Hi everyone,

I'm working on getting MTF SRS, and I have some questions. Right now, my main questions center around the techniques used by North American surgeons. I have read posts that say that all of the North American surgeons use roughly the same technique, and some posts which suggest that there are differences in technique from surgeon to surgeon. The main surgeons I am aware of now are Dr. Bowers, Dr. McGinn, Dr. Brassard, Dr. Crane, and Dr. Mayer. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if there are differences in technique between these surgeons, and if so, what they are. I'm trying to narrow down my choices.

I'm also interested in the aesthetic preferences of each surgeon, if there is any relevant information about what recovery is like with any of those surgeons (for example, whether they offer accommodations or any special care during recovery), and how far out each surgeon is currently booking.

If anyone can help, I would appreciate it.

I don't really think there are very many differences between the surgeon's techniques in North America. I have heard they prefer the inverted penile technique. I don't know exactly what that entails, sorry.

I believe Dr. McGinn was trained by Dr. Bowers I believe so there won't be many differences between the two.

I can't comment on all the medical after care among the surgeons as that won't be fair of me but I also didn't do a lot of research on that once I had a prospective surgeon in mind. A lady at work had Dr. Brassard do her surgery and she developed an infection but that can happen to any surgeon. Apparently there was also a language problem as some of the nurses pretended not to speak English. Fortunately my friend is bi-lingual but it was a bit harder for those who weren't but the care was good.

Dr. McGinn did my surgery as I said and I selected her based upon my research into her medical skills and records and I am very pleased with the physical results. I stayed in her B&B afterward and had someone with me to assist. Dr. McGinn prefers you have someone with you. If you don't have someone, I think they can find someone to help you. Even if they just make you a cup of tea is worth it as after you won't be too active for a while immediately after surgery. Diana her house manager was really a great help as I wasn't very mobile after surgery and my friend wasn't either after having her 2000 pound Percheron horse stomp on her foot! She still got around better than me though!

The office visits are thorough and not rushed and the staff are top notch and friendly and really do care about you even to the point of having you let them know you got home safely after each visit. If you have a problem after the surgery during your stay in New Hope, or at any other time I imagine, you have a telephone number you can call anytime. I had a minor problem which I thought was more serious and Dr. McGinn saw me on the Saturday in her office and put all my fears to rest. She said she would rather attend to nothing than have a patient not call when it was something she should have known.

Dr. McGinn doesn't seem to do "assembly line" surgery. It's more of a boutique type as opposed to just numbers. Either way, I'm happy with the final results and you should be too with whatever surgeon you select.

When I booked my surgery last year, we did a consultation by telephone rather than having drive the 400 miles one way to her office and the lead time was 6 months. For an accurate time, you should contact her office but I think that with the increase in people opting for SRS, it may be longer for a wait time, but I can't say with authority.

As for costs, I would say she is competitive but her fee isn't as expensive as it first seems. In that fee is the charges for the hospital and the anesthesiology.

My stay at Lower Bucks was great. My nurses were attentive and pleasant and we were well treated. They even had an option for my friend to stay in the room with me and they also fed her too! Mind you, for the first few days it's ice chips then lighter fare to make sure everything is working again but I was given a good report on the food from my friend.

If I had to do it again, I'd still have Dr. McGinn do the work and I feel very privileged to have her accept me as a patient. It was decision I don't regret making.

I hope this helps you with your choice and you missed Dr. Metzger (check spelling?) out of Arizona.

I wish you the very best with your choice of surgeon and surgery if you choose.

Love,
Clare

Dr. Metzger (check spelling?) out of Arizona.

Dr. Meltzer.. he does a two stage vaginoplasty... meaning there is if people want to a second surgery months later for finer details...

You could have a look here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,197530.msg1756893.html#msg1756893

and here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,190515.msg1697107.html#msg1697107


hugs

Hi Shadow Charms,

      You might also want to add Dr.Satterwhite to that list. He trained with Dr. Crane. He's been in the operating room with Dr. Crane, Bowers, and Reed (Miami). On the Brownstein Crane website some of best results are his. I've seen a few others and they're great as well. As for the differences, I think some of the other girls on the forum might have a better answer although I think if you're circumcised, the North American surgeons' techniques might be possibly better, but don't quote me on that. Suporn uses part of the foreskin to hood the clitoris, while the ones in North America use more mucosal urethral tissue. Either way,it'll look great I think. Suporn results do look incredible I'll admit, especially because he hides the scars in various skin folds and creases. Recently though Dr. Bowers and Dr. Satterwhite have been doing the same, putting the incisions all the way to the sides, hidden by the thigh crease (see recent Dr. Bowers results on her site. She's got over a two year wait list though).

-Ruby