Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I will use this thread to document my Facial Feminization Surgery with Dr. Zukowski.  I also have a nearly year old thread in the HRT forum that documents my HRT and transitioning experience.  I am not quite 1 year on HRT.  I live full time and have completely socially transitioned.  My surgery takes place later this week at The Zukowski Center in Illinois. 

Here is a two day old selfie.  So you can get an idea what I look like day to day.  I have a very feminine presentation.  I wear make-up and usually wear dresses and skirts.  I am 47.  Six feet tall.  175lbs.  I am in generally good health.  I do have generally male facial features.  Like a large nose and jaw and brow.  I wear wigs, so you cant see that my hairline has receded 2 inches. 

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I started "researching" FFS a year ago and got serious about it last winter.  I had consults with two surgeons, Zukowski and Speigel.  I liked Speigel but his quote was over $60k for fewer procedures than What Dr Z Quoted me.  While i think Speigel does very good work, he also tends to be very conservative in his approach.  Also, Speigel only does forehead contouring by removing the bone.  That was something I simply didn't want.  Zukowski is a bit more aggressive in his overall approach to modifying facial features, and he works with orthoscopic techniques which help minimize the size of incisions, risk of nerve damage, etc. and should help speed recovery. 

Since 2017 I have spoken with more than a dozen of Dr Z's patients and have gotten overwhelmingly positive feedback from them.  I am friends with several "Z Girls" now and they all look amazing and beautiful. 

I received my initial quote/estimate from Dr Z in April.  Total Cost is approx $40k.  Soon after getting my quote I scheduled my Sept surgery date.

Post Op I will spend 7 days days recovering at a nearby hotel (Staybridge Suites), which is used by most of Dr Z's patients.  I'll have two family members with me and I've opted to hire a nursing service for the first 72 hours. Each of the women I spoke to strongly recommending a nurse for the first 72 hours, and I'm taking their advice. The nurse will be in the hotel around the clock for a full three days.

My surgery involves the following procedures:

Endoscopic Varient Biplaner browlift with 3 dimensional frontal bone and orbital rim contouring
Scalp advancement and forhead height reduction
Rhinoplasy/septoplasty
Endoscopic chin bone contouring, soft tissue reshaping
Tracheal (shave) camouflage
Lower face, neck and jaw skin lift with corset platysmaplasty and internal suspension fo the neck muscles.
Endoscopic jaw body and jaw angle bone contouring
Masseter muscle reduction through intraoral incision
Upper lip lift and length reduction
Fat Grafting to lips, cheeks, nasolabial fold creases and temples

also 47, about to start hrt, subscribed ;). I'm also interested in Zukowski for brow ridge reduction without removing the bone and reattaching.

Thanks for sharing Becca!   Good luck!

Looking forward to following your journey.

Karen

Congratulations and best wishes for a speedy recovery and amazing results😊

Good luck Becca.  I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr. Zukowski in November 2018.  I'm also staying at the Staybridge and also am doing the nurse for the first 3-days post-op.  My bill is also $40K.  Unfortunately, I won't be having anyone other than the nurse staying with me.  I'm excited but also kind of nervous.  This is going to be a big procedure.  I'm 58 by the way.  I've been on HRT about 7.5 months now.  I cheaped out at the Staybridge as much as I could and went with the 1-bed suite for $99.99 a night.  This is all out-of-pocket for me so it is a pretty hefty financial hit for me.  But what good is money if you're not happy.

Congrats and hope your recovery goes well.  if you don't have anybody there with you then you don't need a big room. 

you should be just fine.  The worst of it is the first three days and you'll have the nurse there!

let us know how it goes!!

Becca good luck in your surgery! I have a phone consult with Dr. Z tomorrow. I'm hoping he suggests a bit less that $40k  ??? as I don't have that income level right now. One girl near me spent $30k with a lot of fat graft type work. Another spent $16k for mostly bone and nose.

I'll see what he says. I want brow reduction, nose, lip lift, and chin for sure. Oh and the hairline

Quote from: josie76 on September 18, 2018, 04:54:33 AM
Becca good luck in your surgery! I have a phone consult with Dr. Z tomorrow. I'm hoping he suggests a bit less that $40k  ??? as I don't have that income level right now. One girl near me spent $30k with a lot of fat graft type work. Another spent $16k for mostly bone and nose.

I'll see what he says. I want brow reduction, nose, lip lift, and chin for sure. Oh and the hairline

good luck!!  you will get a quote from him with each procedure itemized.  So you can prioritize which you are able or most willing to pay for.

A friend just got a quote from him and comparing hers and mine it looks like his prices went up slightly.  I think that's because prices generally for Trans surgeries are going up with other surgeons. 

Becca, best wishes girl!!  I know you're going to do well.  Huge positive changes are right ahead for you, and before you know it recovery will be a quickly fading memory and you'll get the benefits every moment of every day.  I am very happy for you. 

Had a pre op meeting today.  I report to the clinic tomorrow at 5:30am.  Everything going as planned.  Hopefully I can do an update in a few days...



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Very exciting!  Best of luck for the procedures, and may you have a fast and comfortable recovery.

He suggested the same list of procedures for me, minus the lip lift. If I can, I want to get everything else done as well as breast augmentation. For FFS and BA, I was quoted a total of $42,000 during the consultation, but the email said $44,000, so I'll have to figure out why there's a discrepancy. Even if my insurance agrees to cover part of it, I'll probably have to make some sacrifices. Most likely I'll have to skip the bone work for my jaw and chin.

Good luck and Congratulations. I'll be having surgery with him in March.

Ol24 hours post op

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Im not going to lie this is NOT fun!  Lol

Quote from: Becca Kay on September 21, 2018, 07:22:58 PM
Im not going to lie this is NOT fun!  Lol

Becca, welcome to Mummy Life! 

The good news is that it gets better.
The bad news is that you don't have Laurie right there to get you through the first week.

The first few days are pretty yucky.  Sleep, with elevated head, relaxing music, and someone to keep you company are a great way to spend the next few days.

Becca, here's a big hug. 

This is difficult and each day gets better - continuously better.  And then pretty soon you will look in the mirror and be astonished at the improvement. 

Becca, best wishes for a fast recovery.

Becca, thinking of you lots.  I hope your recovery is speedy and that you are doing ok.

Thanks for sharing your journey.

Karen

officially 3 days since surgery. My surgery took nearly 11 hours.  It turned out i had a deviated septum and some problems with reconstructing my nose.    I reported to the clinic at 5:30am on Thursday and didn't leave recovery until 10pm.

The last 72 hour were very difficult.  my throat was very sore form having a tube in for 11 hours.  The repositioning of my jaw muscle, chin and jaw bone reduction and trachea shave left me in a lot of pain.  To be honest the forehead and scalp work barely hurt.  The rhinoplasty was very involved, but i'm in little pain in that area.

I got very little sleep the first 48 hrs after surgery.  mostly just dosing briefly and waking up with difficulty breathing and swallowing.  i'm taking Norco for pain management and Diazapam to help rest.

my brow ridge is gone and my orbital rims are now smooth and don't hood my eyes.  My nose is significantly reduced.  I had large nostrils and it was quite prominent on my face.  And Dr Z took a LOT off my chin,  It will be weeks before i start to look like my self

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi64.tinypic.com%2F23uvntk.jpg&hash=5baa8659c7c6c0b797f5ec50c4f26f0ef1af7a77)

everyone I have dealt with at the Zukowski Clinic has been wonderful.  I have a 72 hr nurse here at the hotel with me.  She'll be leaving tonight, at which point I"l be on my own with the sister and mother until i leave on Thursday. 

I'll keep posting pics over the next month as swelling goes down.  I won't have the splint off my nose nor the drain out of my neck until wednesday.  Still a ways to go before I go home to DC.

So, that was the Metro in the background of your avatar! I was sure of it :) I live in PG county.

Speedy recovery :)

*hugs*

Yes. I live in Adams Morgan, metro to Maryland for work!

Quote from: Sarah1979 on September 23, 2018, 09:06:12 PM
So, that was the Metro in the background of your avatar! I was sure of it :) I live in PG county.

Speedy recovery :)

*hugs*

Hi Becca,

I wish you a speedy recovery.

I'm in Silver Spring.

Hey Becca,

I hope the healing process continues to move along as smoothly as it can for you.  I'm so glad that your experience has been a positive one (other than the unavoidable pain). 

Have a speedy recovery girl and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing your results as you heal.

With Love,
Noelle

Hi Becca Kay:  Your 3-day post op picture looked pretty good I thought.  Keep it going girl.  If it would be okay, could I impose on you to answer a few questions as I prep for my November surgery date.

1)  How did you pay the nurse(s) who stayed with you at the Staybridge?  Did you pay them in advance of the surgery?  Do they take personal checks?  Do you have to pay them cash?  Did you tip them?  I hope not as $600 a day, it's a bit pricey.

2)  Did you bring food with you?  If so, what did you bring?  At 3-days post op, do you feel good enough to go out and get something to eat?

3)  Any suggestions as to what to bring along with me to make things easier?  I figure no clothing that has to go over your head.

Thanks for your time Becca.  Any and all information you can provide will be of great benefit. 

Quote from: Breeze 57 on September 24, 2018, 09:22:11 PM
Hi Becca Kay:  Your 3-day post op picture looked pretty good I thought.  Keep it going girl.  If it would be okay, could I impose on you to answer a few questions as I prep for my November surgery date.

1)  How did you pay the nurse(s) who stayed with you at the Staybridge?  Did you pay them in advance of the surgery?  Do they take personal checks?  Do you have to pay them cash?  Did you tip them?  I hope not as $600 a day, it's a bit pricey.

2)  Did you bring food with you?  If so, what did you bring?  At 3-days post op, do you feel good enough to go out and get something to eat?

3)  Any suggestions as to what to bring along with me to make things easier?  I figure no clothing that has to go over your head.

Thanks for your time Becca.  Any and all information you can provide will be of great benefit.

you pay the nursing service with a cashier's check.  I brought a check the day before my surgery and left it with Dr Z's staff.  The service starts in the Recovery room.

the service is worth it.  the first 24-48 hours are really rough. They drove me to the hotel from the recovery room. They made sure I took my pills, stayed hydrated, etc   They rubed my sore arms, feet, changed my dressings, literally carried me to the toilet.  on the third day Lisa showered me, washed my hair, taught me how to do the facial messages. 

My surgery was last thursday.  I still cannot chew solid food.  the jaw work and masseter muscle reduction is painful.  I've been eating yogurt, ice cream, soups, cream of wheat, oatmeal, pudding, jello.  The first two days i had difficulty swallowing pills.  It's getting better.  I ate scrambled eggs today with no trouble.

I have not left the hotel since I got here post op last thursday night.

I brought a couple of button up night shirts.  After four days I was wearing a cami that was easy to slip over my head. 

In terms of what to bring Dr Z provides a ring binder a couple of weeks prior to surgery that includes a long list of supplies and such.  Buy everything on the list.  You will need it all.

Today Dr Z took the drain out of my neck.  Tomorrow the splint comes off my nose and chin. And I go home on Thursday.

i feel much better, but i'm still exhausted all day and spend most of my time lying down.  I expect to crash pretty bad when I get home to DC thursday night. 

Bruising around my eyes is slowly going away.  But my face is also very swollen.  My mouth is crooked because one side of my face is swollen worse than the other.  it kind of scares me but Dr Z says I look good for where I am at in recovery. 

I am already amazed at my brow.  I had very hooded eyes.  Now my eyebrows are half an inch higher and my brow is so smooth.

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Looking better every day honey :D

I can see a good bit of difference even with the swelling. I wish you a speedy recovery.

this is my last night in Chicago.  Splints came off tonight and I can finally see my nose and chin.  I cried when Dr Z took the splint off.  I just couldn't believe how i could finally see what I have wanted to see all these years.    The pic on the left is today. I'm swollen, bruised, etc.  The pic on the right is a recent selfie with make up.  But you can see the reduction in my chin and nose. 

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi66.tinypic.com%2F1415u2v.jpg&hash=2b8b4ccd02a7d699e9d0a2b25822baef609b920b)   (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi66.tinypic.com%2F258408z.jpg&hash=9fcdfd39135228c15771be7d71cee4c03e3bd916)

Wow, that is a remarkable set of changes!  Congratulations on such good results.

I can see a big difference even with the swelling- I'm happy for you, congrats!

Wow.  Incredible.  You are so strong and are making such great progress.

Hugs.

