Finally have a chance to update my situation. Pretty close to making a decision, but still not 100%. A little background info:
I'm 42 and have been on hormones for just over a year. I don't think I have any hugely masculine facial features, although I've always had a pretty high hairline and there's been a bit more temporal recession over time. Here is a shot of me, right now, taken by the light of my iMac. Note - that is NOT my real hair, although across the front that is about where my natural hairline lies. Also - cheers!
My main priorities going in have been nose and forehead/hairline. Beyond that cheek implants would be nice, although I think this is getting a little more into chasing beauty as opposed to something that would help me pass, so to speak. Oh and getting breast augmentation at the same time.
I've consulted with three surgeons in Beverly Hills, and each had their pros and cons:
1. Leif Rogers. My electrologist (Dana Elise, she is wonderful) works out of his office on some days, so I've crossed paths with him a few times. He's a younger guy with a great demeanor - easy confidence. He explained things very carefully and I got the sense that he knew what he was doing, although he didn't really offer up any pictures of his previous work, which would have helped. He is the only one of these three that does the breast aug himself, which I have mixed feelings about. On the one hand, I'll bet he would do a great job; on the other I like the idea of someone who really specializes in faces doing my nose and forehead. The most expensive option, by far (see below).
2. Toby Mayer. I touched on this above, but I was little turned off by him at first. He is an older guy and I didn't feel that I related to him as well. Also, his pitch was a little heavy on descriptions of his revisions of other surgeons' failures. While this is a fine skill, no doubt, this sort of braggadocio does little for me. He also recommended a couple of procedures that I didn't really think that I needed (lip lift, pre-jowl implant), although to be fair if I was in his position I would probably do the same. It's not like I have to do them, and he did present them as the lowest priority. He definitely has the most extensive FFS track record of those that I consulted with. The least expensive option.
3. Stephen Pincus. I liked him a lot. If the above two were the extremes on a scale, he would be somewhere in the middle. Younger and more relatable than Dr. Mayer, yet older and (ostensibly) more experienced than Dr. Rogers. Middle of the road on cost, as well.
My plan is to go for the following procedures:
- rhinoplasty
- brow lift/hairline advancement/orbital bony contour
- cheek implants
- breast augmentation
For this combo, prices are as follows (give or take, I'm sure):
- Mayer $29K
- Pincus $31K
- Rogers $36.5K
I'm currently leaning toward Mayer based both on cost and track record (including this thread - thanks Haley and Jenny!). If Pincus was a little less, I might go with him but honestly would rather put that $2K toward something else. It's not like there's not more surgery in my future, right?
Either way, going in around 7/31 - will post back with more info and probably some pics although I'm not as bold as some in that regard. Hope this thread helps someone else somewhere make their decision somewhere down the line...
