I'm scheduled for a 6/19 SRS date with Dr. Kathy Rumer. Since there is not a lot of info on her surgical experience in the forums, I'm hoping to post my experiences here to help whomever comes next (assuming I go through with this craziness).

I'm scheduled for a phone examination with Dr. Rumer the day after tomorrow. She has not ever examined me in person, and probably will not until I arrive for surgery. The phone consult is (in my understanding) for the purpose of allowing her to prescribe medicine and tests, since it's frowned upon for doctors to do that without some type of exam.

Today I got a 25-page packet of information, instructions, and release forms.

Highlights of the pre-op instructions include:
* Taking a homeopathic concoction call Arnica to prevent bruising.
* Stopping hormones a month before surgery.
* Consuming no foods and only clear liquids the day before surgery.
* Starting noon on the day before surgery, clearing my system (not looking forward to this).
* Arriving at her facility between 2PM and 5PM on the day before surgery.
* Labwork to be done less than 4 weeks before surgery and forms for my doctor to fill out when he does the pre-op exam.
* No smoking (not a problem for me - I've never smoked) for 4 weeks before.
* A whole list of drugs not to take 10 days before, including aspirin, ibuprophen or vitamin E.
* Bring feminine wipes, adult diapers, and absorbent bed pads.

I have to pay three separate bills, one to Dr. Rumer, one to the hospital, and one to the anesthesiologist.


EDIT:
You can find the final review and summary of my experience here: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,164493.msg1590634.html#msg1590634

I want to wish you the best and speed in recovery.

Time will speed by faster then you know.

Isabell

Those instructions sound so darn familiar, and the procedures so similar to what I had with my surgeon that I do think you are going to be fine and have good results -- if you don't chicken out before hand!!  I can sympathize with the "craziness" element all too well, I still wonder if my sanity is intact, but then why should it be, it was not before hand.

Best wishes there girlfriend!!  You will do fine.

grats on the surgery date

Quote from: suzifrommd on May 07, 2014, 09:10:41 AM
Highlights of the pre-op instructions include:
* Taking a homeopathic concoction call Arnica to prevent bruising.

I can personally attest to it doing what it says on the tin although Dr Reed "suggested" more than just Arnica. Not sure if that or the combo was what made the difference.

QuoteBruising can be reduced (many believe) with Bromelain 500 mg twice a day, Arnica montana (Boiron brand) dose 30C (take 4 small tablets sublingually, 4 times a day), vitamin C 500 mg (3 times a day) starting 1 week before surgery.

Quote from: suzifrommd on May 07, 2014, 09:10:41 AM
* Starting noon on the day before surgery, clearing my system (not looking forward to this).

I hated this part. Magnesium citrate and antibiotics tastes like ass no matter what you wash it down with.

Quote from: suzifrommd on May 07, 2014, 09:10:41 AM
* Bring feminine wipes, adult diapers, and absorbent bed pads.

Moist toilet paper is cheaper and flushable (great for bowel prep). Hospital gave me adult diapers that I didn't touch not less use and 10 medium sized (24x32ish) disposable chux were more than enough for 2 weeks post

Good luck, hon!  I'll be watching for your review!

I take it that this the physician is located out of town? Is insurance covering this? How did you get referred to Rumer? Doctors who want to do a surgery without ever having met the patient me very nervous.

Quote from: Suziack on May 08, 2014, 02:06:34 PM
I take it that this the physician is located out of town?

She's just outside Philadelphia Pennsylvania, so it's about a 2 hour drive from where I live. I wanted someone I could see without getting on a plane.

Quote from: Suziack on May 08, 2014, 02:06:34 PM
Is insurance covering this?

I wish. It's all out of pocket.

Quote from: Suziack on May 08, 2014, 02:06:34 PMHow did you get referred to Rumer? Doctors who want to do a surgery without ever having met the patient me very nervous.

