Doctors who peform orchiectomies in the U.S. without a therapist letter?

[Futurist (imported)]

Which doctors in the U.S. perform orchiectomies without a therapist letter?

Indeed, I am curious as to what exactly the current situation in regards to this is here in the U.S.

Also, out of curiosity--Dr. Marc Arnkoff is one such U.S. doctor, correct? If so, who exactly are the other such U.S. doctors?

[SplitDik (imported)]

Only Dr. Arnkoff.

[Hopeful1 (imported)]

Supposedly Dr. Movagharnia in Atlanta will do an orcihectomy without a therapist letter but does require a letter from the patient telling why you want it and acknowledging the side effects. I have never known of anyone who went to him however. I do know from talking to his office personally that his fees are high (over $5000) and he does the surgery in a hospital so you have the OR and other costs also. Plus they do not take any form of insurance or Medicare.

[kristoff]

Supposedly Dr. Movagharnia in Atlanta will do an orcihectomy without a therapist letter but does require a letter from the patient telling why you want it and acknowledging the side effects. I have never known of anyone who went to him however. I do know from talking to his office personally that his fees are high (over $5000) and he does the surgery in a hospital so you have the OR and other costs also. Plus they do not take any form of insurance or Medicare.

And it has recently been reported that he has lost his hospital admitting privileges.

[Futurist (imported)]

And it has recently been reported that he has lost his hospital admitting privileges.

Do you know why exactly? If so, can you please tell us?

[Futurist (imported)]

Only Dr. Arnkoff.

OK; also, out of curiosity--is Dr. Arnkoff still planning to be in business several years from now?

[Paolo]

I'd say you'd have to ask him that.

[Hopeful1 (imported)]

And it has recently been reported that he has lost his hospital admitting privileges.

That I hadn't heard. I'm glad I didn't go to him though. My urologist required a letter from my therapist but he was fantastic.

[Futurist (imported)]

That I hadn't heard. I'm glad I didn't go to him though. My urologist required a letter from my therapist but he was fantastic.

Is it OK for you to tell us who exactly your urologist is?

[Futurist (imported)]

I'd say you'd have to ask him that.

OK; indeed, I will certainly try contacting him and asking him that!

[Futurist (imported)]

Also, for the record, if the therapy route doesn't lead to good results in 1-2 years, I certainly want and hope to go to Dr. Arnkoff in Michigan!

[ZeuterMe (imported)]

I've heard of one in Missouri who'll do it without papers, and bill Medicare.

I'm chasing down the lead as we speak.

[Hopeful1 (imported)]

Is it OK for you to tell us who exactly your urologist is?

It wouldn't matter if I did tell you since he does not do them as a routine matter. My reasons were twofold, one was being transgender but the second was for medical reasons. Being trans just expedited the medical reasons rather than delaying them for a year or so.

[smoothie36 (imported)]

Dr. Movagharnia, a plastic surgeon, does orchiectomies at a local hospital on an out patient basis. I believe the total cost is $4000. Since this is elective surgery it is not covered by insurance. No therapist letter is required, but you must write him a letter telling him why you want the surgery.

[Losethem (imported)]

Dr. Movagharnia, a plastic surgeon, does orchiectomies at a local hospital on an out patient basis. I believe the total cost is $4000. Since this is elective surgery it is not covered by insurance. No therapist letter is required, but you must write him a letter telling him why you want the surgery.

Did you read the rest of the thread above that was describing this particular physicians issues? IE lack of hospital admitting privileges?

Seriously, get the therapist letter, it's not that difficult. You're all freaking out about it too much.

[Chris1115 (imported)]

Avoiding doctors that require therapist letters is just asking yourself for trouble. The therapist letters are beneficial for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to give you the time to talk about, and reflect upon, your feelings that lead you to WANTING surgery. They help filter out and save, those people who would, after the surgery, greatly regret the decision. You say now that you wouldn't regret it and, while that may be true in your case, it isn't true in many others. Further, nobody knows how you would ultimately feel after that last cut is performed. Not even you, if we can be perfectly candid. You may wholeheartedly think NOW that you'd be alright with it, but after its done you could regret it, either immediately or after a period of time has passed. Having a therapist also gives you the support structure for dealing with the consequences and feelings afterward. A therapist might first recommend trying a chemical - i.e. reversible - route to ensure that you are content with the feelings afterward. All of this is done for YOUR benefit. Do yourself a favor and safeguard your mental health as well as your physical well being. Don't go to underground cutters and risk death. Don't jump right into surgery without talking to someone about your feelings, and reasons behind your desire.

[smoothie36 (imported)]

Dr. Movagharnia is Chief of Surgery at WellStar Windy Hill Hospital. He is also a Clinical assistant Professor of Surgery for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Georgia Campus.

