top surgery

[Alpha Dog]

Dr Brownstein isn't just operating on his "brand" he's the real deal. Just had surgery with him 3 weeks ago. Double incision - nipple grafting; tubes removed 5 days after surgery, 2 days later sutures removed, had to wear surgical binder for an additional 7 days after that. I started back to work 11 days after surgery. Couldn't be happier!

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Alpha Dog

Dr Brownstein isn't just operating on his "brand" he's the real deal. Just had surgery with him 3 weeks ago. Double incision - nipple grafting; tubes removed 5 days after surgery, 2 days later sutures removed, had to wear surgical binder for an additional 7 days after that. I started back to work 11 days after surgery. Couldn't be happier!

I don't mean he's not the real deal just that I don't believe he's the only option. I believe there are other real deals in california also.

[Alpha Dog]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

I don't mean he's not the real deal just that I don't believe he's the only option. I believe there are other real deals in california also.

My comment was based on what you wrote below;

He tends to be expenseive and although I do believe you get what you pay for I also believe that sometimes you pay for a "brand" name, and that there are just as qualified surgeons with less expense.


And I was just making a statement that he isn't just operating on his "brand" name.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Alpha Dog

My comment was based on what you wrote below;

He tends to be expenseive and although I do believe you get what you pay for I also believe that sometimes you pay for a "brand" name, and that there are just as qualified surgeons with less expense.


And I was just making a statement that he isn't just operating on his "brand" name.

and I was trying to say i didn't mean it the way it sounded.

I do agree he is an excellent surgeon but I don't believe he is the only excellent surgeon out there. My comment was made in response to someone else's comment that it was a no brainer to go to Brownstein. I don't agree with that. A lot of people think he is the only surgeon to go to in california that is good and I don't agree. If I lived in Northern california he would probably be the surgeon i would go to but I don't live in Northern California.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Thinker

7. I did a LOT to prepare for surgery! I did a great deal of stretching, push-ups, and upper body exercises about 3 months out and leading up to the surgery. I also started on Arnica and vitamin C about 10 days out. The Arnica helps minimize bruising and speeds healing; vitamin C was to keep me from getting sick. I drank lots and lots of water......no aspirin, ibuprofen, alcohol, etc... about one week out.

Did you take just arnica or was it mixed with anything? I have traumeel which has arnica in it but am wondering if it would be better to get just arnica.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Did you take just arnica or was it mixed with anything? I have traumeel which has arnica in it but am wondering if it would be better to get just arnica.

Just Arnica...

I think I started about two weeks out if I remember correctly.

I'm thrilled for you!!

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Alpha Dog

And I was just making a statement that he isn't just operating on his "brand" name.

Hey there... Big congrats on your surgery!!!

I understood Oopster to mean that while Brownstein is undeniably good, he tends to charge a bit more because he has such a solid and long-standing reputation in the trans community for top surgeries.

I agree that there are now MANY excellent surgeons out there who perform top surgeries and get the same outstanding results as Dr. Brownstein but keep their rates and fees lower. Some of it is because of geographical location, and some is.....I agree.....because of the name. No denying he has earned it...

[T D]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

and I was trying to say i didn't mean it the way it sounded.

I do agree he is an excellent surgeon but I don't believe he is the only excellent surgeon out there. My comment was made in response to someone else's comment that it was a no brainer to go to Brownstein. I don't agree with that. A lot of people think he is the only surgeon to go to in california that is good and I don't agree. If I lived in Northern california he would probably be the surgeon i would go to but I don't live in Northern California.

Would you mind naming some of these other excellent surgeons? Brownstein IS expensive, but everyone I know who's used him has been very happy with their results. Other options would be nice though.

Thanks

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by T D

Would you mind naming some of these other excellent surgeons? Brownstein IS expensive, but everyone I know who's used him has been very happy with their results. Other options would be nice though.

Thanks

http://my.execpc.com/~dmmunson/surgeons_list.htm
http://www.tglynnsplace.com/surgeons.htm
http://www.lauras-playground.com/FTM_surgeons.htm
http://trans411.org/browse/ftm-surgery
http://www.thetransitionalmale.com/Surgeons

are just a few sites that I found that list surgeons. Transbucket is good at getting some background on some of them. However it seems like it's fairly new so there and needs to be built up a bit. However besides looking at picks I found out the comments next to the people helped a lot. First for questions and second for a feel on the dr. There are some to definitely avoid on there. However I did find that most people that post are very happy with their results.

I believe there are other surgeons out there and it's just a matter of doing one's homework to find the best fit for them.

If I was younger and more spry I probably would have looked into more local drs. I'm open to giving someone new a chance. I would just make sure it was a decent deal and that they really wanted to be good at this and were willing to do whatever it takes to make you happy, like free revisions and such. However I don't have the energy for that.

I know Garrome's prices seem lower, but he is in florida. Mine is a little higher because he is going to do some lyposuction also. Since he's experienced and I would rather do it well the first time I'm going to go ahead and pay for that. It is my understanding that it will help minimize the chance of dog ears. Everything I've read about Garrome is like reading about Bernstein.

there is also info on livejournal

http://community.livejournal.com/ftm...ble%20incision

Surgeons include Bowers, Monstrey, Meltzer, Laub, Reardon***, Ching, Fischer, Daverio, Liedl, Stephanides, Foerster, Yonsei, Johnson, Steuber, Brassard, Menard, Bubak, Cordier, Clugston***, Strathy, Peters, Davies, Morris, Raphael, Davis, Brownstein, McLean, Futrell, Alter, Reed, Mueller, Wilson, Ralph, Perovic, Sukrit, and others are some of the surgeons listed on yahoo...unfortunately i haven't been approved yet so can't tell ya much more about what is there

[Dylan]

Yeah, Brownstein's pics are good. And yeah, everyone who's used him is happy with the results...

