Hi I know this might be an unpopular question but I spoke with a lady yesterday who had a pretty negative experience with facial team and given I am scheduled with them in a little over a month, is giving me reason to reconsider.
Has anyone here had a negative experience with FT? If you do not want to share public ally please pm me.
Other background is I am fighting for insurance coverage and might be in a spot where they might approve but I would need to change to a domestic provider. So all this together has me wavering a bit.
I'm also scheduled for treatment with them in November and paying privately so it's an enormous expense.
I would be interested in any feedback from anyone (positive or negative)
I have not been to FT myself but I have had a skype consultation. I have heard a few girls being unhappy with their noses but I think most of their other work is generally good. My initial reason for not going ahead was that I didn't want a coronal incision done.
Quote from: Ellement_of_Freedom on August 04, 2018, 07:34:27 PM
I have not been to FT myself but I have had a skype consultation. I have heard a few girls being unhappy with their noses but I think most of their other work is generally good. My initial reason for not going ahead was that I didn't want a coronal incision done.
I am reconsidering partly because of the coronal incision. I stand to lose quite a bit if I cancel but these are things you don't want to redo. I am optimistic my insurance will see the light, but am told if they do it will only be for a domestic provider. If true net is well into the green. If false it just increases the cost and delays the surgery. I'm just not sure I want the coronal incision which requires transplants plus hearing some first hand negative experiences causes doubt.
From what I have read about FT most of their patients are happy with the results. Some ain't happy with the nose jobs but in my opinion they also look good. Having your insurance pay for FFS is a great thing.
What is the downside of the coronal incision approach?
I have huge amounts of hair so I won't need transplants to cover the scar I don't think (though I do have some widows peaks that need closing)
Quote from: sophie1904 on August 05, 2018, 09:10:05 AM
What is the downside of the coronal incision approach?
I have huge amounts of hair so I won't need transplants to cover the scar I don't think (though I do have some widows peaks that need closing)
It gives you a bigger forehead by pulling everything up. The hairline incision reduces the forehead by 1-3cm, eliminating or dramatically reducing the need for transplants for many.
For me, the hairline advance approach would get me 70-80% if where I'd like to be and probably enough that I would not do any transplants. With the coronal approach I will need possibly both the simultaneous and a second round later. That might be worth forfeiting my deposit right there.
Quote from: sophie1904 on August 04, 2018, 07:44:21 AM
>I would be interested in any feedback from anyone (positive or negative)
I had FFS at FT May 22, 2018 (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,230933.msg2141364.html#msg2141364) and had a very positive experience. Many have commented (in person, which is more accurate than photos) they can't believe I had any surgery at all, looks natural. That's exactly what I wanted.
Noses require a year or more to completely heal, but I already like the way my nose turned out.
Quote from: Kendra on August 06, 2018, 09:20:43 PM
I had FFS at FT May 22, 2018 (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,230933.msg2141364.html#msg2141364) and had a very positive experience, including nose although I know those require a year or more to completely heal. Many have commented (in person, which is more accurate than photos) they can't believe I had any surgery at all - looks completely natural.
Kendra, as you know, I have a Skype consultation with FT on August 30th. Considering that my hairline is by far the most important thing for me to fix, can you speak to the concerns being voiced here about the coronal incision versus the standard scalp advancement? I've read every word in the FT site and they say even the woman who does VirtualFFS agrees that it's not so much the height of the hairline as it is the shape. I have problems with both, and the talk here now has me worried I may be going the wrong direction. I trust you, and there is no arguing with your beautiful results. Any insights you have would be so appreciated.
Stephanie
Prior to FFS I had two in-person evaluations: one with a surgeon using hairline incision, and one with a surgeon using coronal incision. Each surgeon highlighted the advantages of the method they use.
As explained to me by Dr. Spiegel a benefit of hairline incision is direct tightening of forehead skin. It's easy to demonstrate. Place your fingers where a hairline incision would occur and push up/back. If the skin on upper face was seriously sagging, a hairline incision is like an upper facelift at the time of FFS.
The downside is a scar at or near the hairline. A skilled surgeon can minimize the scar, but it's a potentially visible location and not everyone heals the same. Transplants can be added at a later time in an effort to cover the incision but that requires additional downtime and expense.
With any incision there are limits to how much tension can be applied. A good surgeon won't pull skin excessively tight. This also limits how far your existing hairline can be pulled forward. You can't simply yank it forward without considering the effect on forehead, eyebrows and other soft tissue... to avoid a permanently "surprised" or unintended facial expression.
