Dr. Cardenas and Foreheads Type III? - My Post-Op Photos

[jgirl76]

Remodeling and brow bossing reduction could be used interchangeably -  Ok, will wait to hear how your type III turns out! Best luck in Guadalajara girl, coming up fast!  

[INgrid Alicia]

Hello Jgirl76!! Fist I really want to thank you for sharing with us ... And  i think you look very good, yep... the forehead is not exactly how it should be... but i think there was a big improve.. I feel very unconfotable when going out in public, cause of mi bone structure (horhead, nouse) but i think that if i had a result like yours ... maybe i would not feel that way anymore.. I think you should give some time for healing... going to job, and see how it goes... maybe with the nouse.. and everything you will notice that you pass for almost everyone.. I hope so... And well maybe now im saving for Dr D.. 2 years maybe.. or 3 :s

[INgrid Alicia]

And.. i think He didnt want to make the type III cause.. he does not feel confortable doing that.. type III its a really brutal procedure... i´ve been asking to plastic surgerons in my city (Mexico city) and almost everyone says.. thats to invasive and experimental .. so i should avoid doing that... i know i need it, so .. the only reasonable thing is.. to go with someone who has done many of these "experimental procedure".. someone like dr B or Dr D.. but any way.. i do agree, its to invasive so.. dont know.. i really think you should give time to see how it goes .. maybe a type II is enought to live as a full time with out suspicious gazes... And i am really sorry about my suckin einglish.. 

[calicarly]

You know girl, I had a closer look at you pics now, yes I would be annoyed too, good point first, the brow bossing that was obvious in front view isn't there anymore, bad point now, the profile view, although improved, didn't improve past the point where u say hey it's not where it should be but it's good enough, yet it's not bad enough where u can say did he do anything at all? He left u bang in the middle where you can see an improvement but u r still left wanting more... It would break my head (no pun intended), but really tho, I agree with comments above that you give it a few weeks, not cause of it changing much but more to see how you feel about it... I know some girls think it's all about passing, but for me, and probably was for you too, more than passing, it's about us looking in the mirror and seeing that male puberty thing on our face fully gone....

[jgirl76]

You know girl, I had a closer look at you pics now, yes I would be annoyed too, good point first, the brow bossing that was obvious in front view isn't there anymore, bad point now, the profile view, although improved, didn't improve past the point where u say hey it's not where it should be but it's good enough, yet it's not bad enough where u can say did he do anything at all? He left u bang in the middle where you can see an improvement but u r still left wanting more... It would break my head (no pun intended), but really tho, I agree with comments above that you give it a few weeks, not cause of it changing much but more to see how you feel about it... I know some girls think it's all about passing, but for me, and probably was for you too, more than passing, it's about us looking in the mirror and seeing that male puberty thing on our face fully gone....

EXACTLY! This isn't about passing, it's about looking in the mirror and seeing that sh*t gone!  We may live in different countries, but you and I are cut from the same cloth sister...

[jgirl76]

I have written Dr. Cardenas about my concerns and I will post about his response when I receive it.

[Roni]

I have written Dr. Cardenas about my concerns and I will post about his response when I receive it.

Good luck girly! Hopefully he offers some sort of a free corrective procedure, if not let you pay the difference in price between type 2 and 3 so you can get the forehead you want. It's not your fault he was in a position to decide on the need for type 3 or not and failed in that decision.

[Roni]

Also, do you think I could maybe make use of your post-op photos here during my pre-surgery consultation with Dr C? Should he refuse to perform type 3 on me and be insistent that type 2 is enough when clearly it is not sufficient.

[Hikari]

I think you look great, and I think you also pass. In fact, I am more than a little envious of your looks

That being said, I totally understand your frustration. It isn't really about just passing, and to be honest despite your brow bossing before, I assume you could probably pass before this, even if it is easier to do so now. There are aesthetic concerns when it comes to these procedures, and if you wanted your sinus further back, then you wanted your sinus further back.

