TWN Staff put together this interview Of Dr. Marci Bowers with questions that would be of service to our readers as well as those staff members who are interested in her doing their future SRS. Our interview team consist of Yasmene, Danika, and Jamie.************************************************Marci, how do you think your move to Trinidad will affect your personal life such as your relationship with Boy Friend, and your sons acceptance into the social scheme of life there? Are you experiencing Culture Shock?Yasmene....I think I've finally figured out how to do this now..... So on we go! Dr. Marci Bowers Happy in Colorado
The culture shock here hasn't been really all that bad, even coming from Seattle. I grew up in a small town (Oconomowoc, Wisconsin) with about the same population as Trindad, Colorado (approx. 9000). However, the beans, boots and pickup trucks have been a touch of a shocker....coming from Seattle, I'm just not used to patients saying , "honey, I'll meet you in the truck". Being in a relationship with a man and having my son here was a huge help in gaining acceptance from the community as 'just another family'....so that was good. The rumors about Zach being just my 'cabana boy' were a bit harder to swallow. Overall, we've enjoyed the simplicity of life, the quiet, and the slower pace.
How are the locals reacting to your being a Trans, taking over Bibers Work?
That was a bit of a struggle. I could not have come here a decade ago. However, my 17 years of experience as an Ob/Gyn and pelvic surgeon gave me tremendous confidence in knowing I could do the job. Doc Biber, bless his heart, hadn't changed much over the years (check out his legendary waiting room if you'd like proof). As a result, many of his medical efforts were not always state-of-the-art. For example, he held patients down at complete bedrest for 6 days. When I came in on the second day after surgery and told my patients to 'get out of bed', the nurses thought I was a dominatrix or something. They looked at me with incredulity....how could I be so callous and mean? As time has gone by, I have proven myself. We use sleeping pills, we give pain medication by PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) rather than morphine injections measured in grains, and we mobilize our patients in order to mimimize their risks of blood-clotting. Most importantly, my confidence and good care have gradually won them over. The word around the community (and believe me, this is a tough crowd) is very positive. And the trans history? Most were (and many remain) unaware of my past....when--- or if--- they do find out, THAT is when education happens!
Do you think your being Trans might prompt the Trinidad Area into becoming a Mecca for Pre Op Transition with Trans moving to the area to finish their transitions and how would you feel about that?
Certainly, there are a number of people who have moved here....mostly because they come and like the area. I do know of one woman who moved here, got a job at Wal-mart in order to pay for her surgery, and stayed. Mostly though, the town is still a bit redneck---tolerant but redneck---so that people come and they go when surgery is done.
Do you feel as we in the Trans community feel that you are in the beginning of something REALLY BIG with your new career change?
Oh yes...this is a big move, I know that. It reminds me a bit of when women began entering the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology----women caring for women. Some of the same parallels apply now and it all makes sense. Believe it or not, there are some trans women who do not choose to come to me because of my trans background in that they feel that, because their own transition was tough and left them with baggage....that I would be too unstable to perform their surgery. Admittedly, that is rare but was a common sentiment amongst women who watched women entering the Ob/Gyn field. My work is winning most over....and should add significantly to the choices and sensitivity provided to trans women. Someday perhaps, people will ask why a male plastic surgeon would ever do SRS....ha!
How do you feel about the current rules regarding regulations on getting SRS? Do you follow the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care closely?
I feel strongly that the Standards (SOC) are filled with inconsistencies, inequities and biases that lead to the continued pathologization of gender variance. Rather, I am absolutely convinced of the spiritual importance that this movement represents. I believe it holds keys to many of the societal issues with which we currently wrestle including male violence, discrimination on every front, and religious idealism and Divine Intention. The SOC promotes a gatekeeper model that routes individuals through hoops that imply mental pathology rather than spiritual emergence....and that is wrong.
If someone has lived the true life experience for 5 or more years would that take the place of a second letter for the patient to obtain SRS?