Dr. Simon at FacialTeam explained to me: a coronal incision is further back, hidden under hair. The strip of skin that is discarded can be harvested for follicles and transplanted immediately following FFS. The transplants at FacialTeam are optional and I met some younger patients who didn't use this option - they didn't need the additional hair. In my case 1,500 follicles were transplanted from the discarded strip of coronal skin to fill my triangles (widows' peaks) - page 5 of my FFS post (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,230933.80.html). 1,500 follicles were put to good use instead of going in the trash.
I am not aware of the coronal method causing a significant increase in hairline height with or without the transplant option. To demonstrate that, place your fingers in the area where a hairband would go - that's where my incision is. If you apply tension to skin in that area your forehead and hairline will move, but not by much. I am very happy with the way my eyebrows fit my new skull shape.
My hairline is growing in nicely and it's a feminine arc. I no longer worry about a windy day and in a few more months I'll wear a ponytail when I go running. But the best answer for me is not necessarily the best answer for someone else. We each have unique backgrounds and goals.
The only complaints I've heard for facial Team are for the nose, and according to Oustehout's book on FFS "The published rhinoplasty revision rate among my colleagues is between 8 and 19 percent."
Apart from that I've seen a lot of positive reviews and met perhaps 10+ women who've had ffs with them. I think they are a good choice.
Thank you Kendra, this was an extremely useful post.
I have had many consults:
- Facial Team (Skype, 3x)
- Spiegel (Skype + In Person)
- Meltzer & Ley (in Person Philadelphia & Scottsdale)
- Leis (In person, Philadelphia)
- Rumor (In Person, Ardmore)
- Zukowski (phone)
All but one do the hairline incision, and Spiegel spent a considerable amount of time downplaying FT. I waffle on Spiegel as I had a hard time getting over his attitude but he is a really nice guy and the staff was great, but he i the most expensive by far.
My preference was Meltzer and Ley, who will be doing my BA and GRS in the spring. That is all covered under insurance.
Leis I just cannot find much first hand references, and a few third hand negative experiences so he is out. His cost was actually the lowest.
Rumor does not do type III herself and brings in another surgeon. She wanted me to do the legwork to get an independant appointment with that surgeon and do the coordination. So that is out. She is local to me so I am able to talk first hand to a lot of patients. I know her reputation, however all first hand accounts from people I have spoken to through various local groups have all been positive for both trans women and men. She is runner up for my BA due to location and being in my insurance network.
Zukowski was ruled out due to both very high cost and not doing type III. I have the images and know what I'm looking at. He told me he could get my forehead in the female range with only burring and this is without seeing anything other than photos. Had a good conversation but otherwise ruled out just because he cannot do what I want.
All except Facial Team use the hairline incision. Base on Osterhout's description, they basically separate the entire scalp and move it forward, causing a lot of tightening in the scalp, but the forehead to hair line is reshaped. Yes scar is a concern however I have seen animber if women post ffs and the scars are usually either invisible or need to be pointed out, so that's kind of a non issue to me.
So for the forehead alone, with Ley/Meltzer vs FT they are basically the same price due to the cost of the transplants. Everything else is hit or miss.
I am stuck in a time dilemma where I am working to get this covered by insurance but they will flat deny just due to the international surgeon. I was expecting they would at minimum just consider it out if network. I would prefer to go to a domestic provider but have like 2 weeks to get through 2nd appeal. My employer is unwilling to force coverage. Unfortunately if I move the date I lose my deposit, and the collision of time and appeals is driving me for a mental loop here. I have spoken with transcend legal who is willing to get involved, but of course they are looking more to change the policy than my individual coverage. Combined with speaking first hand at PTWC with a few women who were not excited about their outcome with FT, I am overwhelmed at the moment.
I can only comment on the hairline incision since that's what I did with Dr Deschamps-braly.
When Dr D-B explained the differences between the coronal incision and the hairline incision, I opted for the one he suggested in the end, the hairline.
I'm approaching my 2 year since FFS and I will say that the hairline scar was a major issue for me for the first year, especially during the summer. I ended up having hair transplants in the hairline to cover it up 1 yr after FFS and that is working nicely.
It sounds like both methods have their positives and negatives. Sorry I know not answering the original question about FT but just going over my own exp with Dr D-B.
There's some interesting info on the hairline here
http://www.virtualffs.co.uk/Hair_and_Hairline.html
Quote from: Debra on August 09, 2018, 12:07:05 PM
I can only comment on the hairline incision since that's what I did with Dr Deschamps-braly.
