Are there any major benefits to using a local surgeon?

[Oz1958]

Distance is one of a number of considerations, and we have 2 threads running concurrently that look at surgeon selection.

I consulted a "high volume, top 30 in world" dedicated implant surgeon. But leave for the airport 2 hours before flight time, 90 minute flight, 90 minute bus to the other side of city (or similar in hire car or uber). So that's a 10+ hour round trip,l. Maybe easier with an overnight stay. Or I can drive 8 hours each way. And I need to do that for initial consult, surgery and any follow-up. Next consideration, he is an implant specialist, and while he showed a lot of consideration and empathy I felt I was just another on the production line. Finally, as a world renowned surgeon he charges accordingly. In Australia insurance pays 100% for the device and hospital stay but a fixed fee for surgery, if your surgeon charges more that's called the "gap" and the patient pays.

My other option was the local surgeon. He's only 20 minutes from home, so no interstate travel or overnight stays and associated costs. Easy to get post operative care.
He's not an dedicated implant specialist, but quietly under the radar doing 70/year implants as part of a comprehensive urological practice, up to and including transexual gender reassignment surgery. To me I see this as a major plus, as he is seeing the big picture and bringing a diverse set of skills and experiences to the table (no pun intended). And no "rock star" pricing.
I think if he can build a new dick out of thin air he should be able to fix the one I've already got.

[olddoggy]

I went with the Kaiser surgeon by my house I checked him out as best I could . Dr Rosesnstien has a very good rep for saving lives and fixing
people with complicated problems. In defense of Kaiser surgeons what I saw in pre-op and post-op were people who were dedicated to saving
lives and making life better for people with real problems. As my wife said to them I'm in there getting a glorified boob job. They don't do very many Implants but they are outstanding doctors. 3 weeks out I have nothing to complain about and I didn't"t even have a copay.

[THE_Borg]

I went when th a localish surgeon. My urology clinic is an hour away, but the surgeon works in a university hospital 3 hours away and comes to my local clinic once a month. He normally does the surgery at the hospital down the street from the local clinic. With me he wanted to do it at the university hospital where he works, as I am a high risk patient. He also had me stay overnight so that I didn't have a 3 hour car ride home.immediatly after surgery.

If I had to get on an airplane the day after the procedure I don't think I would have made it. I was very uncomfortable in a big comfy truck seat,so I'm sure I would have hated a tiny airplane seat. I also would have hated interacting with the general public.

[Rider1400]

I’m faced with same question. I recently decided to look into a revision for several issues. None are really bad but I’m getting to the point of unsatisfied. I’m a little over 6 hour drive from Houston and Dr Clavell. Already scheduling T for consult on January 12th. It will be round trip for consult, one more for surgery and another for follow up. That’s 36 hours of drive time and 2,500 miles for 3 visits. After lots of internal debates I’m going for the drive and the world class Dr. probably do fine with a local guy who does 30-40 year but I want there to be no question about a few issues I’m having. Could obviously change my mind after initial visit but we will see after January 12th

[Courage]

My two cents: I used a local Center of Excellence surgeon in the Philly area who made a bit of a mess and I ended up with an infection. I went to Clavell for a revision from the salvage. I had consulted with Eid and Clavell before the first surgery and wish like hell I'd gone to one of them. It *wouldn't* *have* *guaranteed* a good result, but it might've improved chances. That would've been well worth the inconvenience and the couple thousand dollars I ended up spending in travel anyway.

[ElbowRoom]

It’s your dick…don’t cheap out on it.

Yes, you are just another case to many high volume doctors. But that’s because it’s so routine to them, they’ve likely seen every permutation of surgical challenges, complications, etc. That’s a good thing.

When I was looking I consulted with both Hakky and Clavell. I found Clavell a little cold and business-like, while Hakky was warm and friendly. Research showed both are *highly* competent surgeons. I went with Hakky because he’s within a 1.5hr drive and I like him better.

If I had thought Clavell was the better surgeon, I would have used him in a heartbeat, even though I didn’t vibe well with him. You hire a surgeon for technical skill, and not because he gives you fuzzy feelings.

[alans4570]

I don't care how many they do in a year, it's the skill they have when doing them. I had a consult with a local "50 a year surgeon." During the consult he told me that I would lose size and have floppy glands. That's what I would have had if I had scheduled with him. I decided on Dr. Clavell. That was quite a drive from Wisconsin, but it was well worth it, and I would do it again. Everything turned out perfect, no size lose and no floppy glands. I highly recommend Dr. Clavell.

[Jage64]

My first interview was with my local Kaiser uro, literally 6 blocks from my home. I had a list of questions developed from scouring the internet and actively searching FT for a few months before I met him.

The meeting was maybe 15 minutes long, he was a very nice guy and had a working example of the prothsesis in a rubber dick he used to show me the procedure and how to deploy it after installation.

He *sort of* answered my questions, but not entirely to my satisfaction. Finally, he asked me to show him what he'd be working with. I pulled down my pants and after poking around a little he held my flaccid penis out at 3 o'clock and said "this is about what you can expect after surgery". I ended the meeting right then and said I'd get back to him, he pointed me to the nurse station to check the surgery schedule. I walked right past everybody and back to my car. I realized then that he was NOT the surgeon for me.

I called a high volume Dr. within an hour or two of me that is mentioned on FT, and his staff was so rude and dismissive that I didn't have any interest in meeting him. He has a reputation of being a little abrupt, so along with the staff experience I didn't want anything to do with him.

I then interviewed with Dr. Clavell, 2,000 miles from home. Obviously, Dr. Clavell could not hold my penis and tell me how long I'd be on Zoom, but he did say that he would get the very most length out of my anatomy he could get...safely. He addressed all of my questions and then some, some I didn't know I had.

I gladly went from a $200 copay with Kaiser to $20,000 out of pocket. Making your sex life right is not something you shop price on. Get the best, pay for the best, odds are highest you'll be the happiest.

Not kidding, the Kaiser doc showed me a penis of MAYBE 5". I'm very happy with my 7 3/4".

I never had to go back to Dr. Clavell for anything, I'd text him pictures now and then and he'd tell me things were healing just fine. The only time I saw him again was when I happened to be back in town and wanted to drop in to tell him how happy I was. We had a nice visit.

[Asdefxx]

Thanks for your replies, everyone.

I'm curious, for those of you who flew to your surgeon, how many nights did you spend in the hotel before flying? And 1 to 10 how uncomfortable was the flight home and the wait in the airport and all that?

[Courage]

Thanks for your replies, everyone.

I'm curious, for those of you who flew to your surgeon, how many nights did you spend in the hotel before flying? And 1 to 10 how uncomfortable was the flight home and the wait in the airport and all that?

Flew into Houston Monday, surgery Wednesday, flew home Friday. Airport and flight home were uncomfortable. Recommend first class and asking for a big bag of ice (or bringing cold packs if TSA allows).