipples are smaller than the "standard" as to me it makes the chest look more masculine.  However, I'm sure any surgeon will make the size you want.  Additionally, he seems to put the nipples more to the sides than some other surgeons.  One difference between a male chest and a female chest is that the nipples on a male chest are out to the sides more.  I feel like for me, it makes my chest look more broad.

I saw on Medalie's DI surgery video that he measures for placement and nipple size.  Garramone does it by "eye".  This is actually when I started thinking of him as an "artist" (not discounting the measurement approach here).

Again, it all comes back to what YOU like.  Again, I think it is about consistency.  If you find a surgeon who  is consistent in his/her results, you should feel comfortable choosing your surgeon based on the "look" that you want for your chest.

Quote from: Brett on December 29, 2013, 12:29:49 PM
Jack, great post.  I think you did a great job laying out the way to make a thoughtful decision on surgeon, especially when looking at home versus away.  Also, I agree on the importance of looking at pictures of completed chests that match your body type.

Simon, I actually meant to say in my first post that what also made me lean toward Garramone is nipple shape, size, and also placement.  I think that when we look at a chest, our eyes naturally eyes drift to the nipples (both male and female).  I like that Garramone's nipples are smaller than the "standard" as to me it makes the chest look more masculine.  However, I'm sure any surgeon will make the size you want.  Additionally, he seems to put the nipples more to the sides than some other surgeons.  One difference between a male chest and a female chest is that the nipples on a male chest are out to the sides more.  I feel like for me, it makes my chest look more broad.

I saw on Medalie's DI surgery video that he measures for placement and nipple size.  Garramone does it by "eye".  This is actually when I started thinking of him as an "artist" (not discounting the measurement approach here).

Again, it all comes back to what YOU like.  Again, I think it is about consistency.  If you find a surgeon who  is consistent in his/her results, you should feel comfortable choosing your surgeon based on the "look" that you want for your chest.

I wasn't really less comfortable at NBR than I would have been at home. I have a high bed and no recliners. I couldn't have gotten on the bed and would have been stuck on the couch. They have a recliner (not a great one) in the room and ones all over the place there, which is very nice. Plus places to sit all over including outside. But I found out when I got home that things were lower to the ground here. I am used to, as a 5' tall person to keep stuff towards the ground. LOL. I was always having to find someone to get stuff for me or try and finagle it down with a backscratcher. Flying sucked very big time. It's a consideration. It was harder that I had no one with me.

Some of what Jack talked about various concerns right after surgery would be met if you stayed at NBR, but not so much maybe a motel. They know all the tricks (like having pillows in the car for the seat belts) and being able to loosen your bandages up. So in this sense I felt more assured than I would have at home. But it was quite different than if you were at a motel somewhere.

I'm not sure Brett if Dr G positions them entirely by eye. Did he tell you this. He drew a picture circle exactly the size of my nips to be and then said "of course don't worry I use a "cookie cutter". ANd I said, "Of course this circle is exactly however many cms you told me it was" and he kind of grinned. So I am not sure if he uses some aids, as well as eyes of other's like OR nurses.

I think I would have been happy with a number of different surgeons, but am happy enough being a Dr G clone (okay Brett I think this one sticks.   )
--Jay

Quote from: aleon515 on December 29, 2013, 03:02:42 PM
They know all the tricks (like having pillows in the car for the seat belts) and being able to loosen your bandages up.

I was just talking to my wife about using a pillow to hide the fact that I didn't have a seat belt strapped over my chest on the ride home. Anytime I have a kidney surgery it's in Maryland so I have a long ride home and have always found that helpful (even more so if you leave in the evening and are doing most of the traveling at night).

As far as the clone aspect of going to Dr G I don't think they're all identical. I think he just always has consistently great results. I've seen guys with straight incisions and some with curved. Some areolas are smaller...some larger. Areola/nipple placement does tend to be uniform across the board though. That is more of his trademark. Kinda like Dr Brownstein when he was in business (however I always thought his nips were set too high to look natural).

One thing about Dr G that worries me is he may have a tendency not to listen to his patients. I say that because I remember one guy on YouTube who specifically requested that he wanted straight line incisions on his chest. His incisions are really curved. I would have been ticked off if that was me...my body and should be my choice.

