Hello everyone,

I have just received my Surgical Recommendation Appointment for Genital Reconstructive Surgery, which is the phrasing that the Centre for Transgender Health use. The two meetings with doctors are in October.

It feels like a significant moment in my journey.

If they say 'yes' does anyone know how long it takes from their stamp of approval to meeting the surgeon and into surgery?

And if I have a choice, where is best in the UK to go? I was previously thinking Brighton Nuffield but I believe there's a very good female Dr in London now?

Any thoughts very gratefully received.

xx

I don't remember the wait between approval and the consultation with the surgeon, but once my wife had her consultation it was five weeks until her surgery date. (Parkside, London)

I hope this helps. 

Thanks Devlyn. Wow that's quick from the surgical consultation to the Op!

This is exciting.

I just hope the Drs approve me. It has been a long haul. And I understand the need for careful protocols but it still does feel rather 'gatekeepery.'

Anyway, no grumpiness from me. I have my fingers crossed.

xx

Yeah, once you clear the GIC the process speeds right up.

Congratulations.

Quote from: Tills on August 22, 2024, 11:36:45 PMIf they say 'yes' does anyone know how long it takes from their stamp of approval to meeting the surgeon and into surgery?

And if I have a choice, where is best in the UK to go? I was previously thinking Brighton Nuffield but I believe there's a very good female Dr in London now?

Congrats
And I had my appointment with Dr Bellringer late October, surgery scheduled for Valentines day, just a little over 4 months away in 2022.. I met Dr Rashid at the time (the female surgeon) and she is very nice and seems competent. She was trained by Dr Bellringer so their techniques are similar - but, as he did my surgery and I am over the moon with it in form and functionality, I could not do anything but highly recommend Dr Bellringer if you get a choice. Parkgate is a lovely hospital and the food is amazing!

Oh thanks so much Sarah. I didn't realise Dr James Bellringer has moved from Brighton to London. Parkside Nuffield in Wimbledon, right? So he now works alongside Dr Tina Rashid there?

That's a really helpful bit of news and recommendation as I have close friends and a relative-in-the-know nearby

Thank you

xx

Quote from: Tills on August 29, 2024, 01:13:42 AMOh thanks so much Sarah. I didn't realise Dr James Bellringer has moved from Brighton to London. Parkside Nuffield in Wimbledon, right? So he now works alongside Dr Tina Rashid there?

That's a really helpful bit of news and recommendation as I have close friends and a relative-in-the-know nearby

Thank you

xx

Yeah Bellringer has been in Wimbledon for a number of years now, they have a clinic in Putney (where I think the NHS patients get their first meeting at - if you go there, then ask for parking info from me, there is a great place to park that I know).. The Parkgate hospital is in Wimbledon and is really nice. Stay is 7 nights and the staff are amazing. Bellringer has done hundreds of surgeries in his 20 plus years and comes across as a really competent and skilled man. He trained Tina Rashid up about 5 or 6? years ago - I know she was still operating out of Parkgate when I went for surgery in '21 and had been operating on her own for about 12 or 18 months before that. If I remember correct it used to be Dr Thomas in Brighton, but I think he retired and some other doctors took over his role Dr Coker? I think who worked with Thomas and another 2 if I remember correct?. Anyway, I can only reccomend what I know and Parkgate was better than I could of hoped and that seems to be the feedback from others that I know went there too.. Hope that helps and good luck with everything. 

Tp avoid any confusion for anyone who comes to this thread in the weeks, months, or years ahead the hospital in Wimbledon, London is called Parkside Hospital. This is where Dr James Bellringer now exclusively works and you can see the rest of the gender specialist team on the second link below:

https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/parkside

https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/parkside/gender-identity-service-at-parkside-hospital

https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/mr-james-bellringer

Hi ladies,

The first appointment has gone well. It lasted 90 minutes. Second one is to come soon.

I'll keep you posted and I don't want to presume on anything but if I am recommended then it's onto the waiting list at Parkside: thank you @SoupSarah  for that recommendation which really helped me decide. I have a good friend who lives just down the road and, indeed, my brother is nearby too.

The other thing is that I have decided on the vulvoplasty rather than creation of a full depth vaginal cavity. That's my choice and an informed one. After a lot of consideration I know it's right for me.

I really appreciate this forum and all the input, even if occasionally sometimes it appears someone challenges your previous assumptions. It's how we grow. I really hope the forum thrives again in the way it used to. And I love the relaxed vibe that is so evident now. Truly an oasis in a world which at times feels anything but relaxed.

You're wonderful.

xxx

Glad to hear that your appointment went well. The only people who should have any input into your surgical decisions are you and your surgeon, you know what's right for you! I hope the wait isn't too long, but just knowing you're on the list can be a wonderful feeling. I hope the time passes quickly.

Love always -- Jess

Hi everyone,

Well the appointments went well, I think! At least that's the verbal assurance but I won't be confident until they send me the letter. Looking good though.

