Introduction
Dr Loren Schechter works in Chicago in the United States. He performs both phalloplasty and metoidioplasty surgeries, and is regarded as one of the better options in the States for this type of surgery.
He works out of three hospitals:
• Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
• Weiss Memorial Hospital
• Thorek Memorial Hospital
Surgery
Dr Schechter uses the Radial Forearm Flap (RFF), Anterolateral Thigh (ALT) and Musculocutaneous Latissimus Dorsi (MLD) Flap method for his phalloplasty surgeries.
The total phalloplasty is done in two stages with a third stage used only if it is required:
First surgery: Vaginectomy, phalloplasty, scrotoplasty, and urethral lengthening.
Shaping of the glans may be performed at the time of the initial procedure (however, depending on the choice of surgical technique, it may be performed in the second stage).
Testicular implants and a penile prosthesis are placed at a second and, sometimes, third stage.
It is recommended that patients undergo hysterectomy 3 months prior to phalloplasty surgery,
Prosthesis
According to information received from Dr Schechter’s office, generally a hydraulic (both two and three-piece) prosthesis is used. The pump may be placed on one side of the scrotum, and the reservoir may be placed in the abdominal region. One or two cylinders may be placed in the penis.
I could not find any information on whether it was inflatable or semi-rigid.
Surgery Costs
All surgery costings are in US Dollars ($)
Pre-Operative Consult – $100.00
Surgery – Approximately $75,000 – $125,000 depending on the technique used. A $500 deposit is due within a week of booking your surgery date.
Testicular Implants – Could not find any information.
Penile Prosthesis – Could not find any information.
There are no mention of any pre-surgical tests, however the paperwork does state:
“Prior to surgery, Dr. Schechter will review your medical history and coordinate clinically indicated lab work. At the time of your evaluation, you will be interviewed, undergo a history and physical examination, sign consent forms, have your photographs taken, and receive instructions.”
Costs for surgery in AUD are subject to currency exchange rates. Please also note that these costs are based on no health insurance.
Transport / Accommodation
Because I don’t have a date as such, I’m using a three-week period in June 2016 at the moment for costs of accommodation and travel.
For flights from Brisbane to Chicago return, I have an average cost of $1023 AUD. I’ve also put down about $1000 AUD for miscellaneous transport needs (such as travel to and from the airport). Assuming I will require 3 surgeries, this comes to $4069 AUD in transport costs.
As for accommodation – you’re looking at about $2500 for two people for three weeks, If there’s only you going – you can start looking from about $1,100. That’s only looking at hotels and apartments though.
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I’m fairly happy with the results I’ve seen of Dr Scechter’s work – but the possibility of having to spend over US$150,000 just isn’t feasible. Judging by today’s exchange rate I’m looking at somewhere in the region of $200,000; and I just don’t think I’m willing to spend that much money. That being said, if it turns out somehow that private health would cover it – I think I’d be happy enough to come back for another look.
My Transition FtM 