#dr. berli

[aawkwardaaron]

I release you into the wild

- my doctor upon approving my healing process on my top surgery scars

[boazpriestly]

Done with first phallo consult and so far I am really hopeful and comfortable with my doctor. He was very straight forward and made it clear that even if I lose the weight needed, due to my anatomy, I may not be able to stand to pee, but like, I'm okay with that. I just want a penis and balls.

He also actually told me not to worry about losing weight in terms of pounds lost, but to focus on lifestyle changes instead, which my other doctors have not told me to do. So like I actually want to get in shape now. Which is a first.

All in all I like him, and I'm excited to work with him, and also put in the work to get where I need to be.

[mr-smiffff]

Hello

I’m not much of a writer. I haven’t had a blog since myspace was popular and I’m not really sure where to begin. I know this blog won’t be poetic or grammatically correct. The reason I’m writing is mostly therapeutic. An outlet to share and document the long road to phalloplasty. 

I am 27 years old. I began my medical transition in 2010 when I started T. I had top surgery 2 years later in 2012 with Dr. Garramone and just this past year in July 2017 I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy and oophorectomy. My next and biggest surgical step in transition is RFF phalloplasty, hopefully with Dr. Berli in Portland, OR. After years of trying to navigate the maze they consider the transgender healthcare system, I have finally passed ‘go’ enough times to collect all the mental health letters needed to be approved for phalloplasty. I officially have a consultation booked with Dr. Berli at OHSU on April 10, 2018. I am nervous and excited and I couldn’t possibly explain how hard I have worked to get to this point. 

Through my employer I have Kaiser Permanente healthcare. I am extremely lucky. They have one of the few healthcare plans that will not only cover phallo but they will pay for my flights to Portland and I will be reimbursed (up to $100 a day) for my hotel stays while I am out there. I can’t explain to you how crazy it is to feel like this unobtainable +$100,000 surgery is finally within my means. Three years ago I would have told you you’re full of shit if you’d said phalloplasty would be possible in my near future. In 2014 I actually had a consultation for phallo with Dr. Crane in CA. My parents flew me out there and we made a fun little trip of it. They have been very supportive and I was still on their health insurance at that point. I would have gone with Dr. Crane as a surgeon but my parents had  United Healthcare and their specific plan denied any coverage. Unfortunately, that put phallo way out of my price range and crushed all my hopes and dreams.

When I turned 26 at the end of 2016, I was finally forced to grow up and get my own health insurance. I chose wisely and picked the plan the would cover the highest percent of my medical and hospital costs for 2017. Although I pay a hefty premium, I was able to afford my hysto out of pocket and now phalloplasty is within my means. My biggest fear is now that my body will in some way sabotage me. I’m not sure why I feel this paranoia. I am extremely healthy, I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life, yet I am worried Dr. Berli will find something that will prevent me from having surgery. Maybe it’s because I had a small complication that postponed my hysto….or maybe it’s because I also had some small complications while healing from my hysto. I don’t know. I’m trying not to get too worked up about the consultation this time. The last consultation (in 2014 with Dr. Crane) left me so deflated. I’ll post another update after my appointment in Portland. Wish me luck!

[somedepressedbitch]

holy fuck! i am scheduled for top surgery in 6 days. they ahd a cancellation so i got booked a week ago. i am. so anxious is there anything i should know? do you guys have tips to share???

[aawkwardaaron]

2 months post op

All healed up!

I can reach high, do a pushup, all my regular activities and with no pain. I am still kinda numb near the incisions but that's fading away!

[aawkwardaaron]

I got my surgery scheduled!!!

October 25th!

[aawkwardaaron]

Guess who has a consult in March~

This guy~

[lordofdiamonds]

Phallo Consult

Hey all, I’ve got a phone consultation with Dr. Jens Berli tomorrow morning to ask some questions about phalloplasty! It’ll be a loooong way off before I can actually get surgery (I haven’t even started T but I plan to soon, within the month hopefully!) and I haven’t found an insurance company yet :/ (He quoted me between ~$40,000 - $60,000 without insurance. Not super feasible lol) Goal is to figure it out so that I can have this thing done and over with within 5 yrs tops, though I’d like to have it be closer to 3. Anywho, I was just wondering if there were any other lovely folks who have had phallo with Dr Berli and could share their experience with me?