Dear Dr. Reed,

No, I only wish to have breast surgury. I do not want a full conversion. I want a mastectomy with nipple replacement. I viewed the photos on your web page and they look great. It is exactly what I would like for surgery.
Specific_Questions: I was wondering the cost of this type of surgery and what finance options are out there. I do not want a conversion only the breast surgery. I have seen a local surgeon but he did not appear to understand the consept of what I want. I want a mastectomy to look like a mans chest.

Madison

Good morning Madison,

Understood.  In that this is not conventional surgery, and irreversible and possibly could lead to remorse later on 2 letters of psychiatric clearance will be required

Sincerely,

Harold M. Reed, M.D.
305-865-2000

I am on hormones, received a name change and is currently living as a man
Specific_Questions: am I able to get the top and bottom surgery done at the same tome or within a week of each other if I am from out of town?

Jason

Good morning Jason,

We do not recommend both procedures be done at the same time, but rather 3 months
or so apart to allow for suitable wound healing.  Just too much surgery.

Undoubtedly you may find some adventuresome surgeon who will do this, but the risks
are somewhat higher.

Sincerely,

Harold M. Reed, M.D.
305-865-2000

Hello,

I’m trying to find out what I need to do to have my chest done; I want to go from female to male but I do not want the bottom surgery done. Do I need to be on hormones or see a therapist? I’m interested in having the surgery done in Miami. I am 29 yrs. old and in good health. I appreciate your help. Cynimae

Good morning Cynimae and Happy Easter,

Thank you for your interest in what we do.

2 letters of therapy clearance are required as this is irreversible surgery.

One letter must come from a therapist with a doctoral degree and the other from a therapist with a least a masters degree. One letter is regarded as a letter of concurrence.

As soon as your first letter is completed, please initiate a consultation with our office by sending in your name, address, and phone number in an envelope along with a check for 250.

The attached may be of interest.

Surely you can have top surgery without bottom surgery.

While you do not need to be on hormones, testosterone does provide secondary male characteristics such as beard and deepening of your voice.

Sincerely,

and we are leaving a light in the window for you,

Harold M. Reed, M.D.
305-865-2000

I’m a casting producer with Pie Town Productions, a television production company based in Los Angeles, California. During my research, I came across your information and specialization in this area and wanted to touch base with you.

Our company is currently in the early stages of developing a documentary-style series that would follow a couple as one of the partners undergoes a gender transition. We are looking to make a thoughtful series that could potentially shatter misconceptions and stereotypes about those transitioning genders — and be relatable to all — no matter your sexuality.

As we begin our casting process, I wanted to see if you might be able to share information about our project with your clients – and/or have any suggestions of organizations / couples within this area whom we should contact. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

A little about us…Pie Town Productions, a Power Up! award-winning company, was founded in 1995 and has produced over 3,200 episodes of programming in a variety of formats from daily series to network specials to weekly reality shows. Our client list over the last fifteen-plus years includes: Discovery, TLC, Paramount, A&E, WE, Lifetime Television, Logo, CMT, Discovery Heath, the Food Network, and HGTV. We’ve brought over 44 series, 36 special projects, and 1 feature documentary to the market, including the Emmy-award winning A Baby Story. We are currently producing the new Food Network hit, Chefs V. City and WE’s new family docu-soap, Downsized. To see more about our programming go to www.pietown.tv < http://www.pietown.tv/>

Again, any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much for your time!

I look forward to speaking with you.

Warm Regards,

Nina Corbett
Casting Producer
Pie Town Productions
818-255 9322

On 7/29/10 3:19 PM, “Harold M. Reed, M.D.” wrote:

July 29, 2010

Good afternoon Nina,

Your message is posted on our Yahoo group web-site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MTF-SRS-FTM/
and may influence how arrangements could make with prospective patients.

Best wishes,

Harold M. Reed, M.D.
305-865-2000

At 07:11 PM 7/30/2010, you wrote:
Hi Dr. Reed,

Thank you so much for the reply and for helping to get the word out about our program.

I wasn’t able to access the link that you gave me. Would love to check it out.

Thanks very much again! Will keep you posted on any referrals.

All the best,

Nina Corbett
Casting Producer
Pie Town Productions
www.pietown.tv
818-255-9322

July 31, 2010

Good morning Nina,

Real simple.

Enter http://groups.yahoo.com/
then specify our group name

MTF-SRS-FTM

This is an adult group, so there are a couple of dance steps you need to go through, and voila. You are there.

Your personal comments would be most welcome.

Have a restful weekend,

Harold M. Reed, M.D.
305-865-2000

Read the letter and this is the classic example of how a letter of endorsement should not be written. This type of letter is in fact seen when a therapist feels a certain obligation to say something but in fact has deep seated reservations about making any written commitment. This is akin to a “letter of recommendation”  for an employee.   Miss so and so worked in my office from June 1st 1999 to September 5, 2001. (Start, period, end of letter).

This is a more a letter of detachment.

