I had RFF Phalloplasty with Loren Schechter on 5/31/16. I expected a great experience coming to someone who is so highly regarded in the WPATH community. I have been deeply disappointed, and unable to get Schechter or his urologist to care. There has been zero communication on Schechter's part during the entire process, and zero accountability from him and his office as well.

Highlights from my experience:

• nursing staff from Weiss repeatedly misgendering me
• patient care staff from Weiss commenting and telling me I shouldn't take pain meds
• nursing staff from Weiss talking about my junk, and how "they saw the biggest Schechter penis ever," and giggling about it outside of another patient room who happened to be trans and found me on the floor and told me
• Schechter nor his team never even talking to me after surgery to tell me why I had a skin graft from my leg on the underside of my penis, nor talking to me after surgery at all, period to explain what happened and what to expect
• Schechter's urologist, Kocjancic, calling me a drug addict in front of the CMO of UIC
• Kocjancic and Schechter not addressing urinary issues when I reported them, and Kocjancic telling me that "i'm not a urologist, so i wouldn't know" when I told him that i didn't believe that my urethral stricture (self diagnosed, because he can't be bothered to address it) will not get worse in 3.5 weeks
• Schechter not telling me, nor even asking me, if I could do another surgery after my skin graft - I showed up for my June 28 skin graft having consented to the graft, and also a cysto and SP cath change, which he didn't tell me until about 2 minutes before going to the OR that he was going to do the latter two 2 weeks from then, but not having even remotely addressed this with me, thus keeping me in chicago for another 2-3 weeks

I am now going to drive to Syracuse, NY, to have surgery next week with Dmitry Nikolovsky, who has fixed several of my friends, and has confirmed over the phone (of course he will need to confirm with diagnostics) that i have a urethral stricture, just as I knew. Now, I will need a buccal mucosa graft, when I could have had a simple in-office dilation had Schechter or Kocjancic actually given a flip and dilated it almost 4 weeks ago when i reported it.

I've tried to address these issues with Schechter, and he just doesn't (seem to)care, and has not even remotely expressed any remorse that he's sorry I've had a bad experience. From my perspective, he's got his check for the big surgery, so he's good to go and take the next patient.

Can't even tell you how disappointed and disgusted I am. This isn't even the whole experience, just the highlights.

PS: I'm new, so if anything I have posted is not allowed, please do let me know. Thanks, and sorry in advance if I violated any posting rules, feel free to remove if so. <3

Cheers,
Rhys

Moderator's Edit: I have edited out a line and adjusted another in bold. However hurtful it is, they are your opinions and we do not allow speculative bashing. A well though out factual review with defined personal opinions are fine and useful.

Rhys,

Welcome to the site.

I am so sorry you had such a bad experience. I am a moderator and there are a line or two that I am having some other moderators look at that may need either an adjustment or to be trimmed. It mostly has to do with our Terms of Service number 10 that looks like this:

Quote10. Bashing or flaming of an individual or group is not acceptable behavior on this website and will not be tolerated in the slightest for any reason.  This includes but is not limited to:

    Advocating the separation or exclusion of one or more group from under the Transgender umbrella term. The same restriction applies to advocating the removal of the T from GLBT.
    Suggesting or claiming that one segment or sub-segment of our community is more or less legitimate, deserving, or real than any others
    Posting any messages that engages in personal attacks and/or is actively or passively aggressive no matter the provocation.

A truthful fact filled review is helpful and desired here. It is only when we start presenting personal views as absolute truth were we get on shaky ground.

I know as a new member you have not had a chance to read our rules yet.

So, I am going to share some links with you. They are mostly welcome information and the rules that govern the site. If you have not had a chance to look through them, please take a moment:

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

Once again, welcome to Susan's. Look around, ask questions and join in.

With warmth,

Joanna

Hey buddy,

I'm glad you're talking about this here. There are very few post-op guys on the board, and I think your story is an important one. I've obviously had a lot of my own issues with Dr. Schechter's office, but speaking to you about your experience 100% made up my mind about not going to Chicago for surgery.

I hope Nikolovsky is about to get you fixed up and peeing again in no time!

Rhys,

Sorry to hear of your bad experience.  I hope you get it straightened out quickly and painlessly.

Just wanted to agree. My experience was bad and after 1 year, I regret choosing him as my surgeon. I've had a year of non-stop surgeries trying to correct issues. The size of the phalloplasty is also extremely off from what he said - so much that I may not be a candidate for the erectile pump. I've found a different surgeon who managed to stabilize the issues. I'm honestly considering a complete and total revision.