Finally getting Top Surgery, Have some Q's

[Guest Draik]

So if my math is correct, I'll have saved up enough for top surgery by the end of the summer. I want to get it done next summer when I'm not in school, and I've narrowed down my list of doctors to Garramone in Florida, or McLean in Canada.

My biggest questions are:

*How does consultation work? When does it happen? I don't live near either doctor, so would I have to fly out separately for the consultation and surgery? And how long in advance should I make it? Like I said, I want to get it done next summer, but I want to book my flights as early as possible, and if I go to Canada, I'll need to apply for a passport.

*For those who have had, or known someone who has had top surgery, what other expenses did you have besides the surgery? I figured in Airfare, hotel, taxi's, food, and a passport if I leave the country. I was wondering if anyone ran into any other expenses?

*How long did you have to stay in the area once you had surgery? I figured I would stay about 7 days after surgery assuming no complications.

*And just to calm my nerves, did was anyone anxious about surgery? Obviously, surgery is expensive, and I'm really anxious about spending so much money. I know I'll feel more comfortable in my own body once I do this, but I've never had to made such a large purchase before.

Any input or advice is appreciated.

[Guest Erwynn]

Pretty sure Garramone does the initial consultation by email/phone. I seem to remember having my partner take photos, and I know there was a phone call.

I think we stayed in town a week or just over a week total.

You might want scar cream or silicone scar strips. You may need to buy the beautiful surgical tights to prevent clots. You might choose to fill the pain prescription (I filled it and didn't use it). You'll have to buy antibiotics. Two of us who were at New Beginnings at the same time had to go to a piercer to get piercings replaced that we couldn't do ourselves after surgery (we had to remove our piercings for surgery) - ymmv on this expense. I guess depending where you stay, you might want to budget enough for food delivery or eating out, but you could always get a fridge and microwave in your room and stock up on frozen meals before surgery. We were able to cook in a kitchen and transportation was included where I stayed.

[Guest Draik]

Thanks! I forgot about post-surgery care.

I was looking into just staying at an extended stay hotel since they have kitchens in the rooms.

[JJ]

My surgery is covered by Medicare but the expense of staying a week anywhere is beyond me for the foreseeable future which I was lamenting to an old friend. She reminded me of all the times her son-who has had multiple transplants-was in the hospital or needed to stay nearby and they stayed free at a McDonalds house. I don't know what their policy is or if one is nearby but if so it may be worth investigating. I plan to look into it one day soon myself.

Johnny

[Ravin]

I live just down the road from Scottsdale, which has several excellent surgeons, so it's unlikely I'll actually look outside my local area for surgery.

[Drea]

Who wouldn't be anxious about surgery. There are many reasons why there is anxiety but it is understandable especially if you never had any surgery of any type before.

As far as consultation, I suggest asking the surgeon. Ideally the consultation is something you do before you committed to the specific surgeon but expect some cost regardless of you using the surgeon or not...and in your case, when you talk about travel, that is a bunch more expense. I know people who had consult days before, they decided on surgeon without consult so arranged consult to be days before surgery and just traveled once.

Unfortunately I can't comment on expenses. As mentioned room costs and such would be the big thing. The surgeon wanted client to stay locally but we lived relatively locally so just went home (with docs okay). Expense was just 90 minute drive each way for two follow up appointments within the next few weeks. Yearly follow-up was just photos. Surgeon fee included hospital costs and anesthesia. Make sure what your doc tells you includes those costs.

Incidental costs were fairly trivial. Some gauze, Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment. Fairly small costs.

Expect to not be able to do significant lifting for a while.

Good luck.