Seek opinions FFS 4 me

[Maddee]

Hi.
I am not sure if I see myself accurately.

Would appreciate any opinions of what facial feminization surgery procedures might be "necessary" or unnecessary in my case.

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 16, 2020 by Jani
Photos removed per request.

[Heather Shay]

I personally think you look fine and don't need any FFS.

Shay

[JK]

I think you look great. Your eyes in particular are stunning~! If you do end up getting FFS, do what makes you happy. ❤️ 

[Jani]

Maddie, you do look good, I love your hair!!  You have a nice small upper lip (philtrum area) so I don't see a lip lift being needed.  Your brow area looks fine, like mine actually and my surgeon said I didn't need brow work.  You have nice high cheek bones, and your chin is not square.  I did have mine rounded off to smooth it out.   I don't see an Adam's Apple either.  I would save your money for electrolysis and GRS (if desired).    

 

Jani 

 

PS:  great job on your eyebrows.  they look super!

[Cyndee]

Hi Maddie, I can't add to anything to what been said already, except that any surgery carries a risk, and should be considered carefully. I think you are just fine today and love your hair.

 

Cyndi

[Heather Shay]

Yes - what I wouldn't do to have hair like yours.

 

Heather Shay

[Jani]

I see your cat hiding in the shadow's in picture 2.  What do they think???  I'm sure they love you as you are.  

[Maddee]

Thank you Jani, Cyndee, JK, Shay

 

My cats love me and I love them so much ❤️❤️

 

It's a long shot anyway.  I've been told it's rare for FFS to be covered by my insurance.  My counselor is experienced and is trying to unlock the insurance coding with his letter.

 

It must be something in my counselors letter for bottom surgery consult.  Because the email for the upcoming video appt says it's for both GCS and FFS. . I had not seriously thought about FFS before so I don't know what I might need if I could get it.  

 

My voice has improved, my posture is usually good, and my BMI/ weight is down. Makeup is getting better. Until I can come up with big $ for electro (not going to dink around with that any longer), I don't know what else I can do except knowledge

 

Trying to construct a tight list of questions for this upcoming video consult.  Needing as much info as I can, mostly about GCS.  Pretty sure I won't even be speaking with the surgeon. I heard this surgeon is very good, but doesn't really see or examine you until you are wheeled into the operating room.  That is terrifying thought for me to be so out of control over what could happen to my body.

[Jani]

Don't worry about not having an exam.  My doctor didn't do one either.  After a while they know what they will see and what they'll do.  Not enough variations to worry about.  

 

I agree about not dinking around with electro.  Either commit to it and go for regular weekly appointments or wait.  Starting and stopping with infrequent visits gets you nothing.  

 

Hugs, Jani 

[Dana Michelle]

If you are going to have FFS, I would suggest reducing the height of your chin. However, your face looks like it can pass already so if you have trouble coming up with the money for other things, I'd suggest saving the money for electrolysis instead of FFS.

[Alexxiss]

Hi Ms. Maddie,

Of course I believe you are a beautiful soul and look actually very feminine and beautiful. However in an attempt to answer your questions and provide you the most information I'll list some things you can bring up with your consultant on your video call. When I had my consultation for FFS, they scheduled me for a phone call and then the surgeon said he wished they'd have got me a video session so he could see what my features looked like. I would definitely put faith in your surgeon/institution so do your research before you accept. I would ask the consultant (probably a nurse) and really anyone else involved or aware of the institution's FFS work, "What the success rate is, does it always go well,  people are usually excited and ecstatic for the work you've done for them, right?"

"Are there every any complications to the surgeries you've done and if so, how were they handled or solved?"

"When you look at my face, which features are masculine and which are feminine?"

"What do you think of my nose, chin, brows, hairline, and jaw?"

"Which FFS procedures, like Rhino, Orbital Rim Reduction, Jaw Contouring, for example, are invasive and to what degree, and which are not?"

"How long is the recovery time, what is the pain like, and what is the overall toll on my body?"

"When can I return to work/leisure/exercise?"

