Anyone know of an incredibly talented top surgeon for a double incision in MA, WHO DOES NOT REQUIRE A LETTER, from either a mental health prof or a physician (my doctor left the practice
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you could check out sun country airplane. It is cheapest airfare. I have used it to fly out from Minnesota to San Fransisco for like $100 each way like 10 years ago.
Look into Dr Bartlett in Brookline, MA. I hear good things. No idea his stance on letters though. Ultimately, though, there's a reason we Massholes tend to go out of state for surgery, and it's not the joy of travelling. :P
Come to a Compass meeting and you can talk to guys who've been to local surgeons, plus you'll get access to our email list where you can ask over 200 local guys for recommendations. :) Next meeting is actually tonight - we meet on the first Thursday of every month from 7-9 pm in Boston. Contact via the website or drop me an email at ftmichael at gmail dot com for location info.
Dr. Bartlett was my second choice. I asked and they said
"We do require a letter from your therapist or a medical professional with whom you've had a relationship with for a significant amount of time (years+), who can vouch for your mental clearance in order to go forward with surgery. Do you have a qualified medical professional who has been following your transition and capable of writing a letter? Perhaps your endocrinologist? "
I just had surgery with Bartlett 6 weeks ago, and while he's a wonderful surgeon, he definitely does require a letter.
If OP is near Boston it might be faster to just try to establish a quick relationship with a doctor at Fenway Health and get a letter from them. I got a letter from my doctor there after only one appointment.
I've heard good things about Bartlett and Dr. Paul Costas, but I think both require some kind of letter. Seconding the suggestion to check out Compass - and another suggestion, if I may, that you could ask a local doctor/therapist to write a letter for you. I've met a couple guys who had similar situations - moved from their old doctor, or the doctor retired, and they'd been on T for half a decade or more and had all their documentation changed before being able to afford surgery, and just picked up a therapist to have write a note confirming GRS.
At this point you can probably just find a trans-friendly health professional who will meet with you once and write you the letter. Although "Real Life Experience" standards are getting dated, the fact that you've been living as male and on T for a little while is more than enough to "convince" most people who've worked with transitioned people before....and in MA we have like, the Fenway Health clinic, where they have trans-relevant job training.
At this point you can probably just find a trans-friendly health professional who will meet with you once and write you the letter. Although "Real Life Experience" standards are getting dated, the fact that you've been living as male and on T for a little while is more than enough to "convince" most people who've worked with transitioned people before....and in MA we have like, the Fenway Health clinic, where they have trans-relevant job training.
I need to find this doctor that will write the letter without a hassle. I AM a patient at Fenway. I was jumping through hoops there. My doctor was cool with not being 'by the book' but I doubt anyone else is. Trans team my ass. high council more like it.
Why don't you just ask your cool-not-being-by-the-book doctor? I wasn't in therapy at the time I had surgery, but my surgeon (Medalie) accepted a letter from my endo and the letter I had used to start T.
Hey! I'm Canadian and if you are willing to travel up here, then Dr Hugh McLean (his clinic is in Missusagua, part of the Greater Toronto Area) does not require a letter. His work is beautiful and he's a really sweet man. I'm having my top surgery with him on Sept 5 and a lot of fellows from here have used his expertise with very pleasing results. Just a thought. Good luck with your decision!
Sure! Ill PM you later today with more details. If you search YouTube you can find examples of his work. I know that HerrBenjaminKalt and Butchbikinikill and Alexhaney100 all had their top surgery with dr McLean and have quite comprehensive post-op progress videos too!
I had surgery with Costas in MA, and while I did provide a letter, he seems like a pretty flexible guy. My consult was also free, so it may be worth going to meet him and discuss it face to face.
Forgot to add: I am thoroughly satisfied with Costas' results and just the overall process of dealing with him and his staff. I know some other folks online had given him mixed reviews on bedside manner but I had zero issues and highly recommend meeting him before being scared off by anyone's opinion.
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I have used it to fly out from Minnesota to San Fransisco for like $100 each way like 10 years ago.
http://www.suncountry.com/
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Greatly appreciate it.
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Come to a Compass meeting and you can talk to guys who've been to local surgeons, plus you'll get access to our email list where you can ask over 200 local guys for recommendations. :) Next meeting is actually tonight - we meet on the first Thursday of every month from 7-9 pm in Boston. Contact via the website or drop me an email at ftmichael at gmail dot com for location info.
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"We do require a letter from your therapist or a medical professional with whom you've had a relationship with for a significant amount of time (years+), who can vouch for your mental clearance in order to go forward with surgery. Do you have a qualified medical professional who has been following your transition and capable of writing a letter? Perhaps your endocrinologist? "
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If OP is near Boston it might be faster to just try to establish a quick relationship with a doctor at Fenway Health and get a letter from them. I got a letter from my doctor there after only one appointment.
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At this point you can probably just find a trans-friendly health professional who will meet with you once and write you the letter. Although "Real Life Experience" standards are getting dated, the fact that you've been living as male and on T for a little while is more than enough to "convince" most people who've worked with transitioned people before....and in MA we have like, the Fenway Health clinic, where they have trans-relevant job training.
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I need to find this doctor that will write the letter without a hassle. I AM a patient at Fenway. I was jumping through hoops there. My doctor was cool with not being 'by the book' but I doubt anyone else is. Trans team my ass. high council more like it.
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Just a thought.
Good luck with your decision!
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