dr bowers is now in san mateo california

"But this fall, after months of fighting with the hospital that was the home base for her practice, she packed up her instruments and headed to the San Francisco area, ending an era that helped define Trinidad for decades."

What was she fighting with the hospital about? Publicity? Give me a break, the benefits to the town certainly out weighed the intrusion of camera's, etc.

"The hospital viewed it as an intrusion, an inconvenience and a royal pain. Crews dragging cameras, wires and microphones through the 24-bed hospital disrupt patient care and cost money, said chief executive Jim Robertson. That prompted an unusual policy. Media must get hospital permission 60 days in advance before visiting and pay for access. It was that policy, Bowers said, that drove her away."

I've spoke with Marci Bowers & attended a presentation of hers a few years ago. She spoke about the services she offered to a group of 20 or so. Any one know if she's really a good option?

Z

Who is Dr. Marci Bowers? dragonfly

butterflyjack (imported) wrote: Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:41 am Who is Dr. Marci Bowers? dragonfly

Transgender doctor assisting other transgender people with their transition.

after a conversation with robin the coordinator..dr bowers is no longer castrating non ts males since the move to california

Sheesh, that is certainly TERRIBLE news to those of us who aren't true candidates for SRS.

Caith721 (imported) wrote: Wed Dec 15, 2010 12:28 pm Sheesh, that is certainly TERRIBLE news to those of us who aren't true candidates for SRS.

What's a true candidate? Someone who goes through that Harry Benjamin rule crap? Just curious -- I thought that generally only a statement from a psychologist showing diagnosis with GID or whatnot was required for orchidectomy?

I was on the board of directors of a TS organization here in Seattle with Marci before she left to go to Trinidad. The problem for TS and castration surgeons is usually getting operating room privileges for the surgeries they want to perform. Dr Bowers maintained an office here and originally wanted to return her practice here, but was unable to find a hospital that was willing to grant operating privileges for SRS. Dr Metzler, another top SRS surgeon, was originally located in Portland, Oregon, but left for Arizona when the hospital where he worked was sold to another chain, and he was unable to come to a satisfactory agreement with the new owners.

A high percentage of the hospitals in this country are Catholic affiliated, and they forbid SRS and any surgery that eliminates fertility except for medical reasons. And many others are very conservative and fearful of malpractice. SRS has protocols and has become increasingly known, so a few more hospitals are willing to perform it, but non TS castration is often viewed as very risky. As we know, many regard the desire for castration as prima facie evidence of mental illness, and thus the surgery as highly likely to lead to malpractice. I suspect that this is the reason she dropped non-TS castrations.

homptydumpty (imported) wrote: Wed Dec 15, 2010 2:40 am I've spoke with Marci Bowers & attended a presentation of hers a few years ago. She spoke about the services she offered to a group of 20 or so. Any one know if she's really a good option?

She is usually considered one of the three best SRS surgeons in the US and Canada. (Dr Metzler and Dr Brassard being the other two)

Transward

transward (imported) wrote: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:33 pm As we know, many regard the desire for castration as prima facie evidence of mental illness, and thus the surgery as highly likely to lead to malpractice.

This is a gravely false misconception we must all work to change. Dr. Christine McGinn has a very realistic approach to avoid this, requiring letters of reference from both an MD/psychiatrist and PhD/pyschotherapist before scheduling surgeries.

transward (imported) wrote: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:33 pm I suspect that this is the reason she dropped non-TS castrations.

It might also be that she has more than enough SRS business that she chose not to consume additional time with simple orchiectomies.