The standards for how a letter should be written if the Dr. is interested are posted on WPATH.   To wit:

The Mental Health Professional’s Documentation Letter for Hormone Therapy or Surgery

Should Succinctly Specify:

1. The patient’s general identifying characteristics;

2. The initial and evolving gender, sexual, and other psychiatric diagnoses;

3. The duration of their professional relationship including the type of psychotherapy or

evaluation that the patient underwent;

4. The eligibility criteria that have been met and the mental health professional’s rationale

for hormone therapy or surgery;

5. The degree to which the patient has followed the Standards of Care to date and the

likelihood of future compliance;

6. Whether the author of the report is part of a gender team;

7. That the sender welcomes a phone call to verify the fact that the mental health professional actually wrote the letter as described in this document.  

The organization and completeness of these letters provide the hormone-prescribing physician and the surgeon an important degree of assurance that mental health professional is knowledgeable and competent concerning gender identity disorders.

More or less in the first paragraph the therapist should introduce him/herself by virtue of their background and training and societal memberships. Next the therapist should endorse the client for transgender surgery (“I recommend, I endorse, or Miss so and so would be a good candidate for transgender surgery, etc”).

Next suicidal ideation or attempts (yes or no) should be mentioned, as well as any drug abuse history or ethanol dependency (yes or no).

Lastly the therapist should invite the recipient to call their office for further discussion should questions arise.

Look at Dr. Mora’s letter hopefully and you will see the difference.

Sincerely,

Harold M. Reed, M.D.
305-865-2000

Medical factors related to sexuality and sexual functioning

Objectives:

· Define the DSM sexual disorders, and discuss the following in relation to it: symptoms, factors increasing susceptibility, and prevention.
· Describe how surgical procedures, such as a hysterectomy, may affect a woman sexually, physically, and emotionally.
· Define hormone replacement therapy and explain its advantages and potential risks.
· Describe the incidence of, symptoms of, and treatment alternatives for penile cancer, testicular cancer, prostatitis, benign prostate hyperplasia, and prostate cancer. Describe tests for prostate cancer and treatment alternatives.
· Describe the reasons why women would choose to have or not have breast implants and controversies concerning the implants themselves.
· Learn how major disabilities my affect sexual function and expression. Learn coping and enhancement strategies for people with disabilities.

2 hours later with time for serious questions and answers, we were done. But aside from potty breaks their day was still going strong. Young therapists seeking their doctoral degrees, thirsty for knowledge. Commendable, Carol (who is a board certified sexologist with a doctoral degree, how many therapists can claim that!).   Dr. Carol L. Clark   (closest to our office)  305-757-6070 

Harold M. Reed, M.D.

305-865-2000

Dr. Reed,

 I have been on T since Jan 2008. I am looking into having a hestorectomy, but also want to have both top and bottom surgery as well.
Specific_Questions: I am on psychratric medications. Seroquel, Methylphenidate ER, Methylphenidate, and Lexapro. Would these medications be a complication?

 Armando

 Hi Armando, 

Thank you for your interest in what we do.

Hysterectomy is performed by others, but if you have this done, please go for a laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and simultaneous oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) as well.  2 letters of therapy clearance should be obtained prior to this irreversible surgery.

We operate on patients taking your medications all the time, and this is not a contraindication.  A letter of clearance from your psychiatrist will be requested, and also we do advise your taking any AM medication on the morning of surgery with a sip of water. 

A word about methylphenidate…

Methylphenidate is the most commonly prescribed psychostimulant and is indicated in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Contraindications:

Methylphenidate should not be prescribed concomitantly with tricyclic antidepressants, such as desipramine, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as phenelzine or tranylcypromine, as methylphenidate may dangerously increase plasma concentrations, leading to potential toxic reactions (mainly, cardiovascular effects). Methylphenidate should not be prescribed to patients who suffer from severe arrhythmia, hypertension or liver damage. It shouldn’t be prescribed to patients who demonstrate drug-seeking behaviour, pronounced agitation or nervousness. Care should be taken while prescribing methylphenidate to children with a family history of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT).

Special precautions:

Special precaution is recommended in individuals with epilepsy with additional caution in individuals with uncontrolled epilepsy due to the potential for methylphenidate to lower the seizure threshold.

All the best,

Harold M. Reed, M.D.
305-865-2000

We would not recommend any surgery be done until a patient is over 18 years of age, unless there is some very strong compelling reason, and then your parents would need to be a part of the decision making process.

Have a restful Sunday,

Harold M. Reed, M.D.
305-865-2000

To Tara at Tarareources.net 

Dear Tara, 

This is to advise you that we have not been able to offer grants, which had been solely based upon testicular donation,  for over 2 years. That project was concluded by the research lab.

We do offer individual consideration for needy people only. However, without any contingency funds to cover the unexpected, we cannot operate.  A financial statement may be requested. 

Thank you for referring the many nice patients who have made inquires, some of whom we have been able to assist.

As is, our fees run about 6000 below what other charge in North America if that is of any help. Unless you have an impulsive need for genital ablation, please select a doctor whose work is pleasing to you

and who may respond to your request for assistance (circumstances change for us all, for example some doctor may have a cancellation and be willing to fill that time slot for less).

All the best to your group.  Your good deeds will not go unnoticed.

Harold M. Reed, M.D. 

 We are getting excellent results with a free nipple areolar complex graft.  In other words, once removed, the graft is down sized and reapplied precisely in the correct anatomical position judged by when the patient is sat up during anesthesia and after the skin incisions are closed.  Some compression is required for 7 days and this is done with both dressing and a compression garment vest which is essential for all patients to minimize bruising and swelling.

Harold M. Reed, M.D.