Personally, I think so....I know of one patient who spent more than $2000 just to get her letters of recommendation for surgery after living exclusively as a woman for 18 years....that is bogus and ridiculous.
What are the Pros and Cons of a person having a single or double castration prior to SRS?
I typically argue against this unnecessary step in transition....why spend the time and expense for castration when the money would be best saved for SRS/GRS? There are adequate androgen blockers available (proscar/spironolactone) that make this ste3p fully unnecessary. The only time I've agreed to orchiectomy is when there is little liklihood of going on with SRS ever and that the castration will be the final stage....castrated males do live an average of 13 years longer, BTW. Coincidence? I don't think so! I say, "have SRS and take your extra money on vacation to Mexico"
What other surgeries do you do such as Breast Implants, FFS , Trach ?
I dont' do FFS at all....I think there are too many others out there who specialise....so concentrate my efforts on what I do best....I do, however, perform Tracheal Shaving....partly because Doc Biber performed the first shave worldwide here in Trinidad....and so learned from him.
How many Male to Female SRS have you preformed to date on your own?
I have performed more than 30 such surgeries but have performed around 20 or so completely on my own since Dr. Biber's retirement in July 2003.
Is there a waiting list for your services?
Right now, we are scheduling well into 2004...although I always try and accommodate requests individually. The waiting list keeps growing, however.
Does the hair need to be completely removed before SRS?
This seems to generate controversy from amongst surgeons....hair grows in cycles so I never understood how someone could say that they can simply perform electrolysis at the time of the SRS. That said, only 30% or so pf my patients do any significant hair removal before surgery. We are usually able to thin the skin and treat remaining follicles....I just would never say it is as complete or satisfactory as pre-operative laser treatment would be.
Do you also do Female to Male Surgery , and if not will you be doing it in the future?
I have done more than 70 hysto's on the guys over the years and am now doing the clitoral releases (metoidioplasties) and some chests, especially revisions. I will not do the phalloplasties unless techniques improve significantly....another colleague and I have some ideas in that regard, however.
Knowing that you are the first Trans to be doing SRS and doing them at in the Sex Change Capital of the World no less what are your feelings about being a Pioneer in that field and what do you see for the future ? Do you feel this will start a trend?
Oh yes, I am truly honored to becoming such an innovator....I have seen so much injustice done to the transgendered community. I just felt that it was time to leave the relative comfort of my stealth Ob/Gyn life for this important advance. I am tired especially of surgeons taking our money while hiring none of us on their staffs and holding a 'they are kind of cuckoo' attitude towards us. I see a significant 'sensitivity gap' and hope that my presence will close that significantly. I also hope that my presence on 'center stage' will bring a measure of respect to the entire community as they see a balanced, well-adjusted. loving and functional woman physician who just so happens to also hold a trans history....instead of....'TRANS-GYNECOLOGIST DOES SEX CHANGE SURGERY' on the Jerry Springer Show. And sure, it might start a trend....cab drivers building their own taxis...Deli owners growing their won cattle....that kind of thing maybe. (hee, hee!)
Being a Trans Women yourself do you feel that bringing Transsexuals into the lite they will be accepted as productive members of society or will society never fully understand their situation?
Society is going to get it... in my lifetime. I see my world now entirely as a woman and consider myself nothing less. I am a sexy, confident woman worthy of love and capable of providing superb medical care. Passing and being attractive has certainly been an asset in opening some eyes....that will help all of us. I am held in extremely high esteem here in Trinidad where, nearly every woman of substance seeks my care in Obstetrics and Gynecology---despite the distant, unimaginable rumors that....well...you know. Wink! Wink!
Thank you for your time Doctor Bowers , you give us all a feeling of pride in knowing that one of our own is doing so much to help the Trans Community in a very personal way and from the Staff of TWN we wish you the best of luck in with your future in the Sex Change Capital of the World.
Yasmene Jabar
Orginally from: http://www.the-sisterhood.net/transworldnews/id32.html
