Okay, so I haven't even started my RLE.  However I feel that I need to get some information under my belt for when I do choose to get the surgery.
I've been finding cheap SRS surgeries (MTF) around $5000 total for the procedure and flight cost in Thailand.
However I'm not sure why it's cheaper there? Is the quality bad? What sort of laws do they have for performing this procedure for Trans-folk?
I haven't found many places in the U.S. that offer SRS surgery.  The ones that do cost around $10000-$15000.

I've also seen pictures of those in Thailand vs. U.S. doctors and Thailand repeatedly has had several extremely successful surgeries.

If it's worth it, I'd love to get it done in Thailand and spend some vacation time there while I'm at it.  I've never been out of the country before and thought it would be a great opportunity.

I'm looking for some insight from you gals that have had the procedure done.
Any suggestions for me?

I went to Dr McGinn.  Extremely pleased with the results and care I received.  Many very successful surgeries are performed right here in the states, not sure why you are saying there aren't any done here.

No I just said there weren't as many offering SRS in the states compared to Thailand, etc.
That's why I'm looking for advice and potentially websites of the doctors and cost of the surgery.

I doubt you will find any of the reputable Thai surgeons performing SRS surgery for $5000, or actually less as you mention $5000 including flight cost.  I personally paid $11500 US for my surgery inThailand plus airfares and accomodation.  I know of one who is more expensive and several who are around the $10000 but all have good reputations and surgery techniques.  I would be vary wary of anyone charging $5000 or less.

Was I happy with my result, extremely and yes Thailand is a great place to recuperate however travelling overseas for surgery is not for everyone.  Keep in mind you are a longway from home should there be complications and you may be on your own if you can't get anyone to go with you.

Do your research,

Surgeons here in the states:

Dr McGinn - New Hope, PA
Dr Leis - Philadelphia, PA
Dr Bowers - San Mateo, CA
Dr Reed - Miami, FL
Dr Meltzer - Phoenix, AZ

And then some I am sure.  Plenty of options for you, that is if you wanted to have it done here.

Dr. Brassard in Montreal.

Wherever you go, go easy on your expectations of post-operative vacationing.
Your primary job is to recuperate, that also takes quite a bit of time.
Between dilating and resting you may not have as much time as you think.

Dr. Nguyen in Portland, Oregon.

I would remind you of a couple of things when contemplating your surgery:

1) You get what you pay for.  You can do it less expensively, there are also some surgeons in Mexico as well.  However, can you be assured of having a quality result?  I would do a LOT of investigation prior to selecting one of the lower cost surgeons.

2) You only have one chance to do this.  Once the surgery is done there is very little that can be done to correct any major problems.  Most surgeons will do a correction if needed, but in many cases you will have the additional expense of another surgery.

And to make things even more complex, every surgeon will have their supporters and their detractors.  Every surgery and recovery and result will be different.

-Sandy

Quote from: Renate on April 22, 2011, 05:31:52 AM
Wherever you go, go easy on your expectations of post-operative vacationing.
Your primary job is to recuperate, that also takes quite a bit of time.
Between dilating and resting you may not have as much time as you think.

Yup agree

After surgery it's hard to even feel like getting out for a bit. I went out to dinner with my wife and friend the night before discharge and it took a LOT out of me.

Quote from: Valeriedances on April 22, 2011, 02:09:08 PM
You might be able to fit in a bit of vacation before surgery, but it can be hard to relax and focus on it. I remember I didnt want to do anything prior, I was paranoid something might happen to keep me from surgery.

What I remember most was buying some real cool shoes that I still wear at least once a week, and having a wonderful lunch at a restaurant in Montreal with my dearest friend in life.

We had a few great meals in Motreal

when I had my surgery with Dr. McGinn, I rented an apartment in Philadelphia and stayed for 5 months!  Good thing I did- I had some complications after surgery through no fault of the surgeon that required multiple visits to her office for the first month, tapering off to weekly, semi-weekly, then monthly for the last 2.  I might not have actually needed all of those, but since I lived only 45 minutes away it was very convenient and she was happy to keep tabs on my progress while I was so close.  Also I had her emergency number and was able to contact her at any time I had a problem.  An added benefit was that every single post-surgical follow up visit only cost me the fuel to drive to the office, the rest was absolutely free.

It all worked out fine in the end, and I'm very pleased with all aspects of my results.  The surgery itself at that time cost me $17000, But that's still less than the cost of a decent used car, and I hate to think what would have happened if I had flown to Thailand and then had those complications- It might have ended up being a very expensive venture indeed.

Quote from: FairyGirl on April 22, 2011, 07:28:49 PM
It all worked out fine in the end, and I'm very pleased with all aspects of my results.  The surgery itself at that time cost me $17000, But that's still less than the cost of a decent used car, and I hate to think what would have happened if I had flown to Thailand and then had those complications- It might have ended up being a very expensive venture indeed.

That's one thing my therapist asked - what if you have complications?  I had my surgery in Montreal by Dr Brassard and Dr Belanger

Teresa

I intend to have my surgery with the doctor I feel is the best, regardless of location, regardless of price. Unless I chance to come across a large pile of cash in the next couple years, the cost will be beyond my means and I will likely pay for most of it with debt, but I won't regret it. It's more important to me to know I did everything I could to have satisfactory results.

Yeah I'd say be careful. I've heard of $10000 or $15000, maybe less...in Thailand (like Suporn) but as cheap as $5000, I'd probably just make sure you check on their results...talk to other patients who have had that surgeon, etc.

cheapest srs seen in the bangkok post 2 years ago: 1650 usd

current fee:
dr suporn 540000 thb (thai baht)
dr chettawut 327000 thb  http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html

The technique of the surgeon is one thing to also consider, the two most common methods being pineal inversion and the flap method. The pineal inversion is less invasive so it has a quicker recovery but the opening sits higher up compared to the flap method which personally I prefer but recovery can be more intense. Also consider the skin you have to work with, some surgeons prefer non-circumcised for the best results while others it doesn't matter as much as they don't use that material anyway. From my own research I considered bassard and suporn to be the front runners of both techniques.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=90908.20

Funny you should ask... I'm in Thailand right now! lol

   RUN AWAY from anyone offering SRS for $5000!!!!!   

    This is something that you can do ONCE! You have to live with the result for the rest of your life. I initially looked at Thailand because of price  but realized that, if I could wait just one  more year, I could have this done with the best in the world... even then at a better cost than the top US surgeons.
  The technique was a huge factor in my decision as well.... After researching the alternatives, penile inversion just didn't make sense to me. I'm not going to make a shameless plug but I will say this: I've been in Thailand for 7 days, in this hospital for 5... I am getting world class care and had my surgery with, IMHO, the best at what he does for considerably less than top surgeons in the US. Don't assume for a minute that you're getting substandard care just because it's not in the US!

   Do your research and talk to others who have done this... Don't just read accounts.... ask for phone numbers and email addresses. Take your time. When you do make your decision, you should have NO DOUBTS going into that operating room. Don't let anyone convince you or sway you... it's your choice.... make it wisely.

Jessica, glad to hear you are doing so well, do your dilating and you should have great results.

There are a few $5K and below surgeons in Thailand, and India, but would stongly advise against utilizing them.

Indeed in some intances the outcome is a Hijra style GRS, or little more than a penectomy.

Continue your ressearch, there are many competent surgeons in Thailand with whom your surgical dollar will go far.

Stateside, I would say that Dr. Harold Reed of Miami is priced very competitively, and provides excellent results.