Dr. Charles Lee
Top Surgery and Phalloplasty In San Francisco
Dr. Charles K. Lee, MD is an award-winning plastic and reconstructive surgeon who performs Top Surgery and microsurgical Phalloplasty in San Francisco. In practice since 2003, Dr. Lee started working with the urologists at Crane Center for Transgender Surgery as a microsurgeon on their Phalloplasty team. With a plastic surgery background that includes countless chest/breast surgeries, as well as experience working with gender-diverse patients, Dr. Lee expanded his practice to include Top Surgery.
Training and Experience
- Medical degree, Washington University, St. Louis
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery residency, University of Chicago
- Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship training in microsurgery and hand surgery, Buncke Clinic, San Francisco
- Currently serves as Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery, University of California-San Francisco (UCSF)
- Currently serves as Chief of Plastic Surgery and Director of Reconstructive Microsurgery, St. Mary's Medical Center, San Francisco
What Is Microsurgery?
Microsurgery is a type of surgery that requires an operating microscope to connect very small blood vessels and nerves, allowing tissue transfer from one part of the body to another. In Phalloplasty, microsurgery is used to connect the blood vessels and nerves of free flaps and pedicled flaps to create the neophallus. Radial forearm flap (RFF) and anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap Phalloplasty are the most commonly performed microsurgical Phalloplasty techniques. Compared to older methods that use insensate flaps like Abdominal and Trunk/Groin Phalloplasty, microsurgical Phalloplasty offers better urinary and sensory outcomes and the safer use of erectile implants. Dr. Lee and Reconstructive Urologist Dr. Min Jun work together as a team to perform Phalloplasty.
Top Surgery In San Francisco
Dr. Lee is also very experienced with reconstructive and aesthetic chest surgery and is pleased to offer gender-affirming Top Surgery in San Francisco.
Operating Facilities
California Pacific Medical Center – Davies Campus and St. Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco; Greenbrae Surgery Center and Bon Air Surgery Center in Greenbrae, California.
Surgery Requirements
Two referrals from qualified mental health professionals for Phalloplasty; one referral for Top Surgery unless otherwise specified by insurance. Additionally for Phalloplasty, a letter from your hormone specialist stating you have been on 12 months of continuous hormones (unless clinically contraindicated) and 18+ years of age.
Financing & Insurance
Credit/debit cards, cashier's check, money order, wire transfer, medical financing via CareCredit and insurance. Crane Center in San Francisco is in-network with Cigna PPO, Anthem Blue Cross PPO, Blue Shield of California PPO, Western Health Advantage, Sutter Select, San Francisco Health Plan/Healthy SF and Employer Health Network (Whole Foods). The Crane Center has also had success billing out-of-network with Aetna, Group Health, Harvard Pilgrim, Health Net, HealthPartners, Medica, most managed Medi-Cal plans, Pacific Source, Sharp Health Plan and United Healthcare. Medicare, Tri-Care, Kaiser, Ambetter and Oscar Health are not accepted.
Booking a Consultation
Dr. Lee has a wait list of approximately 4-6 weks for a consultation and 5-6 weeks for a surgery date. Virtual and in-person consultations as available for a fee of $200. If using insurance with in-network benefits, the consultation fee is the co-pay. An in-person consultation is not required for booking a surgery date.
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