I think the real question is, will Dr. C be willing to do a forehead aggressive enough to that point? For me, it is unimportant, I would be very happy personally with your sort of result, but I think it is an important thing to know, because not everyone would be happy with that result like I would. I also wonder how many have actually had a type III with Dr. C?

[jgirl76]

Also, do you think I could maybe make use of your post-op photos here during my pre-surgery consultation with Dr C? Should he refuse to perform type 3 on me and be insistent that type 2 is enough when clearly it is not sufficient.

Roni you may absolutely use my photos... I have no problem with that whatsoever if you think it would help. Dr. Cardenas should understand that type II is good for brow bossing only, it really isn't good for setting the front sinus even/flush with the bridge of the nose. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but if you explain it like that, then maybe he will get it...   I'm definitely looking to you in my decision as to whether or not I will go back to Cardenas for type III. Thanks for keeping me posted lady

[jgirl76]

I think you look great, and I think you also pass. In fact, I am more than a little envious of your looks

That being said, I totally understand your frustration. It isn't really about just passing, and to be honest despite your brow bossing before, I assume you could probably pass before this, even if it is easier to do so now. There are aesthetic concerns when it comes to these procedures, and if you wanted your sinus further back, then you wanted your sinus further back.

I think the real question is, will Dr. C be willing to do a forehead aggressive enough to that point? For me, it is unimportant, I would be very happy personally with your sort of result, but I think it is an important thing to know, because not everyone would be happy with that result like I would. I also wonder how many have actually had a type III with Dr. C?

Thank you for the compliments... I don't mean to seem ungrateful, I just didn't want a 2nd rate result when he could have given me an optimal result. I have my life ahead of me and this will undoubtedly bug me. I think what is most depressing is the idea of going through the surgery again... it is traumatic and a lot to recover from... I didn't exactly want to have to do it twice... and that is what I'm faced with now.  My advice to everyone, do it right the first time, go type III if you have any doubts about your forehead, it's better than having to do it all over again... 

[jgirl76]

Also, do you think I could maybe make use of your post-op photos here during my pre-surgery consultation with Dr C? Should he refuse to perform type 3 on me and be insistent that type 2 is enough when clearly it is not sufficient.

Just received a response from Dr. Cardenas, he believes there is some swelling but I can tell where the bone is, and I'm pretty certain the frontal sinus overhang I see now will still be there in 6 months from now too. He wants me to wait 6 months, which is fine... but I already know what the problem is.  He said type III comes with some risk of sinus infections, and that it is only reserved for the most masculine faces and wasn't needed on my face...  I happen not to agree with him.

PS I would have this discussion with him BEFORE you go to Guadalajara...

[shidou_hikaru]

wow that much luck finding someone recent surgery , the state recently eh guadalajara, in his office with Dr. Cardenas .

like you and many of course, the doc told me cardenas after examninarme and see my photos, I need the type III NO . which was strange to me because Dimmagio Spain and doctors told me that it is always better the result.

so the date I went to doctor's appointment (two weeks ago) , I looked for more information and photos of Dr. Cardenas their pasientes since been difficult because there is not much on the internet.

eh I met with you in this forum, and that's good.

anyway I would like to know who the doctor if asked cardenas type III? .

and truth as I see it, will not undergo surgery with promises until I type III , which will pay for the procedure , the doctor also takes pictures for archiving and students can check copn ray X if you really did , so today I will write you an email saying that if I will have the surgery but only with Type III reconstruction .

still, But someone alla cardenas passed the doctor and to me to decide?

greatly appreciate it because the front is the most important thing that I've been searching through all FFS surgeons .

Please can help me?

sorry for my English , but u from mexico DF city

[Roni]

Just received a response from Dr. Cardenas, he believes there is some swelling but I can tell where the bone is, and I'm pretty certain the frontal sinus overhang I see now will still be there in 6 months from now too. He wants me to wait 6 months, which is fine... but I already know what the problem is.  He said type III comes with some risk of sinus infections, and that it is only reserved for the most masculine faces and wasn't needed on my face...  I happen not to agree with him.