Quote from: Simon on December 29, 2013, 03:40:22 PM
One thing about Dr G that worries me is he may have a tendency not to listen to his patients. I say that because I remember one guy on YouTube who specifically requested that he wanted straight line incisions on his chest. His incisions are really curved. I would have been ticked off if that was me...my body and should be my choice.

I'm not sure re: not listening. I think I know who you are talking about, maybe not, but a surgeon has to do certain things. I know it's plastic surgery. But if you want this surgery done you need to have realistic ideas of what is going to happen. (He does talk about that and there is stuff for you to sign to that effect.) If you want this surgery then you need to understand that he can't magically do what your body can't have done. If you have very large chesticles in a certain way, if he does the surgery you might get more curved scars.

I would maybe wish my scars weren't so close together. I didn't ask, but I did ask why they were so close in some instances. The answer is to keep you from having puckering in the middle. SO my scars don't touch, but they are maybe a quarter inch apart. I would rather they weren't that way but I'd rather I didn't have puckering, it's a huge reason there are revisions. So of the two, I'd rather the touch. If you get my drift. I think he had unrealistic expectations and not that he didn't listen to his wishes.
If I said Dr G, I want my scars at least an inch apart, I would have been disappointed and think he didn't listen to me.


BTW, if it's who I think it is, I notice as the weeks have gone by he's happier about the results and he actually looks better than he did initially, so in all probabilities Dr G was right with how he did it in this case.

--Jay

Quote from: aleon515 on December 29, 2013, 03:02:42 PM

I'm not sure Brett if Dr G positions them entirely by eye. Did he tell you this. He drew a picture circle exactly the size of my nips to be and then said "of course don't worry I use a "cookie cutter". ANd I said, "Of course this circle is exactly however many cms you told me it was" and he kind of grinned. So I am not sure if he uses some aids, as well as eyes of other's like OR nurses.

Yes, that is what he told me.  Placement is by "eye", not measurements.

I don't know what/if he uses a cookie cutter for the areolas, but I do know that he shoots for smaller than the "nickel size", which I understand to be the "cookie cutter", most surgeons use.  He must use something, I would think.

In terms of the guy on youtube that wanted his straight across, he should have gone with a different surgeon.  Garramone follows the line of the pec.  I can't remember which surgeon it is that goes straight across, but I recall seeing a surgeon (who has been doing this for a long time), whose incision line goes from one end to the other with no break in between.

Simon, it was suggested to me that I place a pillow between myself and the seat belt (what Jay was referring to).

Quote from: Brett on December 29, 2013, 07:51:11 PM
Yes, that is what he told me.  Placement is by "eye", not measurements.

I don't know what/if he uses a cookie cutter for the areolas, but I do know that he shoots for smaller than the "nickel size", which I understand to be the "cookie cutter", most surgeons use.  He must use something, I would think.

In terms of the guy on youtube that wanted his straight across, he should have gone with a different surgeon.  Garramone follows the line of the pec.  I can't remember which surgeon it is that goes straight across, but I recall seeing a surgeon (who has been doing this for a long time), whose incision line goes from one end to the other with no break in between.

Simon, it was suggested to me that I place a pillow between myself and the seat belt (what Jay was referring to).

Yeah, kinda figured that is what he was referring to. I'm glad that is a recommendation because it makes travel soooo much easier. I cheat a little more than that though. I put the belt around my waist but the strap behind my back. The pillow for me is to disguise that the strap isn't there. I'm sure I'll do that when traveling home after top surgery as well. Either that or I'll sit in the backseat. Don't try that at home kids, lol.

I think we were talking about the same YT guy, Jay. Over time he has begun to appreciate his surgery more (he should be 1000% appreciative imo since donations paid for the majority of it, but that's not here nor there).

Good to know that Garramone shoots for smaller than the standard nickle sized areolas. I might be alone in this but I have a kinda nipple disphoria. It's not bad enough to not get them grafted on like some do but I would feel like my chest was still feminine if the areola/nipple size wasn't minimal.

Quote from: Simon on December 29, 2013, 09:14:43 PM
Yeah, kinda figured that is what he was referring to. I'm glad that is a recommendation because it makes travel soooo much easier. I cheat a little more than that though. I put the belt around my waist but the strap behind my back. The pillow for me is to disguise that the strap isn't there. I'm sure I'll do that when traveling home after top surgery as well. Either that or I'll sit in the backseat. Don't try that at home kids, lol.

I think we were talking about the same YT guy, Jay. Over time he has begun to appreciate his surgery more (he should be 1000% appreciative imo since donations paid for the majority of it, but that's not here nor there).

