FFS with Dr. Simon (Facial Team) in Marbella, Spain

[Eveline]

I'm getting ready to schedule FFS with Facial Team in Marbella, Spain, most likely in late July or early August. Anyone else going to be there around that time?

Last week I had a Skype consultation with Dr. Simon. He was well prepared and had definite opinions on the photos I provided. Unlike some surgeons, he doesn't seem to get impatient with questions, and was ready to go to into whatever detail I liked.

Communication is a big deal for me, particularly as this is corrective FFS, and I want to know exactly what is going to be changed, how much, and why. I'm expecting to have the following procedures:

* Forehead reconstruction with brow lift
* Hair transplant
* Chinplasty
* Lower jaw contouring

One thing I like is that Facial Team takes profile, 45-degree and side X-rays before the pre-op consultation, so you can discuss exactly where they plan to remove bone. You also get the "after" X-rays so you can see in detail what was achieved. For a good example, see these before and after X-rays.

Another thing I like is that Facial Team doesn't seem to have raised their prices much, if at all, over the last couple of years. I know this because I had a quote from them before I started transition, and there's very little change.

So, that's it for now. More to come as the time approaches.

[mmmmm]

I think you made a good choice to have revision work with Facial Team. They are kind of obsessive with detail pre-surgical assesment and CT-scans, which is specially great in such a case as yours, where you will have forehead and chin&jaw revision work. I hope you will be happy with result this time.

Though it would be also really helpful to share info on your first FFS experience with dr. Cardenas. What were you happy with, and what didn't go so well. This kind of information about surgeons and experience is much more valuable than many other satisfying experiences together. Thats just my opinion. 

[Eveline]

... Though it would be also really helpful to share info on your first FFS experience with dr. Cardenas. What were you happy with, and what didn't go so well. This kind of information about surgeons and experience is much more valuable than many other satisfying experiences together. Thats just my opinion. ...

I hear you. Some people have had problems when they were specific about "what didn't go well" so I would prefer not to go into it in a public forum. Anyone with questions, feel free to PM me...

[michelle82]

Good luck Eveline are you having the coronal incision with immediate transplants? And do you mind sharing what they are charging for everything?

[Eveline]

Good luck Eveline are you having the coronal incision with immediate transplants? And do you mind sharing what they are charging for everything?

Michelle, as I understand it, the transplants are to be done right after the FFS, using a strip of removed from the incision at the crown of the head. The quote calls it an "immediate microcapillary transplant".

Your question makes me wonder if I'll literally be out the whole time under general anesthesia, or whether the transplant is done under lighter sedation. I"m going to ask and will post the answer.

Also, I'm still waiting on a revised quote and will add the cost to this thread when I get it next week.

[Eveline]

Today I got the quote from Facial Team, and the total is about 23,000€ ($26,500) for the following:

* Forehead/Orbital Reduction & Eyebrow lift
* Mandibular Reduction & Chinplasty
* Immediate hair transplant

I'm also estimating $1800 for airfare from Miami, and around $1500 for hotel. I have no clue yet what to estimate for meals.

My patient coordinator, Tamara Blanco, has been very responsive so far.

Next step: Send the requested 2000€ deposit and reserve a surgery date.

[jhulyglow]

Acho os resultados da Facial Team muito fracos. Não vejo diferença nas pessoas que conheço que operaram com eles. Pouco experientes, Dr. Simon é dentista, não fez medicina!

[Paula1]

Good Morning everyone,

I have just translated this comment from Portuguese to English and it says:

I think the results of Facial Team too weak. I see no difference in the people I know who operated them. Inexperienced, Dr. Simon is a dentist, did not medicine!


All that I can say is after seeing many UK based post-op Facial Team patients in London last February when Dr Capitan was holding a London Presentation and again last week when I was in Marbella for another consultation with both Dr Capitan & Dr Simon when I met two more post-op patients, I am very impressed with their results.