I met her at the Philadelphia Trans Health conference. She gave a talk about her technique and her results. I later met with her and she took my information personally to send me my surgical quote.

on that note, what do her services run?

oh wow, there's a srs doctor in philly. thats good news cuz i live an hour and a half away from philly. looking forward to the reviews lol. good luck

Thinking of going to her for FFS stuff, let us know how it goes!

Quote from: Umiko Liliana on May 08, 2014, 06:03:55 PM
oh wow, there's a srs doctor in philly. thats good news cuz i live an hour and a half away from philly. looking forward to the reviews lol. good luck

There are three, well-known SRS doctors in the Philly area. Christine McGinn is the most famous. There's also Dr. Sherman Lies, who has been practicing for a long time.

Quote from: suzifrommd on May 08, 2014, 07:10:58 PM
There are three, well-known SRS doctors in the Philly area. Christine McGinn is the most famous. There's also Dr. Sherman Lies, who has been practicing for a long time.

well imma have to check them out and get their quotes. awesome to know they are super close. a bit anxious to travel across seas so, good info lol

Quote from: Umiko Liliana on May 08, 2014, 06:03:55 PM
oh wow, there's a srs doctor in philly. thats good news cuz i live an hour and a half away from philly. looking forward to the reviews lol. good luck

Since you are a local girl, check this out and get ready to go -- http://www.trans-health.org/content/13th-annual-philadelphia-trans-health-conference-june-12-14-2014  The major U.S. Surgeons will be there, and this is where Suzi met her doctor.

Quote from: Vicky on May 08, 2014, 07:43:16 PM
Since you are a local girl, check this out and get ready to go -- http://www.trans-health.org/content/13th-annual-philadelphia-trans-health-conference-june-12-14-2014  The major U.S. Surgeons will be there, and this is where Suzi met her doctor.

thnx vick. i'll make sure to look at it this week. need to buckle down for finals next week  god how i hate finals lol

Quote from: suzifrommd on May 08, 2014, 02:26:46 PM

I met her at the Philadelphia Trans Health conference. She gave a talk about her technique and her results. .

Is her technique different from all the other Americans surgeons, you know penile inversion ?

or just a variation of the theme ?

Quote from: peky on May 08, 2014, 08:34:39 PM
Is her technique different from all the other Americans surgeons, you know penile inversion ?

or just a variation of the theme ?

She practices penile inversion. I was not interested in scrotal resection - I wasn't willing to accept a harder recovery for an inch or two of depth, though I understand why a lot of women would.

Just wanted to chime in to say that I have a close friend who used Rumer, and she's thrilled with her results (coming up on 2 years post-op). She sent me photos, too, and I agree - gorgeous outcome. Good luck!!

Quote from: Jenna Marie on May 09, 2014, 10:28:20 AM
Just wanted to chime in to say that I have a close friend who used Rumer, and she's thrilled with her results (coming up on 2 years post-op). She sent me photos, too, and I agree - gorgeous outcome. Good luck!!

I havent seen a single picture of her results anywhere (its like its a big secret or something!) how do they fare compared to other surgeons?

Quote from: suzifrommd on May 08, 2014, 07:10:58 PM
There are three, well-known SRS doctors in the Philly area. Christine McGinn is the most famous. There's also Dr. Sherman Lies, who has been practicing for a long time.

McGinn was doing her surgery residence with Dr Leis when I had my BA done. She was #2 on my short list.

Did not meet Kathy she came I think after McGinn and worked with Dr. Leis.  Any of them would be a great east coast choice.

Izzy

Quote from: generalchaos34 on May 09, 2014, 02:14:42 PM
I havent seen a single picture of her results anywhere (its like its a big secret or something!) how do they fare compared to other surgeons?

She doesn't post them on her website. I think her website is "under construction" but maybe not a great priority for her to upgrade it.

She showed pictures at the presentation I attended at Philly trans health. I'm not really interested in aesthetics - I'll never be stealth, so I don't need my underparts to "pass" - so the pictures didn't make much of an impression on me.