FTM metaiodioplasty: Having doubts about Dr. Brassard and his team - advice??

[Devinster]

I live in Ontario, Canada and about a year ago had my CAMH appointment for approval for my lower surgery. I got a approved around August and have ever since been struggling to work with Dr. Brassards people to get a consult. After some miscommunication about required additional documents (other than the ones from CAMH and the Ministry of Health/OHIP) and delays due to my file being moved from the pre-op tem to the clinic office and then the delay of the holidays and hat not. I finally got phone appointment with Dr. Brassard because the staff said that I should talk to him on the phone instead of having to come in for the consultation. I had to wait a month for the call and then they called last minute to reschedule to today.

He called me today and I asked him some questions, but he said he could not answer them without an in person consult, which I completly understand but then why did we even bother with the phone call? I spoke with a guy from Alberta who had his surgery a few years ago and he did not need a consult. I prefer to have one but what makes me frustrated is the difficulty I have had with this office. I am extermely patient but I am getting really frustrated.

Has anyone else had this problem? I have now scheduled an appointment for May 3rd (they only had two spots available because they are very busy one next week which is not possible because I do not have a car and I have to arrange trasnportation and because of work and then the May 3rd date.

So now I have to wait for that, I already have put my surgery on hold for years due to other family members health and needing to help them but now I feel like it will never happen.

I also gained weight back that I lost prior to my other surgeries and I know that can be a problem. When I mentioned that I was planning on a metiodioplasty and enquired about a mons resection on the phone with Dr. Brassard he mentioned in a way that because of my weight a phalloplasty would be better. (not in those exact words but that is how it came accross). I am just so fed up with how things are going. I am grateful for everything I have but I just do not understand why it is so difficult.

I already know I would not be satisfied with a phalloplasty I do not like the procedure and have given this years of consideration.

Does anyone have any advice or has anyone had similar experiences? I feel like I should be looking at other surgeons at this point but OHIP does not cover travel costs and I cannot afford to fly to the USA or Europe and have no car. Honestly, I don't want to go to the USA especially with the current political climate and the issues I have heard that can happend surrounding travelling as a trans person across borders and in airports.

I also want to note that I had my chest surgery with him and did not have these issues. I know things change and they are busier now but I am not even covering some of the other deatils about the exchanges I have had with the staff trying to get things in order just to get an appointment for this surgery.

Basically I have been waiting 6 months for a consultation and now have to wait another month and a bit for a real one.

It is a bit ridiculous IMO. Part of me feels this is directly related to that fact that I am overweight but I am not sure what their angle is if this is the case. I have also read that some people with OHIP funded surgeries are having a hard time getting stuff scheduled.

[LiliFee]

He called me today and I asked him some questions, but he said he could not answer them without an in person consult, which I completly understand but then why did we even bother with the phone call? I spoke with a guy from Alberta who had his surgery a few years ago and he did not need a consult. I prefer to have one but what makes me frustrated is the difficulty I have had with this office. I am extermely patient but I am getting really frustrated.

Has anyone else had this problem? I have now scheduled an appointment for May 3rd (they only had two spots available because they are very busy one next week which is not possible because I do not have a car and I have to arrange trasnportation and because of work and then the May 3rd date.

Disclaimer: AMAB person here, who didn't even go to Brassard.

Having said that, I did look into several surgeons for my own bottom surgery, and the story was pretty much what you're describing here: you're approved for surgery, and send them all of the documents. Next thing, you call them and get a nurse or similar who knows what to do but isn't really allowed to give you any definitive answers. So you call again another day, get a second nurse and have to explain the whole story again. In the end the nurses talk among each other, give the doc a nod and he/she calls you. Only to hear from him/her that there has to be a personal consultation.

After some misconceptions, I tried to figure out why this is how things usually went. Basically, what I surmised is that the doc has to follow a set of guidelines when it comes to planning surgeries, which has to be explained to the insurance companies. That means having you in his/her office so the talk is a: on record and b: payed for. Also, he/she probably is obliged to give you a basic physical examination.

In the case of Brassard, who's got long waiting lists, even the consults can't be planned on short notice. So that means more waiting

Good luck on your May 3rd date, at least it's a bit over a month out. Taking into account the years you've put this off... You'll get though it

[Jacqueline]

Welcome to the site.

I have not had any experience with Dr Brassard and am in no position to give you advice about this. Sorry.

However, I would like 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:

Things that you should read

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With warmth,

Joanna