Experienced Urogynecologist in San Francisco Specializing in Gender-Affirming Bottom Surgery Procedures
Dr. Heidi Wittenberg, MD, is a highly experienced urogynecologist and reconstructive pelvic surgeon in San Francisco who works exclusively with trans and non-binary patients, offering genital gender-affirming surgery. Dr. Wittenberg received her training in transgender surgery at one of the highest volume transgender surgery centers in the U.S. and is now the director of Mozaic Care. Dr. Adam Bonnington joined Dr. Wittenberg at MoZaic Care as a Surgical Associate in 2020. She is a Founder Surgeon and Co-Director for the first Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) accredited Center of Excellence in Gender Confirmation Surgery at Greenbrae Surgery Center and was awarded Master Surgeon honor by the SRC. Dr. Wittenberg is also the Medical Director of the Gender Institute at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Wittenberg obtained her Bachelors in Genetics at the University of California, Berkeley. She has a Masters Degree in Applied Physiology and a Medical Degree from the Chicago Medical School. She started her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbus-Cabrini Northwestern Affiliate. She was then recruited by one of the most prestigious OB/GYN programs in the country at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland where she completed her residency.
In 2000, Dr. Wittenberg developed and directed the Comprehensive Pelvic Medicine and Continence Center for the California Pacific Medical Center. She went on to develop and direct the pelvic medicine center at Urogynecology Center of San Francisco, and chaired the Multispecialty Pelvic Physiology Conference at California Pacific Medical Center. She is one of the few experts in neurourology in San Francisco and is one of the most experienced advanced laparoscopic and benign gynecological robot surgeons in Northern California.
Dr. Wittenberg performs gender affirming genital and pelvic surgeries at the Center of Excellence for Gender Confirmation Surgery at Greenbrae Surgery Center, BonAir Surgery Center, and California Pacific Medical Center. She also has surgical privileges at Saint Francis Dignity and Marin General Hospital.
Dr. Wittenberg is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In 2013, she was also board certified in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, the first year that the certification became available. Dr. Wittenberg is a member of:
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
- The American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS)
- The Pacific Coast Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (PCOGS)
- The San Francisco Gynecological Society
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
What is a Urogynecologist?
Urogynecologists are doctors who have completed medical school and a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology or Urology. They are specialists with additional years of fellowship training and certification in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) also known as Urogynecology. The American Board of Medical Specialties approved Urogynecology as a certified sub-specialty in 2011, and the first doctors were board-certified in 2013. FPMRS board certification indicates that a Urogynecologist has the highest level of expertise and credentials for treating pelvic floor disorders affecting people who were born with female anatomy. FPMRS specialists are also experts in vaginal reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Wittenberg lives in San Francisco with her husband and their beloved rescue dogs. She has traveled to Guatemala for surgical missions and also does surgical missions in San Francisco for the under-served, for which she received the Congressional Award in 2011 for Operations Access Unsung Hero. Dr. Wittenberg is also an organ donor: she donated one of her kidneys to her husband.
Gender Affirming Genital Surgery in California
Dr. Wittenberg offers the following gender-affirming procedures:
- Orchiectomy
- Penectomy
- Vulvoplasty
- Vaginoplasty (Penile Inversion), incl. Clitoroplasty, Labiaplasty; Peritoneal Pull Through Vaginoplasty
- Reconstructive Urology – Vesicovaginal and urethral fistula repair
Surgery Requirements
Dr. Wittenberg follows WPATH guidelines for surgery:
- You will need to provide two referrals from qualified mental health professionals.
- A letter from your hormone specialist stating you have been on 12 months of continuous hormones.
- Minimum age of 18 as eligibility to undergo irreversible genital surgery procedures.
Paying for Surgery Out-of-Pocket
Dr. Wittenberg accepts cash, credit cards and certified check. For exact pricing, please contact Dr. Wittenberg for a consultation.
Insurance Information
Dr. Wittenberg is in-network with: Blue Shield of California (PPO & Covered CA plans) , Blue Cross of California (PPO, Pathway PPO/EPO, HPN EPO & Select PPO and Covered CA plans), Cigna (PPO/HMO) and San Francisco Health Plan and Healthy SF.
If you have an out-of-state Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan, Dr. Wittenberg can see you as long as you have out-of-state coverage. Referrals and authorizations may be needed.
Dr. Wittenberg is out-of-network with: Blue Cross Medi-cal, Presbyterian Health Plan and HMSA Medi-cal.
Insurance that is not accepted:
- Medicare
- Private Commercial Medicare Plans
- California Straight Medi-cal
- Non-California Straight Medicaid Plans
- United Healthcare
- Aetna
- Health Net
- Blue Shield Promise Health Plan
- Meritain Health
- Oscar Health
- Tricare
- Contra Costa Health Plan
- LA Care
- Health Plan of LA
- Health Care LA, IPA
- Partnership Healthplan Medi-Cal
- Community Health Center Network (CHCN)
- Molina Health
- Valley Health Plan
- Alameda Alliance Medi-cal
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- GEHA
- Kaiser
- Health Net Medi-cal
- IEHP
- Central CA Alliance Medi-cal
- Out-of-country insurance
Insurance information is accurate as of July, 2024 and is subject to change.
Booking a Consultation
Dr. Wittenberg is available for in-person and phone consultations (we prefer in-person if possible, but understand the limitations if patients live out of state). Phone consult fee: $250, self pay office visit fee: $250. During the consultation, Dr. Wittenberg will provide you with honest and detailed information about the procedure(s) that you are interested in. You’ll also learn about what to expect before, during and after your surgery. Contact Dr. Wittenberg’s office to book your consultation.
