Caitlyn Jenner's New Face: The Physical — and Emotional — Effects of Facial Femi

[traci_k]

Caitlyn Jenner's New Face: The Physical — and Emotional — Effects of Facial Feminizing Surgery

https://www.yahoo.com/health/caitlyn-jenners-new-face-the-physical-and-120557518227.html

Yahoo Health
Molly Triffin
June 2, 2015

Imagine looking in the mirror and seeing that, overnight, your face has transformed. Caitlyn Jenner went through this experience after having facial feminization surgery (FFS), a series of procedures that alter the face to increase its femininity.

In an upcoming Vanity Fair interview, she reports suffering a panic attack the day after, and recalls thinking, "What did I just do? What did I just do to myself?" According to Vanity Fair, a counselor from the Los Angeles Gender Center assured her that such reactions were often induced by pain medication, and that second-guessing was human and temporary.

*************************************************

Article talks about Caitlyn's reaction to her FFS but also includes information on the procedures, and comments from Dr. Spiegel and psychologist Ben Michaelis, who works with transgender clients. For some of the girls well into transition, some of this will be old hat, but for those considering FFS, you might find it interesting.

[Dee Marshall]

The article is interesting, but to me it had a major flaw. It was great to read a review of FFS. It wasn't too great to read a really (not!) subtle implication that, unless you paid us thousands of dollars for surgery, no matter what other treatments you have, you won't ever be seen as anything but a "man in a dress". That really kicks up the self doubt and not a little dysphoria.

[Lady Smith]

Me and my face have been together a long time so even though the genetics fairy was digging down in the plain faced sack for me when I was conceived I wouldn't want to have it surgically changed even if I did have the money to spend on FFS.  I'm 61, after 23 years of HRT my skin is good and I have no facial hair.  If I look at a photo of my Dad that was taken just before he died at 58 I can see the family resemblance, but I certainly don't look like him with regard to having coarser deeply lined skin, evidence of a well established beard even though in the photo Dad is clean shaven and I also don't have a thinning and receding hairline.  I will freely admit I don't have the finer facial structure that my 63 year old sister has, but that is just the way the genetics dice rolled.

The big advantage of being 61 is that I'm mostly invisible as far as society is concerned which suits me just fine, but it does worry me that younger TG folk are going to look at the ever lengthening list of expensive 'essential' surgeries which are being presented in the media as necessary for transition, become severely depressed and jump off the nearest bridge because they think they will never be able to 'pass'.
When I made my transition all me and my sisters had to worry about was hormones and the 'op'.  Some wanted a boob job, but not everyone did back then.  Despite the hated, prejudice and abuse from the usual quarters life was a whole lot simpler and we just got on with it.

[SorchaC]

The article is interesting, but to me it had a major flaw. It was great to read a review of FFS. It wasn't too great to read a really (not!) subtle implication that, unless you paid us thousands of dollars for surgery, no matter what other treatments you have, you won't ever be seen as anything but a "man in a dress". That really kicks up the self doubt and not a little dysphoria.

I read it and thought something pretty similar, I had the supermarket moment of being called sir in my local corner shop 2 years after going full time so I know how it feels but I've met quite a few trans that have never had FFS and have passed easily just by using make up and having nice hair and body shape. Maybe because Caitlyn is so well know she felt unable to even try passing without FFS and I must say it was a good job Dr S did. I wouldn't like to think that the message being put out to those inspired to find the courage to transition is you'll only make it if you pay a surgeon a stack of cash.

Those of us who are out there making ourselves known and helping others find the strength to be who they really are have to make sure the message is put over in the right way.

Hugs

Sorcha 

[deeiche]

First, before the admins pounce on us for getting off-topic this discussion might be better suited for general discussion instead of in FFS surgery area.

You are spot on.  The media coverage of Jenner insults everyone one of us who transitioned in the "dark ages".  While I can commiserate with Caitlyn Jenner on her trials and tribulations the media has made it sound like there is only one way to transition.

I'm 56, transitioned over 30 years ago.  My gender dysphoria was I knew I was a woman and I hated my male genitalia.  I was on HRT until GRS, then stopped.  For the first 20 years I looked okay, was considered a handsome woman and was even getting mistaken for one of the local D1 women's college players @ 43.  However I've spents LOTS of time outdoors, playing sports and working on our farm.  The sun takes it's toll on everyone in the US southwest.

Now I am at the point where I have consulted with several FFS surgeons, mostly because my vanity has kicked in and I want to look better than where I am right now.  When I read Lynn Conway's visits for FFS, face lift, laser skin resurfacing I so identified with I've been researching and saving up for over 12 years.

Not every cis woman is drop dead gorgeous, it is all genetics. 

g.day

Me and my face have been together a long time so even though the genetics fairy was digging down in the plain faced sack for me when I was conceived I wouldn't want to have it surgically changed even if I did have the money to spend on FFS.  I'm 61, after 23 years of HRT my skin is good and I have no facial hair.  If I look at a photo of my Dad that was taken just before he died at 58 I can see the family resemblance, but I certainly don't look like him with regard to having coarser deeply lined skin, evidence of a well established beard even though in the photo Dad is clean shaven and I also don't have a thinning and receding hairline.  I will freely admit I don't have the finer facial structure that my 63 year old sister has, but that is just the way the genetics dice rolled.

