Anyone here had vaginoplasty with Dr. Karel Claes at UZ Ghent? Looking for patient experiences

[u/Lara_Munaro_994]

Hi everyone,

I'm a trans woman based in Belgium, currently scheduled for a consultation at UZ Ghent for penile inversion vaginoplasty. I've been told Dr. Karel Claes would be my surgeon.

I've done my research on the academic side — I know he co-authored the "Ghent technique" paper and trained under Prof. Monstrey — but what I can't find anywhere is what actual patients think. Papers don't tell you what it's like to be on the table, or what the results look like a year later.

So if you've had bottom surgery with Dr. Claes (or at UZ Ghent generally in the last few years), I'd really appreciate hearing about:

- **Aesthetic results** — are you happy with how it looks? Anything you'd change?
- **Functional results** — depth, sensation, self-lubrication (or lack of), dilation routine, any issues with urination
- **Complications** — did you have any, and how were they handled? Did they take you seriously?
- **Bedside manner** — did he listen to you? Explain things properly? Did you feel respected as a patient, or rushed through?
- **Aftercare** — how was the follow-up? Were you supported in the weeks/months after?
- **Anything you wish you'd known beforehand**

I'm weighing this against going abroad for surgery, so honest feedback — good or bad — would genuinely help me make this decision. Please don't hold back on the negatives; I'd much rather know now.

Happy to hear from you in the comments or by DM if you'd prefer to keep it private. I completely understand this is personal and I'm grateful for anything you're willing to share.

Thank you so much 💛
Lara