Help! Zukowski or Spiegel for jaw work?

[baum7934]

Hi everyone.

I posted here a couple weeks ago looking for some advice, but now I really need your help. I have consulted with both dr Z and Dr S and really liked them both actually. Like I said in a previous post, I am not trans, just a female who wants to have this surgery and know that many of you are more familiar with the procedure.

My face is rather wide in the lower third. It looks like I have a really round face (I suspect from large masseter muscles in the jaw) and my chin and jawline is not heart-shaped like I want it to be. I would note than I dont have sharp jaw bone angles in the back, its just that the jawline doesnt really slope to create the nice, feminine heart shape.

Both would be doing a jaw reduction and chin narrowing, as well as buccal fat removal. Dr Z would also add fat grafting to the cheeks and a kind of facelift by pulling the skin back to make sure there was no sagging.

Dr. Z quoted be 13500, Spiegel was 12150 (but I suppose Zukowski is doing more work but I was surprised because I had heard he is usually lower). Im in the midwest so traveling to chicago rather than boston would be cheaper and thats something I'm considering as well.

However, costs aside, I want to go with the surgeon who will give me the most impressive results. I've heard that Dr Spiegel is more conservative, and in some ways that is reassuring, but it is also scary to think that I may spend several grand for no noticeable difference..

My other concern is that Dr Z's before and after pictures are hard to really compare since they are always at different angles, making it hard to see true changes in the jawline. I also don't like that Dr Z makes an incision under the chin rather than inside the mouth.

Do any of you have strong feelings that one of these docs is better for jaw reduction than the other? Who would you go with, all other things being equal? I'm kind of leaning towards Dr Z because I want a more noticeable result, but I am hoping maybe someone can give me some advice or has experience with jaw work with either one.

Thanks in advance!

[JLT1]

Hi,

I just got out of a total face rebuild by Dr Z......

I'm happy with what he did.  However, there were some difficulties getting it done.  He did not really listen to what I wanted but did make it work.  He is realistic.

If it is a huge, tough and complex job, Dr Z is your man.  If it is relatively straightforward and you want more design elements in the jaw, perhaps not Dr Z. 

Good Luck,

Hugs,

Jen

[baum7934]

Can I ask what you mean exactly by "design elements"? What do you think makes Dr Z good for bigger jobs?

Did you feel that he wasn't understanding what you wanted? or that he had different opinions on what would like best? I'm glad though that you are happy with the result. How's everything starting to heal up?

[Kova V]

This is a dumb question. Is there a directory of plastic surgeons for ffs? I've found quite a few posts obviously, I'm trying to find someone that can do a few things at once. Again I've found quite a few posts but I'm a data girl ... In a data wo-orld, come on barby let's go party. Woe-oe-oe-oe... 

Sorry, singing is a reflex for me. 

Maybe I should put one together since I'm looking.

[baum7934]

This is a dumb question. Is there a directory of plastic surgeons for ffs? I've found quite a few posts obviously, I'm trying to find someone that can do a few things at once. Again I've found quite a few posts but I'm a data girl ... In a data wo-orld, come on barby let's go party. Woe-oe-oe-oe... 

Sorry, singing is a reflex for me. 

Maybe I should put one together since I'm looking.

this seems like a good place to start....
http://facialfeminizationsurgerysurgeons.blogspot.com/2010/10/facial-feminization-surgery-ffs.html

Hope that helps!

[baum7934]

Anyone? I'm so nervous about what to do.

I feel like Dr. Z's before/afters on his site are hard to actually see the jaw work because the pictures are never in the same angle. Is there any of his patients who would be willing to show or send me some other pictures of themselves after having jaw and chin work by him?

Thanks again

[angel0202]

Iv mentioned before, ->-bleeped-<-girl15 on YouTube and Michelle hendley on YouTube both had jaw work and I personally loved the results!

[JLT1]

If you can hold out for another week or so, I'll share mine.

I'll clarify what I wrote a earlier:  If you have a big and difficult job, it's Dr Z.  If it is a touch up or a moderate job, compare. 

Often times, on a big job, it's hard for us to see what is possible where Dr Z can see.  Just make sure you are specific on what not to do.

Hugs.

Jen

[JenJen2011]

Hi there,
I had jaw work done with Dr. Z. Unfortunately, I can't compare with other docs as I've only done it once. The scar you will be left with underneath the chin is a legitimate concern. It's something I have to deal with every day. My scar is very noticeable but makeup helps cover it. I personally did not see a significant difference in my jaw (I had full ffs). Maybe it's because I gained weight and my face looks a little chubby. Also, you will have to do rigorous massaging to reduce swelling which is painful. It's something Dr. Z is adamant about. I don't know about other surgeons.

I'm not telling you yes or no, you'll have to make that decision yourself. I'm just sharing my experience.

I wish you the best of luck!

[baum7934]

Hi,
Try to access to FFS-support, yahoo groups and then you could see a lot of before and after pictures and comments of the most importants FFS surgeons .....take care.

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ffs-support

Hugs.

S.

Thanks, but unfortunately that link doesn't work for me. I've been trying to access the yahoo groups but have never been able to even find the page to try.

Any suggestions on that?

[luna nyan]

Hi baum,

May I make a left field suggestion?  If your teeth aren't straight or your front teeth overlap completely (deep bite), consider having an orthodontic consultation with a good full facial orthodontist.  Correct tooth position makes a big difference in the face, and it can be integrated in with whatever cosmetic jaw surgery you want and possibly reduce the amount of bone work and risk involved.  (The more radical the bone work, the more risk of nerve damage etc)