Karen

Quote from: Becca Kay on September 26, 2018, 10:55:40 PM
this is my last night in Chicago.  Splints came off tonight and I can finally see my nose and chin.  I cried when Dr Z took the splint off.  I just couldn't believe how i could finally see what I have wanted to see all these years.    The pic on the left is today. I'm swollen, bruised, etc.  The pic on the right is a recent selfie with make up.  But you can see the reduction in my chin and nose. 

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi66.tinypic.com%2F1415u2v.jpg&hash=2b8b4ccd02a7d699e9d0a2b25822baef609b920b)   (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi66.tinypic.com%2F258408z.jpg&hash=9fcdfd39135228c15771be7d71cee4c03e3bd916)

Beautiful!  :)

It's still early with the swelling, but I think going to Dr. Z was a very good choice.
I'm just curious, did you go in knowing what you wanted or did he recommend things?

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

Becca!!  This is so cool, you've barely started on healing and already showing such an improvement. 

You're gonna need new glasses within a couple months - the overall shape of your face will have changed that much.  ;)

Becca I am so happy for you! I can see such a difference especially in you chin and nose!

I can already see you are very pretty. Wishes for fast healing!  :)

Quote from: Allison S on September 27, 2018, 05:50:16 AM
It's still early with the swelling, but I think going to Dr. Z was a very good choice.
I'm just curious, did you go in knowing what you wanted or did he recommend things?

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

i had multiple consults with Dr Z.  He suggested and quoted early on a list of procedures, most of which i had done last week.  I also had consults with Speigel, who suggested similar procedures.

In my consults with Dr Z I told him that was looking for significant change.  His suggestions were designed to produce as good an overall result as possible. 

In my initial online consult he had suggested cheek implants.  After we met in person he decided (and I agreed) that I didn't need cheek implants. 

During our talks I told him what bothered me most about my face and what I wanted or hoped to see changed and he told me what he felt he could do and what would make the most impact.

In my opinion you will get the most out of consults if you ask a LOT of questions.  I think a lot of women don't do that and are then surprised at the complicated surgical quote they get.  FFS is not a science and each of the major surgeons doing this have their own opinions, techniques and aesthetics. 

Dr Z does not use any kind of visualization software in his consults.  One thing that initially frustrated me was that he could not show me exactly what I was going to look like.  Instead he showed me similar former patients before and after pics.

Once I was serious about using Dr Z I sought out as many of his former patients as I possibly good.  I talked to or met with almost a dozen women before my surgery.  They all helped to reasure me that Dr Z was right for me.

Quote from: Becca Kay on September 27, 2018, 08:04:51 AM
i had multiple consults with Dr Z.  He suggested and quoted early on a list of procedures, most of which i had done last week.  I also had consults with Speigel, who suggested similar procedures.

In my consults with Dr Z I told him that was looking for significant change.  His suggestions were designed to produce as good an overall result as possible. 

In my initial online consult he had suggested cheek implants.  After we met in person he decided (and I agreed) that I didn't need cheek implants. 

During our talks I told him what bothered me most about my face and what I wanted or hoped to see changed and he told me what he felt he could do and what would make the most impact.

In my opinion you will get the most out of consults if you ask a LOT of questions.  I think a lot of women don't do that and are then surprised at the complicated surgical quote they get.  FFS is not a science and each of the major surgeons doing this have their own opinions, techniques and aesthetics. 

Dr Z does not use any kind of visualization software in his consults.  One thing that initially frustrated me was that he could not show me exactly what I was going to look like.  Instead he showed me similar former patients before and after pics.

Once I was serious about using Dr Z I sought out as many of his former patients as I possibly good.  I talked to or met with almost a dozen women before my surgery.  They all helped to reasure me that Dr Z was right for me.

Thank you Becca! Yes, I met with Dr. Harrison Lee but as soon as he asked what I was there for, I completely froze lol.. He was very good at explaining things to me.
My thing is that I'm okay with my overall face shape. What I don't like are very specifics things. He mentioned type 3 forehead/brow bossing reduction which I agree with. But the 2nd thing is my nose which I don't think I need much at all. I only want the tip of my nose raised very slightly and the deviation on the bridge to be straightened.
I feel like I should try meeting with Dr. Lee one more time, but I'm seeing other surgeons too.
Hope your recovery is going well! I know each day does get better so hang in there [emoji4]

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

Wow Becca you're looking great.  Best wishes for a quick recovery.
Judi

wow you look amazing already. Dr Z seems to have improved the nose work a lot. A perfect result. I can imagine the results as you recover. wow

Prior to this surgery I had serious sinus problems. Lifelong nasal congestion, sinus headaches, sinus infections.  I also dealt wrih very bad eustation tube issues. So bad that 5 years ago I needed tubes in my ears and the damage of lifelong ear infections meant I now own hearing aids.

I had a deviated septum and my nasal passages were filled with polyps.  Dr Z fixed the deviation and removed the polyps.  Yesterday was the first time i have ever flown without ear pain. I have congestion from the surgery but even with that congestion I can easily breathe through my new smaller nose.



I just weighed myself and i've lost 12 pounds since the surgery

Becca, he opened up your nasal passages too! I so need that. I have been mostly unable to breath through my nose as long as I can remember. I also have a deviated septum. Wow. Really makes me think.

Becca, so glad you are enjoying this little benefit from FFS.

Like you I had a bit of a problem, with a cyst in the frontal sinus, postnasal drip, and a constantly stuffed up feeling.  Away from the mirror, the greatly improved breathing from a bit of cleanout is a huge benefit of the surgery.

Of course, I'm also delighted with the change in my appearance.

part of recovery is a three times per day facial message that involves applying a lot of pressure to the bony areas that were worked on.  like along the jaw line, across the chin, orbital rims, forehead.

Once my splint was off my nose Dr Z showed me how to do nose message.  It's really really painful.  It freaks me out a little how hard he did the message on my nose and insisted I continue to do so. 

I haven't doubted anything Dr Z has told me but every single explanation of post rhinoplasty message that I've found shows a much more gentle technique. 

I'm ten days post op.  I've been home for 3 days.  I feel like i'm in some kind of weird limbo.  I'm in my apartment alone all day and night.  And I spend most of the day in bed. 

I think My face actually looks WORSE than the day I got home.  I'm doing the facial message as prescribed, but I have a lot of fluid around my temples.  And the skin around my temples and accross my brow is now black and blue.  It was bruised last week but nothing like this. 

The swelling around my face is uneven (it has been since day one).  And my mouth is crooked.  My lips are larger on the right side of my mouth  My right ear sticks out at an odd angle.  I've heard over and over that it can take weeks and months for these things to heal and even out.  But it's starting to freak me out.  I have to go back to work in 3 weeks or less and I look like a complete train wreck.

Becca, that sounds pretty normal, actually. The area under the eyes gets hit the worse as fluid migrates down the face.  Take a look at the pictures I posted in my FFS thread. I think I looked like a darned chipmunk with the swelling...

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,232066.msg2172254.html#msg2172254 (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,232066.msg2172254.html#msg2172254)

I think I hit peak swelling around 5-7 days after my procedure.  (No two procedures or people are quite alike, so we will all have some differences in timing.) I spent a lot of time in bed with the head of the bed raised about 18 inches, to help with drainage.

Wow Becca! I have been sitting in front of my computer for the past hour just trying to fine the words. Your FFS journey is quite impressive. Your first post-op picture has me thinking that I will need a 72 hour nurse. I was not expecting FFS to be so extensive. I have to admit I'm feel a bit stunned and worried about my future FFS journey. But I am also still optimistic as I believe FFS is the most important and necessary surgeries we will go through. It is the most visible and first impression that everyone sees. The rest of your post-op pictures are very encouraging to me and everyone else seeking FFS. Yes indeed Becca! I can see the big differences in your before and after pictures. You look very feminine. I'm looking forward to your updates. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Hugs girl!
Donica.

having a rough day today.  haven't been able to nap all day for some reason.  And the swelling on my nose and temples has gotten a lot worse.  since the splint came off my nose has felt OK.  sore but not too bad. the past 24 hours it has swollen quite a bit.

I can't take Ibuprofren or any other NSAID until october 4 and in the interim all i'm taking is tramadol for pain.  Which does nothing for swelling.  I'm doing my facial message every day but it doesn't seem to be reducing swelling, which is partly the point of it. 

Here is a laundry list of updates/progress.  Eleven days post op.  Once I get showered and cleaned up today I might take a couple of selfies to go along with this post.

Numbness!  In the 4-5 days immediately after surgery most of my face and head was numb.  My lips were numb.  My nose was numb.  I couldn't feel my ears.  My entire forehead and scalp all the way back to the nape of my neck was numb. 

Much of that numbness has dissipated or disappeared.  I have 80% sensation on my forehead now.  My scalp is only numb up to approx 2 inches behind my incision line (hair line).  sensation has returned to both ears.  Full sensation in my lips.  I have full sensation in my nose with some slight insensitivity right on the tip of my nose. 

The skin across the lower half of my face is mildly insensitive.  I wouldn't call it numb, but i don't have full sensation.  Especially along my jaw and chin where so much bone work was done.  I would characterize it as 70% sensation.

Swelling!  I have persistent  swelling and fluid at my temples.  I will be contacting the Dr about this today, since it's gotten worse and not better since I left Chicago.  Swelling around my eyes has decreased a great deal.  For two days after surgery my eyes were swollen shut.  I would characterize my eyes today as having some puffiness.  My nose is swollen, mostly at the tip and around my nostrils.  prescribed message doesn't seem to be helping with swelling,  The entire lower half of my face is still very swollen, including below my chin, jaw.  The swelling is a hard, tight type of swelling of the muscle and deeper tissue. From what I've been told this swelling will take the longest to recover from.  I have swelling around my adams apple.  Initially it was very bad.  But over the past 5 days it's gone down a lot.

Bruising!  I still have two black eyes.  But they're slowly clearing up.  I also have blackish bruising at my temples.  Bruising around my neck and jaw is still bad but has improved a lot over the past week.  Most of the skin on my face has a yellowish tint to it that you see with surgery or trauma.  It seems to be taking a long time to clear up.  My hope is that in three weeks when i return to work I'll be able to use cosmetics to cover whatever bruising is left

I also have a persistent runny nose.  It is irritating my nose and makes me look like I have a cold.  I don't.  It's simply irritation from the rhinoplasty and cauterization of sinus tissue.  My doctor said it could be persistent for months after the surgery

the incision along my hair line is kind of ugly and bumpy.  The incision around the bottom of my nose is very pink and slightly irritated but healing just the way the Dr said it would.  The incisions that trace around my ears are swollen and bumpy, in part because so much swelling at my jaw line is right where those incisions are.    I have an incision and stitches under my chin which are barely noticeable and seem to be healing very well

I am able to chew food again, as long as it's not too hard/tough.  I've been practicing opening my mouth every day to stretch the massetter muscles which were reduced during surgery.  I would guess that I can now open my mouth to 50% of normal.  Just enough to spoon in food.

Great updates Becca! I'm so glad that, for the most part, everything is healing as expected. Please give us an update after you talk to your Dr. if you are up to it. I know you need to get as much rest as possible.

Hugs,
Donica.

Called Dr Z today about the fluid build up on my left temple/side of my head and he said it needed to be drained.   i have an appointment with my GP tomorrow to have it taken care of. 

got lucky and the fluid dissipated overnight.  didn't need it drained. 

came down with a horrible case of constipation, no doubt from 10+ days of taking Vicodin.  I am no longer on opiates for pain, but the first half of the day today was a lower Intestinal Tract nightmare. 

All better now though.

I was taking something while I was in Chicago to ensure that didn't happen and I think after coming home I stopped.  Lesson learned. 

whole psyllium husk is your friend ;)

happy for you the recovery is going well!

quick update.  13 days post op

I'm still sleeping inclined and on my back.  I can't side sleep quite yet.  I think i'm getting 8 hrs of sleep.  I'm in bed for more than that, but wake up frequently because I'm uncomfortable.

My energy level is noticeably better today. 

No significant changes in my face.  In fact being off opiates maybe means i'm feeling more little aches and pains.  Besides the incredibly tight sometimes painful feeling under my jaw from the neck lift and jaw work I'm getting weird little tingly pains in my lower gums.  The most noticeable place that swelling had reduced is around my adams apple.

