Using non MTF surgeons for FFS

[VickyMI]

I have never seen anyone post this topic

My next round of "self improvements" is some chin work - rounding to get rid of the square edge and a face lift.

I had consults with Dr. S and Dr. Z

Both are not local. I used Dr S for trach shave and Dr. Z for lip lift

But why use them when I can use local Drs that do facelifts on a regular basis?

Why drive or fly and play for hotels when I can get this work done locally. About half the local plastic surgeons do chin contouring and all I need is the square edge removed.

Frankly I was not impressed with Dr Zs sutures when he did my lip lift. The scaring is quite visible on one side of my nose.

I figure all follow ups with a local Dr. would be much better and if there is any complications it will be very easy to return and have work done.

Has anybody taken this route?

[helen2010]

Vicky

I certainly thought about taking this route.  However the 2 non FFS surgeons I spoke with just couldn't seem to understand why I, as a fairly large and fit male, was asking for multiple procedures which were designed to feminise my face.  It became even more frustrating when I started to ask for examples of the work that they had done on males to soften or to androgenise their features.

This communications issue and lack of referencable work was then compounded by the difficulty they had in presenting alternatives which as a package provided with a more androgynous, quite feminine  or very feminine face.

Given the above I spoke with Drs O, S and Z.  They really understood what I was asking, introduced me to patients who had had similar objectives, provided a massive amount of referencable work and won my confidence.  I chose Dr Z and have been very happy with the work.   Like you there was some scarring and I needed later scar revision and a muscle repair, but can say that I achieved my objective.   Perhaps if I had just been dealing with my nose, chin, cheeks or eyes I may have risked a non FFS surgeon.

Nevertheless I am also keen to hear if anyone on this forum took this course.

Aisla

[Celia0428]

I would use a regular plastic surgeon for a facelift, but not for the chin work. I mean, a facelift would be like tucking in a blanket. It will look good as long as the mattress was given the right shape first.

Regular plastic surgeons are specifically trained to avoid feminization on their male patients, and we are still considered male patients by most of them and have male noses to work with. They are taught to make male noses more delicate without feminizing them. A feminized male nose is considered a defective result that they fear.  Even if you ask them to do the opposite and they agree, they will still remain trained to restrain feminization. You can be lucky enough to find one that can achieve what you want, sure, but what are the odds? I guess the same stands for other structural areas of the face like the chin.

[teeg]

The procedures included in FFS are not specific to people transitioning. People who aren't transitioning have them done all the time.

I get the uncomfortable feeling that some "FFS Surgeons" are there to make money off of people transitioning who are self-conscious and uninformed. Recently I met with one of the most prominent FFS surgeons in the US. He spent no more than 10 minutes with me and never really discussed my possible procedures in a personal manner with me. When I recently found out that some insurance companies provide coverage for FFS procedures, I contacted his staff to ask if they could help me with submitted claims, and they didn't even respond. This told me they're focused on my money, not helping me.

Take rhinoplasty for example. This is performed for most FFS patients, and yet there's probably a plastic surgeon in a city next door to you who can perform a rhinoplasty. The same will go with jaw work, forehead work, etc.

[VickyMI]

The only FFS I think you have to use is for cheek, orbital work, trach shave, lip lift as these are very specific to Feminization.  All other surgery I would think could be done with a doctor who does it hundreds of times a year.

I have three consults scheduled over the next month.  Should be very interesting.

[Lauren1]

I actually tried this route locally to no success. Only 1 surgeon responded out of about 5. That was maybe my mistake for saying I was pre-op MTF (and the fact I used web forms instead of calling maybe..). I don't blame the surgeon themselves, but their staffs are typically the ones that respond to these so maybe there is a bit of unprofessional conduct. Your classic FFS surgeons have staff that are so used to transwomen that this isn't a problem.

And since most of them haven't done this to natal men, its hard to get an idea about what you may look like after. Dr O, Dr S, and Dr Z give a better idea of the possibilities.