POSTED UNDER Masculinizing Top Surgery REVIEWS
Top Surgery- Double Incision with Nipple Grafts
ORIGINAL POST
I am a trans man and I had a double incision with...
shawndoodleDecember 11, 2017
WORTH IT$11,000
I am a trans man and I had a double incision with nipple grafts chest masculinization surgery with Dr. Tholen. I am six months post op now and can happily say my results are phenomenal. I was especially concerned about my nipple grafts not working, but they are nearly perfect. Partially this is due to my own body, but I also credit Dr. Tholen for doing such a great job with sizing them and grafting them.
My experience with his team was wonderful as well. Due to my schedule with university, I wanted my surgery done in June so I would heal in time for school in the fall. I was able to schedule my surgery before I even had my consultation! Their ability and willingness to adapt to my needs really made this a great experience.
The surgery was done in an outpatient setting so I went home the day of. That night, around 10 PM, a nurse from Dr. Tholen's office called me to check in and make sure there were no complications and check if I had any questions. It was obviously not her normal work hours, and she went out of her way to provide that extra level of service.
I'm a bigger guy. A combination of testosterone and antidepressents and a disabled foot mean I'm overweight. I also had a pretty big chest. I was worried my results wouldn't be as good as on smaller guys. Dr. Tholen did an amazing job. I did develop dog ears, but those aren't even that big of a deal. Dr. Tholen suggested trying to lose some weight before going for a revision surgery, which would save me some money. The cost of a revision surgery is not covered in the original fee like it is for some surgeons.
However, my follow up appointments WERE covered by the original fee. Dr. Tholen is much more expensive than other surgeons I looked at, which was slightly off-putting at first. Now I can say that the price was definitely worth the result. He doesn't take insurance directly, but you can petition your insurance to reimburse you. My insurance did not reimburse me, so I had to pay the entire fee out of pocket.
Dr. Tholen is a cisgender man, but he has a nuanced understanding regarding trans issues, which is refreshing to find in a doctor. He isn't perfect, but he does make a concentrated effort to make his patients feel at ease and comfortable. When he had to examine my breasts, I expected to be uncomfortable and upset and dysphoric, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting. Dr. Tholen kept the atmosphere light and relaxed. He's a pretty funny guy.
My experience with his team was wonderful as well. Due to my schedule with university, I wanted my surgery done in June so I would heal in time for school in the fall. I was able to schedule my surgery before I even had my consultation! Their ability and willingness to adapt to my needs really made this a great experience.
The surgery was done in an outpatient setting so I went home the day of. That night, around 10 PM, a nurse from Dr. Tholen's office called me to check in and make sure there were no complications and check if I had any questions. It was obviously not her normal work hours, and she went out of her way to provide that extra level of service.
I'm a bigger guy. A combination of testosterone and antidepressents and a disabled foot mean I'm overweight. I also had a pretty big chest. I was worried my results wouldn't be as good as on smaller guys. Dr. Tholen did an amazing job. I did develop dog ears, but those aren't even that big of a deal. Dr. Tholen suggested trying to lose some weight before going for a revision surgery, which would save me some money. The cost of a revision surgery is not covered in the original fee like it is for some surgeons.
However, my follow up appointments WERE covered by the original fee. Dr. Tholen is much more expensive than other surgeons I looked at, which was slightly off-putting at first. Now I can say that the price was definitely worth the result. He doesn't take insurance directly, but you can petition your insurance to reimburse you. My insurance did not reimburse me, so I had to pay the entire fee out of pocket.
Dr. Tholen is a cisgender man, but he has a nuanced understanding regarding trans issues, which is refreshing to find in a doctor. He isn't perfect, but he does make a concentrated effort to make his patients feel at ease and comfortable. When he had to examine my breasts, I expected to be uncomfortable and upset and dysphoric, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting. Dr. Tholen kept the atmosphere light and relaxed. He's a pretty funny guy.
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