What i'm finding most frustrating though is that i have a constant runny nose.  And my nose is very swollen.  it looks nothing like the day the splint came off.  Every time I look in the mirror I see a swollen red mess that looks like I have a bad cold.  I can't blow it.  I have to clean it with cotton swabs and keep the inside coated in Aquafor.  The incision under my nose and up around the outside of my nostrils is very noticeable and red and ugly. 

The slow slow rate that swelling and bruising and pain subsides is just awful and demoralizing.   I have to go back to work in 2 and a half weeks and I feel like I'm going to look like a train wreck when I do.

I think by the time you go back to work, with a little makeup, you'll look fine. Michelle_P has a few good tips for makup. I believe she as already posted about this here in your thread. I'm glad to her your recovery is going well. Not a train wreck, A beautiful women.

Hugs,
Donica.

i have a few minutes so I'll post a few thoughts.  I shaved today (first time in 3 days).  I have maybe 10% of my facial hair left, just enough that I have to shave.  And I spent some time picking away at my face while i did.  the skin under my chin is completely numb.  zero sensation.  i have an incision under my chin too and it's healed very well. 

Getting a bit of sensation back in my ears.  there is an incision that starts in front of each ear and circles below and all the way up the back of each ear.  those incisions I think were needed to trim part of my jaw and do part of the neck lift.  I have a lot of swelling around my ears and back of my jaw and the incisions simply look ugly.  For several days after surgery both ears were completely numb.  I have 95% feeling in both ears now.  I also have sutures starting to spit out of those incisions around my ears

Earlier today I sneezed and a ball of sutures, tied in a weird knot, flew out of my nose.  these are all cotton stitches that are designed to disintegrate.  The doctor used very fine cotton sutures around the bottom of my nose which i keep mistaking for little blond hairs, but need to be pulled out with tweezers.

There are knots of stitches inside my mouth, on both sides near my back molars.  The sutures start at the base of my gums near the front of my mouth then go up the side of my mouth at the very pack of my teeth.  those incisions were made so they could cut away half of my masseter muscle.  The incisions never really hurt, even in the first couple of days after surgery i didn't have any pain inside my mouth.  But the tissue around the stitches is swollen and occasionally I will think i have food stuck in the side of my mouth but its just a ball of stitches.  Eventually I guess they'll fall out

my temples have been numb since the surgery.  part of the bone work was drilling away bone around my eye sockets and the edge of my temples.  I also got fat injections in my temples to fill in my male looking "hollows".  Part of my daily face message is rubbing very hard along the edge of my orbital rim, where the bone trimming was done.  this is to reduce fluid build up and reduce scaring. It hasn't hurt much at all.  just uncomfortable. But today i noticed that at the corner of my eye and temple it's sore.  Must be some feeling coming  back.

You are both brave and inspiring!  even reading your story of pain and discomfort I look forward to the same.  In a few weeks to a few months you will see amazing results and a woman you want to see in the mirror!!!

14 days post op.  here are a few pics i'm sending to the doctor today for follow ups.  Swelling and bruising around my face is uneven.  bruising is much worse across the left side.  My mouth is crooked and i'm hoping that is due to the unevenness of the swelling.  The area causing me the most pain, numbness and swelling at this point is under my jaw and the result of the neck lift.  I wonder how I'd feel right now if I had skipped the neck lift.  however, you can see how tight and defined my jaw neck is.  This was NOT the case prior to surgery. 

I have had some hair loss in the inch or two above my incision.  I am on the fence at this point whether the scalp advancement was worth it.  I was told that i need 2000 micro grafts to feminize my hairline, which I can have done at the Zukowski clinic in 9 months for approx $9k.  Without the scalp advancement I would have needed 3-4k micrografts. 

One thing that doesn't seem to be picked up well in the photos is that the skin on most of my face still has an unhealthy yellowish tint to it.

I still have a bump around my adams apple, but that's only what's left of swelling, which was really really bad immediately post op. 

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi63.tinypic.com%2Fjzui1.jpg&hash=650c33e06b468004bb21ddd5a4ddce34363ff94c)(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi67.tinypic.com%2F219nqy1.jpg&hash=107b20839df989bb439854d9ee8de378c9da0b06)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi65.tinypic.com%2Fa4lb90.jpg&hash=0f0bb420114ab8b73c6213213243e30a061e2c99)(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi68.tinypic.com%2F33yoz6c.jpg&hash=d6b8e16766862b2a573e1dc3c28c801a917e790f)

Hey, speedy healing and thanks for sharing your pictures. I know some people don't like to put them out there, so I applaud you for that.  :)

Hugs, Devlyn

as a comparison, here is a pic i took 30 min before my surgery 14 days ago.  Versus one from today.  Sorry for the lines all over my face, Dr Z did that.  You can see how my forehead bumps out and inch or more above my eyebrow, my brow ridge and orbital rims and how the hood my eyes, how prominent the end of my nose is and how my chin extends forward.  All of that was greatly reduced or mitigated.  I am happiest so far with the forehead work, which is very smooth and even under my skin.  Dr Z did a very good job.  I really like so far how my chin no longer juts out. 

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi65.tinypic.com%2F6nqahj.jpg&hash=0102910f67c144b9552f99545f0b85999d92f0f7)(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi65.tinypic.com%2Fa4lb90.jpg&hash=0f0bb420114ab8b73c6213213243e30a061e2c99)

Wow Becca! That is a big difference. You are looking much better today. All it takes now is time. Great update girl! Thanks for sharing.

Donica.

Quote from: Donica on October 04, 2018, 08:39:11 AM
Wow Becca! That is a big difference. You are looking much better today. All it takes now it time. Great update girl! Thanks for sharing.

Donica.

Still working on that proofread before posting thing, huh, honey?  :laugh:. <running away>

Quote from: Devlyn on October 04, 2018, 08:45:20 AM
Still working on that proofread before posting thing, huh, honey?  :laugh:. <running away>

Yes. In my defense, it's early. I'm still sleepy and working on my first cup of coffee.

Quote from: Devlyn on October 04, 2018, 08:18:48 AM
Hey, speedy healing and thanks for sharing your pictures. I know some people don't like to put them out there, so I applaud you for that.  :)

Hugs, Devlyn

yes, it is difficult to post some of these pics.  especially pre op pics where i'm not presenting as female (ie. make up and hair).  But hopefully it helps people who consider these surgeries. 

I think its worth it for people to consider how much they NEED the surgery for themselves or for others.  I didn't need it for other people.  Prior to my surgery I had a good life.  I was rarely/never misgendered in public as long as i was wearing my hair, make up and a skirt or dress. I was finding it easier and easier to date. And now I have a girlfriend who thought i was "hot".  I got good at taking selfies that made me look good!!  My public life was very very good. 

But I couldn't look at myself when I was alone. I wanted to see the person I felt, not just (during the day) the person everyone else saw.  And I wanted to eventually be able to go out in pubic without going through full make up and a wig.

The two photos below are me.  One of them right before my surgery and the other only days earlier.  A lot can be done simply with presentation.  Cis women know this.  Most cis women spend a LOT of time on their presentation. 

People who only know me as Sofia (my real name isn't Becca...) have ONLY seen me presenting as female and wouldn't even recognize the person on the right.  They don't see me as a man.  They don't misgender me.  Colleagues, acquaintances, friends, etc. who have only known Sofia don't see the person on the right. I think for me that's been a huge success in my transition.  HRT has helped.  It has mildly changed my face and body.  It gave me breasts, widened my hips, changed my complextion, etc.  And getting rid of facial hair is a HUGE plus. 

But at the end of the day I had to look at the person on the right every night when I went to bed.  And I couldn't live with that anymore.   

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi64.tinypic.com%2Fiz6sut.jpg&hash=4cf88698088efeca36a2ba3945fffb21de802684)(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi65.tinypic.com%2F6nqahj.jpg&hash=0102910f67c144b9552f99545f0b85999d92f0f7)

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 04, 2018, 08:50:50 AM
People who only know me as Sofia (my real name isn't Becca...) have ONLY seen me presenting as female and wouldn't even recognize the person on the right.  They don't see me as a man.  They don't misgender me.  Colleagues, acquaintances, friends, etc. who have only known Sofia don't see the person on the right. I think for me that's been a huge success in my transition.  HRT has helped.  It has mildly changed my face and body.  It gave me breasts, widened my hips, changed my complextion, etc.  And getting rid of facial hair is a HUGE plus. 

But at the end of the day I had to look at the person on the right every night when I went to bed.  And I couldn't live with that anymore.   

I am absolutely with you there, Sofia. Despite being much older than you, I do seem to be doing okay when I get myself fixed up. The only misgendering I run into any more is with those who knew me "before." I have had friends forcefully question why I would want to put myself through surgeries when they don't see the need for it. I so appreciate their kindness, but I have pictures similar to yours (they are required by the surgeons), and that's who I have to see in the mirror when the enhancements are washed off. Though I do see more of "her" lately, there's still far too much of "him" still there. I reserve the right to take care of myself first. Developing the courage to do what we want to be ourselves is just another benefit of transitioning.

You look great!


Stephanie

Welcome home Sofia!

Warm hugs!
Donica.

Quote from: Steph2.0 on October 04, 2018, 09:03:50 AM
I am absolutely with you there, Sofia. Despite being much older than you, I do seem to be doing okay when I get myself fixed up. The only misgendering I run into any more is with those who knew me "before." I have had friends forcefully question why I would to put myself through surgeries when they don't see the need for it. I so appreciate their kindness, but I have pictures similar to yours (they are required by the surgeons), and that's who I have to see in the mirror when the enhancements are washed off. Though I do see more of "her" lately, there's still far too much of "him" still there. I reserve the right to take care of myself first. Developing the courage to do what we want to be ourselves is just another benefit of transitioning.

You look great!


Stephanie

Thank you!  And i don't know how old you are, but I will be 48 soon. 

I have made it known that as soon as I'm recovered from this surgery I will be changing my age to 38

Sofia you look great and your profile view is awesome.  I recall that my chin was numb for quite some time after I had it contoured, but it will come back.  I can certainly see the improvement that scalp advancement has brought.  Your forehead is now like one of my sisters and once you grow out your hair more you'll see that it is fine.  The trachea shave looks good and that swelling will go down.  Remember women have Adam's apples too.  The doctor can only go so far without possibly damaging your vocal chords.  What a wonderful success!
Judi

WOW, the changes are INCREDIBLE! I am truly impressed by how much different he made you look. You looked good before but that would be so nice to not see the boy in the mirror. CONGATS!

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 04, 2018, 09:25:26 AM

Thank you!  And i don't know how old you are, but I will be 48 soon. 

I have made it known that as soon as I'm recovered from this surgery I will be changing my age to 38

Interesting age. I turned 60 a few weeks ago, but on my birthday someone guessed I was 48. So when you abandon 48 in favor of 38, I'll take over for you.

Stephanie

Is anyone else unable to see Sofia's photos on page 4?  I see the outline but the photos don't come through.

the third party hosting service i used for my photos is down.  unfortunately, i can't go back and modify earlier posts to replace the photos.

i don't understand why I can't modify posts from yesterday or the day before.  I'm really upset about it.  I want to fix it and replace the pics

Posts can be easily edited within 24 hours.  After 24 hours a moderator can edit you want - hit the Report to moderator button and fill in the details or feel free to send me a PM.  PM might not be quite as fast since the Report button reaches the entire moderator team and a few are on different time zones.  Glad to help.  ;)

Thanks for updating/fixing the pics.  Impressive changes!

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 04, 2018, 08:50:50 AM
But I couldn't look at myself when I was alone. I wanted to see the person I felt, not just (during the day) the person everyone else saw.  And I wanted to eventually be able to go out in pubic without going through full make up and a wig.

Hi, Becca (Sofia)
Your journey has been brave and I admire your courage as you go through it.  This quote of yours in particular struck me.  I too cannot look in the mirror and feel OK.  I was a really good looking young man, and now I am old, but underneath I know I am still good looking.  In the mirror, all I see is an old man.  My beauty is there but really hidden.

I am having trouble getting the courage to go out as a woman, because I feel in my own mind that I am a parody of womanhood.  From these chats, i know half the people wouldn't care and most of the other half would look weird at me, but not as much as I look at myself and feel I look weird.  (The remainder look weird at everything, man, woman, child, and transgender, so can't worry about them.)

Thank you for bringing this part of your discussion up, since it has allowed me to express my feelings in this area to myself.

Take heart, you look really good, and if you wore your wig and make up, even with today's uneven results you will look great.  Can you post a picture of you now, with your wig and make up?  Sometimes people are their own worst critic and you may be in this case.

