I've done a lot of preliminary research on how its done in general. I'm just not sure what I should be looking for in a doctor. I have absolutely no interest in leaving the country. I like the idea of having someone that's been through this as well.
I believe that means my choices are:
Bowers
McGinn

I've heard a lot of things about Bowers lately that I liked. I heard she volunteers her time to help with FGM patients and that while most people say its impossible to get normal feelings afterword, that most of her patients do regain normal feeling. I've heard that she recycles more tissue than most of the surgeons. I've heard that the results end up with a decent amount of lubrication. I'm aware the waiting list for Bowers is quite long and that isn't a problem because I'm not sure I'm financially ready anyway.

I'm afraid I don't know much about McGinn. I know she was an astronaut but I don't believe I should see that as relevant. I know she was able to be her children's biological father since she had a sample frozen beforehand. Again not really relevant.

I've seen both of them talk about their stories and related to both of them.

I would appreciate any help anyone could give me. I would like to at least make my choice this year even if I can't make a date for it (although I certainly would if money wasn't an issue).

Meet or talk with both of them. They're the top two surgeons in the world by far - but ignore the mystique people make about them or their stories. They're both people the same as you an I. Trust your gut and go the direction that you feel is right.

I haven't heard anyone tell me stories about them. I've heard them tell me stories. I saw bowers on a post in huffingtonpost. I saw McGinn tell hers in a movie called Trans.

I think that they are both world class doctors, with similar techniques.The good thing is that Dr Bowers takes insurance which reduces the cost... If you have insurance that try to contact Dr Bowers office.

I do but I don't know if its covered. I did contact them i'll bring that up when I get a response.

I think you better contact Dr Bower's office as they are experienced with dealing with insurance companies. On your own they may give you hard time. I wish you best of luck

I meant I'd contact the respective offices and ask them about it. I contacted my insurance once and they had no idea if it was covered.

So I shot them both an email. Dr. McGinn's office responded by inviting me to call them. There is nothing more inconvenient than phone calls IMO. So I left work early (keeping in mind I'm in Central time) and called them and I just missed them. The lady that answered the phone says I need to call between 9-5 (I called at 3:45 which is 4:45) M-F. This is exactly why I wanted to use email. Its hard for me to call them between 9-5 M-F because I'm at work myself.

I haven't receive a reply from Dr. Bowers office yet. Considering its earlier there, if I call them now I should get them. I guess I'll do that then.

So frustrating!

No one even answered the phone at Dr. Bowers office. What's even more interesting is the machine mentions their plans for around Christmas. That was 5 months ago and they didn't change it (unless it was a different year)? They didn't say anything about their hours in the message. Maybe they close Friday? I have no way of knowing that.

I noticed Dr. McGinn's website also had out of date information. The website says 2010 all over the place. There is a recovery house coming in 2012 (which is open now). You would think someone could update things things.

Quote from: awilliams1701 on May 01, 2015, 03:54:43 PMYou would think someone could update things things.

Both of them have extremely busy practices. This is nit picking.

True. After all they are still the two I'm interested in.

I've been looking at both of them and I got the impression that Dr. Bowers isn't really doing it any more but like I said that's just an impression I got from looking around the web I never saw anything that said "I'm not doing it anymore!"... Dr. McGinn on the other hand has a lot more information out there about her services but like you say its old but I didn't give that a lot of concern as I know for most small businesses (which she is one) are happy just to have a working website that puts out their information and don't put much money into updates beyond that.  I was impressed by McGinn's before and after pictures as she seems to produce realistic results (which is important to me) and I've heard that she has a recovery facility above her office (I'm not sure if this is accurate) which in some ways would be very cool.  Regardless both seem like a good choice but for me it will come down to who's still in business when I get there and how much they cost.

No one of our members just had hers recently at Dr. Bowers. There was a doctor on staff that isn't involved anymore, but Dr. Bowers is still doing it.

From what I've heard it sounds like it basically going to look the same no matter which doctor I got with as they both use the same techniques. One person was claiming that Dr. Bowers might take my insurance while McGinn doesn't, but I swear I saw something about insurance on her site.

It might come down to location. If I go to California, one of my sisters will probably visit me. If I go to Pennsylvania, it would probably only be my parents who would be there either way. On the other hand I could drive to Pennsylvania, but I would have to fly to California.

Quote from: awilliams1701 on May 02, 2015, 05:59:16 PM
No one of our members just had hers recently at Dr. Bowers. There was a doctor on staff that isn't involved anymore, but Dr. Bowers is still doing it.

Someone did recently, last month with a few videos about the process. If you'd like to know details, I'm flying out there in about a week, with surgery in roughly 10 days. Would be happy to answer you anything. Insurance covered about 75% of mine with her, for what it's worth.

The doctor on staff is Dr. Nicole, went to start her own practice, as I understand it.

Quote from: Blush on April 30, 2015, 04:24:18 PM
They're the top two surgeons in the world by far

That's a bold statement, and highly debatable, but Dr. Bowers is on my list.

Part of it is I'm not entirely sure what to ask. I think a big part of it is going to be what will either of them cost me and what will the waiting and recovery areas going to be like and how far are they from the place where the operation takes place. I'm not sure what else to ask. I think I know quite a bit about the process already. I'd do it tomorrow if it was possible and money wasn't an issue. I can barely afford $6000 today if that's what it costs, but there is no way I could afford $20000+ right now.

Quote from: awilliams1701 on May 02, 2015, 10:12:39 PM
Part of it is I'm not entirely sure what to ask.

Be practical ask about cost first (surgeon, anesthesia, and facility fees) what kind of recovery area will they have and how long can you stay there... what kind of supplies will you need to bring with you (drugs, clothes, etc.) once you are well enough to leave the recovery area will you need to get a place to stay locally (what's close by that they recommend) how many days after the surgery will they have the final follow up with you (to remove stitches and so on) and ask if the office staff will assist you with submitting insurance paperwork (even if the insurance company says it wont submit anyway as they may cover some of the costs).

then ask about the surgery itself (how long will it take, how many stages of recovery will there be, what's the recovery time, etc...) specifically ask about complications that may occur and what you can do it help mitigate them.  also I suggest asking about the possibility of getting a revision from them if there is a physical (not esthetic) problem (some doctors will do this for free but you will have to pay the operating room and anesthesia costs).

then ask about scheduling

Thanks That's helpful. I'm not sure I'm ready for scheduling yet, but hopefully soon. Cost is going to be a big part of that.