Top Surgery: Decisions, decisions...

[Wolf Man]

So I'm rather stuck in what to do. I've only seen two surgeons for consultation at the moment. They were closest and easiest to obtain a consultation with.

Doc 1 (Voloshin) is not very well known, has done surgeries before, is priced within my range at ~8k for everything, but he does not have any pictures of recent results. So what am I to decide on his work from that? He does, however, do the surgery I am looking for which is concentric circle.

Doc 2 (Eichenberg) is better known, has done surgeries before, is cheaper at about ~6.5k for everything, and has recent pictures and contacts of patients. Sounds like the go to? However, he believes I'd be best going the route of double incision and it really wasn't as option I was okay with settling with. I want the least amount of scarring possible.

Can you guys help me out here? I know it's ultimately my decision, but I really don't know which is the better option or if I should throw these two out, find someone far away and pay way more than I am able, thus pushing back when I was planning this all to happen.

I feel so overwhelmed...

[Adio]

Personally, I'd go with surgeon #2.  Less cost, recent pictures and able to contact former patients.  I went the DI route though so I'm probably biased that way.  This is an important decision and can definitely be overwhelming, but just try to step back and reevaluate the situation.  Make a list of your needs, wants, don't wants, and negotiables.  Keep searching to see if other surgeons fit your personal criteria better.  Try to get get phone/email consultations if they are too far to do so in person. 

Just don't settle.  Find someone you're comfortable with and want to work on your chest.  Be confident and happy in whatever your decision may be.

[Wolf Man]

Needs: Minimum scarring, so preferably concentric circle or some type of keyhole.
Wants: Comfort with surgeon, little to no travelling, within my range of <$8000, book date for the new year.
Don't Wants: Pushy surgeon, far travel, DI surgery type, price too far out of my range, >$9000.
Negotiables: Price (depending), travel (depending).

I think that's my list as far as I've come to at this point. You're right that I shouldn't settle, but I really want this to happen by the new year. I think that coupled with the expense are the things stressing me the most. I just don't know how to find doctors other than those that are well known and far away from where I live. Those two I found took me a hot minute to find. Surgery type is also something I am absolutely not willing to negotiate. I know I can get it done somehow with only scarring around the nipple and I just need a doctor who can be comfortable doing that without being condescending.

[Adio]

Have you seen this website?  http://genderoutlaw.wordpress.com/faq/ 🔗

He lists a few surgeons that use the concentric circle technique.     
    Dr. Cameron Bowman – Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Dr. Christine McGuinn – Doylestown, PA, USA
    Dr. Daniel Medalie – Cleveland, OH, USA
    Dr. Beverley Fischer – Timonium, MD, USA

After doing some more reading on the ftmsurgeryinfo yahoo group, I'm willing to bet that a lot of surgeons use the technique but simply call it peri-areolar.  I think Dr Melissa Johnson in Springfield, MA and Dr Peggy Ching in CA are two more that use the concentric circle method.  I'm not sure about their exact techniques, but I think Dr Gary Alter in Beverly Hills, CA; Dr Michael Brownstein in San Francisco, CA; Dr Peter K Davis in Palo Alto, CA; and Dr Jed H. Horowitz Huntington Beach, CA/Newport Beach, CA also perform peri surgeries.

Also, peri-areolar concentric circle (PACC), donut, round block, double circle, and purse string seem to the same thing.  Don't quote me on that though; I'm far from an expert when it comes to peri.  Hope some of this info helps!

[wheat thins are delicious]

Type of surgery you are fit for has to do with size, the elasticity of your skin, etc.  It might be true that you just aren't suitable for peri or some such surgery.  If you aren't suitable for it and have it, there is a very great chance you will need one or more revisions.   Just something to think about.

[Wolf Man]

Maybe there can be skin elasticity factors, but size is more than suitable. I've seen guys bigger chested than I am get this done, so I have no doubts. I do need more doctor opinions since I have one saying it's fine and the other saying it's preferable not to. It is not something I willing to give up on. I don't mind revisions, in fact I expect them with the PACC type of surgery, but I know that in the end it'll come out how I want it taking this route.