PS I would have this discussion with him BEFORE you go to Guadalajara so that way if you don't think he's gonna do it for you, you can cancel and go elsewhere. I now wish that I had gone to Dr. DiMaggio.

I also contacted Dr C's crew about my interest in the type III procedure. They explained that most MtFs don't really need it, and that the procedure in general is very invasive. Uh-oh. I'm going to have a lot of convincing to do. Thanks for letting me use your photos if need be! I will only refer to your photos should Dr C remain hesitant about type III. Somehow I can already see it though---he will probably bring it down to just swelling bla bla bla. I wish I had picked Dr DiMaggio also, but with my deposit money already given coupled with the fact that I simply can't afford Dr. D right now, I'll take my chances with Dr. C.

[Roni]

Taken directly from one of his staff's email:

"Yes, he does the type III procedure on a regular basis and the results are very good.  But, he is not one of those FFS surgeons that believes that all patients need the more invasive procedure.  In fact, the majority (perhaps 6 or 7 out of 10) really only need the bone contouring procedure.  You'll have an opportunity to discuss your expectations for your forehead with Dr. Cardenas the day before your surgery.  You can make your choice of the method used at that time after having the benefit of an in-person exam.  Dr. Cardenas can show you results of both types during your consultation."

What do you think? Part of it sounds like they are against issuing type III procedures to anyone who simply asks it, while the latter half of the letter makes it sound like they are giving me free will in my decision, whatever it may be. 

[jgirl76]

For my surgery he said he would do type III if we need to...  So I agreed to type I but that we would do type III if needed. The obvious problem is that I did need it and he failed to do it... because he thinks the result he gave me from type I was acceptable. I don't want acceptable, I want GREAT. I told him I wanted him to be aggressive. Yep, insist on type III. When is your surgery again? June...

[AubreyN7]

I'd like to say he did an awesome job on mine, but I didn't have much of a protrusion to start with, so a Type 1 was good for me. If I had one real complaint, I think my jaw is still too wide, but I'll reserve final judgment on that after 1 year post op. If work is still needed, I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

[shidou_hikaru]

For my surgery he said he would do type III if we need to...  So I agreed to type II but that we would do type III if needed. The obvious problem is that I did need it and he failed to do it... because he thinks the result he gave me from type II was acceptable. I don't want acceptable, I want GREAT, and I didn't get it.  I told him I wanted him to be aggressive. Yep, insist on type III. When is your surgery again? June...

I understand perfectly, the DR.C I said exactly the same.
even showed me pictures where the type III did not look good. I saw pictures of the surgeries literal flesh and bone, I can confirm that it does.

but what will be the problem?

today you escrigo other mail, in addition to the first two weeks of June I will be traveling, and I do not answer emails on Dr. cardenas

[AubreyN7]

Jgirl, I totally get where you're coming from with feeling that this or that wasn't done right, as I also had those feelings. Just give yourself a little time for things to settle into place. You're so new from surgery. I look a lot different now (6 weeks post op) than I did at 2 weeks, and I'm still changing. In the end, you may be completely justified in your feelings, and will need to go further to achieve the look you desire, and so may I. But just give it a little time. And just my two cents here, but you do look amazing and so beautiful already.

[jgirl76]

Jgirl, I totally get where you're coming from with feeling that this or that wasn't done right, as I also had those feelings. Just give yourself a little time for things to settle into place. You're so new from surgery. I look a lot different now (6 weeks post op) than I did at 2 weeks, and I'm still changing. In the end, you may be completely justified in your feelings, and will need to go further to achieve the look you desire, and so may I. But just give it a little time. And just my two cents here, but you do look amazing and so beautiful already.

Thank you, Aubrey. Likewise! Maybe my expectations are too high, I'm not sure. I will give it some time as you suggest but I doubt the profile will change much, but here's to hoping!

Here is an actual side-by-side comparison. While not perfect, I think the change is positive overall regardless of the residual sinus prominence: http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/jgirlpacific/library/Cardenasprofilecomparison?sort=3&page=1

Take care of you