Hi! I go to a monthly meeting and I heard them talking about Dr. McGinn as one of the ladies there swears by her. I've never heard of her, and she's extremely close to where I live. So I'm seriously considering going to her than Garramone since it would be cheaper. She only seems to have 4 results, and 3 results on transbucket. They look pretty good to me. I feel like her therapist letter is a little challenging as well.

My therapist is really really old, but he is here to help me. We're on and off and usually speak to each other once or twice a year for updates. I've literally met with him a good 4-6 times. He's in contact with my school etc. He's never had any other transgender clients and I'm afraid she may reject me for my therapist. Like I said, she's extremely close and I feel as if I could definitely go to her for top surgery.  What do you guys think? Anything I should know? Some general knowledge about anything really.

I was also wondering if I had to stay in the general area. I live an hour away and my bf or my mom could drive me there and back home.

My husband had his done years ago when she was doing her surgical residency with Dr Leis.

At the same time i had my BA.

She has also transitioned so knows all about our dysphoria.

As long as your therapist meets her professional requirements you only need 1 letter.

You can check out her site for specifications and costs.

Papillion Center. (butterfly center in french)

I know someone who sees her for T, and likes her (though I think he actually has little contact with her). She has done top and lower surgery (mostly metas). I have heard that she doesn't like trans guys quite as well. (She's trans.) I've heard she is also critical (military) re: guys (and perhaps gals not sure) who are overweight.  Her results look good. If she was in the area, why not do a consult. Cant' hurt?  You should be able to ask for more results, and to compare I'd want to see someone with my body type.

BTW, tbh, Dr Garramone has his share of critiques. Some people find him brusque and rude. I did not, but I did find him "like a typical surgeon". He is not all warm and fuzzy. I felt I wanted a good surgeon, and was indifferent to whether he would have a terrific bedside manner.

Well with any surgeon you have to be close enough to go to pre-ops and as many post-ops as the surgeon requires. If you are in the area, not sure how close that means. You could ask her if an hour away was close enough, but I would think so. When I went to Garramone, I stayed at New Beginnings and it was about 45 minutes away, and no problem there.

As for therapist letter, I'm sure she requires one. I would guess she practices a very strict WPATH standards thing. But if your therapist is near, she could call him if his letter did meet the specifications. Might actually be easier for him.

--Jay

Quote from: Wolfy on January 19, 2015, 12:16:50 AM
Hi! I go to a monthly meeting and I heard them talking about Dr. McGinn as one of the ladies there swears by her. I've never heard of her, and she's extremely close to where I live. So I'm seriously considering going to her than Garramone since it would be cheaper. She only seems to have 4 results, and 3 results on transbucket. They look pretty good to me. I feel like her therapist letter is a little challenging as well.

My therapist is really really old, but he is here to help me. We're on and off and usually speak to each other once or twice a year for updates. I've literally met with him a good 4-6 times. He's in contact with my school etc. He's never had any other transgender clients and I'm afraid she may reject me for my therapist. Like I said, she's extremely close and I feel as if I could definitely go to her for top surgery.  What do you guys think? Anything I should know? Some general knowledge about anything really.

I was also wondering if I had to stay in the general area. I live an hour away and my bf or my mom could drive me there and back home.

You need to compare her price ($8,000) with Garramone's price ($5,600).  Take into account travel costs and food.

Oh wait, I can do that for you!     I live near McGinn, too.  My cost to go to Garramone (flight, food, lodging at New Beginnnings), was less than $8,000 (over $7,000, though, but I didn't scrimp on food).  That includes my partner's food, but not her travel.

If you really like Garramone's work, consider him.

My understanding is that McGinn does require the "old school" WPATH letter.  Where it sounds like you may come into trouble is that the letter includes the expectation that your therapist define as a gender therapist.  I have heard of one person who had to get an additional letter/assessment due to this issue, but that for bottom surgery.  I would ask this question before any planning.  She may be ok with any therapist writing it.

If you are under 18 that may pose a problem, as well.

