top surgery

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Kelt

I think it is great that you posted this. I am in a similar boat in that I am not on T and for a number of reasons it is not practical for me. I have been basically ignorant of this possibility. When I knew T was unlikely for me I shelved the whole idea because I had the impression it was a prerequisite. I don't know about the community support with butches. Maybe it could be as simple as being like me and just not knowing it is available as a stand alone procedure. One can hope.

This is really encouraging and I am starting into researching options now that I know there are some! I am fairly small chested so a reduction would not be of any particular help to me and would not give me the result I would want (male appearing chest) anyway. I have done some other things along the way that would fall into the category of transition steps and have been very happy with them. This would be a terrific step to add.

It would be a couple of years down the road due to unrelated family issues and I have to consider my age, 52, but I think this looks like a really great option. Since there will be some wait for me it will give me time to really get my research down. I like Garramones work a lot, his results look great. I am also looking into Brownsteins practice. It has recently changed hands and is now being run by Dr Crane. I will be able to see how he develops over some time but his credentials are solid. The fact that it would be local for me would mean quite a savings in travel as well as being able to recover at home.

Thanks to Oopster and the other guys for this thread. You don't know it, but I have been reading back through all of the trans threads and been getting really helpful information from all of you. Thanks.

Kelt! Good to see you on the thread, my friend!

Yes, I am interested to watch what happens with Crane, as well. He did train under Brownstein, who of course is the father of top surgery (well, I guess one could argue that with Reardon).

What I have noticed about Garramone's work is that it is consistent. Right on the money every time. I think that Brownstein's has been pretty consistent as well, although I have noticed that his chests sometimes have more of a scoop look to them under the pecs than I like. I think that is where the surgeons go wrong the most. I suppose that would be them not following the pectoral muscle well. Not that Garramone's incisions aren't different in amount of curve based on pec, but I have seen some surgeons (not Brownstein), consistently, or dramatically have too much of a scoop. Throws the whole thing off and it conjures up visions of female breasts, even though the chest is completely flat.

Last night, now having my own chest done, I took a bit of a step back and went through probably about 200+ photos of all different surgeons. I was surprised to see how good (and consistent), Fischer's double incision surgeries were. She is known for her keyhole/peri procedures and that is the bulk of her work, but her double incisions were quite good. Don't get me wrong, I am glad that I went to Garramone, but it was interesting to see that my second pick was in my backyard. I know that I mentioned going to her for consult, but that was earlier, when my focus (and query) to her was how small I could get if I chose a breast reduction instead. I was researching the idea of a hybrid/modified type surgery at the time. I had not seen many double incision pictures of hers.

I think that if I had to choose between a surgeon who had AMAZING results some of the time and "ok" results some of the time, versus a surgeon who had consistently good results, I would go with the consistent surgeon. You are betting with your chest, and there is only one shot.

I see Garramone, Brownstein, and Fischer as the most consistent (based on what I have seen. But, I admit I have paid more attention to their surgeries, than others, due to them jumping out at me as quality work from the "get go"). This is now the ONLY surgery Garramone does (Fischer does others, I am not sure what Brownstein did), so it makes sense he would have a good rhythm going. The sign on my bed post said, "Garramone #4". I was his 4th surgery of the day. He does 5 per day, 10 per week (sometimes he adds a third surgery day and does more). The whole thing was a great experience. Don't worry, I will save you from yet ANOTHER ramble as to how great the man is. I'm sure everyone on the thread will be THRILLED when I go back to work next week and stop being a posting fool!

Last thing, and advice to anyone who is looking. Get as many consults as you can. Especially if they are free. Garramone is free (he does phone consults, you email him pictures of your chest), while Fischer was not ($125). No downside to consulting with more than one.

In a nod to Oopster (and Theo), I haven't seen any of Dr. Voloshin's work and they are both pleased with their surgeries. Additionally, the other surgeons mentioned in this thread (DuPere, Raphael), I have seen good results with, as well. I think we all just have our preferences for how we like our chests to look and to be honest I find it more rare than common to read guys not being pleased with their surgeries.