But then, I've only ever met one person who wasn't happy with their results, and it wasn't due to the surgeon's mess-up.


Soooooooooo,
Dylan

Brownstein also has to pay for all his travel and hotel rooms for every trans convention he speaks at

And I think he's also still following Harry Benjamin standards and expecting letters from anyone you've ever been in contact with (dramatic sarcasm)

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Just Arnica...

I think I started about two weeks out if I remember correctly.

I'm thrilled for you!!

A little comment here on (anti) scar creams.

My doctor advised me to use Nivea cream, which I did. He said that so many of those other creams are just nothing but added expense and certainly no better or less than Nivea, which is really good. My scars are just about faded out, btw, and it's only been a year later, almost to the date.

Just my .02 and advice to ME from MY doctor.

~Theo~

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by theoddz

A little comment here on (anti) scar creams.

My doctor advised me to use Nivea cream, which I did. He said that so many of those other creams are just nothing but added expense and certainly no better or less than Nivea, which is really good. My scars are just about faded out, btw, and it's only been a year later, almost to the date.

Just my .02 and advice to ME from MY doctor.

~Theo~

I agree with that for sure.

Just a note, though... The Arnica I took was in a pellet form and prior to surgery. Its intended purpose was to minimize bruising and bleeding.

I've seen some post-op pictures that made me kinda queasy because of the severe bruising. Mine was very minimal.....almost nil, honestly. And I didn't have the excessive drainage issues either.

Not saying all who use Arnica as a pre-surgical supplement will get the same results, but I don't think it'll hurt to try.

[Soon]

http://www.transgenderflorida.com/

great surgeon/great results

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by T D

Would you mind naming some of these other excellent surgeons? Brownstein IS expensive, but everyone I know who's used him has been very happy with their results. Other options would be nice though.

Thanks

While I have *heard* of at least a dozen who do GREAT work, the ones I know of by direct experience (seen their work first-hand) are Fischer in Maryland, Garramone in Florida, Rafael in Texas, DuPere in Toronto, Stephanides in Tennessee (don't think he is taking new patients), and Reardon in NY (retired).

[T D]

Thanks for the info, appreciate it. Since I'm in CA I'll probably use Brownstein. I've lost nearly 90lbs now with hopes that this will keep the dog ears to a minimum. It seems that every little step takes time.

Does anyone have any experience with taking T before top surgery verses doing the reverse. It seems that builing up some mass would also help with definition before surgery. Or am I just making this up in my head (which is certainly possible).

Thanks again.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by T D

Thanks for the info, appreciate it. Since I'm in CA I'll probably use Brownstein. I've lost nearly 90lbs now with hopes that this will keep the dog ears to a minimum. It seems that every little step takes time.

Does anyone have any experience with taking T before top surgery verses doing the reverse. It seems that builing up some mass would also help with definition before surgery. Or am I just making this up in my head (which is certainly possible).

Thanks again.

Congrats on the weight loss.

I am certain that I have read that it does not matter, but I am just as certain that I have read that the quality of conturing is improved if the person is already on T.

Unfortunately, I do not recall where I have read either of these things. Sorry.

Hopefully, others can refer you to some information on it. A good question, I think.

[Alpha Dog]

Originally Posted by Dylan

Yeah, Brownstein's pics are good. And yeah, everyone who's used him is happy with the results...

But then, I've only ever met one person who wasn't happy with their results, and it wasn't due to the surgeon's mess-up.


Soooooooooo,
Dylan

Brownstein also has to pay for all his travel and hotel rooms for every trans convention he speaks at

And I think he's also still following Harry Benjamin standards and expecting letters from anyone you've ever been in contact with (dramatic sarcasm)

Dylan,

He didn't require a letter from me - he asked if I had one he'd like a copy but it wasn't required. His fee ISN'T that much more then others - if you look at the surgical fee alone - there's the facility fee (2600) and the anesthesia fee was 850 but these are two seperate entities from Dr Brownstein's fee.\\

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by T D

Thanks for the info, appreciate it. Since I'm in CA I'll probably use Brownstein. I've lost nearly 90lbs now with hopes that this will keep the dog ears to a minimum. It seems that every little step takes time.

Does anyone have any experience with taking T before top surgery verses doing the reverse. It seems that builing up some mass would also help with definition before surgery. Or am I just making this up in my head (which is certainly possible).

Thanks again.

I had my surgery about 16 months *before* starting T.

I was at an ideal weight and had done a lot of upper body and chest work going into surgery and got the *exact* results I was hoping for.

Obviously, I can't begin to know how it might have been different if I had been on T prior to surgery. What I do know is that I don't regret my decision to go with the surgery first.

Congratulations on all of your hard work for the weight loss! That's so awesome!!!

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Just Arnica...

I think I started about two weeks out if I remember correctly.

I'm thrilled for you!!

i just got some pellets tonight. How much did you take? I won't be able to take it as long as you did but can still take it for a week. Did you take any after surgery?

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

i just got some pellets tonight. How much did you take? I won't be able to take it as long as you did but can still take it for a week. Did you take any after surgery?

Oh gosh, dude... I couldn't possibly remember. Does it have a recommendation on the bottle?

And I remember something about not touching the pellet.....like you drop one out on something and pop it in your mouth. Is that right?

And I'm pretty sure I took it for another 3 or 4 days after surgery.