The big advantage of being 61 is that I'm mostly invisible as far as society is concerned which suits me just fine, but it does worry me that younger TG folk are going to look at the ever lengthening list of expensive 'essential' surgeries which are being presented in the media as necessary for transition, become severely depressed and jump off the nearest bridge because they think they will never be able to 'pass'.
When I made my transition all me and my sisters had to worry about was hormones and the 'op'.  Some wanted a boob job, but not everyone did back then.  Despite the hated, prejudice and abuse from the usual quarters life was a whole lot simpler and we just got on with it.

[myfairlady49]

    Did Dr Spiegel do the surgery - -  or does the article just quote him about the procedure ?

[Mariah]

Hi Myfairlady49, welcome to Susan's. I look forward to seeing you around the forums. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

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[Lady Smith]

First, before the admins pounce on us for getting off-topic this discussion might be better suited for general discussion instead of in FFS surgery area.

You are spot on.  The media coverage of Jenner insults everyone one of us who transitioned in the "dark ages".  While I can commiserate with Caitlyn Jenner on her trials and tribulations the media has made it sound like there is only one way to transition.

I'm 56, transitioned over 30 years ago.  My gender dysphoria was I knew I was a woman and I hated my male genitalia.  I was on HRT until GRS, then stopped.  For the first 20 years I looked okay, was considered a handsome woman and was even getting mistaken for one of the local D1 women's college players @ 43.  However I've spents LOTS of time outdoors, playing sports and working on our farm.  The sun takes it's toll on everyone in the US southwest.

Now I am at the point where I have consulted with several FFS surgeons, mostly because my vanity has kicked in and I want to look better than where I am right now.  When I read Lynn Conway's visits for FFS, face lift, laser skin resurfacing I so identified with I've been researching and saving up for over 12 years.

Not every cis woman is drop dead gorgeous, it is all genetics. 

g.day

That's right, the doctors used to tell us to stop HRT after having GRS back then.  I always thought it was a bit strange myself. 

[deeiche]

That's right, the doctors used to tell us to stop HRT after having GRS back then.  I always thought it was a bit strange myself. 

Well, it was not strange in my case.  Before I started HRT my endo did a levels check and found male hormone levels low and female hormone level high, both of course for "typical male" levels.  He suggested I stop HRT after surgery to see what my body would do post GRS.  My female levels went up and my male levels went down, albeit on the low side of "typical female" levels.  Since I was loathe to take ANY drug daily for the rest of my life I was okay with those levels and stopped HRT.

Really, southwest US, high elevation, sun is hard on everyone.  For most of my 40s I played >100 softball games/summer, then we bought a small farm 8 years ago. A year ago I had a squamous cell lesion removed, and a bunch of stuff frozen.  I'm looking at LSR at some point in the future, Facial Resurfacing Treatments for Photoaging May Also Help Prevent Skin Cancer.

BTW, I think we are really veering OT now.  :-)

[michelle82]

    Did Dr Spiegel do the surgery - -  or does the article just quote him about the procedure ?

I'm wondering the same thing. I've now heard that it was maybe dr harrison lee and Dr alter.

Then I heard it was David Alessi

So not sure...I would like to know!!!

[shedevilcanada]

I'm wondering the same thing. I've now heard that it was maybe dr harrison lee and Dr alter.

Then I heard it was David Alessi

So not sure...I would like to know!!!

It was Harrison Lee who did her FFS , I know because I had FfS and revision with Harrison Lee. It looks like he did a good job on her , but he had to  with her because of all the publicity surrounding her. As for myresults with him  they were far from the results Caitlyn got.

[myfairlady49]

It was Harrison Lee who did her FFS , I know because I had FfS and revision with Harrison Lee. It looks like he did a good job on her , but he had to  with her because of all the publicity surrounding her. As for myresults with him  they were far from the results Caitlyn got.

Any idea when the FFS  was done - - in relation to the publicity pictures a few weeks ago - - or the pictures after the car accident a few months ago (the ones without make-up) ?   

[shedevilcanada]

I heard she did it in March one month before I had my revision with him

[myfairlady49]

I heard she did it in March one month before I had my revision with him

Then in that case,  the pictures (before the Vogue cover) from the interviews and the accident would all be "post" FFS.  Right ? 

[shedevilcanada]

no I dont think so, I think he had done some feminizing procedures but not the full ffs and BA

[iKate]

It was Dr Lee and Dr Alter.

[jhulyglow]

http://www.msn.com/pt-br/entretenimento/noticias/caitlyn-jenner-teve-um-ataque-de-p%C3%A2nico-ap%C3%B3s-cirurgias-para-feminiliza%C3%A7%C3%A3o/ar-BBkUF0c