Love, EvaB

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 05, 2018, 08:10:19 PM
the third party hosting service i used for my photos is down.  unfortunately, i can't go back and modify earlier posts to replace the photos.

I don't know what service you are used Sofia but I've been using Imgur. It's free and always seems to work.

Donica.

Quote from: EvaB on October 06, 2018, 05:38:48 AM
Hi, Becca (Sofia)
Your journey has been brave and I admire your courage as you go through it.  This quote of yours in particular struck me.  I too cannot look in the mirror and feel OK.  I was a really good looking young man, and now I am old, but underneath I know I am still good looking.  In the mirror, all I see is an old man.  My beauty is there but really hidden.

I am having trouble getting the courage to go out as a woman, because I feel in my own mind that I am a parody of womanhood.  From these chats, i know half the people wouldn't care and most of the other half would look weird at me, but not as much as I look at myself and feel I look weird.  (The remainder look weird at everything, man, woman, child, and transgender, so can't worry about them.)

Thank you for bringing this part of your discussion up, since it has allowed me to express my feelings in this area to myself.

Take heart, you look really good, and if you wore your wig and make up, even with today's uneven results you will look great.  Can you post a picture of you now, with your wig and make up?  Sometimes people are their own worst critic and you may be in this case.

Love, EvaB

Don't give up!  Presentation takes time.

To be honest I felt completely comfortable in my presentation prior to FFS.  I got a lot of compliments from friends and cis women, which boosted my confidence.  People didn't even know I wore a wig.  My girlfriend didn't realize I wore a wig until our third date. 

But that underlying feeling, especially when i took off my make up, was too much for me to bear.

I was a pretty good looking guy.  I never had trouble picking up women.  I got hit on all my life by gay men..  LOL.  But I didn't want to be an attractive guy.  This is me a couple of years ago

(https://i.imgur.com/Sbkjk10.jpg)



   

Hi, Becca,

You were much younger than I plus life has not been good to my body.
Nonetheless, I am not giving up.  I have hope... 
Thanks for the support. 

EvaB

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 06, 2018, 10:07:41 AM
Don't give up!  Presentation takes time.

To be honest I felt completely comfortable in my presentation prior to FFS.  I got a lot of compliments from friends and cis women, which boosted my confidence.  People didn't even know I wore a wig.  My girlfriend didn't realize I wore a wig until our third date. 

But that underlying feeling, especially when i took off my make up, was too much for me to bear.

I was a pretty good looking guy.  I never had trouble picking up women.  I got hit on all my life by gay men..  LOL.  But I didn't want to be an attractive guy.  This is me a couple of years ago

(https://i.imgur.com/Sbkjk10.jpg)



   

You look so sad in that picture.

Quote from: Sarah1979 on October 07, 2018, 07:26:51 AM
You look so sad in that picture.

i was always sad.  happiness was an act for me.  a role.  like pretending to be a man. 

I had clinical depression, an anxiety disorder and anorexia for my entire adult life



I am sooo much happier now though

 I'm beginning to think I just need to push my transition to be faster, I would really like to be as happy with mysel as the rest of you are.

FTR I still have an eating disorder and clinical depression.  Transitioning didn't make it go away.  But it has made me happier.

A friend of mine once said that when she transitioned she traded one set of problems for another.  I agree with her completely now.  In many ways my life is harder now.  I have lost male privilege.  I live with a type of fear for my safety that I never experienced before.  Healthcare is more difficult.... etc. etc. 

But at least I am living my true life. 

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 07, 2018, 02:52:15 PM
FTR I still have an eating disorder and clinical depression.  Transitioning didn't make it go away.  But it has made me happier.

A friend of mine once said that when she transitioned she traded one set of problems for another.  I agree with her completely now.  In many ways my life is harder now.  I have lost male privilege.  I live with a type of fear for my safety that I never experienced before.  Healthcare is more difficult.... etc. etc. 

But at least I am living my true life.

I would trade my current inability to look in the mirror without crying for just about anything.

Hugs

Sarah

quick update.  17 days post op

my energy levels are much better than a week ago.  But over the past few days i've noticed that I have "normal" energy levels for about 2 hours and then I'm done for the day. 

Not seeing much difference in the coloration of my skin, bruising, etc. It's improving so slowly that I can't really notice it day to day. 

there a couple of things that worry me, though.

The incision under my nose is ugly.  It didn't just heal together neatly since I had my dressing removed about 2 weeks ago.  IT's very visible and I have little cotton sutures slowly creeping out of it. And the edges of the healing incision are slightly rough.  I worry that I"m going to end up with a very very noticeable scar.

my mouth is crooked.  It looks like the left side of my mouth is limp.   You can see it in the pics I posted a few days ago.  The muscle and nerve functionality is even on both sides of my face.  My upper lip on the left side curls under a bit.  A week ago i was so swollen that I didn't think anything of it.  But it hasn't really improved since I left Chicago.   the pic on the left is from 4 days ago.  the one on the right is from today

(https://i.imgur.com/uwOi7ty.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/GU6GgpU.jpg)

My nose it not quite symmetrical.  One side seems more swollen than the other.  Not quite so worried about this yet, as rhinoplasty takes a long time to totally heal.  However, the tissue just inside both of my nostrils is really rough and ugly and very visible to anybody who's face to face with me.

Here's a pic of me on a short trip out of the house today.  tiny bit of concealer on my upper lip and nose.  little bit of mascara and some eyebrow pencil

(https://i.imgur.com/AQO4X7x.jpg)

I'm not an expert, but from what I've read about ffs, even 17 days isn't enough time to judge the swelling.

Hi, Becca!

I'm about 4 weeks ahead of you.  My asymmetric swelling on my nose is almost gone at 6 weeks, and the sutures and rough spots inside the nostrils have mostly faded.  The incision line below the nose spat a couple bits of sutures last week near the corners, but is now settling down and the rough areas are fading.  It is barely visible at this point.  There are still some discolored areas on the cheeks right below the eyes, but between BB cream sunblock and my undereye 'serum' concealer these are barely noticible.

I just lost the last of the 'dissolvable' sutures in my mouth this afternoon. 

Feeling is starting to return on my chin and a little bit on the forehead, and my smile is more even.  Both eyebrows move, although the left one moves more, so I sometimes get that quizzical "Mr. Spock" look.  My nose is crooked, favoring one side slightly, but it is the exact same 'crooked' I had before surgery, just with a cuter little nose with an upturned tip!

From folks who went through this before me with the same doctor, I know things won't be really settling down til at least 3 months postop, and a few changes and bit of healing will happen out past a year post-op.  It is another test of patience.

Quote from: Michelle_P on October 07, 2018, 06:16:08 PM
Hi, Becca!

I'm about 4 weeks ahead of you.  My asymmetric swelling on my nose is almost gone at 6 weeks, and the sutures and rough spots inside the nostrils have mostly faded.  The incision line below the nose spat a couple bits of sutures last week near the corners, but is now settling down and the rough areas are fading.  It is barely visible at this point.  There are still some discolored areas on the cheeks right below the eyes, but between BB cream sunblock and my undereye 'serum' concealer these are barely noticible.

I just lost the last of the 'dissolvable' sutures in my mouth this afternoon. 

Feeling is starting to return on my chin and a little bit on the forehead, and my smile is more even.  Both eyebrows move, although the left one moves more, so I sometimes get that quizzical "Mr. Spock" look.  My nose is crooked, favoring one side slightly, but it is the exact same 'crooked' I had before surgery, just with a cuter little nose with an upturned tip!

From folks who went through this before me with the same doctor, I know things won't be really settling down til at least 3 months postop, and a few changes and bit of healing will happen out past a year post-op.  It is another test of patience.

thanks for these comments!  helps calm my anxiety   ;D

Even swollen you look great!!!!
Kate


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 07, 2018, 02:52:15 PM
FTR I still have an eating disorder and clinical depression.  Transitioning didn't make it go away.  But it has made me happier.

A friend of mine once said that when she transitioned she traded one set of problems for another.  I agree with her completely now. In many ways my life is harder now.  I have lost male privilege.  I live with a type of fear for my safety that I never experienced before.  Healthcare is more difficult.... etc. etc. 

But at least I am living my true life.

I have this same understanding.  I do think the problems I face now can be dealt with and that alone has made me happier.  And I now like who I am.   I never really experienced much male privilege but whatever it was is gone and I do have more concerns for safety than I ever did.   Welcome to the world of women. 

I think Michelle's commentary is invaluable.  Healing is a time consuming process and of course we all want you to be settled in and beautiful.  You are certainly moving in that direction.  I can see the changes from your last photo.
Judi   

Went out for brunch today with another "Z Girl" who lives here in the DC metro area.

full make up for the first time

(https://i.imgur.com/ustHPsg.jpg)

Looking good :)

Hugs

Sarah

You are looking very good Becca. I love your bandana. As Michelle stated, there will be healing and changes for about a year. It seems to be the norm for GCS full recovery time. Hang in there girl.

Donica.

You look great!   ;) :D ;D

Quote from: Donica on October 08, 2018, 03:26:02 PM
You are looking very good Becca. I love your bandana. As Michelle stated, there will be healing and changes for about a year. It seems to be the norm for GCS full recovery time. Hang in there girl.

Donica.

Oops! Sorry!
I mean, "It seems to be the norm for FFS and GCS full recovery time."

Today is exactly 3 weeks post op.  More of the same day to day.

I'm continuing to feel more myself energy wise each day.  Bruising on my face is still very visible, especially on the left side. 

thinking about how recovery has gone I have to say that the worst part of it immediately after and these past two weeks has been the after effects of the jaw bone reduction and the massetter muscle reduction. 

I still can't open my mouth all the way.  I'd guess at this point i can open it somewhere between 50 to 70% of normal. I need to practice throughout the day every day opening my mouth as far as possible. The jaw muscles are very swollen and visibly so when I look at myself.  I'm really really hoping that 6 months from now when the swelling is all gone it has helped make the back line of my jaw look smaller, more narrow

I've been told that the swelling from that part of the surgery, combined with the neck lift is going to persist the longest. 

my nose is looking a little wanky.  my nostrils seem to be morphing into two different shapes.  LOL. And I have a pig nose look right now.  It's likely that swelling from the rhinoplasty will take a until the later part of next year to settle down. 

my adams apple appears to be rather visible, most of that bump is swelling or scaring under the skin. If I force my adams apple up, like when I talk in my current high pitch, the little bump stays there. I'm hoping that it continues to shrink.  The day after the surgery it was swollen to the size of a baseball

There is still an ugly unevenness on the left side of my mouth.  It seems slightly better than last week, but I'm not sure if it's that or i'm used to looking at it.

this is very very unflattering.  But here are three pics.  11 days, 14 days and 21 days post op

(https://i.imgur.com/RcEjpUG.jpg)

Hi Becca!


Looking great! Thanks so much for sharing your photos and experience!

I have a consult with Dr Z coming up in a few weeks. Do you know how far he was able to advance your scalp? Was there any option to get hair transplants before surgery? And it's hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like they couldn't advance it as far on the sides. Is that true?

Anyway I'm super hyped now because I think we have similar foreheads and your results look amazing! Can't wait to see you when you're all healed!

Oh we can definitely see the difference Becca. You looking better and better every day. I noticed that you seem to be tilting your head to the left ever so slightly in all three pictures. Maybe that has something to do with the unevenness? Sit up straight and tall girl.

Hugs,
Donica.

Quote from: scrambledeggs on October 12, 2018, 10:24:37 AM
Hi Becca!


Looking great! Thanks so much for sharing your photos and experience!

I have a consult with Dr Z coming up in a few weeks. Do you know how far he was able to advance your scalp? Was there any option to get hair transplants before surgery? And it's hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like they couldn't advance it as far on the sides. Is that true?

Anyway I'm super hyped now because I think we have similar foreheads and your results look amazing! Can't wait to see you when you're all healed!

scalp advancement was half an inch centrally.  He won't promise more than that.  It will vary by person.  My hairline was not even to begin with.  he pulled it as far forward as he could. 

Think about whether you want it or not.  It's not without risks.  It can leave the top of your head numb. Some people get very bad hair loss after. The cost though as part of my surgery was less than it would have cost for another half inch of transplants

They suggest doing hair transplants 9 months or more after surgery.  Your incision needs to completely heal.  And you'll have hair loss after surgery that takes 6-9 months to recover from.  I think the rate at his clinic is $4.50 per transplant.  Dr Z say that I will need 2000 transplants to correct my hair line. 

