Finding out that the VA is now offering AETNA which no longer has a trans exclusion has changed almost everything for me. Bowers takes insurance so I find myself giving her a good look vs. my first choice of Brassard (as I doubt they would cover a foreign surgeon). So I'm looking for info on Bowers: her technique, aftercare, results how is she to deal with, how is her office, etc. All the stuff we'd want to know about anyone about to do such a massively life-changing op.

Is her work sensate, aesthetically pleasing, orgasmic. I note she recommends genital electro but honestly I don't think I could get that done. Can I get by without it?

Wynternight,
although I haven't had surgery at because I'm just starting out, I have found a lot of information on Marci on YouTube and I have seen some of her work after googling her. There are postop pictures up on the Internet that can show you her work, and even some reviews of her style, techniques and outcomes. I hope you find this helpful. Hopefully somebody on this site has had some surgery for Marci and would be able to give you more information. I wish you nothing but the best of luck on your journey in May, the Angels always look upon you and help guide you on your path.

Hugs,

Melissa Ann

I've been calling around today and crossed Meltzer off my list. He charges seperately for the two step procedure so his grand total is around 28k USD. Personally I think the extra charge for the second step is crap so I'm not going to look any closer at him.

Still looking hard at Bowers if I can get some first-hand accounts of her work.

Mcginn doesn't bill insurance so she's off the list.

OK, as the first Bowers' Babe to get into this, at 21 months post op, thanks to Dr. Bowers, I am as happy as I really should be, I think.

"Dr.B" does a one stage surgery where the labia minora are built using penile tissue that includes the urethral mucosa which gives a limited amount of self lubrication.  The vaginal lining is scrotal graft and penile tissue.  I have been looked at by a Gynecologist who had done my post op check-ups and her evaluation is that I look well within the range of normal for a woman my age.  At 6 months I knew where all the nerves really were, and at about month 11 my clitoris and clitoral hood achieved VERY nice erotic sensations.

You spend 72 hours in a full service hospital and are discharged with packing and a catheter in place to either go to a boarding house if you are on your own, or to a local hotel for another 72 hours, after which you get your packing and catheter removed and then are asked to spend another short period of time in San Mateo if they think you may need to come back for repair work.

Marci does not spend a lot of time with you other than in the OR, but she is very reliable in getting your questions or concerns answered before and after surgery. You get two visits per day unless a nurse calls for her.  She has trained the nursing staff at Mills-Peninsula Hospital very well, and I loved the nursing staff who do have time to deal with you and the specific post-op items you face.  You get a feeling of trust and care from all of her team, and the hospital food is actually pretty good.  All rooms are private, but they like to get you up and walking after 24 hours, and your other sisters are going to be close for visits if you feel like it. 

Go to Dr. Bowers web site, it has good info, and if you have the stomach, it links you to an 8 minute, out of two hours+, of the surgery.  I personally do recommend Marci, I am one happy girl.

Thank you, Melissa and Vicky. I've continued my research into Bowers and she's really top of a very short list now. The fact that she takes insurance is huge so that's probably what will seal the deal.

Did you do any genital electro, Vicky? I don't think I can take that so I don't plan on it.

I am scheduled to do my SRS with Dr. Bowers.  If you have insurance, Dr. Bowers' staff is amazing at working with insurance.  They do all the pre-authorization paper work for you.  All you have to do is submit your insurance information, two letters of recommendation from two different therapist and Janet at Dr. Bowers office do the rest. She have been working with insurances for a while now so she's pretty good at filing and submitting those paper works!

I know she recommends genitals electro but when I spoke with her staff, it's not a requirement. Like you, I'm don't think I can take that but I will have to do more research on that too.  I

Quote from: ForeverGiselle on November 12, 2014, 09:43:24 AM
I am scheduled to do my SRS with Dr. Bowers.  If you have insurance, Dr. Bowers' staff is amazing at working with insurance.  They do all the pre-authorization paper work for you.  All you have to do is submit your insurance information, two letters of recommendation from two different therapist and Janet at Dr. Bowers office do the rest. She have been working with insurances for a while now so she's pretty good at filing and submitting those paper works!

I know she recommends genitals electro but when I spoke with her staff, it's not a requirement. Like you, I'm don't think I can take that but I will have to do more research on that too.  I

Thank you! That's wonderful, both the info and that you're scheduled.

Please let me know how everything goes.

Looking at Bowers' page, she gives a rough 30% that don't get hair treatment down there first. As I can't afford it, that's my only way. Anyone possibly going to be there May next year? Would love to meet someone and have a familiar face.

While that's my time, they financially report the surgery, payments, insurance, etc. in the coming year, so I don't have my date yet, and won't for another seven weeks, or so. I do have a range though; as I was told 12th or 13th, give or take a week in either direction, so May 5th to the 20th. So lucky I was able to be squeezed in then, given my insurance expires at the end of August, a student policy; covers 90%, so the $1,000 deposit I paid about a month back is roughly half my surgery costs already paid for.

Quote from: GorJess on November 12, 2014, 08:32:08 PM
Looking at Bowers' page, she gives a rough 30% that don't get hair treatment down there first. As I can't afford it, that's my only way. Anyone possibly going to be there May next year? Would love to meet someone and have a familiar face.

While that's my time, they financially report the surgery, payments, insurance, etc. in the coming year, so I don't have my date yet, and won't for another seven weeks, or so. I do have a range though; as I was told 12th or 13th, give or take a week in either direction, so May 5th to the 20th. So lucky I was able to be squeezed in then, given my insurance expires at the end of August, a student policy; covers 90%, so the $1,000 deposit I paid about a month back is roughly half my surgery costs already paid for.

That's wonderful! I'm still a good two years away from surgery, at best guess. Hopefully when I go there will be some more members there.