When Dr D-B explained the differences between the coronal incision and the hairline incision, I opted for the one he suggested in the end, the hairline.
I'm approaching my 2 year since FFS and I will say that the hairline scar was a major issue for me for the first year, especially during the summer. I ended up having hair transplants in the hairline to cover it up 1 yr after FFS and that is working nicely.
It sounds like both methods have their positives and negatives. Sorry I know not answering the original question about FT but just going over my own exp with Dr D-B.
Does Deschamps-Braly offer coronal incision? What was it he said about the difference and what that made you choose hairline incision?
Quote from: AnonyMs on August 09, 2018, 07:37:48 PM
There's some interesting info on the hairline here
http://www.virtualffs.co.uk/Hair_and_Hairline.html
Does Deschamps-Braly offer coronal incision? What was it he said about the difference and what that made you choose hairline incision?
I'm not sure he does, actually. For one, I definitely wanted to go with what he was familiar with but also he went over how the hairline would raise with a coronal because of the extra skin from the brow bone being flattened out.
Quote from: jill610 on August 07, 2018, 05:39:28 AM
Thank you Kendra, this was an extremely useful post.
I have had many consults:
- Facial Team (Skype, 3x)
- Spiegel (Skype + In Person)
- Meltzer & Ley (in Person Philadelphia & Scottsdale)
- Leis (In person, Philadelphia)
- Rumor (In Person, Ardmore)
- Zukowski (phone)
All but one do the hairline incision, and Spiegel spent a considerable amount of time downplaying FT. I waffle on Spiegel as I had a hard time getting over his attitude but he is a really nice guy and the staff was great, but he i the most expensive by far.
My preference was Meltzer and Ley, who will be doing my BA and GRS in the spring. That is all covered under insurance.
Leis I just cannot find much first hand references, and a few third hand negative experiences so he is out. His cost was actually the lowest.
Rumor does not do type III herself and brings in another surgeon. She wanted me to do the legwork to get an independant appointment with that surgeon and do the coordination. So that is out. She is local to me so I am able to talk first hand to a lot of patients. I know her reputation, however all first hand accounts from people I have spoken to through various local groups have all been positive for both trans women and men. She is runner up for my BA due to location and being in my insurance network.
Zukowski was ruled out due to both very high cost and not doing type III. I have the images and know what I'm looking at. He told me he could get my forehead in the female range with only burring and this is without seeing anything other than photos. Had a good conversation but otherwise ruled out just because he cannot do what I want.
All except Facial Team use the hairline incision. Base on Osterhout's description, they basically separate the entire scalp and move it forward, causing a lot of tightening in the scalp, but the forehead to hair line is reshaped. Yes scar is a concern however I have seen animber if women post ffs and the scars are usually either invisible or need to be pointed out, so that's kind of a non issue to me.
So for the forehead alone, with Ley/Meltzer vs FT they are basically the same price due to the cost of the transplants. Everything else is hit or miss.
I am stuck in a time dilemma where I am working to get this covered by insurance but they will flat deny just due to the international surgeon. I was expecting they would at minimum just consider it out if network. I would prefer to go to a domestic provider but have like 2 weeks to get through 2nd appeal. My employer is unwilling to force coverage. Unfortunately if I move the date I lose my deposit, and the collision of time and appeals is driving me for a mental loop here. I have spoken with transcend legal who is willing to get involved, but of course they are looking more to change the policy than my individual coverage. Combined with speaking first hand at PTWC with a few women who were not excited about their outcome with FT, I am overwhelmed at the moment.
I had the hairline incision with my type 3 forehead reconstruction in 2007, and for the first 6-8 months the incision scar was noticeable, but it was easy to cover up with hair and makeup; and now the scar is invisible, and my hair has grown through the scar without any problems, without needing hair transplants, but as they say ymmv😊
Quote from: jill610 on August 04, 2018, 05:39:57 AM
Hi I know this might be an unpopular question but I spoke with a lady yesterday who had a pretty negative experience with facial team and given I am scheduled with them in a little over a month, is giving me reason to reconsider.
Can you say more about why it was negative?
Quote from: AnonyMs on August 13, 2018, 05:42:47 AM
Can you say more about why it was negative?
She posts on this forum so to say much would identify her, which I am not sure she would appreciate. In a general sense she has a complication and has been not been addressed to her satisfaction and is limited in her ability to do other procedures in the future she would like to as a result of the coronal incision, which precludes a hairline advance later down the line, or so she has been told by other surgeons who have turned her away.
Can you say if this complication was related to her nose? That's about the only complaint I've seen so far.