I will probably not do the hair transplants for another two years.  I am planning on GCS and breast augmentation over the next 18 months.  And FFS left me broke.  LOL

Quote from: Donica on October 12, 2018, 12:06:25 PM
Oh we can definitely see the difference Becca. You looking better and better every day. I noticed that you seem to be tilting your head to the left ever so slightly in all three pictures. Maybe that has something to do with the unevenness? Sit up straight and tall girl.

Hugs,
Donica.

I think the head tilt is due to holding the camera with my right hand.

Six Days (left), 14 Days (top right), 21 Days (bottom right)

I've worn my hair short or shaved it for the past 15+ years.  This is the longest it's been since I was 30 years old

(https://i.imgur.com/6UkerlB.jpg)

Here is a side by side of me the morning of the surgery and me 21 days after


(https://i.imgur.com/GWYkI8a.jpg)

very aggressive and feminizing results. You look like a different person. Dr Z has improved his nose work. Your nose looks great as well as everything else

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 12, 2018, 01:11:42 PM
scalp advancement was half an inch centrally.  He won't promise more than that.  It will vary by person.  My hairline was not even to begin with.  he pulled it as far forward as he could. 

Think about whether you want it or not.  It's not without risks.  It can leave the top of your head numb. Some people get very bad hair loss after. The cost though as part of my surgery was less than it would have cost for another half inch of transplants

They suggest doing hair transplants 9 months or more after surgery.  Your incision needs to completely heal.  And you'll have hair loss after surgery that takes 6-9 months to recover from.  I think the rate at his clinic is $4.50 per transplant.  Dr Z say that I will need 2000 transplants to correct my hair line. 

I will probably not do the hair transplants for another two years.  I am planning on GCS and breast augmentation over the next 18 months.  And FFS left me broke.  LOL

Thanks for answering.  I will definitely reconsider advancement knowing that.

Did you see any hairline recovery from HRT? My hope is that some of mine will come back once I initiate hormones and finasteride. Right now I would say I have a Norwood Type 2 (M shape). I have lots of little baby hairs after using Minoxodil for a month so I'm hoping they'll start to mature once DHT is out of the picture.

Quote from: scrambledeggs on October 12, 2018, 02:53:02 PM
Thanks for answering.  I will definitely reconsider advancement knowing that.

Did you see any hairline recovery from HRT? My hope is that some of mine will come back once I initiate hormones and finasteride. Right now I would say I have a Norwood Type 2 (M shape). I have lots of little baby hairs after using Minoxodil for a month so I'm hoping they'll start to mature once DHT is out of the picture.

i had a decade of hair loss before HRT.  I had very modest regrowth at my crown, which had a one and a half inch diameter bald spot.  that spot is barely half an inch in diameter now.  But the regrowth is very thin. 

I had a little bit of regrowth along my hairline, but not much.  I think a had a tiny bit of regrowth on the top of my head, which is thin.

I think that if i'd started HRT at 40 and not 47 I would not need hair transplants. 

I don't use anything else specifically for scalp regrowth.  I tried minoxidil in my late 30s for two years and it seemed to do nothing to stop or slow my hair loss. 

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 12, 2018, 01:23:22 PM
Here is a side by side of me the morning of the surgery and me 21 days after


(https://i.imgur.com/GWYkI8a.jpg)

holy smokes, looking good.. from my understanding the swelling takes around 1 year to completely disappear.. so give it time :) looking good.. like dam....

i did start at 39 on hrt myself, but my hair is very thin.. hoping it gets a little thicker... my plan is like all my surgeries over the next two years and hair transplants at the end to help thinking it a little.. who knows if they do that, i sure dont ...

Quote from: reborn on October 12, 2018, 02:41:54 PM
very aggressive and feminizing results. You look like a different person. Dr Z has improved his nose work. Your nose looks great as well as everything else

my nose looked amazing when he took off the splint a week after surgery.  I literally cried.  I couldn't believe it.  But within 30 minutes it just kind of ballooned and swelled.

It's been quite swollen ever since.  and the swelling is uneven.  more on the left side of my nose.  Up close it looks odd.  He warned me that it will take 6months to a year before I see what it will eventually look like.   

A friend of mine went to Dr Z 5 years ago and told me that her nose looked pretty bad for almost a year, with her nostrils shaped and sized differentlly.  And then all of a sudden around 12 months the last of the inflammation cleared up and it just kind of settled down.  Now her nose looks very good.

He did a LOT of work on my nose and nasal cavity.  I had a very bad deviated septum and nasal polyps.  Very large nostrils.  I think he spent more than an hour of additional time on my nose alone.  My surgery was 11 hours long

here are some photos from the first 72 hours after my surgery.  These were taken 19-21 days ago.  I had the 72hr nursing service which cost approx $2k but is well worth it.  Both the nurses were amazing and had a lot of experience tending to Dr Z's patients.  My sister was there with me and tended to me for 3 days after that.  But there is no way she could have taken care of me the first 72 hours. 

this is one day after surgery when my dressings were changed

(https://i.imgur.com/COR4S4y.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/GnVxu6i.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/q2EotXZ.jpg)

Later the second day and early the Third day

(https://i.imgur.com/Xc4dYu8.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/uuAwWTW.jpg)

This is Day three when my nurse took the bandages off, washed my hair, etc.  It wasn't until the third day that I could open both eyes. 

(https://i.imgur.com/yqLSSzg.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/HeufySQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3ileBvQ.jpg)

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 12, 2018, 03:07:09 PM
i had a decade of hair loss before HRT.  I had very modest regrowth at my crown, which had a one and a half inch diameter bald spot.  that spot is barely half an inch in diameter now.  But the regrowth is very thin. 

I had a little bit of regrowth along my hairline, but not much.  I think a had a tiny bit of regrowth on the top of my head, which is thin.

I think that if i'd started HRT at 40 and not 47 I would not need hair transplants. 

I don't use anything else specifically for scalp regrowth.  I tried minoxidil in my late 30s for two years and it seemed to do nothing to stop or slow my hair loss.

So do you plan to let your hair keep growing out until you can get transplants? Won't it grow back unevenly if you do?

I'm trying to figure out the best plan of action so I can go into my consult prepared.

Quote from: scrambledeggs on October 12, 2018, 03:47:15 PM
So do you plan to let your hair keep growing out until you can get transplants? Won't it grow back unevenly if you do?

I'm trying to figure out the best plan of action so I can go into my consult prepared.

I am going to grow it out so that I can eventually pull it into a pony tail.  If I do that and wear at headband my receded hairline wouldn't be visible.  I want to be able to do that occasionally so I can swim, exercise, etc, without a wig.

When I get transplants I'll have a strip removed from the back of my head.  They'll shave that area.  And I won't be able to cover the transplanted area for months later.  So I hope that having my hair longer two years from now will at least allow me to look OK when I go through it. 

Thank you so much for posting your FFS journey Becca. It has been an amazing journey indeed. I now know what to expect. I would be interested in how/where you found the 72 hour nursing care? I think I will be doing the same. I have been looking online for post-op care with little success. You are looking fabulous girl.

Hugs,
Donica. 

Quote from: Donica on October 12, 2018, 04:08:41 PM
Thank you so much for posting your FFS journey Becca. It has been an amazing journey indeed. I now know what to expect. I would be interested in how/where you found the 72 hour nursing care? I think I will be doing the same. I have been looking online for post-op care with little success. You are looking fabulous girl.

Hugs,
Donica.

The nursing service is scheduled through The Zukowski Clinic.  The nurses are contractors who work with Dr Z specifically for this.  It's part of the FFS package but billed separately

Becca,

Your latest image comparing now to before really shows a big difference before you looked good, but after you looked really good and totally feminine.

You are recovering great [emoji4]

Nicole

You look great!    What a change.  Amazing.

I also appreciate the graphic reality of the FFS.  You are so strong and inspiring!

Hugs

Karen

this past week the sutures finally started popping out of my forehead incision.  I pulled out five or six cotton strings about a centimeter long each.  IN addition to cotton dissolving sutures Dr Z threaded a single nylon suture the entire length of the incision. 

Up until day 6 there were three inches of extra nylon hanging out of each side of my head. Dr Z snipped the extra off at my scalp on the last day i was in Chicago. 

Like the cotton sutures I"m supposed to pull the nylong out bit by bit if it comes to the surface and cut it close to my skin if it won't budge more.

It's kind of icky.  The cotton sutures never come out all in one piece.  Most of the time I have to tug them out a little bit at a time and clip them.   Then wait for the rest to pop out.

I assume he uses these sutures instead of staples  (for the forehead) because it would require a follow up visit, and most of his patients don't live anywhere near the clinic

I would almost have rather had to go in and have sutures removed than to deal with this.  It's yucky and each incision doesn't really close up entirely until all the sutures have been pulled out or completely dissolve

Oh my Becca! I had no idea you had to do that on your own. Isn't there another doctor you can have take care of that for you?

Quote from: Donica on October 15, 2018, 08:26:15 AM
Oh my Becca! I had no idea you had to do that on your own. Isn't there another doctor you can have take care of that for you?

he uses individual sutures that dissolve on their own.  They can't be pulled out until the knot below the surface dissolves.  Some of them dissolve completely below the skin and you never see them. These are like the sutures that are used internally. There's nothing another doctor can do.   

some people react to these sutures differently than others.  It's not going quite as easily for me than i think it does for some people.  They seem to be dissolving in me, but very slowly.  I've talked to people who said that within two weeks they were all out.  I'm at almost 4 weeks and still have partially open incisions because these sutures are still dissolving

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 15, 2018, 08:40:08 AM
he uses individual sutures that dissolve on their own.  They can't be pulled out until the knot below the surface dissolves.  Some of them dissolve completely below the skin and you never see them. These are like the sutures that are used internally. There's nothing another doctor can do.   

some people react to these sutures differently than others.  It's not going quite as easily for me than i think it does for some people.  They seem to be dissolving in me, but very slowly.  I've talked to people who said that within two weeks they were all out.  I'm at almost 4 weeks and still have partially open incisions because these sutures are still dissolving

Yeah, it takes a while.  I'm 7 weeks post-op, and I just had one of the knots from the inner layer of sutures on the lip lift surface last night, along the outside edge of the right nostril.  A little whisp of fiber and a lump just under the skin...   Gone now thank goodness. 

This morning I have a tiny bit of nylon poking out of my head in the left side of the forehead incision. I'll leave it alone for a few days and wait for the knot to show itself.

None of this stuff is visible or obvious to others.  We can feel it, though, and our habits treat it as a foreign object irritating us.  It will work it's way out and be gone soon enough.

Quote from: Michelle_P on October 15, 2018, 09:55:30 AM
Yeah, it takes a while.  I'm 7 weeks post-op, and I just had one of the knots from the inner layer of sutures on the lip lift surface last night, along the outside edge of the right nostril.  A little whisp of fiber and a lump just under the skin...   Gone now thank goodness. 

This morning I have a tiny bit of nylon poking out of my head in the left side of the forehead incision. I'll leave it alone for a few days and wait for the knot to show itself.

None of this stuff is visible or obvious to others.  We can feel it, though, and our habits treat it as a foreign object irritating us.  It will work it's way out and be gone soon enough.

It is icky though.  I have to go back to work in a week and the incision under my nose is very visible and irritated.  I can't cover it with make up because it's not healed.  It's frustrating. 

I still have a wad of stitches on either side of the inside of my mouth too.  I'm surprised they haven't fallen out yet

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 15, 2018, 01:45:03 PM

It is icky though.  I have to go back to work in a week and the incision under my nose is very visible and irritated.  I can't cover it with make up because it's not healed.  It's frustrating. 

I still have a wad of stitches on either side of the inside of my mouth too.  I'm surprised they haven't fallen out yet

Yeah.  I feel like a Rageddy Anne doll coming unraveled when this stuff pops up.  Tug on the wrong one and zippppp!

The stitches in my mouth startled coming out at 4 weeks, and the last couple of big ones on the front and right came out last week, six weeks post-op.

here is pic from today.  no make up.  25 days post op.

as the swelling goes down my jaw seems to look smaller and smaller.  Which was the point of half my surgery. 

(https://i.imgur.com/kByxn0f.jpg)

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 15, 2018, 05:12:02 PM
here is pic from today.  no make up.  25 days post op.

as the swelling goes down my jaw seems to look smaller and smaller.  Which was the point of half my surgery. 