Dr. Movagharnia became board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery in 1999 and a Fellow of the board in 2002. He opened the Center for Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery, P.C. in 1998 in Atlanta.

[Hopeful1 (imported)]

Dr. Movagharnia is Chief of Surgery at WellStar Windy Hill Hospital. He is also a Clinical assistant Professor of Surgery for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Georgia Campus.

Dr. Movagharnia became board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery in 1999 and a Fellow of the board in 2002. He opened the Center for Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery, P.C. in 1998 in Atlanta.

Apparently he does still have hospital privileges unless it's happened in just the last few days. I checked Wellstar's website and he's still listed. Thankfully my doctor is in the Southern Crescent of Metro Atlanta so I didn't have to go over to Northside where the standard traffic report is "all parking places on the Interstate are taken but thank you for playing." LOL Also according to one of his website's he is apparently trying to get approved to perform GRS.

[LeatherPup (imported)]

Did you read the rest of the thread above that was describing this particular physicians issues? IE lack of hospital admitting privileges?

Seriously, get the therapist letter, it's not that difficult. You're all freaking out about it too much.

I can confirm 1st hand that Dr. Fara Movagharnia has operating privileges at WellStar Windy Hill Hospital he just doesn't have approval to do full GRS (yet). His fee for orchiectomy includes everything (hospital fees, anesthesiologist, nurses and even pain medication). He is a board certified plastic surgeon, he doesn't leave hideous scars like I've seen from other doctors.

[Futurist (imported)]

Avoiding doctors that require therapist letters is just asking yourself for trouble. The therapist letters are beneficial for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to give you the time to talk about, and reflect upon, your feelings that lead you to WANTING surgery. They help filter out and save, those people who would, after the surgery, greatly regret the decision. You say now that you wouldn't regret it and, while that may be true in your case, it isn't true in many others. Further, nobody knows how you would ultimately feel after that last cut is performed. Not even you, if we can be perfectly candid. You may wholeheartedly think NOW that you'd be alright with it, but after its done you could regret it, either immediately or after a period of time has passed. Having a therapist also gives you the support structure for dealing with the consequences and feelings afterward. A therapist might first recommend trying a chemical - i.e. reversible - route to ensure that you are content with the feelings afterward. All of this is done for YOUR benefit. Do yourself a favor and safeguard your mental health as well as your physical well being. Don't go to underground cutters and risk death. Don't jump right into surgery without talking to someone about your feelings, and reasons behind your desire.

In theory, I certainly agree with you in regards to this; however, the financial cost of therapy certainly gives me shudders in regards to this (especially considering that some transgender therapists apparently don't accept insurance)!

[Chris1115 (imported)]

In theory, I certainly agree with you in regards to this; however, the financial cost of therapy certainly gives me shudders in regards to this (especially considering that some transgender therapists apparently don't accept insurance)!

Good point, though one cannot put a value on a person's mental health. I suppose I'm fortunate to finally understand it is a fantasy for me. Had a dream which I vaguely recall the other night, after watching BrentTAG's video, where my balls were disconnected, and I just remember feeling tremendous grief.

[Losethem (imported)]

In theory, I certainly agree with you in regards to this; however, the financial cost of therapy certainly gives me shudders in regards to this (especially considering that some transgender therapists apparently don't accept insurance)!

Oh shit on a cracker! It's not that expensive and not that long. You're needlessly stirring up fear of getting a therapist letter.

In other news, if you're going to keep soliciting advice, listen to it or stop soliciting. Every thread I've seen you on has you asking a question and for advice, and you always find a reason why the answer will never work for you.

[Futurist (imported)]

Oh shit on a cracker! It's not that expensive and not that long. You're needlessly stirring up fear of getting a therapist letter.

In other news, if you're going to keep soliciting advice, listen to it or stop soliciting. Every thread I've seen you on has you asking a question and for advice, and you always find a reason why the answer will never work for you.

Please forgive me if what I said is wrong in regards to this; however, what I do know is that I had bad luck with finding therapists who accept insurance in the area that I live in (specifically in Orange County, California).

Now, if I am wrong in regards to this (even in regards to therapists in Orange County, California), please, please let me know! After all, I am still trying to get this done with a therapist letter or two right now; however, I am simply being honest that I didn't have much luck in regards to therapists accepting insurance in the area that I live in.

[Losethem (imported)]

I stand by my previous statement.

[sparkey49 (imported)]

I go along with losethem if you truly want something you will make the sacrifices necessary to achieve your goal. I do not make much money and no insurance and it took a while but found ways to make what I wanted happen with no complaining.