Consult with Dr. Zukowski

[Noah]

Wow that's really disheartening to hear.

[JLT1]

Wow, my consultation is this coming Wednesday. I don't think I need to worry about an oversell because it all needs to be done.  I will do it in a hospital.  I have had 11 surgeries in the past for broken bones and such and went under 8 of those times.  He will use the rather detailed instructions he will get from an anesthesiologist I have worked with here at home.  However, he seems to be very good at doing a lot of individual parts and making them look good together and that is what I need.  I'll post Wednesday afternoon.....

Jen

[RavenMoon]

Wow, my consultation is this coming Wednesday. I don't think I need to worry about an oversell because it all needs to be done.  I will do it in a hospital.  I have had 11 surgeries in the past for broken bones and such and went under 8 of those times.  He will use the rather detailed instructions he will get from an anesthesiologist I have worked with here at home.  However, he seems to be very good at doing a lot of individual parts and making them look good together and that is what I need.  I'll post Wednesday afternoon.....

Jen

Best of luck to you!

[likealolita]

Well, I've seen doctor Z many times since last year, carefully preparing for any potential surgery, and it has gotten to the point where he's forcing me to do either several things at once, or nothing at all.  What he wants me to do is my brow bone and my nose, and I willfully want them done, too, but not simultaneously.

Wow, my consultation is this coming Wednesday. I don't think I need to worry about an oversell because it all needs to be done.  I will do it in a hospital.  I have had 11 surgeries in the past for broken bones and such and went under 8 of those times.  He will use the rather detailed instructions he will get from an anesthesiologist I have worked with here at home.  However, he seems to be very good at doing a lot of individual parts and making them look good together and that is what I need.  I'll post Wednesday afternoon.....

Jen

[Noah]

I know that, depending on your nose bridge and brow, some FFS surgeons will not do just one because the other needs to be done in order for the two to connect. I dunno tho.

[RavenMoon]

Yeah, it makes more sense for the doctor to do them at the same time, because he has to change the angle of your nose to your brow. Plus do you want the skin on your face pealed down twice? Let him do them at the same time and get it over with. I realize it's more expense, but it makes more sense than going through that twice. Less chance of scaring, I would think.

[likealolita]

Yeah, that's true.  I'm planning on going within the next few months, but although I'm obviously really excited, I'm also scared and anxious.  Any tips for overcoming stuff like that?  I've never been under before.

[Noah]

Surgery is easy u go to sleep and then you wake up. Recovery is challenging but the whole thing is worth it if this is what you believe you need.

[JLT1]

Yeah, that's true.  I'm planning on going within the next few months, but although I'm obviously really excited, I'm also scared and anxious.  Any tips for overcoming stuff like that?  I've never been under before.

I was anxious my first time going under as well.  Now, if you need, they can give you something to help relax.  PrincessDi is exactly right: you just fall asleep.  When it's over, you wake up.  I always wake up a little disconnected from everything but I reconnect.  Most people just wake up a little groggy.  There is no reason to be worried about the going under part.  I've been under eight times for things other than FFS.  It's the recovery that is messy as it's totally boring and can be painful.  Dr Z's website has a good check list of stuff.  Just have something to do.

It's EXCTING!  Think about the results!!!!

Hugs,

Jen

[likealolita]

Thanks for the reassuring words.  This is definitely something I need as facially, I'm not quite there yet and both the forehead and nose should be enough as the rest of my face is apparently quite feminine according to the many doctors I've talked with.

I just have some anxiety because I had a trachea shave with Dr. Toby Mayer of Beverly Hills, CA last September and it's still hurting a bit on the inside occasionally, where the breathing tube will be going, but both Dr. Mayer and Dr. Zukowski said it shouldn't be a problem.

[RavenMoon]

I've never been a patient in a hospital (knock on wood), nor have I had surgery except for a vasectomy. That was about 6 years ago, and sometimes it's still sore. Guess I won't have to worry about that too much longer. Lol

I think it's ironic that my first real surgeries will be part of my transition. It is a little scary, but also exciting. I'd do it tomorrow if I could.