(https://i.imgur.com/kByxn0f.jpg)

@Becca Kay
Dear Becca:
Thank you so much for sharing your latest photo with your followers....
... aside from the discomfort that you have to deal with until the healing progresses more, you must be very happy when you view yourself in the mirror...  :) :)

I most certainly think that you are looking beautiful and terrific with your new very feminine face.  I am eager to keep following your updates as you continue in your healing process.  Please keep them coming.

Hugs and hugs...... and well wishes,
Danielle

BeccaIalreadyforgotyourrealname-  the results are really visible in your latest pics and you look great.

You are looking great Becca. Your recovery is coming along nicely. From day 1 to how well you look at day 25 is very encouraging.

Donica.

over the past 10 days i've been esperiencing weird discomfort in my gums of my lower jaw.  it started with my front bottom teeth.  i can literally feel tension on them when i do my facial messages.  Now I am feel weird discomfort all the way back to my molars most of the time, not only when messaging.  It reminds me of when i was younger and I had braces.  Like the feeling right after having my braces tightened.

I'm sure this is caused by all the jaw work.  Part of my masseter muscle was removed and a lot of tissue and muscle was moved around to reshape the bottom of my jaw.  It's probably not surprising that there's a change in tension on my teeth

i had a really bad under bite as a child.  I had nearly 5 years of braces, starting late in elementary school.  i remember having profile photos taken before i got braces.  My jaw was flush with my upper and lower lips.  Braces lliterally moved my jaw forward.  And then puberty made my chin grow.  This surgery kind of erased all that.  My teeth still line up.  But my profile now reminds me a little bit of my prepubescent face. 

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 08, 2018, 01:03:05 PM
Went out for brunch today with another "Z Girl" who lives here in the DC metro area.

full make up for the first time

(https://i.imgur.com/ustHPsg.jpg)

I thoroughly enjoyed your company, sweetie.  I hope we get a chance to do it again soon!

With kindness,

Terri

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 16, 2018, 12:57:14 PM
over the past 10 days i've been esperiencing weird discomfort in my gums of my lower jaw.  it started with my front bottom teeth.  i can literally feel tension on them when i do my facial messages.  Now I am feel weird discomfort all the way back to my molars most of the time, not only when messaging.  It reminds me of when i was younger and I had braces.  Like the feeling right after having my braces tightened.

I'm sure this is caused by all the jaw work.  Part of my masseter muscle was removed and a lot of tissue and muscle was moved around to reshape the bottom of my jaw.  It's probably not surprising that there's a change in tension on my teeth

yup that would do it, also the feeling from the nerves is coming back as well. since the muscles were swollen and bruised with possible slight wear to outer sheathing of the nerves while they more moved around is repairing themselves. also your training the muscles again, they are repairing as well, they wont regrow just do the normal repairing. swelling is also coming down, all of this and sensation returning to your nerves. dont forget your brain got kind of used how everything once was and its alerting you to a change in this area. pretty sure in time you will get used how it feels and it wont be a conscious thing. i bet once the swelling is a fair way down, the stitches will start dissolving faster.

i have done loads of research into the medical field, still do, and also did it in uni. its truly fascinating.. i am not a doctor, but i like to be fully informed about everything i can be. medical text are fascinating, and its funny when go to the doctor and he mentions abc, looks and me and surprised to see comprehension.. he now knows i read this stuff like often myself and we do lots of medical speak, no simple words required  ;)

Pic from 5 weeks ago and one from today

(https://i.imgur.com/flTIe6S.jpg)

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 17, 2018, 05:50:25 PM
Pic from 5 weeks ago and one from today

(https://i.imgur.com/flTIe6S.jpg)

You look beautiful!
Also, that shirt is definitely your color.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Wow, what a difference. Enjoy it.[emoji6][emoji4]

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

Sophie:  What kind of tape are you using to hold your glasses up?  Your latest picture is phenomenal.  You are truly beautiful.  I can only hope for half the results you got.  3.5 weeks until my surgery with Dr. Zukowski.

Becca, you are just beautiful!

Quote from: Breeze 57 on October 17, 2018, 08:31:06 PM
Sophie:  What kind of tape are you using to hold your glasses up?  Your latest picture is phenomenal.  You are truly beautiful.  I can only hope for half the results you got.  3.5 weeks until my surgery with Dr. Zukowski.

clear medical tape.  the type you use with gauze.

Dr Z will give you a list of supplies to bring to Chicago with you.  4x4 gauze pads, cotton swabs, hydrogen peroxide, etc. etc.  The tape should be on that same list.  It will come in the ring binder that Dr Z sends to you 2 weeks before surgery

also a couple of pro tips

remove your nail polish before you go to chicago.  you can't wear it into surgery.  I had gel nails and had to go the day before to a salon near the hotel to have the gel taken off

the Day before the surgery Dr Z will give you a prescription for Tramadol or Vicodin and Dyasapam.  You have to fill it at a local pharmacy.  If you have private insurance for prescriptions make sure you bring your prescription card.  The Target a quarter of a mile from the Staybridge Suites has a pharmacy that can fill your scripts asap.

Hi Sofia, what an improvement from those scary earlier photos.  The doctor's work is clearly showing, Wow Whee!!!  You look great.  I hope you're feeling the same.   All my best.
Judi

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 17, 2018, 05:50:25 PM
Pic from 5 weeks ago and one from today

(https://i.imgur.com/flTIe6S.jpg)

holy crap, beautiful and wow what a difference.

time to add a tracker to your sig, days since FFS :)

WOW!  You look amazing.  What a beautiful change, you go girl! 

Wow yes, that is quite a change and a good one at that. 

All of the above!!!!  congrats.

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 17, 2018, 05:50:25 PM
Pic from 5 weeks ago and one from today

(https://i.imgur.com/flTIe6S.jpg)

Very lovely Becca!

Donica.

Very nice!  The neatest thing is that you are still recognizably yourself, yet are obviously, recognizably feminine in appearance.  I find the changes made to be fascinating!

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 17, 2018, 05:50:25 PM
Pic from 5 weeks ago and one from today

(https://i.imgur.com/flTIe6S.jpg)

Girl, you look AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!

couple of FFS updates

For some reason my face feels MORE swollen today than the past few days.  And my jaw muscles were incredibly tight when I woke up this morning.  I think it might be from a more aggressive facial message yesterday than I've been doing, and the fact that I spent a lot of time yesterday stretching my jaw to open farther. 

i pulled 3 inches of nylon suture out of my forehead I think there are two short pieces still in there. 

Had a phone call with Dr Z yesterday and he gave me some instructions for daily facial message to deal with swelling over my Adams Apple and to address the fact that my right nostril is kind of caved in a bit.

The tissue under the skin and over my Adams Apple is thickened.  It feels almost like an internal scar but it's a bit softer.  With my neck lift what's left of my adams apple is actually more visible than prior to my surgery despite the trachea shave.  My neck lift included lipo.  So my neck is very tight and relatively smooth now.  Before there was loose skin kind of hiding it.  i also lost 15 pounds during the first 2 weeks post op.  All that combined makes my neck look significantly smaller. 

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 17, 2018, 05:50:25 PM
Pic from 5 weeks ago and one from today

(https://i.imgur.com/flTIe6S.jpg)

@Becca Kay

WOW - You look great, feminine and very pretty, you must be thrilled - I would be!

Take care,


Sonja.

You look feminine in both of your before and after pictures. But your after picture is much more feminine. You look lovely Becca.

Hugs,
Donica.

OMG  between your results and Michelle's I want FFS!  But gosh it hurts.

Hugs,
  Laurie

Quote from: Laurie on October 19, 2018, 01:22:06 PM
OMG  between your results and Michelle's I want FFS!  But gosh it hurts.

Hugs,
  Laurie

I've already forgotten the pain.  Pain is temporary. 

Quote from: Laurie on October 19, 2018, 01:22:06 PM
OMG  between your results and Michelle's I want FFS!  But gosh it hurts.

Hugs,
  Laurie

I was sort of sore, as well as sort of out of it.  I barely remember that first week afterward, in spite of all your care. (Sorry!)  But, that passes.  The numb areas are weird, but I have signs that they are slowly recovering as well.

The results are awesome.  I am still obviously, recognizably me, but better, more feminine me.  Social interactions are very different now.  In dealing with the shipping company, car dealer, post office, and a bunch of others this week, there was no misgendering.  Zero.  People who never spoke to me before in the building I live in now smile and greet me.

It hurt, maybe more than GCS, but I'm glad I did it.

Quote from: Michelle_P on October 19, 2018, 05:11:50 PM
I was sort of sore, as well as sort of out of it.  I barely remember that first week afterward, in spite of all your care. (Sorry!)  But, that passes.  The numb areas are weird, but I have signs that they are slowly recovering as well.

The results are awesome.  I am still obviously, recognizably me, but better, more feminine me.  Social interactions are very different now.  In dealing with the shipping company, car dealer, post office, and a bunch of others this week, there was no misgendering.  Zero.  People who never spoke to me before in the building I live in now smile and greet me.

It hurt, maybe more than GCS, but I'm glad I did it.

this is similar to my experience so far.  Although, I've had two people that know me casually here in my neighborhood not recognize me this week. 

Feeling really good about myself today. 

(https://i.imgur.com/ESOaglL.jpg)

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 20, 2018, 04:28:52 PM
Feeling really good about myself today. 

(https://i.imgur.com/ESOaglL.jpg)

Aww you should sister!! You look great! And will only be better when swelling goes down [emoji4]

Ps, I love your eyebrows!

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

Quote from: Allison S on October 20, 2018, 06:28:02 PM
Aww you should sister!! You look great! And will only be better when swelling goes down [emoji4]

Ps, I love your eyebrows!

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

Thank you!  i cant pluck them for another month... at least.  I may start shaving them off and drawing them on since i'm using so much brow pencil already

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 20, 2018, 04:28:52 PM
Feeling really good about myself today. 

(https://i.imgur.com/ESOaglL.jpg)

Well ya girl!!!! I love all of your bandanas. Especially the darker one that you tied in the front. You look so cute in them.

Hugs,
Donica.

i'm going to start wearing head wraps more.  Pre FFS they didn't look good on me.  I looked better with my face framed in hair, which kind of hid some of my masculine features, like the ridge on my forehead or the back of my jaw.  But now I like how I look!!!

You certainly look cute with them.  You could mix and match the colors to coordinate with your tops.  The red looks good on you!

over the last three days my face has swelled quite a bit.  I suddenly have droopy jowls. Two weeks ago i had a smooth jaw line.  I spoke to Dr Z by phone yesterday and he warned me this was happening and that eventually the swelling would migrate down lower on my face and neck.  My "jowls" are now sore. It's a weird feeling. 

The swelling I had around/under my eyes and temples has gone way down, though. 

my nose has shifted a bit to the left.  before surgery it was asymmetrical and leaned a bit in that direction.  As part of my facial massage now I have to push it to the right a bit.  I seems really odd that a few minutes a day of tugging and pushing on my nose would make much difference. 

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 25, 2018, 07:42:19 PM
my nose has shifted a bit to the left.  before surgery it was asymmetrical and leaned a bit in that direction.  As part of my facial massage now I have to push it to the right a bit.  I seems really odd that a few minutes a day of tugging and pushing on my nose would make much difference. 

I know right? My nose is bent to the right a bit and I'm pre-op. I spend hours bending it to the left when I have nothing better to do. I think it is slowly working though.

Stay with it Becca!
Donica.

You are looking great Becca 😎

You look amazing what did this cost? Can I ask that?

Edit: oh I see it I'm blind. :). Sounds like 60k and others had a bill for 40k? Something like that?

my surgery was $40k with Zukowski.  I am mostly happy with my decision to use Zukowski. 

I was quoted $60k by Speigel.  I couldn't afford $60k. 

Hi Sophie:  Well, I'm about 3 weeks out with FFS with Dr. Zukowski.  Have to say I'm alittle drunk tonight as I just separated with my wife of 33 years.  Pretty much feel like crap knowing that everything that destroyed our marriage is because of me.  Also, one of my daughters wants nothing to do with me...  That doesn't help much either.  Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.  I'm now living in a trailer full-time as of 5:30PM.  It's a double-wide and is actually quite cozy, so I really shouldn't complain.  But anyway, you look fantastic.   I have to say, I feel like this is a curse right at the moment, but it is what is it is.  I better go to bed.  Just feeling a little self-indulgent despair at the moment.  Anyway, tomorrow will be better.

Also, and I wanted to ask about the neck scarfs.  Dr. Zukowski said I needed neck scarfs.  Are these for warmth or for hiding things?  Off to bed I go.