With all that said, it certainly would have been nice to recover at home.  I really wanted Garramone, though, so that was that.

I would suggest considering Beverly Fischer, too.  If I had stayed in the area I would have gone with her over McGinn.  I did do a consult with Fischer and was very pleased with her results.  She has a cost for her consult though (that goes towards surgery).  I really liked her as a person.  I have heard that McGinn isn't so friendly (and I think that may be with all genders).  Like Jay, that wasn't a part of my consideration.  I don't really give a crap if a surgeon is nice or not.  He is not going to be my friend.

I have never heard anything bad about McGinn's top surgery, but I have never seen any reviews on her top surgery, either.

Hi Brett!

I know she is more expensive than Garramone, but it would cost me around 10 grand all together. and then I put in the equation, I can't rent a car to drive to the place, or my bf can't rent on either. I think renting a car is very strict with persons who are 18-20. But I was always thinking my mom could put it in her name?

By the time I go for surgery I'll be 18 so that's not a problem for me at all.

I really really do like Garramone, but I don't think my boyfriend would be able to take a week or so off of work to come down with me and I'd really like someone to be with me.

I looked up Dr. Fischer a while ago, but I'll check up again. I remember someone saying that she was a very bad surgeon, I'm not exactly sure if that was true. Because I do think I liked her work. I have to see if I have family in Florida. If I do that'll be a plus. I know someone lives down there, lol!

I actually have a little poster on my wall of every cost for going to garramone. so I look at that every morning.

My friend who sees Dr McGinn for T, did not go to her for top surgery. I think he considered Dr Fisher, but his insurance wouldn't cover anybody, so he decided to go to Dr Garramone.

I didn't paid between $8000-9000 total (flight and I stayed at New Beginnings). If I had stayed for only 9 days at NBR I'm sure I would have gotten in comfortable for under $9000. So I'm not sure what's wrong with your math. If you wanted to bring a friend, you have to pay for food (but you can eat there and there is a kitchen) and flight.
If you can't bring someone, there are people there, and you might even meet some nice folks. I sure did.

I didn't drive at all there. Leland (or someone else) drove me all over. (All you need is a round trip trip to airport). I agree re: Dr Fisher over Dr McGinn for top surgery. The only big negative on Dr G is he won't do a peri. If you need a peri go elsewhere.


--Jay

Quote from: Wolfy on January 19, 2015, 10:09:37 AM
Hi Brett!

I know she is more expensive than Garramone, but it would cost me around 10 grand all together. and then I put in the equation, I can't rent a car to drive to the place, or my bf can't rent on either. I think renting a car is very strict with persons who are 18-20. But I was always thinking my mom could put it in her name?

By the time I go for surgery I'll be 18 so that's not a problem for me at all.

I really really do like Garramone, but I don't think my boyfriend would be able to take a week or so off of work to come down with me and I'd really like someone to be with me.

I looked up Dr. Fischer a while ago, but I'll check up again. I remember someone saying that she was a very bad surgeon, I'm not exactly sure if that was true. Because I do think I liked her work. I have to see if I have family in Florida. If I do that'll be a plus. I know someone lives down there, lol!

I actually have a little poster on my wall of every cost for going to garramone. so I look at that every morning.

Dr McGinn is the only surgeon that I didn't consult and I don't even know if I should because I am losing the little hope I have. I am assuming she doesn't work with insurance?  I also want to know if anybody here had their top surgery with her.
By the way, why does she not like guys? I don't expect friendliness but I just want them to work with me.

With insurance, think university hospitals. McGinn does not afaik. Not sure who you have checked but sometimes less well known is your ticket laddy.

--Jay

I talked to the receptionist and she was nice but...even her consultation schedule opens up in 2 months...She must be really booked. I need this ASAP. Also, the gender history in her intake form got me a little worried because its asking about therapy and being full time. I can get the letters but I am actually not attending therapy(anymore) and I am not binary so I don't know if this will cause me issues with her. I never met her in person but she is the only one who I didn't consult in my area.