Surgery @Crane Center for Transgender Surgery (CCTS)

[Madrhode]

So I thought maybe this would be a good way to inform people of what surgery here includes. I met with Dr. Santucci at CCTS feb last year with an initial consultation at $150.00. I went into the office and was greeted and led to the room where he gave answered my questions. Crane typically does not do gcs just breast augmentation on MTF patients. We then planned on surgery. A few days later I received an info packet that was a video by Ashley De Leon that explained the procedure and aftercare. Months turned into months and in August they became in network. I got my letters for vaginoplasty two from therapist and one from my hrt dr. I submitted them and in November decided to add breast augmentation. I added that and had a phone consult with dr crane. In December I was scheduled for my preop on feb 9 with both santucci and crane. Today I was also scheduled my pre hospitalization with the dr that will provide my care after surgery at the hospital for the 9th. So I will meet with three doctors a week from tomorrow. I will keep posting as those come so you will be aware. Wow so so close

 

[Lexxi]

That's fantastic news Maddy!! Congratulations!!

I have my surgery consult on April 16th and I'm beyond excited. I have no idea how excited I'll be once I'm as close to surgery as you are. I can't wait to hear how your surgery turns out. I've heard some very good things about the Crane Center.

 

[Linde]

An entire different procedure to the Mayo. When I applied for surgery, I got enrolled in their gender confirmation department. Prior to even seeing the surgeon, I met with endocrinology, a social worker and psychologist, this was in addition to the letters from my therapist, a PhD psychologist and my endocrinologist. Once they agreed, I met with the surgical team, and they did the physical examination with me. Once they found everything OK. I was put onto the waiting list. My time was up last October, but Covid had a different opinion, and made it to be late January. I had the surgery in the Rochester Methodist hospital, which is one of the Mayo Clinic hospitals., and the surgeon and his team came daily by my bed for visitation. I could address any question directly with the surgeon, who eventually signed my release papers. I was hospitalized for 7 days.
I have a post op visit with the surgeon and with the endocrinologist next Friday.

Hugs
Linde

 

[Madrhode]

An entire different procedure to the Mayo. When I applied for surgery, I got enrolled in their gender confirmation department. Prior to even seeing the surgeon, I met with endocrinology, a social worker and psychologist, this was in addition to the letters from my therapist, a PhD psychologist and my endocrinologist. Once they agreed, I met with the surgical team, and they did the physical examination with me. Once they found everything OK. I was put onto the waiting list. My time was up last October, but Covid had a different opinion, and made it to be late January. I had the surgery in the Rochester Methodist hospital, which is one of the Mayo Clinic hospitals., and the surgeon and his team came daily by my bed for visitation. I could address any question directly with the surgeon, who eventually signed my release papers. I was hospitalized for 7 days.
I have a post op visit with the surgeon and with the endocrinologist next Friday.

Hugs
Linde

Yep Linde, confusing right? thats why I made this post about crane center as a way to help those that will use crane find it easier to navigate. You should do one with mayo clinic. If everyone does one and we can get a section going like surgeons section then people that come after us can make an even more stress free decision with first hand accounts.

That's fantastic news Maddy!! Congratulations!!

I have my surgery consult on April 16th and I'm beyond excited. I have no idea how excited I'll be once I'm as close to surgery as you are. I can't wait to hear how your surgery turns out. I've heard some very good things about the Crane Center.

Thank you for the Congratulations. Is your consult at Crane or elsewhere, Lexxi,?

 

[Lexxi]

No I wish mine was going to be at the Crane Center. Instead mine's in Louisville, Ky.

If I could have any surgeon I wanted though my number one pick would be Dr. Bella Avanessian in New York. Sadly I just can't afford to go there.

 

[Madrhode]

Kentucky? Well that is unexpected. I mean only second to Tennessee or West Virginia, but hey you how you get there doesn’t matter. I chose close proximity too.

 

[Linde]

No I wish mine was going to be at the Crane Center. Instead mine's in Louisville, Ky.

If I could have any surgeon I wanted though my number one pick would be Dr. Bella Avanessian in New York. Sadly I just can't afford to go there.