He discussed the scarfs with me the other day, if I remember right it was for warmth.

Quote from: Becca Kay on October 26, 2018, 09:29:30 PM
my surgery was $40k with Zukowski.  I am mostly happy with my decision to use Zukowski. 

I was quoted $60k by Speigel.  I couldn't afford $60k.

Hi Becca! Looking better every time I check back here!

I have a consult with Dr Z and I'm wondering why you're "mostly happy" not "totally happy"? Is there something you'd change about the results?

Quote from: Breeze 57 on October 26, 2018, 10:30:20 PM
Also, and I wanted to ask about the neck scarfs.  Dr. Zukowski said I needed neck scarfs.  Are these for warmth or for hiding things?  Off to bed I go.

he probably told you that to keep your neck warm.  I didn't need them.  It was 80 deg at home when I had my surgery

Quote from: scrambledeggs on October 27, 2018, 05:49:38 PM
Hi Becca! Looking better every time I check back here!

I have a consult with Dr Z and I'm wondering why you're "mostly happy" not "totally happy"? Is there something you'd change about the results?

Happy:

he made dramatic changes to the things on my face that I most wanted changed, brow/forehead, chin, nose.

his staff is great.  everyone treated me well. 

his follow up is very good.  especially if you have a complication post op, even when you are back at home.


not so happy:

i had part of my masseter muscle removed.  There has been a lot of swelling and discomfort from that specific procedure.  I question whether it will have any noticeable impact on how my face looks.  If it doesn't it will have been a wast of time, money and pain.  I think my recovery would be much farther along if i hadn't had that procedure.

Dr Z has a polarizing bedside manner.  He calls me hun and sweatheart every time i talk to him.  I don't allow anybody else to talk to me that way.  But I put up with it because He gave me the results that i wanted.  he is trying to be complimentary and that's his way of talking to women. 



discuss post op pain management with him prior to surgery.  He typically only prescribes Tramadol post op.  In my opinion if you're having an aggressive suite of procedures like I did you will need stronger pain meds.  I asked for Vicodin. 

"Dr Z has a polarizing bedside manner.  He calls me hun and sweatheart every time i talk to him.  I don't allow anybody else to talk to me that way.  But I put up with it because He gave me the results that i wanted.  he is trying to be complimentary and that's his way of talking to women."

I'm in the south so that didn't really bother me. He did tell me I was growing some nice t....s, that was kinda weird, the only person I had previously heard say that was my girlfriend. However it did amuse me and make me randomly giggle for 2 days.

I am 6 weeks and one day post op.  Some observations. 

two weeks ago my jowls swelled up quite a bit.  Dr Z stated this was normal, but it was disconcerting and uncomfortable. both sides of my face have calmed down quite a bit since then.

overall swelling throughout my face is noticeably better this week.  The right side of my face, especially close to and around my ears feels almost normal.   

Bruising under my eyes has turned several different colors this week.  And is now red and patchy.  Won't be too long before it's gone... hopefully

As the overall swelling on my face has dissipated I am finding myself looking a tad bit like my old self.  Specifically the apples of my cheeks are nolonger as plump as they were a couple weeks ago.  I am worried the fat grafting is not going to ultimately be very significant.  I didn't get cheek implants because we felt that fat grafting alone would be sufficient.  Now my cheeks are looking more and more flat and I'm slightly bothered by it.

the fullness in my lips has decreased a bit too.  I would like them to be slightly fuller than they now are, more like they were 3 weeks ago.

Reduced swelling means the little crows feet at the corners of my eyes have returned.  While my forehead and brow is smooth as can be some of the signs of age around my eyes are still there and I don't like that.

My facial garment really really irritates my skin, mostly around my neck and chin. Despite using a couple of layers of soft gauze under it.  It didn't seem bad when my neck was covered in bruises, but the bruises are gone now and I have to go to work every morning.  I am using a lot of concealer and foundation to cover the redness and irritation.   

The incision under my nose is still rather ugly.  I haven't pulled out a suture in about a week.  Of all my incisions that one gives me the most grief as it's front and center on my face. 

The rough tissue inside my nostrils is calming down finally.  But the weird asymmetry between my nostrils looks worse.  And my old left leaning nose is obvious again despite my prescribed nose massages.  Dr Z tried to correct the left tilt of my nose in surgery, but I fear it's coming back.

My mouth is still crooked, not quite as bad as three weeks ago.  It still droops noticeably on my left side.  My upper lip droops there as well.  When I smile the left size of my face is less responsive and I can't consciously correct for it.   It almost looks like my upper lip wasn't lifted on the left size of my face.  Supposedly this is still due to the extra swelling on the left side. 

numbness on the top of my head hasn't changed. Numbness under my chin is not changing.  The top half of my left ear is still numb.

I can't move my eyebrows... at all.  They aren't budging.  I thought there would be some movement by now.  This must be what Botox forehead is like

in training my jaw to open all the way I seem to have hit a wall so to speak.  I can't seem to get it past what I was describe as 80% open, compared to pre op.  the muscles don't feel stressed or too tight when I do that.  It just feels like it won't open any farther. 

It sounds like your recovery is going as planned Sophie. As your doctor said, it's going to take time. You are looking so good now. How is everyone at your work taking all of this?

Donica.

Quote from: Becca Kay on November 02, 2018, 08:17:07 AM
I am 6 weeks and one day post op.  Some observations. 

two weeks ago my jowls swelled up quite a bit.  Dr Z stated this was normal, but it was disconcerting and uncomfortable. both sides of my face have calmed down quite a bit since then.

overall swelling throughout my face is noticeably better this week.  The right side of my face, especially close to and around my ears feels almost normal.   

Bruising under my eyes has turned several different colors this week.  And is now red and patchy.  Won't be too long before it's gone... hopefully

As the overall swelling on my face has dissipated I am finding myself looking a tad bit like my old self.  Specifically the apples of my cheeks are nolonger as plump as they were a couple weeks ago.  I am worried the fat grafting is not going to ultimately be very significant.  I didn't get cheek implants because we felt that fat grafting alone would be sufficient.  Now my cheeks are looking more and more flat and I'm slightly bothered by it.

the fullness in my lips has decreased a bit too.  I would like them to be slightly fuller than they now are, more like they were 3 weeks ago.

Reduced swelling means the little crows feet at the corners of my eyes have returned.  While my forehead and brow is smooth as can be some of the signs of age around my eyes are still there and I don't like that.

My facial garment really really irritates my skin, mostly around my neck and chin. Despite using a couple of layers of soft gauze under it.  It didn't seem bad when my neck was covered in bruises, but the bruises are gone now and I have to go to work every morning.  I am using a lot of concealer and foundation to cover the redness and irritation.   

The incision under my nose is still rather ugly.  I haven't pulled out a suture in about a week.  Of all my incisions that one gives me the most grief as it's front and center on my face. 

The rough tissue inside my nostrils is calming down finally.  But the weird asymmetry between my nostrils looks worse.  And my old left leaning nose is obvious again despite my prescribed nose messages.  Dr Z tried to correct the left tilt of my nose in surgery, but I fear it's coming back.

My mouth is still crooked, not quite as bad as three weeks ago.  It still droops noticeably on my left side.  My upper lip droops there as well.  When I smile the left size of my face is less responsive and I can't consciously correct for it.   It almost looks like my upper lip wasn't lifted on the left size of my face.  Supposedly this is still due to the extra swelling on the left side. 

numbness on the top of my head hasn't changed. Numbness under my chin is not changing.  The top half of my left ear is still numb.

I can't move my eyebrows... at all.  They aren't budging.  I thought there would be some movement by now.  This must be what Botox forehead is like

in training my jaw to open all the way I seem to have hit a wall so to speak.  I can't seem to get it past what I was describe as 80% open, compared to pre op.  the muscles don't feel stressed or too tight when I do that.  It just feels like it won't open any farther.

Ouch! It sounds like you hit a rough patch in your recovery. I hope everything gets better soon! You still look great!

What did Dr. Z have to say about the asymmetry in your lips and inability to move your eyebrows? Will those correct themselves? And will you need more fat grafting as a revision?

he keeps telling me i'm inpatient and need to wait a couple more months.... LOL

Quote from: Becca Kay on November 02, 2018, 01:19:27 PM
he keeps telling me i'm inpatient and need to wait a couple more months.... LOL

That s reassuring at least. He's very experienced so you're you in good hands!

Quote from: Donica on November 02, 2018, 08:41:51 AM
It sounds like your recovery is going as planned Sophie. As your doctor said, it's going to take time. You are looking so good now. How is everyone at your work taking all of this?

Donica.

it's actually going as well as expected for what I had done to me

Quote from: Becca Kay on November 02, 2018, 01:19:27 PM
he keeps telling me i'm inpatient and need to wait a couple more months.... LOL

Well, it does take time!  My face went totally lopsided for the first month, and my nose was pulled to one side until just the past week, when asymmetric swelling on the septum started finally easing off.  I'm starting to get some sensation over the right eye.  The left upper eyelid, forehead, and crown are still quite numb, but I have just regained control over both eyebrows at 2 months postop.   Chin from the middle of the lower lip to a inch below the curve of the chin is still numb.

And every one of us will be a bit different!

Quote from: Michelle_P on November 02, 2018, 06:53:09 PM
Well, it does take time!  My face went totally lopsided for the first month, and my nose was pulled to one side until just the past week, when asymmetric swelling on the septum started finally easing off.  I'm starting to get some sensation over the right eye.  The left upper eyelid, forehead, and crown are still quite numb, but I have just regained control over both eyebrows at 2 months postop.   Chin from the middle of the lower lip to a inch below the curve of the chin is still numb.

And every one of us will be a bit different!

I am suddenly reminded of my mother telling me "Don't make that face it will stay that way!"

This is me in the waiting room at my Doctor's office yesterday.... without a single dysphoric thought


(https://i.imgur.com/zF6F7Vt.jpg)

What a wonderful transformation!  You look great!

Thank you so much for posting these last few pictures.

I go into FFS on Tuesday and the end photos make it worthwhile - reading through what looks like an incredibly painful journey is inspiring and I'm really scared of what's in store but I know I'm going to come out the other side better.

Thank you for being an inspiration.

FTR six months post op and i never think about how hard it was. 

It was all worth it

the farther I get past my surgery date the less I want to see pre op photos of myself.  Old photos, especially minus the work I put into presentation, are starting to look to me like some other person that I don't recognize. 

Every week up until now I've had to send pics to Dr Z for him to review.  The pic below on the left is me 7 weeks post op.  The pic on the right is me in April of this year.  You can see how much my brow, forehead, chin, nose and lip have been altered.  Keep in mind that my nose is still very swollen.  By next summer it should relax a bit and the tip of my nose will probably drop a bit.  AND I still have a lot of swelling in my jowls and under my chin, and along my jaw muscle.  It should settle down over the next few months

(https://i.imgur.com/clvGrGS.jpg)

Quote from: Becca Kay on November 14, 2018, 09:16:53 PM
the farther I get past my surgery date the less I want to see pre op photos of myself.  Old photos, especially minus the work I put into presentation, are starting to look to me like some other person that I don't recognize. 

Every week up until now I've had to send pics to Dr Z for him to review.  The pic below on the left is me 7 weeks post op.  The pic on the right is me in April of this year.  You can see how much my brow, forehead, chin, nose and lip have been altered.  Keep in mind that my nose is still very swollen.  By next summer it should relax a bit and the tip of my nose will probably drop a bit.  AND I still have a lot of swelling in my jowls and under my chin, and along my jaw muscle.  It should settle down over the next few months

[img width=400 height=299]https://i.imgur.com/clvGrGS.jpg[/img

What an unbelievable change! It's hard to believe! You look like you're healing really well, also.

How do you feel overall?

It's hard to tell from your pictures but is your forehead still swollen too?

I have some swelling over my orbital rims. not bad but it does make my upper eyes lids and brow look a little bit puffy. Above that there's very little swelling left.  Swelling is mostly gone from my temples as well. 

My brow and foread is amazing smooth.

I am now 9 weeks post op.  This week I am experiencing some odd soreness along my chin and jaw line.  These spots have been numb up until now.  So I hope this isn't anything bad but instead it's sensation coming back.

One rather disappointing outcome of the surgery (so far) is that I can't lower my bottom lip.  it's not like my eyebrows, which i can just barely wiggle.  There is no sensation at all when I try to lower my bottom lip.  It's like the thought isn't connected to my muscle.  It feels like i may have nerve damage above my chin.  I can smile with my lips together just fine but it's impossible to smile showing my teeth.  I can move my lower lip.  But it's a tad sluggish and I have since the surgery spoken with a slight lisp. 