[Celia0428]

I think it's ironic that my first real surgeries will be part of my transition

You are not alone. If it weren't for transition, many of us wouldn't ever undergo big surgery or get to know some interesting countries like Thailand, Belgium, Argentina or Peru

[RavenMoon]

You are not alone. If it weren't for transition, many of us wouldn't ever undergo big surgery or get to know some interesting countries like Thailand, Belgium, Argentina or Peru

Yes and that too! Right now I'm considering Dr. Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico. I've never been to Mexico...but my ex has a multiple times. I told her she could come with me if she wants.  lol

[JLT1]

Wow, my consultation is this coming Wednesday. I don't think I need to worry about an oversell because it all needs to be done.  I will do it in a hospital.  I have had 11 surgeries in the past for broken bones and such and went under 8 of those times.  He will use the rather detailed instructions he will get from an anesthesiologist I have worked with here at home.  However, he seems to be very good at doing a lot of individual parts and making them look good together and that is what I need.  I'll post Wednesday afternoon.....

Jen

Well, the consultation was this morning.  I want to that everyone here for helping me prepare, especially JennyGirl.  That was a good thing.  Dr Z talks with a person, goes through a spiel about what he thinks needs to be done and then, opens it up for discussion.  I was ready and took notes.  He agreed to work with me on anesthesia and pain medications. In the end, we agreed on the following:
   
Brow Lift, Orbital Rim Bossing, Blepharoplasty, Rhinoplasty, Septoplasty, Cheek Implant, Upper lip lift, jaw angle, chin reduction, multi-plane face lift, neck lift, trachea shave.

Essentially, the entire list of what he offers.  We will talk more about the jaw in a personal visit. It's 10 days before I can even leave the Chicago metro. I'll take some extra time off work so I'll be out six weeks. He really wasn't ready for the loose skin part due to my recent weight loss.  It's $40,000. We are working on scheduling in March of 2014.

I'm excited and afraid.  But mostly excited. My wife said I would be an ugly woman when I first came out to her.  I don't think so. 

Hugs,

Jen

[abbyt89]

Jen, I'm so happy for you! It's great that you are able to take 6 weeks off from work to recover. And March is right around the corner.

I think you will be very pleased with your results. I am sorry to hear about what your wife said - but I whole-heartedly disagree with her and think you are going to be stunning when all is said and done.

Good luck with everything and keep us updated!

[SciNerdGirl]

   
Brow Lift, Orbital Rim Bossing, Blepharoplasty, Rhinoplasty, Septoplasty, Cheek Implant, Upper lip lift, jaw angle, chin reduction, multi-plane face lift, neck lift, trachea shave.

Wow, getting everything done.  You are going to look fantastic when you get through this.  I am so excited to see the results, and I am so happy for you.

J.

[JLT1]

Jen, I'm so happy for you! It's great that you are able to take 6 weeks off from work to recover. And March is right around the corner.

I think you will be very pleased with your results. I am sorry to hear about what your wife said - but I whole-heartedly disagree with her and think you are going to be stunning when all is said and done.

Good luck with everything and keep us updated!

Abby: Thank you.  I really need the work and Dr Z was actually fun to talk to once he got through his sales pitch.  Lots of good questions for me and good answers. It was good.

Wow, getting everything done.  You are going to look fantastic when you get through this.  I am so excited to see the results, and I am so happy for you.

J.

Sci:  I will post the results once I actually get it done.  It's quite literally everything.  I don't know that he does any specific procedure better than anyone else or even quite as good as them.  But he ties everything togather really well.  I'm excited.  Thank you.

I hope that it is a dream come true. 

Hugs to you both!

Jen

[RavenMoon]

I wish Dr. Z had better before and after photos on his website. I think most of the ones he has up are pretty bad. But then I've seen examples of his work that are really good.

I guess people don't want their photos made public.

[JLT1]

I have a friend of mine who is one of the before and after pictures that are on his web site.  We are having dinner together Monday and I want to talk with her about Dr Z (something I never did before).  We'll see.  Her surgery was four years ago.  She looks great.

Hugs,

Jen

[Saskia]

As an old patient of Dr Z (from 3 years ago) I can say from personal experience that his work is superb. Whilst I was passing OK before FFS, he's made me look fantastic and 15 years younger. I had most stuff done except for eye work as he said my eyes were already feminine. I had the op around 6:30am and woke up about 9pm when Lisa took me to the hotel to look after me for the next 3 days.
I knew it was going to be tough afterwards and I looked like I'd been hit by a truck, but slowly the beautiful butterfly emerged.
It's important to follow his advise to the letter about face massaging. If you do what he says you'll get a really good result.

He did try to sell me other procedures, but I wasn't interested and told him so. On the whole my experience at his office was good and I got what I wanted and paid for.

Sorry I can't share any before and after photos. Don't want anyone to come across pictures of me linked to this site.

Jen - I hope this puts your mind at rest. - good luck and best wishes