Dr Gideon Blecher
Location
Melbourne, Australia. Operates out of Masada Hospital.
Costs
- Initial consultations: First consult - $360, with a $72 rebate. Second consult - $165 with a $42 rebate.
- Surgical area hair removal: Variable
- Surgery: ~$30000
- Anaesthetist fee: ~$6500
- Rebate: ~$2270 to ~$3500
- Hospital stay: ?
- Revision cost: Reportedly no cost for minor revisions (has not had anyone come back for revisions 06/2025).
Method and surgical experience
Performs Labiaplasty and Penilve Inversion Vaginoplasty. Trained by Dr Andrew Ives.
- “I would be estimating but I think when I saw him in Feb 2024 he’d done around 12, and he was doing one a month. That would put him at around 28?” - Ava
Online reports of the experience
- ?
Dr Blecher’s website
Ava’s experience
What was the process of getting to where you are now two months prior to surgery?
- The first step was to get a referral from my GP. Upon mentioning Dr Blecher, my GP mentioned that he is a good practitioner and pleasant to work with. This was in October 2023.
- After reaching out to Dr Blecher’s office I was offered a May 2024 consult, which was then brought forward to February 2024.
- The first consult involved Dr Blecher asking about my past history, why I wanted the surgery, following by a lot of information about the procedure, and the requirement that I have private health insurance that covers the MBS Item Numbers for the procedures he performs. He reviewed the risks involved, what to expect after the surgery, the pre-op requirements for WPATH and hair removal, and photos of past results.
- He then asked if I would be okay for him to do a physical examination which was a very brief exam of the tissue that he would be working with, and what kind of results I could expect with what I had.
- I then organised a follow up consult for October 2024, and his office gave me the MBS Item Numbers to start vetting PHI options. This gave me time to come back with any further questions I came up with, begin hair removal, and complete the first of two WPATH assessments. The first assessment he requires is by a Clinical Psychologist specifically, which ruled out my normal psych who is a Registered Psychologist.
- The second consult gave me the chance to ask more questions, particularly related to how my psoriasis might affect the outcome, and more questions about the aftercare. After this consult he was happy to offer me a date for August 2025, as well as the quote for the procedure (see “What were the costs involved?”).
- I could then schedule my second WPATH assessment for two months prior to that date with a psychiatrist, and complete hair removal.
- A pre-op consult was scheduled 8 weeks before the date to review final requirements prior to surgery. These are: ceasing HRT 4 weeks before surgery, getting scripts for bowel prep, and an antibiotic cream, recommendations for a donut cushion and pads for after surgery, and dilating instructions.
Why Dr Blecher?
- Once I’d worked out my priorities for what I wanted out of the surgery, and the luxury of being able to access it in my home city, it felt like the right choice.
- He is a urologist before a plastic surgeon, so I felt assured that even if aesthetics aren’t ideal after the initial surgery, I trust that the function of such a sensitive area would have a much better chance at being maintained. I felt like there was less risk involved knowing that he is intimately familiar with the risky anatomy of the urinary tract, and operating so close to the bowel.
- I also personally feel supported by the health system here and knowing how tightly regulated it is, should there be any complications I know there are avenues to pursue remedy or compensation should the worst happen.
- He was very up front about not doing ‘porn star vaginas’, and that he is not strictly a plastic surgeon which might deter some girls, but seeing his work as well as his mentor’s work (Andrew Ives) I have no concerns about aesthetic results.
- At the time of writing, there was the bonus of a small wait time. My first consult was in February 2024, and a scheduled surgery date of August 2025. This was due to him being very new on the scene, but given his history as a respected surgical urologist, positive comments on his work ethic by medical contemporaries, and seeing photos of his early surgery results, I felt pretty confident going with him.
- I’ve spoken to a handful of people who have had gender affirmation surgeries at Masada hospital, as well as a couple of nurses who work there, and I have only heard glowing reviews of the treatment and care there. This has also been a big bonus to having Blecher as my choice.
What were the costs involved?
- As of 2025 he charges $30,000 for the surgery. There is approximately $3,500 of rebates from medicare expected after the surgery.
- The anaesthetist who will be doing my procedure is Dr Beth White, and is charging $6,500. Payment is required 2 days before surgery. I am currently unsure of medicare rebates on this fee.
- As someone with light hair (red/blonde) I have had to spend approximately $6,500 on electrolysis for hair removal prior to surgery.
- There is also the costs involved with purchasing any post-op aftercare/recovery items (TBC)
Which private health insurance did you choose?
I went with HIF (they’re quite publicly LGBTQI+ inclusive and mention gender affirmation surgery on their website) and I have Silver Hospital Cover, with the Advanced Extras. They confirmed that these tiers cover my stay at Masada and all item numbers.
Are revisions are covered? Medically required or cosmetic.
He hasn’t had anyone come back to him for any further major surgeries/revisions, or even minor revisions as of my last call with him earlier this month, but he did say anything minor that requires day surgery shouldn’t incur any further fees.
Have you been given any pre-op requirements?
- Hair removal via electrolysis or laser is required.
- While he does perform limited follicle scraping, he will only do this for errant hairs as required when conducting the scrotal skin graft, and made it clear that it is not the preferred method of removing hair from material required to construct the vaginal canal.
- This has taken me approximately 12 months to complete. The electrolysis technician I worked with noted that I had less hair than usual, so it may take longer or less time, a very YMMV situation.
What is Dr Blecher like to interact with?
- Very friendly, if a little bit unconcerned. Definitely not cold or unfeeling, but I get the sense that this kind of operation is totally a day job for him, and he’s really chill about it. He’s clearly very confident in his abilities, he’s trained in phalloplasty, and talked about learning vaginoplasty with Andrew Ives as like an easy upskilling opportunity.
- He’s very blunt and clear about all of the risks, about what to expect from the procedure which I really appreciated.
- I would say for anyone going in to see him, don’t expect a lot of hand holding or coddling, but expect a communicative and skilled surgeon just doing his thing.
Is there anything else you think is worth communicating to others about the process so far?
- Ever since my first consult I have peppered Dr Blecher’s rooms with questions via email, and the staff have been super responsive the entire time, either giving me the information I need, or deferring to Dr Blecher himself then getting back to me. This was really helpful for me as I could clarify WPATH requirements, medical questions and such throughout the year as I progressed.
- It’s been an administratively complex process at times to make sure I got the right private health insurance coverage, have enough time for the cooling off period so I can make a claim by the time the surgery date rolls around, organising regular electrolysis sessions around work time amongst other medical necessities, and generally saving money diligently the entire time.
- This whole process has been exhaustingly expensive and has taken up most of my life in the 18 months leading up to my date. I have had to organise a bank loan to cover the bulk of the costs, while also trying to save as much as I possibly can.
- Considering the long recovery period, I’m fairly sure I’m only halfway through this marathon, and I very much leaned on my support network throughout. Have good people around you through this process.
- I hope one day this will all be covered on Medicare, and that the hardest part about accessing it is getting hair removed.