I would like to get GRS as soon as possible for several reasons.

• My spouse and I are planning on additional children in the next couple years, and I would prefer to be recovered by the time the next one comes along.
• I am concerned about negative side effects from using anti-androgens.
• I am anxious to receive the anticipated mental health benefits from surgery.

I am very early in my transition, and will not meet the WPATH clinical surgical guidelines until August 2017.  Ideally, I would not get surgery much later than this point.  Although I can afford and would prefer to use a top surgeon, my understanding is that these surgeons have extended waiting lists. 

I have several questions:

• Will surgeons place me on their wait lists prior to me meeting WPATH guidelines, so long as I am expected to meet the guidelines prior to my surgery date?
• If I wanted a top-tier surgeon (i.e. Bowers, Brassard, Meltzer) what is the earliest data I could likely receive surgery (assuming I do not meet WPATH guidelines until August 2017)?
• If I absolutely needed to get surgery between September 2017 and December 2017, who would likely be the best surgeon I would likely be able to use?
• Have people had successful experiences using non-top tier surgeons?
• Other than on the surgeon's website, is there a place where people share pictures of GRS results?

If you can answer any of these questions, I would be very appreciative.  Thank you so much!!![/list]

I'm afraid the only answer I know is Brassard; for a friend of mine who just went last month, the wait list was about 4-5 months when she contacted him. (She's private-pay and from the US, in case that makes a difference.)

I believe Bowers wait list is close to 3 years now and Suporn is March 2018. You can find a few photographic results if you search enough, but it's against the rules to post links here. You can get less than 1 years RLE with some surgeons, but you've also got the wait list to contend with.

Quote from: ashadyna on September 28, 2016, 04:58:26 PM
Will surgeons place me on their wait lists prior to me meeting WPATH guidelines, so long as I am expected to meet the guidelines prior to my surgery date?

I would be interested in knowing this, too, especially with reference to Dr. Brassard, who is my only option.

I am planning to go full-time in spring of 2017, so my one year of RLE will be up in spring 2018.  Does that mean I have to wait until spring 2018 to apply to get on Brassard's waiting list, or can I apply in late 2017, assuming that his 4-5 month waiting list will put my surgery date after I have been full-time for a year?

I will be getting my surgery 10 months into RLE, it doesn't seem to be that much of a requirement any more. I was also able to schedule the surgery without having my mental health letters complete, just needed to have them in before the surgery.

I forgot to thank everyone for the responses!  In particular, thanks to SorchaC for the detailed personal message.

Quote from: ashadyna on October 05, 2016, 03:17:56 PM

I forgot to thank everyone for the responses!  In particular, thanks to SorchaC for the detailed personal message.

Anytime

Hugs

Sorcha 

Brassard list is maybe shorter but he wont schedule anything before you meet full criterias . 12 month hrt and 12 month RLE is required before you can have pré-op appointment. So add 4-5 month after you meet criterias.


There is many surgeon in USA ( like 18 !??) and there is thailand. Do proper research

Quote from: AnonyMs on September 28, 2016, 09:09:28 PM
I believe Bowers wait list is close to 3 years now and Suporn is March 2018. You can find a few photographic results if you search enough, but it's against the rules to post links here. You can get less than 1 years RLE with some surgeons, but you've also got the wait list to contend with.

Marci was at Southern Comfort Conference last week and dropped in to the Veterans Reception to say hello.  Her waiting list was mentioned and yes, it's right at three years.

For my insurance to pay for GCS (and BA) I need 1 year RLE and HRT also Dr. McGinn requires 1 year RLE and HRT as per WPATH 7. I had a consultation prior to coming out and expressing. The Monday after coming out (Friday) I went on Dr. McGinn's list for 1 year 2 days from coming out and sent in my deposit.  For my consult I needed a letter from my therapist. After I scheduled my GCS I got two full letters. One from my therapist and one from my PCP and 2nd LCSW.

From what I was told in July, Dr. McGinn now has a 10 month consult waiting list and 4 month wait for GCS.

Quote from: archlord on October 05, 2016, 05:25:02 PM
Brassard list is maybe shorter but he wont schedule anything before you meet full criterias . 12 month hrt and 12 month RLE is required before you can have pré-op appointment. So add 4-5 month after you meet criterias.


There is many surgeon in USA ( like 18 !??) and there is thailand. Do proper research

For most Canadians, Brassaard is the only surgeon that our health care system will pay for.  My insurance (my wife's, actually) will not cover GRS, so the public system (i.e. Brassard) is the only option.

Thanks for the info on his requirements.

Brassard may be more flexible than his policies suggest; his office told me that I had to meet the full criteria *by the time the preparation packet was sent and the first payment was made.* However, that was several months after they were happy to give me a date. So, in theory, I could have scheduled around month 6 or 7 of RLE, as long as the date itself was after month 12 and I had the paperwork in hand by the time they needed it. I also had my "pre-op appointment" the morning of the surgery. I think he may also be more flexible for people coming from farther away and/or paying for it themselves.

(I was a little surprised, actually; I had everything lined up, letters and all, and then they didn't ask for it for a few more months.)

If you are paying cash and not going through insurance your wait times are much less. There are some doctors who are very good who do not take insurance and they have some very short wait times. I paid cash and my wait time was only dictated by the time I needed to get electrolysis down there completed.