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Experience Matters: Why Paying Out-of-Pocket for Top Surgery Can Make Sense
What do you do when
your insurance covers Top Surgery, but the
in-network surgeons have limited experience or
less-than-stellar results?
This situation isn’t uncommon.
As more surgeons are exposed to gender surgery through plastic surgery residency programs, the number of professionals familiar with Top Surgery techniques is increasing. However, familiarity doesn’t always equate to proficiency, and being well-trained doesn’t guarantee extensive experience. If you can manage the financial cost, paying out-of-pocket for Top Surgery might be worthwhile to secure a more experienced surgeon.
Top Surgery is a complex procedure that involves bilateral mastectomy, male chest contouring, and, in the case of Double Incision Top Surgery, free nipple grafting. While training in these techniques is essential and academic medical centers are increasingly offering this education, the best outcomes often hinge on the surgeon’s experience.
Experience is crucial for optimal results. It makes sense to seek a surgeon who has performed Top Surgery frequently and with success. After all, practice makes perfect.
Evaluating experience can be challenging. For newer procedures like Top Surgery, there isn’t a clear-cut number of surgeries that defines "experienced." However, asking the right questions during your consultation can provide valuable insights:
- How many Top Surgeries have you performed?
- How many Top Surgeries do you perform per week/month/year?
- What types of complications have your patients experienced?
- How many of your Top Surgery patients have needed a revision?
Dr. Drew Schnitt,
who performed his first Top Surgery in 2002,
exemplifies the benefits of extensive
experience. A quick look at his before-and-after
photos demonstrates his skill in
creating a natural-looking male chest. His
background in plastic, reconstructive, and
cosmetic surgery provides a solid foundation,
but his years of performing Top Surgery set
him apart. Although Dr. Schnitt does not
accept insurance, many of his patients find
his experience and results worth the
out-of-pocket expense.
“Top Surgery is both technically and aesthetically significant, and the surgeon’s experience is crucial to the outcome,” says Dr. Schnitt. “A surgeon skilled in mastectomy may not necessarily have the aesthetic expertise needed for a naturally appearing male chest. The results depend on various factors, including the thickness of the mastectomy flaps, the extent of tissue removal, precise chest contouring, and the accurate placement of nipple grafts—all of which rely on the surgeon’s experience.”
Unfortunately, less experienced surgeons can sometimes produce subpar aesthetic results, which can be particularly disheartening given the significance of the procedure.
If your insurance only covers Top Surgery with a less experienced surgeon, consider these difficult questions:
- Are you willing to take this risk with your body?
- Can you afford to pay out-of-pocket for a more experienced surgeon?
- How will you feel about potentially delaying your surgery until you can afford it?
TIP: Medical financing can help bridge the gap between your savings and the cost of surgery.
Choosing a Top Surgery surgeon involves many factors, including location, wait times, and the reputation of the surgical facility. Ultimately, having confidence in your surgeon’s ability to deliver excellent results is crucial. Top Surgery is permanent, and while revisions are possible, it’s highly advantageous to get it right the first time.
Not long ago, there were fewer Top Surgery surgeons, and our choices were limited. It’s great that training in Top Surgery is more accessible now, but you deserve to be operated on by a proficient surgeon. Even if insurance covers your surgery, you might be better off paying out-of-pocket to ensure you receive the care of a highly experienced professional.
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Last updated: 09/07/24