This could all clear up in time.  other numb areas have come back a little.  I'm not completely hopeless about it. 

Quote from: Becca Kay on November 21, 2018, 06:41:03 PM
I am now 9 weeks post op.  This week I am experiencing some odd soreness along my chin and jaw line.  These spots have been numb up until now.  So I hope this isn't anything bad but instead it's sensation coming back.

One rather disappointing outcome of the surgery (so far) is that I can't lower my bottom lip.  it's not like my eyebrows, which i can just barely wiggle.  There is no sensation at all when I try to lower my bottom lip.  It's like the thought isn't connected to my muscle.  It feels like i may have nerve damage above my chin.  I can smile with my lips together just fine but it's impossible to smile showing my teeth.  I can move my lower lip.  But it's a tad sluggish and I have since the surgery spoken with a slight lisp. 

This could all clear up in time.  other numb areas have come back a little.  I'm not completely hopeless about it.

What does Dr. Z think about the numbness in your lip? Is this a common side effect?

I haven't talked to him about this yet.

I have had numbness under my chin and along my jaw muscle which is normal after the neck lift, jaw contouring and masseter muscle reduction.  And I had a lot of swelling on the left side of my face because of work he did to correct asymmetry.  Because of all that I hadn't really noticed that.  Last week I tried to take a selfie with a big smile and that's when I realized I couldn't move my lip down.

Can you call or email your doctor and get information without waiting for an appointment?

Quote from: Donica on November 22, 2018, 11:21:57 AM
Can you call or email your doctor and get information without waiting for an appointment?

I already have

i am almost 3 months Post Op.  Recovery has had some bumps.  But over all this has been an amazing and positive change in my life.  Occasionally I have to stop and think about how much my life has changed in only a few months.  How easy it is to go out in public.  How many people who meet me now don't immediately know I'm trans.  Having a female voice helps. But the surgery has radically changed things for me for the better.

I will probably post a pic or two over the next 3-6 months.  But the noticeable changes in my pics are appearing less and less as the swelling has subsided.  So I probably won't look much different than this for the next few months. 



(https://i.imgur.com/W4dNl6l.jpg)

Becca, you are beautiful!   I can completely identify with what you are experiencing.  I myself did FFS almost three months ago and it is a "game changer."

Becca and Dorit, you give me hope. I had my FFS at FacialTeam on Tuesday, and I can only wish my results will be half as good as yours. At 60 years old, a game-changer is exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you for showing the way.

Stephanie

You look beautiful Becca. Both You and Dorit look great. Definitely a game changer. I'm still waiting for my date but I was told they would get me in sometime in late January or February. It's time to sent another email to my surgeon. The squeaky wheel thing  ;)

Becca, congratulations on your surgery! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your experience. It has helped me make a decision to consider Dr Zukowski as my surgeon also. I have set up a consultation for next week. I really like his results. Will you be sharing anymore of your experience?

EM21

3 months post op and i've finally started to notice the difference in my face from the masseter muscle reduction.  The swelling in front of my ears at the back corner of my jaw has suddenly mostly gone.  Now I can see that there is noticeably less muscle on the back corner of my jaw, making the back of my jaw look noticeably narrower. 

This one procedure caused a lot of aching, swelling and stiffness for the first couple of months after surgery.  I wondered whether it was worth it.  But now I think it was.  It simply took a while. 

Combined with the jaw contouring my face seems to look a bit narrower and my lower jaw not nearly as big and prominent anchoring my face. 

It's difficult to show this in a photo, though.  But i notice it very plainly now.

Well I'm glad you are doing well and it seems like your progress is fairly similar to mine.  I'm 5 weeks post-op now and my lower jaw and neck are still pretty swollen.  Seems like it's never going to go down, but Dr. Z says I am doing fine.  You give me hope that in 3 months I may feel normal again.

Becca

You look so beautiful!

I understand it's been painful.

Please post a few more pics. 

I know in a year or so it will be my turn.

I pray I look as good as you afterwards.

Kate


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@Becca Kay
Dear Becca:
It has been a very big pleasure to follow your FFS thread and your transformation.  Without belaboring my point, your facial appearance absolutely beautiful and so very feminine.  I would certainly say from looking at your results so far that your surgery procedure was a resounding success.

For sure, with your feminine voice and your refined appearance, it is easy to understand why people that meet you now will have no idea that you are trans-woman. 
Thank you for treating us all to a glimpse into your transition journey and in particular this recent big step in your life events.

Please continue to keep us all updated as you have been doing.  I will be eagerly looking for your future updates and if your feel so led, some additional pictures would be wonderful for us all to see.
Again, thank you for sharing and posting... your success is so very inspiring.

Hugs and continued well wishes.
Danielle

Quote from: Becca Kay on December 07, 2018, 03:45:36 PM
i am almost 3 months Post Op.  Recovery has had some bumps.  But over all this has been an amazing and positive change in my life.  Occasionally I have to stop and think about how much my life has changed in only a few months.  How easy it is to go out in public.  How many people who meet me now don't immediately know I'm trans.  Having a female voice helps. But the surgery has radically changed things for me for the better.

I will probably post a pic or two over the next 3-6 months.  But the noticeable changes in my pics are appearing less and less as the swelling has subsided.  So I probably won't look much different than this for the next few months. 

(https://i.imgur.com/W4dNl6l.jpg)

Quote from: Becca Kay on December 07, 2018, 03:45:36 PM
i am almost 3 months Post Op.  Recovery has had some bumps.  But over all this has been an amazing and positive change in my life.  Occasionally I have to stop and think about how much my life has changed in only a few months.  How easy it is to go out in public.  How many people who meet me now don't immediately know I'm trans.  Having a female voice helps. But the surgery has radically changed things for me for the better.

I will probably post a pic or two over the next 3-6 months.  But the noticeable changes in my pics are appearing less and less as the swelling has subsided.  So I probably won't look much different than this for the next few months. 



(https://i.imgur.com/W4dNl6l.jpg)

I soooo love this picture of you Becca!!!

Hugs!!!

Hi everyone!  I'm 5 months post op this past week.  Still some swelling and numbness under my chin/jaw.  But otherwise doing nicely.  Here's a selfie from yesterday.  I moved into a new apartment.  Hence all the boxes in the backround.

(https://i.imgur.com/lj7kjtE.jpg)

This sounds backwards but, I'm glad to hear you still have some lower jaw swelling and numbness.  Not that I want you to have it.  I'm about 3 1/2 months post-op and I too still have lower jaw swelling and numbness.  I thought maybe it was just me and that my progress was extra slow, but your post relieved some stress.  I still can't open my mouth as wide as I would like, a big smile still looks kind of goofy, left ear is numb, and I can't move my forehead but, overall, I feel good and I'm pleased with the results.   I don't know if people are being kind or what, but I get gendered correctly almost 100% of the time.  I do wear a head scarf (to hide the scalp advancement scar and my male pattern baldness) but, otherwise I just go out wearing my old boy clothes and no makeup.  Still don't have a lot of confidence.

Anyway, it was good to hear from you.

Oh, and my avatar picture is pre-op.

Quote from: Breeze 57 on March 01, 2019, 03:09:07 PM
This sounds backwards but, I'm glad to hear you still have some lower jaw swelling and numbness.  Not that I want you to have it.  I'm about 3 1/2 months post-op and I too still have lower jaw swelling and numbness.  I thought maybe it was just me and that my progress was extra slow, but your post relieved some stress.  I still can't open my mouth as wide as I would like, a big smile still looks kind of goofy, left ear is numb, and I can't move my forehead but, overall, I feel good and I'm pleased with the results.   I don't know if people are being kind or what, but I get gendered correctly almost 100% of the time.  I do wear a head scarf (to hide the scalp advancement scar and my male pattern baldness) but, otherwise I just go out wearing my old boy clothes and no makeup.  Still don't have a lot of confidence.

Anyway, it was good to hear from you.

It's great to see some new updates here from both Becca and Paige!

Becca, you look amazing!

I'm glad to hear you're both happy with your recoveries!

As a prospective patient who is planning to have FFS late this year I have to admit that the swelling and numbness persisting 3 to 5 months out is very concerning to me.

Becca, last time you posted you were still having some difficulty moving your lower lip. Is that still a problem?Does it seem to be getting better if it is?

You look great Becca. It's good to hear from you again. How do you like your new apartment?

Hugs.

Hi becca you look great...I'm 12 days post op and still have the chin/jaw bandage stuck on. Would you say the chin gets smaller as time goes on or does it look bigger than right after surgery when the soft tissues on it settle down?

Quote from: malinda on March 01, 2019, 04:37:03 PM

Hi becca you look great...I'm 12 days post op and still have the chin/jaw bandage stuck on. Would you say the chin gets smaller as time goes on or does it look bigger than right after surgery when the soft tissues on it settle down?

My chin looked very different immediately after my bandages were off on Day 3.  but I had swelling all along my jaw line for many weeks.  So don't worry if it feels or looks odd right not.  It takes a long time for the tissue to calm down. 

Quote from: scrambledeggs on March 01, 2019, 03:29:26 PM
It's great to see some new updates here from both Becca and Paige!

Becca, you look amazing!

I'm glad to hear you're both happy with your recoveries!

As a prospective patient who is planning to have FFS late this year I have to admit that the swelling and numbness persisting 3 to 5 months out is very concerning to me.

Becca, last time you posted you were still having some difficulty moving your lower lip. Is that still a problem?Does it seem to be getting better if it is?

Numbness is slowly going away.  It originally was all of my chin.  now I'd say I have full sensation across the front of my chin and all along my jaw line.  It's only about 70% numb under the front of my jaw/chin. 

I had jaw/chin contouring, massetter reduction, trachea shave and a neck lift which involved soft tissue work under my chin.  That much work doesn't just heal right away. 

Also, inflammation literally travels down your face as you recover.  below your chin is the last place where inflammation settles.  Two months ago I had a weird period where it looked like My jowls were puffing up.  It really freaked my out.  But it subsided.  Now the last of it is lingering under my jaw line. 

Be patient!

here's a pic from now and one from just before I started to transition

(https://i.imgur.com/YRVPnCZ.jpg)

Your transformation (exposure of the lovely woman inside) is amazing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I was told by 6 months most if not all the swelling should be gone even though can take up to 12 months but 6 months usually is the end result pretty much so I think anyway. Becca I'm surprised your bandage was off by day 3. Mine is still like glued on stuck.
So far I love my forehead but I had only minor bossing to begin with. I think my browlift will lower and relax a little bit in a few weeks but I like my eyes better now. My chin looks more feminine than before but I hope in a few months it dont look bigger when the soft tissue on it settles...my only fear at the moment. Never want to go through ffs like this ever again was a brutal recovery between day 3 and day 11

Quote from: malinda on March 02, 2019, 10:25:35 AM
I was told by 6 months most if not all the swelling should be gone even though can take up to 12 months but 6 months usually is the end result pretty much so I think anyway. Becca I'm surprised your bandage was off by day 3. Mine is still like glued on stuck.
So far I love my forehead but I had only minor bossing to begin with. I think my browlift will lower and relax a little bit in a few weeks but I like my eyes better now. My chin looks more feminine than before but I hope in a few months it dont look bigger when the soft tissue on it settles...my only fear at the moment. Never want to go through ffs like this ever again was a brutal recovery between day 3 and day 11

I went back to my pics from post op to check.  i had a splint on my chin and my nose until day 7. 

quick check in.  i'm doing really well.  Still a little swelling under my chin.  But super happy.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi63.tinypic.com%2F2w4bls1.jpg&hash=195ac0cec98967c743890a692eb11945e85c2fb2)

Thank you for sharing all this, Becca!  Strongly considering Dr. Z myself and so have really appreciated reading your experience and seeing your pictures!  :)

 Becca, you look great, amazing results!

You're about a month behind me, and it looks like you are doing great!  I still have numb patches as well, but the swelling in the tip of the nose is finally going down!

Looking great!

Becca,
Looking great! I'm impressed with Dr Zukowski's work. You've helped remove some of my concerns and fears. I'm hoping to have work done by him by the end of this year. Thank you for posting your experience! It's been a great help.

EM21

Looking great Becca. I'll be getting FFS in two months. Yay! Counting the days.

Hugs!

Becca you are stunning!  :o