Lexxi, remember there are great surgeons with first calss results, and outstanding bedside manners to boot, out there. The few stars became famous when this kind of surgery was still very new.

Don't hang yourself up on one name. Look around and see what you can afford! Don't feel bad that you could not see your star surgeon. The lesser known surgeon may give you outstanding results, and you are not in the poorhouse!

 

[Maddie]

Hi everyone.
Don't know where Crane is. Guess I should look it up.
I'm not likely to afford NY either, although I have a consult on the books there with Dr Bluebond Langner in June.
Also have consult at Indiana University with Dr Roth in a couple weeks. But he does PPV and now I'm not sure about that option for me.
The closest to me would be Dr Gast at UW Madison. She turned me down for any services at the clinic based on a ten minute phone call consult with me in Sept. I MyCharted them a couple weeks ago and begged them to reconsider, even just giving me an actual consult like other people get. They just don't like me.

 

[Madrhode]

Hi everyone.
Don't know where Crane is. Guess I should look it up.
I'm not likely to afford NY either, although I have a consult on the books there with Dr Bluebond Langner in June.
Also have consult at Indiana University with Dr Roth in a couple weeks. But he does PPV and now I'm not sure about that option for me.
The closest to me would be Dr Gast at UW Madison. She turned me down for any services at the clinic based on a ten minute phone call consult with me in Sept. I MyCharted them a couple weeks ago and begged them to reconsider, even just giving me an actual consult like other people get. They just don't like me.

Crane is in Austin. Mayo Clinic isn’t far Iowa hey and isn’t there some one in Chicago a whole center? Either way keep pushing foward

 

[Maddie]

Yes. Forward. Saving money. Acting like a prepub girl in a middle age body. All good.
Thanks for the info Maddy.

 

[Madrhode]

Your welcome Maddie

 

[Linde]

Maddy I was more than happy with the Mayo Clinic. I have heard that Dr. Kim of the University of Minesota in the Twin Cities is very good, too. I had a condult with him but decided to go with the Mayo, cause I am a patient there for more than 30 years.


Hugs
Linde

 

[Madrhode]

So I wanted to see if anyone had questions Crane and santucci can answer tomorrow. I have my notebook today writing down questions that pop in my head and if there were any questions any concerns any one had or that they had wished they had asked please let me know. I am anal on prepared like the horde of pads on my page shows so please let me know. I can’t wait I get to hold fake boobies tomorrow and be admired by two men with money. Too bad I can’t date them but damn. Lol

 

[Madrhode]

Ok so I guess I should now talk about my pre op at the crane center. I got my paperwork the thursday before last and went the next day and got my blood work. They wanted my labs before the visit and they got them. Then I went in with my paperwork. I saw mdr santucci and wee talked about hair removal and then he called in my prescriptions. He left and I visited with dr crane and a trainee. he measured my boobs and we decided to go with 600 cc breast size and over the muscle. then I left and went and talked to the hospitalist at the hospital and she approved me for surgery. I then have one last thing and that is on the 27th I have to get a covid test and so I have to wait and see if that happens. Fingers crossed I am negative. Atyleast I am off till then

 

[Monica]

Fingers crossed Maddy! I'll be curious about how the over the muscle works out for you. I sometimes wonder if I should have gone that way. That size sounds like a good size for you. Mine were 640 's but I didn't have much to start with. I wish I had done one one size smaller but he said he wouldn't do two different sizes. Many women have that issue though.

 

[Madrhode]

Yeah the trainee said what is the one thing people say they wish after breast augmentation. I said that it was over the muscle? he said know they wish it was bigger. I looke at him and was like you dont know women transwomen its above muscle and every woman I talk to wants them smaller due to their back but he is a guy so what ever he wouldnt know.

 

[Linde]

As a person with semi cis breasts, I have no idea what the volume of the implants does for the looks. I am sitting here with a bra size (depending on brands) of 40 C/38 D, and I know how that looks like. But I have no clue how a 640 cc looks like? That seems awfully big, it is way more than 1/2 liter of volume!


Hugs
Linde