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SRS Surgery in Australia
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I hope this is the right forum. I have been shopping for a GRS surgeon for about one month now, (after receiving the green light from my Psychiatrist for surgery). I am finding that trying to find objective factual information about surgeons in Australia and overseas is difficult if not impossible. Of the Australian Surgeons (Cerber who I think is retired, Ivers who I know very little about and Haertsch in Sydney) Peter Haertsch is the only one that I had considered. On another forum I was informed that he was about 80 and retired, yet he still has a web site, strange. So I sent an email to his office and received a reply a few weeks ago.
Briefly, he is still practicing, (he is in his mid 60’s) he charges about $35,000- which covers hospital, surgery, anaesthetic, assistant, and 12 month follow up, (in other words, a total 12 month package). If you have Hospital Insurance the cost will come down to about $20,000-. Which is about the top end of my budget. You have two consultations, (the first will cost an extra $300-) the first is information and discussion about “the requirements and the reconstructive technique required in your particular case.”
I will probably go and see him and see what he can do. It sounds as though he has a few options when it comes to surgery and not just one approach. Anyway, I am tempted to find out more. I have family and friends in Sydney which would be a great help during recovery. On the other hand I have heard very conflicting reports about his work.
If somebody could come up with an objective way to rate surgeons it would be wonderful. Perhaps it is something Choice Magazine would like to have a go at.
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I personally know nothing specific about the surgeons in Australia but if you were to ask on the Yahoo group ATSN (Australian Transsexual Support Network), you may find people who can help.
There is another group called FFS-support. Though they are specifically for FFS, they may well be able to assist in your search. I’ve found them to be absolutely the most willing & helpful group of people by far.
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Hello Jennifer,
In answer to your question about factual info on Australian surgeons, you won’t find any. Or those surgeons previously mentioned (Ceber, Ives etc) I am aware of another Urologist in Sydney who performs Vaginoplasty. Dr. Richard Millard at Concord Hosp. I know absolutely nothing about him, but have had reference made to him through GP contacts.
Dr. Marci Bowers has a good resources page on her website which will give you some idea of what to expect.
VAGINOPLASTY IS MAJOR, TRAUMATIC, INVASIVE SURGERY. Do not UNDERESTIMATE IT. Research the surgeons, patients, techniques until to can recite it verbatim.
This surgery not only changes you physically, but psychologically and esoterically. Being major traumatic surgery it comes with the real risk of post surgical trauma and depression. Ensure you are well read on the subject and have follow up sessions with your Psych/Therapist.
There is no such thing as too much research on this specific event in your life. Be mindfully aware that even 20% of the post op community commit suicide. We lost one very successful woman in Adelaide last week.
Do your research and know EXACTLY what you want. If you don’t understand anything, don’t do anything else until you know exactly what it means.
Good luck (Labouring Under Correct Knowledge )
Huggs
Catherine -
This topic has not been re-visited in years. Just to let people know Dr Kieran Hart, a Urological surgeon, is performing GAS (gender affirming surgery) in Canberra. He is speaking at the AusPATH conference in Perth in October.
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Thanks Lisa for the pointer to the AusPATH Conference.
I notice that members of the Trans community are welcome to attend.
All you WA Girls note!!!Details of the Conference Program are on the Auspath website
Theme of the Conference is
“Mythbusting : Sorting Fact from Fiction in Trans health care.”
I Hope some great outcomes evolve from it.
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Wow such an old topic!
I’m going to do SRS in Melbourne this November with Dr. Ives and will share my experience with you girls here
in general I’m optimistic about it 
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At some point in the nxt few yrs I am looking at this procedure.
So what info you can share is greatly appreciated. -
Today I saw one of my patients who has just had GAS by Dr Hart. I thought I would give you an idea of the costs.
The surgeon charged $14,000; the anaesthetist $4,000. Her health insurance covered the hospital costs. She had to stay in hospital for a week.
She appeared fit and well and could sit down without using a donut cushion! -
Thank you for the info.
Better than I expected. -
Interestingly, my reconstructive plastic surgeon recommended Dr Hart to me not that long ago. He did say that he would recommend Dr Hart to his own family if they needed his services.
I’m currently in the process of considering GCS, and am talking it through with my psych. I’m very inclined to have it done, but need to consider everything.
I’m interested in which method/technique, aesthetic quality and level of aftercare Dr Hart provides.
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That is something that you would have to discuss with Dr Hart.
