I’m trans/non-binary and I am incredibly happy with my results and the care provided at the clinic.
Here is a list of things I think are good to know regarding the whole process:
- Most, if not all of the communication pre-surgery is done via email. Once you get in touch with them (I did so through their website) you are assigned a clinic rep who will deal with all your queries and bookings. I found communication with them to be overall quick and easy (although a bunch of automated emails were sent that contradict or confused the personalised correspondence but I just followed the latter and/or send them info I’d already sent again just in case…and it all worked out)
- If you choose not to send them pics through the form on the website they will ask for it via email - they basically want to get pics ASAP so their surgical team can determine what they can offer you. I was approved for a gender-affirming mastectomy (subject to blood tests and in-person clinical assessment in the actual clinic right before surgery, more on this below).
- They will also ask for a surgery referral letter - my advice is to get this before you contact them as it will make the whole process a lot smoother and quicker. I went through Anne Health and paid £250, but they will basically accept any letter from a qualified professional so this could also be your GP (which is probably cheaper).
- After you’ve submitted pics, surgery referral letter and completed their health questionnaire they can let you know which surgeon(s) are available for which dates. As far as I’ve been able to gather through research online they have at least 10 surgeons who perform top surgery at the clinic. Some have results online (I suggest you join the Facebook Group specifically set up for transgender patients of Nordesthetics), some don’t. I’m under the impression, however, that they’re all well experienced. You can opt for an online consultation with a surgeon anytime before and after booking surgery for €60. I did and found it helpful - NB the surgeon I had my online consultation with was not the surgeon who performed the surgery, more on this below.
- As there wasn’t any surgeon available until June earliest when I contacted them in February I opted for their Fast Track route, which basically means you can choose which week (still subject to availability) you’d like to have surgery and then you arrive the weekend before to be ready to go in case of cancellations. They’ll do the pre-op tests between Sunday-Tuesday (for me it was Tuesday but only bc it was Easter weekend) and then they’ll let you know by Wednesday when your surgery will be that week (provided you’ve been cleared after pre-op tests). The clinic will ask that you fast each day until 12pm just in case the notification will be for the same day. I got notified on Wednesday that my surgery would be the next day and that my surgeon would be Dr. Aurimas Dobilinskas. According to their website and the surgeon I spoke to during my online consult they have been doing the Fast Track for over 2 years and have never not been able to book patients in. In the event of this happening they will compensate for flights and accommodation costs up to €1000.
- On the day of my surgery I met my surgeon for an assessment and he was very kind and open to any questions and scar shape preferences. My advice is to have a clear idea (with example pics if possible) about what you want bc otherwise they will just go with what they think everyone wanting top surgery wants. Please note they do respond well to what you want, just be clear! When they mark your chest don’t be afraid to say exactly how you’d like it. I got exactly what I wanted.
- I was asked to be at the clinic about 2 hrs before my surgery - having fasted for 6 hrs on food and drinks (excl. water) and 4 hrs on water - and was taken to the ward where I’d spend the night. Everyone was very nice and helpful and the ward was modern, clean and comfortable.
- About an hour before surgery the anaesthetist came by and did his assessment and chat - he was very outgoing and kind and made me feel at ease.
Once in the operating room I remember lying on the table with my arms spread (they put a very comfy weighted blanket on you), the nurse inserting the cannula (the only part that was slightly painful, but nothing bad!) and then I woke up in the ward with my chest wrapped and high af on drugs!
- Even though it was outside visiting hrs they still allowed my partner in to see me which I really appreciated. Nurses were great, painkillers were great and the food/drink provided was great.
- Before I was discharged the next morning the surgeon came by to check in and I got to see my chest out of the binder for the first time - it was fantastic. All was good and after a lymphatic drainage massage (helps with swelling) they sent me home with a bag full of painkillers and the instruction to shower the next day and each day after.
- We stayed in apartments opposite the clinic which was handy. They also have their own self catered apartments but they were fully booked (I would strongly advise to stay somewhere with a kitchen).
- Recovery was fine - most annoying thing is that the meds make you constipated, but the clinic will give you something for that if you ask.
- Before they fully discharge you (between 5-7 days post-op) they’ll change your tape and you have a last check-up with surgeon. He told me to keep him posted by sending pics and said he’d answer any questions that may arise in forthcoming weeks.
- Flying home post-op sucks. If you can avoid flying budget I would. But now that I’m home it’s all fine :)
Important to note: when the clinic gives you all the paperwork to sign, one of the forms will state you’ll be getting a “breast reduction” - don’t panic! This is NOT what you’re getting, you’re still getting a full gender affirming mastectomy. They just (for some reason) do not have that specific category for their admin.
CON: BMI limit is 35 and if it is over 30 you’re not entitled to revision. So not inclusive of all body types which is very disappointing.
Overview of costs:
Total fee for surgery with 5% Fast Track discount was: €4085.00 / £3571.11. Please note that their fees go up every year come August. This included:
*Surgery
*Pre-op tests
*Pre-op consult with surgeon and anaesthetist
*Overnight stay in clinic with meals provided (2 bed ward, 1 bed ward upon request and if available - I was in a 2 bed ward but there was no other patient during my stay. Food was good)
*Post-op check-up with resident doctor in ward after surgery
*Painkillers, stool meds + tape
*Compression binder
*2 lymphatic drainage massages (1 right after surgery and 1 before you are discharged)
*Tape change before discharge
*Transport from and to Kaunas Airport upon arrival and departure (Vilnius also possible but only within office hours)
*Transport from and to clinic (from/to wherever you’re staying)
Remaining costs of flights, accommodation, food, surgery referral, mastectomy pillow etc. came to about:
£1800 (mind you we could’ve budgeted more so this figure could defs be lower)
So all-in this cost me: £5371.11 (I am not including full recovery time after getting home in this!)
I also opted for some add-ons the clinic had on offer (but these are optional and not necessary if budget doesn’t allow):
*Online consult with a surgeon couple months before: €60.00 / £53.22
*UK Pre-op test package with Sirkka Health: £198.00 - I basically opted for this so I would know a month beforehand whether there would be any issues after the clinic reviewed my blood test results (and thus would be more likely to be able to action them if necessary). Sirkka Health is one of their partners so they automatically send the results through to the clinic.
*After care package: €450.00 / £393.39 - https://www.nordesthetics.com/en/aftercare-package-in-uk-ireland/
*2 extra lymphatic drainage massages: €35.00 / £30.60 each