"Will I have to eat liquid foods and for how long?"

"Do you have any testimonials from previous patients?"

"What is the intake and outgoing process like? How many days are spent in the hospital due to the procedures that I want, or what's the longest or shortest time I could be hospitalized?

If you're not sure of financial responsibility make sure you find the answers to these questions before you sign:

"What is my overall liability for the FFS and GCS? Is it charged as a percentage of the total cost? Would you email me a break down of the financial aspect of the surgery?"

Remember you'll be doing FFS and GCS separately so make sure to get answers to these questions for each individual procedure. Some institutions like to divide the FFS into two or three dates of operation with time in-between for recovery especially if the patient is high risk. So make your best effort to get a written estimate of the costs of the procedures so you can calculate your total liability for each, to at least get you close because it's very rare these things are covered 100%, in fact I've never seen that be the case. If you can't get a written estimate then shoot for the verbal estimates, although it's unofficial and unreliable mostly.

 

I hope my answer didn't go too far off the rails. Good luck ?

[Maddee]

Thank you so much for your detailed replies.  Constructive.  Positive.  Supportive.

Allexis I am incorporating your questions for my plan!

[CammieT]

Hi Maddee.   I've had three FFS procedures and I love the results.   It was a rough road, I won't lie, but I would do it all over again and experience every bit of the pain over again, even if I had to to it 100 more times.  It is so worth it.

 

My first consult was with the Facial Team in Marbella, Spain.   Last year, they were doing no cost consults.   I'm not sure they still do that, but even at $100 euros it would be a worthwhile investment.   They are very very honest and will give you expert advise on if you could benefit from any procedure.   All you have to do is register and upload the required photos in the format they request.   Then, they follow up with a live Skype session where you meet the team and they get to see you face to facial team, lol.    Look them up, they are without a doubt some of the most skilled and experienced FFS surgeons in the world.

 

Well, I selected Facial Team and then the pandemic hit.   So I was in a panic and went back to square one.   My insurance agreed to pay if I stayed in Oregon so I selected OHSU.   I think Dr Berli ended up doing really good work.

 

I can't see your face shot, and even if I could, I probably would not risk making a bunch of comments that make you dysphoric about your face.    What we see and what you see are often vastly different, due to gender dysphoria.   So, my advise is to get a professional opinion.   They won't sugar coat it, nor will the Facial Team recommend procedures that would not benefit you.   They also know how to speak to trans women without amplifying your dysphoria.

 

Cammie

[Maddee]

Thank you so much Cammie.

 

I have FFS consults scheduled in June to see a Dr Firar in Milwaukee WI (accepts insurance, unsure of their specialty and track record). And with Dr Zukowski in Chicago (cash only, specialized experience and track record). 

 

I've already met Dr Z briefly and liked him just fine...as he injected painkillers below my nose.

 

I don't have $ other than what I'm earning now as a low level worker.

 

My primary option would've been UWM in my state.  They will not accept me as a patient, due to their surgeon's opinion of me, based on a ten minute phone call, not even a consult..  Despite appeals to them, on my behalf, from doctors who have treated me for several years.

 

I was frustrated I could not reschedule an in-person consult and made the mistake of complaining about their covid shutdowns. 

 

Wish they'd understand.  My family was one of the first to have a funeral cancelled in March 2020, so I have had some frustration with so much shutdowns in the last year, seeing people going untreated for serious things now considered unessential.  Unessential people.  Like me too.  Maybe like you.

 

Finally, I spent $300 and nearly six months time getting an opinion from VirtualFFS.uk. The photos they sent back did not show enough change for me to go through FFS.  The minute changes were not even attractive to my eyes.

 

But that's just their opinion of my potential.  Great website though!!!  And others have been very positive about their experience with her consultations.

[Maddee]

Correction,  four months time with VFFS.  I exaggerate.

[LaurenA]

@Maddee Let me know what you think of Dr. Firar.  I'm not too sure about Dr. Z since he uses his own facility for surgery instead of a hospital.  Although his cash rates are lower.?

