I'm almost at my one year mark and have been fighting insurance for months to pay for Spiegel's quote for FFS, however my voice therapist recommended a place literally half a mile from my house called The Quatela Center that is apparently good with FFS and I'm wondering if anyone here ever got procedures there? They're currently undergoing work on the site which is why some procedures are upfront vs others. The surgeon I'd have would be Heather Lee and she only does facial work there. On October 4th I had a two hour in depth consult with pictures, talking to her and the team, and shown a bit why she recommended implants in the cheek/chin area. Of course this is just an initial consult and I'm due back next month for imagining to simulate such changes.
Other than that, I'm just unsure how one would truly know if a surgeon's the right one. I feel so much more comfortable at this place than Spiegel and we'd have a very intimate relationship with recovery. 7 hours first night, 3 hours next, and if things happen they're right down the road to get me fixed up. This would potentially happen 7 months from now after VFS. Spiegel also told me I don't need to wait for fat to change on my face whereas this place told me at least a year to really let things settle down first so I feel that says a lot.
Thoughts? So far going by feel has worked for me during my transition so maybe keep using what works? My avatar of me in a red cardigan sitting at the doc's office is recent (October 1, 2018) so you can use that as reference.
What? You need surgery?
Quote from: EvaB on October 06, 2018, 09:40:10 AM
What? You need surgery?
Yes, quite a lot in fact as I'm so far from passing due to starting late (25). Anyway, you know anyone who got FFS there? At work I get so many looks from the guys (especially in dresses) that makes me wonder if all they see is just another trans woman. Someone at work also also said it was obvious and yet I'm never gendered wrong no matter how andro I get or how I talk on the phone so yea, I'm all over the place still as I stumble through transitioning.
I have no experience otherwise, but will be watching this chat closely.
I have been to Rochester and ever though it is further away, would prefer to go there than drive into Boston/Newton.
Good luck!
EvaB
Quote from: EvaB on October 07, 2018, 07:21:56 AM
I have no experience otherwise, but will be watching this chat closely.
I have been to Rochester and ever though it is further away, would prefer to go there than drive into Boston/Newton.
Good luck!
EvaB
Thanks for letting me know. I'm trying to get in sooner for imagining so I can make a decision, though for now I'm siding with going with them anyway. If I do, however, I need confirmation on her end goal, vision of me, what/why she recommends each procedure, how I might look, and to make sure she's carving bone off and not just soft tissue. She did say unlike older techniques she'd use cameras and stuff to endoscopically go into my face which leaves very, very small scars behind and not a huge line in the hair. This sounds promising her techniques are newer.
It'll be 7 months minimum before FFS can even happen anyway due to VFS swelling so we'll see. So much in the air.