Good to know that Garramone shoots for smaller than the standard nickle sized areolas. I might be alone in this but I have a kinda nipple disphoria. It's not bad enough to not get them grafted on like some do but I would feel like my chest was still feminine if the areola/nipple size wasn't minimal.

He told me re: the "cookie cutter", perhaps he sensed that I wouldn't like that he would just draw a random circle and it would always be however many cm he wanted (though from other youtubers, I get the idea he can do this).

Now I am sure we are talking about the same guy. My guess is this guy has some issues and it comes across not so well. It sounds like generally he is happier with the surgery. You sign a ream of papers. People should read this stuff (although it can be scary I guess), it will tell you about what kind of expectations you should reasonably have. Or scare the wits out of you. I think a surgeon will try and accommodate things you want but in actuality that can't always happen. Your body is built a certain way and if your chesticles are too big, too far apart, too close together or whatever they do what they can.

The pillow between your chest and the seatbelt is very helpful. It is a little scary esp right off when you feel that your nipples will fall off with the wind or something. 


--Jay

Quote from: aleon515 on December 29, 2013, 09:45:28 PM


Now I am sure we are talking about the same guy. My guess is this guy has some issues and it comes across not so well. It sounds like generally he is happier with the surgery. You sign a ream of papers. People should read this stuff (although it can be scary I guess), it will tell you about what kind of expectations you should reasonably have. Or scare the wits out of you. I think a surgeon will try and accommodate things you want but in actuality that can't always happen. Your body is built a certain way and if your chesticles are too big, too far apart, too close together or whatever they do what they can.

The pillow between your chest and the seatbelt is very helpful. It is a little scary esp right off when you feel that your nipples will fall off with the wind or something. 


--Jay

I know who you guys are talking about.  I have always found him extremely entertaining.  Jay, you are spot on, though, surgeons have to work with what the bodies they are presented with.  I also just can't imagine Garramone saying that he would give a "straight across" incision.  That is not what he does. 

In a nod to Simon, yes it has rubbed me the wrong way too that many gave to his surgery and yet he is unhappy.  Not that one can't be unhappy, but...yes, just rubbed me the wrong way....  be a bit more grateful, my man!  Personally, I wonder if he is actually happier with his chest, or if he is just no longer saying he isn't because people are expressing that they think he is ungrateful.  I didn't follow his whole journey, so I don't know how much his surgery was paid for by others, but I certainly hope a generous transman didn't lighten his own top surgery fund in order to give to someone else, only to wish he hadn't.

Quote from: Brett on December 29, 2013, 10:41:33 PM
I know who you guys are talking about.  I have always found him extremely entertaining.  Jay, you are spot on, though, surgeons have to work with what the bodies they are presented with.  I also just can't imagine Garramone saying that he would give a "straight across" incision.  That is not what he does. 

In a nod to Simon, yes it has rubbed me the wrong way too that many gave to his surgery and yet he is unhappy.  Not that one can't be unhappy, but...yes, just rubbed me the wrong way....  be a bit more grateful, my man!  Personally, I wonder if he is actually happier with his chest, or if he is just no longer saying he isn't because people are expressing that they think he is ungrateful.  I didn't follow his whole journey, so I don't know how much his surgery was paid for by others, but I certainly hope a generous transman didn't lighten his own top surgery fund in order to give to someone else, only to wish he hadn't.

Well no. The scar from Dr. G is curved, what I think he got and is not too happy with is he got curves around the chesticles. That's from being large. A friend of mine who said he was very large got this effect as well. My friend could not be happier with his result. I think this is because this friend is a happy guy. He says "I was really big, and he did a good job and I don't have any dog ears. So it's all the positive stuff. He never mentions this other thing.

I think people who are not happy, they are going to be hard to please. They are going to nitpick, and that's what I see.
Yeah, I didn't give to his fund, but I would understand someone else resenting it as he complains so much.
If you listen and read the stuff that his office gives you, you'll know he does what he needs to do.

I am amused by this guy as well, but there's another thing. There are guys who have to bind all their lives as they can't ever afford top surgery. Those of us who have it are privileged. I am happy I could afford it. It isn't nice to hear about privileged dudes complaining about their privilege (esp if they got some of it from others).

There are guys who get bad results, not talking about that. I have seen some bad results. We know this dude didn't have those.


--Jay