I've requested Parkside, Wimbledon, UK but didn't express a preference between Drs Bellingham or Rashid.

The waiting list is now 12-18 months which sucks. Apparently that's since covid. You had yours really quickly @SoupSarah ?

It made me wonder if I'd requested Nuffield Brighton if things might have happened more quickly (anyone know?) but Wimbledon was slightly preferable to me in terms of pre and post op care.

Anyway, it looks like the waiting game now begins but I'm grateful that it looks as if I'm at least on the system. And it's a chance to fine tune my BMI 

Sounds like you've survived the dreadful 'choose and book' system then! What great news. You're happy with your choices and time will pass quicker than you think. With any luck someone will cancel, so if you tell them you are up for short notice, who knows, you might sneak in earlier?

Quote from: TanyaG on October 17, 2024, 07:22:13 AMSounds like you've survived the dreadful 'choose and book' system then! What great news. You're happy with your choices and time will pass quicker than you think. With any luck someone will cancel, so if you tell them you are up for short notice, who knows, you might sneak in earlier?

Yes I wondered that too Tanya.

Although, erm, then there'd be that thorny issue of the 6 week estrogen withdrawal 

xx

Quote from: Tills on October 16, 2024, 11:31:22 PMThe waiting list is now 12-18 months which sucks. Apparently that's since covid. You had yours really quickly @SoupSarah ?

A couple of things may of influenced my October meeting to my February surgery timeline (4 months wait).  First, It was just past the peak of covid recovery - Oct 21, Feb 22. I also was a private patient, not NHS, and paid a huge sum of money and finally, I had an experimental procedure done due to my biology that could (and has) led the way to better surgeries for everyone.

Then there is this - it is a procedure. It doesn't change anything about your life really, it is just a way to remove the horrible GD stuff.. and heck, you have lived with that for your whole life so what's a year or so more??.. I know it sounds like a long time, but conversely think what you were doing this time 12 months ago and you will probably realise a year goes quite quick. You also need to plan and make sure you have a good 6 weeks recovery. Minimal work, movement and the like. Someone to be around if you need them, that sort of thing.. and so, this gives you time to get that sorted.. I also think, if the surgeon and the surgery are the right ones for you then it is well worth waiting for. I have such high regard for Dr B that I would of waited as long as needed to have him be my surgeon. A fact that has born fruit in the results he achieved for me.. They are simply marvellous. Even with it being an experimental procedure, I was confident in him. I daily, now, have GE (gender euphoria) and I thank my surgeon in my head each time.

Quote from: SoupSarah on October 17, 2024, 01:30:46 PMA couple of things may of influenced my October meeting to my February surgery timeline (4 months wait).  First, It was just past the peak of covid recovery - Oct 21, Feb 22. I also was a private patient, not NHS, and paid a huge sum of money and finally, I had an experimental procedure done due to my biology that could (and has) led the way to better surgeries for everyone.

Then there is this - it is a procedure. It doesn't change anything about your life really, it is just a way to remove the horrible GD stuff.. and heck, you have lived with that for your whole life so what's a year or so more??.. I know it sounds like a long time, but conversely think what you were doing this time 12 months ago and you will probably realise a year goes quite quick. You also need to plan and make sure you have a good 6 weeks recovery. Minimal work, movement and the like. Someone to be around if you need them, that sort of thing.. and so, this gives you time to get that sorted.. I also think, if the surgeon and the surgery are the right ones for you then it is well worth waiting for. I have such high regard for Dr B that I would of waited as long as needed to have him be my surgeon. A fact that has born fruit in the results he achieved for me.. They are simply marvellous. Even with it being an experimental procedure, I was confident in him. I daily, now, have GE (gender euphoria) and I thank my surgeon in my head each time.

Great post Sarah which feels spot on in every respect. Thank you for this. And I did look up the other day about the private cost. Wow. Eye-watering. But so worth it. I'm so pleased for you that it has worked out so wonderfully and also that you have pioneered for others.

I shared the news yesterday with the person who will be my main carer pre and post hospital. She lives just down the A3 from the hospital. She was great about it all. Really supportive.

Apart from her and my psychotherapist, who had written a supportive letter to the GiC, I'm not currently mindful to tell anyone else. I've learned my lesson from the past and getting my fingers burnt when I told all and sundry about transition, partly under the then GiC guidance on what RLE meant. It's really no-one else's business what goes on down below.

xx

Well I've now received my Surgical Reassignment affirming letter from the Centre for Transgender Health. It took quite a time to arrive but the letter is so supportive, rigorous, and caring. It's really impressive and thorough.

So the letter now goes to the GDNRSS team and then on to Parkside Hospital, Wimbledon, London who will call me in to see them.

I guess from there it's onto the waiting list which I recognise may take a while but I'm very grateful.

xx