SRS Surgery in Australia

[Anonymous]

Heya Stef, I don’t know a great deal on this subject only from what I’ve read through researching websites. I found this from Bambi’s website:-
http://www.plasticsurgery.org.au/default.asp?itemid=282

It could be an idea to print that page out and take it with you next time you visit your GP and see what/who they would recommend. I do know it is best to wait 1-2 years after starting hormones before considering FFS. The hormones change the shape of your face and the surgery results could change post-surgery, if the hormones having finished doing what they do.
I know the first part of the op can be covered but the cosmetic procedure of the second half of the op isn’t. Which means you’d still have to pay and you’d be in the hands of a less experienced surgeon as not many people choose that option. Sorry I couldn’t be more detailed
S.x

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[Anonymous]

I suggest contacting The Gender Centre in Sydney
Their website is http://www.gendercentre.org.au

Under Contacts you will find a link to email either Outreach Worker or Client Support

Take care
Christina xx

[bee]

Southern Health in Victoria is as far as I know, the only clinic offering SRS surgery in Australia at the moment. (Nov 2009)

You may find these links useful
http://www.theage.com.au/national/sexchange-clinic-got-it-wrong-20090530-br3u.html

http://www.tgfolk.net/sites/satsg/monash.html

For SRS and FFS I did my own research and you can read my blog for details.

For FFS at this time none is covered as far as I know by Medicare. Private health insurance may be a different matter.

For SRS other than the above, your closest choice is Thailand.

The costs for SRS in Australia, if you meet their criteria (Have Medicare cover) are about AUD$8000 out of pocket expenses plus Private health insurance for at least 2 years ($2,000+?). So as you can see there is not much price difference in choosing Australia or Thailand. price wise.

You need to research and make sure you are happy with the way the procedure is performed as well. As there are different techniques used by different surgeons. You also need to think about the after care and compare these as well.

~byes~
bambi

[Anonymous]

I have been searching the Monash centre’s website of late.
I have noticed that according to their brochure, one does not need to complete their 12 months of hormones before being assessed for SRS, but one must wait at least 12 months before it can be performed.
What has been the experience of others? Have you had to wait until you had completed your 12 months of hormones before you assessed, or were you able to get a referral for SRS before the 12 months on hormones were completed?

[Anonymous]

Hi Erika i think where down the track at the same point i have been on hormones for 18 months and been given a referal to a physiatrist the apointment is this wednesday i have been liveing as a women for the last 8 months and i have read that you need to live as a women for 12 months or more i was allso told that i need to take out private health cover to cover some of the costs for srs and this is going through the monash team in melbourne and allso that ATSAQ informed me that you have to be on hormones for at least 12 months or more before being
consided for srs and be seeing a physiatrist at regular intervalls

Chrissie xoxo

[Anonymous]

Hi , I’mm booked in for SRS at Monash with Dr .Ceber on 26th March ! My out of pocket expenses are $10,000 , Medicare pay $10,000 ,and private Health insurance pay $10,000 . 12 days in Hospital ! I live in Queensland but went thru Gender Clinic in Morrabbin Melbourne for appointments and final assessment ! If you are in a regional area I have been told Skype is available ?
Cheers Ella-Kristine

[Anonymous]

Hi Chrissie,

Thanks for that info. However I already have that info. What I need to know is if the assessment for surgery can be done during the real life expereince and if anyone has had that expereince. I am aware that SRS can’t be performed until at least the twelve months 0f ”parole’ (real life expereince) is finished. According to their brochure the assessment can be done ‘sometime’ during the real life expereince. I am yet to hear of anyone being offered that.
Interestingly, the international Transgender guidelines say that SRS can be done prior to the twelve months depending on the individual’s need. For me, it is what is between my legs that is distressing me, and has done for a long time, not my cup size, which is what ever as far as I am concerned.
I find in Australia it is a real guessing game as to when it will all happen. For those going to Thailand – they can pretty much plan their lives by selecting a date as soon as their twelve months of parole is finished.

Moderator

Quote:

This is a serious moderated forum so can those with relevant information please post – and those without just read?

