Metoidioplasty consultations PART 1: Impressions of Dr. Safir and Dr. Chen

This video is about my experiences and general impressions of Dr. Safir and Dr. Chen; I had a consultation with each of them last week about metoidioplasty. Both of them are in the San Francisco area. To summarize, I felt way better about Dr. Chen and would definitely have surgery with him if I decide to "pull the trigger." I will make a separate video about the information each doctor gave me about surgery. Also, I've started a blog (i.e. writing) about my lower surgery research, thoughts, etc.: slotransman.home.blog
Here is the website for Brownstein/Crane, where Dr. Safir works: brownsteincrane...
And here is Dr. Chen's website: www.gurecon.com

[@KC-zy5jy]

Always go with your gut feeling. Those little cues, sensitivities, body language, active listening, etc. can be very telling.

[@TheSLOfox]

Yes, I agree. Thanks for the validation. :)

[@w.s.w5834]

You're such a good teacher Alan!! Thanks for sharing everything that you're learning along the way - it's so helpful 👍

[@TheSLOfox]

Aw, thanks! My goal is to help other transguys, so I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@Codytalks11]

I love Dr. Chen! Glad you had a good experience with him. He legit is so hands on and is really responsive to emails and etc. Which is also really important for aftercare. Soo yea good choice if you so decide to go for it :)

[@TheSLOfox]

Hey Cody! I'm glad to hear that about your experience with Dr. Chen. :) Thanks for letting me know!

[@EarlCornbread]

What a contrast in surgeons and their staff! Dr. Chen sounds fantastic, hands on and emotionally intelligent, too. Kindness and respect goes a long way. So glad you were comfortable there.

[@rockerboi86]

Hey there!! So, I went to Dr Crane for phalloplasty... had HORRIBLE complications. Dr Chen helped to fix what dr Crane did. So I totally can vouch for Dr Chen. I love that he does NOT take risks. He’s VERY up front about risks and complications etc. I’m happy you’re choosing meta over phallo. If I could go back I’d totally do meta. Personally, I don’t think phallo surgeries should even be done-too many risks. Anyway, just wanted to vouch for Dr Chen! :)

[@topplayatopplaya9296]

Hi Emerson! about Crane, I seen some people saying that they have bad experience, but do you think that is safe only a simple meta with doctor Crane? it looks that his meta, look very good, I am saying the way they look, and the testicles? look better that other results? what do you think?

[@vombatiformes]

I have full meta w/ UL/vaginectomy/scrotoplasty/hysterectomy with Dr. Chen next month -- I'm in that sort of anxious mode where I am double and triple checking everything and looking to see what others experiences were like, and I just want to let you know that I definitely second all of your positive impressions about him. He has really gone out of his way to make this accessible and comfortable for me. His office has worked with me way above and beyond with my insurance, which is an out of state Medicaid, he was completely nonjudgmental about all of my preferences and needs, and he literally rescheduled the location of my surgery because the surgery center that he originally booked me at was not going to accommodate my autism service dog (despite that being like... illegal...) and did not make me feel like an inconvenience at all. He's alleviated a lot of the anxiety I have leading into this and I honestly feel super positive about the entire thing. As an autistic person and an anxious person in general I do not deal with with new experiences (this is the farthest I've ever traveled and the longest I'll have stayed away from home in my life, I live in Pennsylvania) but I still very so at ease because he has been so informative and understanding and his confidence and knowledge and the results I've seen bolster that. I can let you know how everything goes if you would find that reassuring at all for your own future decisions. :)

[@Graziella2006]

Very informative and interesting how Doctors differ👍

[@reggieshmeggie4219]

Wow didn't know a patient can be that sensitive and demanding. Gotta keep that in mind when I'll become a doctor. We aren't taught how to talk to a patient that much. So its really good to hear your point of view. I'm sorry that the appointment didn't go as good as you wanted to.

[@Narusasu98]

Are you kidding? Patients are people, living human beings, not objects to examine. Of course we want respect and sensitivity

[@doriomer]

Alan, thank you. Your vids and info are very important to me

[@Narusasu98]

Wow what a contrast

[@jaredmorales2208]

Thanks for the info, man! Would you be getting any coverage from your insurance? If so, what insurance do you have?

[@TheSLOfox]

You're welcome! Yes, I will be getting coverage from my insurance, which is Blue Shield through Covered California. I don't know how much, but I think they will cover everything except maybe my deductible. But that is only my assumption (because I know they cover trans stuff); I have not researched it yet. I expect the doctor's office to inform me of this stuff if/when I schedule surgery.

[@queerdor]

I think you need to talk to a doctor that understands your scaring type