3 weeks ago I submitted all of my documentation for GCS with Brassard/Belanger in Montreal.  From those who have worked with them, what was your experience with them getting back to you initially for confirmation/scheduling (or denial)?  As it comes up on a month, it just seems like this is taking an arbitrarily long time... but that may be my impatience talking.

It is possible you slipped through the cracks - I believe I heard back within the week. Unfortunately, their front-desk person is sometimes... disorganized. (She temporarily lost track of my first payment, although she did find it as soon as I reminded her that I *had* paid.)

Called yesterday, but didn't get very far.  Reconfirmed that my file was still (supposedly) with Dr. Belanger and they should be in contact Soon^TM.

The waiting is getting interminable, and that date is excruciatingly important.  Right now, too many other things are dependent on getting that settled.

Hi, Angel!  Did they figure this out for you?  I'm interested in using Dr. Brassard myself, and I'm sponging up all information that I can about experiences with him. lol  Do you mind if I ask why you chose Brassard?  Have you seen any result pictures(seem to be hard to find)?  I don't mean to threadjack you.

Result might be different from patient to patient. I can only say from my personal experience, went to Brassard back in Nov 14 and so far my girlfriends all says that mine looked really good and I am happy with that.

Sent from my SM-N910W8

Cadence Jean: Yes, they did figure it out, as I'm sure you saw in my other thread: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,187711.0.html

As far as pictures, yes, I think I did see pictures once upon a time, but I couldn't tell you where.  Regardless, jfong is right, post-operative appearance is highly individual.  The general consensus seems to be that the Montreal team provides very good aesthetics, but ymmv.

As to why I chose Brassard and Belanger?  Well, my short list was originally just one name long.  Marci Bowers.  As a native Colorado girl, I was dedicated to seeing the hometown hero, as it were.  But then she moved her practice to San Francisco (interesting note: there are still some office staff for her in Trinidad).

After that, I really had to expand my search.  Since I am paying out of pocket, I could choose anyone, anywhere.  I agonized for a long time, weighing things like having Kaiser/my employer pick up the tab and use Meltzer, and martial law in Thailand (which only "ended" a few weeks ago).   In the end, I really just didn't want to leave North America.  Other major factors were genital electrolysis (opinions vary a LOT on that) and wait times.

So when it came time to start interviewing doctors, there were 3 left on my list:  Brassard/Belanger obviously, Bowers (because I just couldn't let go), Kathy Rumer in Philadelphia  (Did you know there are at least 3 different surgeons/surgery centers in Philly?  Crazy!).  Bowers' wait time ultimately was the deciding factor against her (18 months).  I started having second thoughts about Rumer after reading a particularly heartbreaking account from a patient that saw her over the summer.  Though I couldn't authenticate the story, it planted the seeds of doubt.  By that time, I'd already done the math for USD to CAD, and it just made the most sense.  Cheaper, faster, and with one of the most sought out teams in the world?  And aftercare: EVERY patient I've heard about has many good things to say about L'Asclepiade.  What at first was an agonizing decision, turned out to be really easy.

I suppose I should also mention that my priorities are sensation and appearance.  As a lesbian, depth is almost a non-issue to me.

The wait time for file review/scheduling was unexpected.  Had it been much longer, I was seriously going to start looking at other options.

Angela

Thank you for your account, Angel!  Depth isn't a factor for me either - form and function are more important to me.  I'll keep this in mind.   I might have to go with Rumer, however, since she accepts Care Credit, which makes up a chunk of the funds that I have to put toward this.

As another person said maybe you slipped through the cracks. Should take less than a month. Call and see whats up

Nicole: I actually received an electronic version of my confirmation letter today.  Suzanne moved up her usual timeline for sending it so I could pay sooner rather than later.  Hopefully I will have the hardcopy sometime this week.