[Anonymous]

Well, I went to Melbourne in April for my assessment. Based on what I was told I am not real interested with what is on offer and I have decided to go to Thailand. Especially now that Dr Ceber has retired and a learner has taken his place. Based on the evidence that I have seen, every SRS surgeon can have a bad day and the resulting bad result, but the surgical results seem consistently better, and the chances of a good outcome appear to be better in Thailand.
I should mention that Dr Ceber is very nice, professional, and gives a good explaination of things. However, I am looking for more than what he can offer me, even though he told me he could see no problem with me having surgery in Melbourne.

[Anonymous]

Hi Ella-Kristine , I thought I would follow up your last post and see if you could give us a run down of your expereince of SRS with Dr Ceber.

Moderator

Quote:

If you do wish to contribute a surgery report for the benefit of the community at large please write it here:

viewforum.php?f=398

[Daniel]

re Australian surgeonsTry Peter Haertsch who I think is the only other preson in OZ.
http://www.haertsch.com.au/gender-reassignment-surgery.html

[Anonymous]

Thanks, but not real interested in SRS in Australia, I believe that most of Peter’s clients come to him via the gender centre in NSW. Apparently the Gender clinics in Qld don’t/ won’t use him – so that says a lot to me.
I read on another Transgender website that he does not have much of a bedside manner and that his follow up appointments are so rigorous that one really needs to reside in NSW close to Sydney. Also, apparently he does not publish photo results of his work. WPATH guidelines ask surgeons to provide potential clients with photos of their results so that a client can make an informed decision as to whether to use the surgeon. Unfortunately there is next to no range of choice in Australia for those who wish to have surgery, and no variety of technique. It very much a monopolozized market in Australia.

Moderator

Quote:

Well this is a moderated forum and the topic title is “SRS Surgery in Australia” – so I think any post on SRS in Australia is welcome. I need also to state that the opinion expressed above is that of an member and not the web site / TgR

[Anonymous]

Well, I would very much like to be proven wrong as it would good news to those who want surgery. I am pretty sure that peter uses a two step technique, which IS different to what Dr Ceber used to use, which is a one operation procedure, with revisions if needed, and use of bowel if depth is a problem. Happy to post a website of a paper which describes his results, but it would be rather mute seeing as he has retired.
With only two surgeons available for SRS, well, as a former scrub nurse in the operating theatre, I would say they have a monopoly.

I wonder why Amanda keeps stalking me about my posts, – seems excessive. Has anybody else noted this?

Moderator

Quote:

You aren’t being ‘stalked’ anymore than anyone else who wanders from the topic of a moderated thread – or discourages others from contributing to the chosen topic. . Yes – it is moderation and you can expect to be moderated! By a moderator – of which Amanda is only one.

But if you also wish to potentially libel a professional in these forums – you can expect us to cover ourselves from any potential liability

[Anonymous]

As I said I am happy to be corrected – it would be good news for those seeking services
Also, as I have absolutely NO control over this website, how could I possibly discourage others from contributing? As for libel, well present your evidence rather than attacking me. How can I wander from the topic if I am talking about this topic. I get excellent results for my College work for staying on topic.

And please, have the courage to post your name if you are not Amanda.

For those reading the above ‘moderation’ farce, look at my posts and see how many times I have been ‘moderated’.

[Unknown Member]

This content has been hidden as the member is suspended.

[Anonymous]

Yes, his rooms are where I had my assessment,(Dr Ceber was using Andrew’s rooms as his Rooms had been closed by the time I arrived in Melbourne). It is wonderful news that Andrew is going to Thailand to learn some new techniques. May I ask where you heard this?

“I have heard that Dr Andrew Ives is ……….going to Thailand….”

I have not heard anymore about this and no one I have spoken to knows anything about the new fella going to Thailand…. seems like wishful thinking I think.
I find it strange that no one is willing to discuss, (in writing), their disatisfaction/satisfaction with their surgery in Melbourne.
It is hard for people to make a decision about whom to have surgery with, when no one is talking. With SRS in Thailand no one seems to have anything bad to say about their surgery. It is the lack of reports about surgery in Australia that is propelling me to go to Thailand.
Perhaps in the surgical reports one could post anomonously?
SRS would have to be the most important step in our journey and one would expect some factual first hand information.Can you imagine biological women not discussing their experiences with other women, about doctors in regards to hysterectomies, or cosmetic surgery? Thats how biological women decide which surgeons to go with.