[Maddee]

Ok @LaurenA
i will.

 

Update on Virtual FFS: 

Recieved photos and feedback.  Disappointing.  I'm ok with spending the $300 because if I hadn't I would have been questioning my decision not to.  It seemed like a thing I needed to do on my process.  The results of this photo enhancement and evaluation may mean more to me as time goes on.

 

Update on hair clearing:

Scheduled for 2nd high volume facial electro this week.  2techsx7.5hrs each.  I have around 115 hrs of electro going in. 

Last time, I spent $200 on an extra recommended lymphatic post treatment done by an outside contractor there.  She was very nice, but it seemed like a rushed 20min procedure, as she tried to knock it out, along with someone else, from here, who was in the next room.  like double up and go....

Had hoped this extra treatment would speed my heal time, but I was still swollen like a melon for days at work. 

So maybe skipping it this time and see if it's worse, same, or better without the extra cost.

 

On the happy side:

Misplaced my mask after long shift yesterday.  Had to stop in at a gas station and dollar store. Actually felt awkward just for the no-mask alone, forget the gender thing.

No makeup, work clothes, and no shaving, due to electro appt.

Ma'am'd both places.

I feel so cute ?

 

[Maddee]

If you can't ever command young woman power when starting older, then maybe it's not worth it to FFS at all?

 

Have to factor in all the ingrained voice, manner, personality reaction stuff.  I have many layers of defenses and can be misconstrued as masculine.  

 

But they say it's a game-changer......

 

[Heather Shay]

Just the stop at the gas station is proof enough you need to show you don't need FFS.

I have yet to have ANYONE call me ma'am so treasure that lady.

[Maddee]

its a priviledge to work as a woman around hundreds of people.  I use the women's room because that's what I am.

 

Physical, fast paced, interactive.  No time to compose or withdraw.

I have to blend but also have to be myself.  Sometimes they're having me wear a headset mic and train people, so my voice and presentation are right out there, and for good or bad it's real.

 

Small fails and successes every day and night. 

 

I have anger and issues, even if I wasn't trans.  Surgeries won't fix these on their own

 

Cameras everywhere.

Actions and words collected and banked.

 

Constant river polish my stone.

It's a slow go but I'm glad to be in the flow.

 

 

 

[Cyndee]

1 hour ago, Maddee said:

its a priviledge to work as a woman around hundreds of people.  

 

It's a great feeling,  happy for ya ?

Quote

It's a slow go but I'm glad to be in the flow.

 

 

and, you've claimed the ticket for the big show ?

 

C

[Jani]

Maddee from all I've read your face will be swollen regardless of the additional treatment.  Does it just block pain?   I think your "male fail" at the gas station was another piece of the puzzle that shows you are progressing.  Working as a woman is wonderful.  I may be misgendered over the phone from time to time but never in person.  I think this is common for many women.  Not all voices are high and lyrical!  

 

Be yourself.  It seems to be working.

 

Hugs, Jani

[LaurenA]

On 5/18/2021 at 1:06 AM, Maddee said:

Update on hair clearing:

Scheduled for 2nd high volume facial electro this week.  2techsx7.5hrs each.  I have around 115 hrs of electro going in. 

Last time, I spent $200 on an extra recommended lymphatic post treatment done by an outside contractor there.  She was very nice, but it seemed like a rushed 20min procedure, as she tried to knock it out, along with someone else, from here, who was in the next room.  like double up and go....

Had hoped this extra treatment would speed my heal time, but I was still swollen like a melon for days at work. 

So maybe skipping it this time and see if it's worse, same, or better without the extra cost.

 

@Maddee  I'll be there as well on the 21st.

[Maddee]

12 hours ago, LaurenA said:

 

@Maddee  I'll be there as well on the 21st.

I was there today (20th)..on ice now...probly not back again until July.

Weird, they told me they never do Fridays...

Have fun tomorrow

[Jani]

I hope you heal well Maddee.  I saw the ice pack in another post.  Ouch!