FFS Costs

[Mia1982]

So before I started diving into HRT more I did a lot of research just on costs of things and FFS is probably the most expensive hurdle out of everything on my to do list. 

 

My insurance classifies this as cosmetic as many do so I am wondering what are some ways other girls have come to afford it? It also seems that many of these surgeries can be acquired overseas and still come out cheaper than having them done in the States. Anyone have experience with that? How did you save for FFS and what options are available for funding it? I am seeing people spending anywhere from 5k for one procedure to doing package deals on their entire face for upwards of 50k. Wowwwwzaaaa, serious money there. Anyway, other than just being blessed with a lot of expendable income (which I am not one of those people) what are other ways to get funds for this sort of thing? 

[VickySGV]

First thing to do is to get an eveluation for what surgery you are going to really need and what is a waste of money so you can establish a better plan of action.  My FFS if you will call it that was covered to a great degree by my Dental Insurance since the only things that three surgeons felt would be beneficial would not really be necessary with my teeth fixed, which did run me two years of deductible payments, but that was all.  I did do a refinance on my house that was in my best interest tax wise which actually got me the money for my GCS and lowered my house payments to boot.  My other suggestion would be to see if there is an LGBTQ center near you and see if they have information on medical loan services that would fit in your budget for a while.  The centers may also have grant money available for some surgeons.  Not to discourage you, but FFS is not the deal breaker it used to be on being acceptably feminine except in very rare cases so do not let this one issue prevent you from going full time as the real you.  The poorest ways of funding are the "crowd sourcing" that are a fad now in some areas.  As I said at the beginning here though, do go out and get a consultation on what you may need, and then you can really work on the finances.

[CammieT]

Hi Mia:  I see your original question was back in December, 2019, but I thought I would share some things with you in case you're still considering FFS.

 

I had a skype appointment and quotation from the Facial Team in Marbella, Spain.  If you have not heard of Facial Team you should look into them.   They have done some amazing work.   They will do a Skype workup on you at no charge.   I was pleasantly surprised at my final quote being around 28,000 euros, including 10 days of lodging post surgical.   Once we budgeted for airfare, the cost was going to be around $32,000 USD.

 

Well the pandemic hit and we could not travel.   I ended up getting a quote from a plastic surgeon here in the US in my home state.   He had trained with Facial Team.  The quote in the USA was around $38,000 USD, but I could commute and recover at home.  He admitted Facial Team could do a better job.    Fast forward a bit.   I submitted this to insurance along with all the evidence and letters from Therapists and Doctors.  To my surprise, my insurance came back and agreed to pay for FFS.   With deductibles and everything, the total cost is estimated to be around $4-$5,000 out of pocket.

 

So, with that, I went ahead and had the FFS performed about 10 days ago here in the USA.    I know it's rare that insurance will cover it but they do sometimes cover it.   Review your policy carefully.   I had to go to appeal to get them to change their mind.   Granted, I did a lot of research on insurance companies before selecting my policy so I had a pretty good idea that this company was likely to cover FFS under the right circumstances.   Prior to that, I was declined by two carriers.

 

Time will tell, as I heal, if my US based surgeon did as good of a job as I know FT is capable of doing.   Of course, for a savings of $30,000 I was willing to take a chance.   That leaves me a lot more money for follow up procedures.

 

On the lower end of the cost spectrum is 2Pass Clinic in Belgium.   He also has a very good reputation and produces some amazing results.   I didn't get a quote but I think he averages around $25,000 euros. Most US based plastic surgeons are going to be more expensive.

 

I had type 3 forehead reconstruction, eye orbit shaping, eye brow lift, feminization rhinoplasty, chin reconstruction, and a tracheal shave.

In round 2 in about three months, I will have a lip lift and eyelid surgery.   Those two things are considered cosmetic and I have to pay out of pocket for them.

 

I hope this helps.