These are Dr Simon's qualifications:

Professional Memberships & Certifications

    Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons of Brazil
    Society of Plastic Surgeons of Brazil
    World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
    European Professional Association for Transgender Health (EPATH)

Education & Training

    Specialization in Oral Surgery in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2001.
    Specialization in Surgical Anatomy of the Face, University of Sao Paulo, 2002.
    Residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2002-2005.
    Fellowship at Dept. of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Antwerp, Belgium, 2005-2007.
    Received MA from University of Gent, Belgium, 2007.

Hospital Affiliations

    High Care International Hospital, Marbella, Spain
    Green Hill Hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Eveline you will be in excellent hands ... 

Acho os resultados da Facial Team muito fracos. Não vejo diferença nas pessoas que conheço que operaram com eles. Pouco experientes, Dr. Simon é dentista, não fez medicina!

[Cindy]

WARNING


There are some translation issues and separate accusations have also been made regarding 'infiltration' of the FFS area by staff members of surgical units.

I am aware and have warned such staff members to declare their allegiances when posting.

Since this has not occurred I will warn members who are seeking advice on FFS units to be very aware that they may be receiving biased, unprofessional and inaccurate advice from such people.

I find this deeply disappointing and saddening.

I suggest that people are very cautious in who they take advice from.

Cindy

[jhulyglow]

Eu conheço pessoalmente meninas brasileiras que ficaram decepcionadas com as cirurgias aqui no Brasil operando pela Facial. De repente com Dr. Capitan na Espanha os resultados sejam melhores! Eu particularmente não gosto, mas, FFS é uma escolha particular de cada uma e eu respeito. Perdoem meu inglês ruim. Estou usando o Google Tradutor.

[Eveline]

My surgery date is now set for September 3, 2015. Yay!

I'm hoping to stay at Jenny's Nest, which has some nice services for recovering FFS patients. Waiting to hear back from Jenny on the reservation.

And I still need to wire my deposit and get a new passport. The never-ending list of transition "Things to Do"...

[Laura_7]

Jenny's Nest sounds nice

hugs

[Paula1]

Hi Eveline.

Awesome news ... 

Jenny Bowman is lovely.

When I was in Marbella two weeks ago, I met up with her and two patients who she was looking after and we all went out to dinner in Marbella - Old Town.

Get her to take you to Restaurante El Tanguito - the food is to die for .... It's a few yards away from her home. I understand that they do take-outs too.

Compared to eating out in the UK, prices are incredibly reasonable.

I had a lovely salad as a starter that was huge and as a main, I had their Spanish version of ' Shepherd's Pie ' that was simply delicious. 

Lots for you to look forward to kiddo.

Take care

Hugs

Paula

My surgery date is now set for September 3, 2015. Yay!

I'm hoping to stay at Jenny's Nest, which has some nice services for recovering FFS patients. Waiting to hear back from Jenny on the reservation.

And I still need to wire my deposit and get a new passport. The never-ending list of transition "Things to Do"...

[Eveline]

Hi Eveline.

Awesome news ... 

Jenny Bowman is lovely.

When I was in Marbella two weeks ago, I met up with her and two patients who she was looking after and we all went out to dinner in Marbella - Old Town.

Get her to take you to Restaurante El Tanguito - the food is to die for .... It's a few yards away from her home. I understand that they do take-outs too.

Compared to eating out in the UK, prices are incredibly reasonable.

I had a lovely salad as a starter that was huge and as a main, I had their Spanish version of ' Shepherd's Pie ' that was simply delicious. 

Lots for you to look forward to kiddo.

Take care

Hugs

Paula

Thanks Paula! I just got confirmation on my reservations with Jenny's Nest, and will definitely check out Restaurante El Tanguito. Maybe just a takeout - don't want to scare the other patrons.

[Paula1]

Morning Eveline,

You are welcome.

Don't worry they are used to patients with head garments etc .... 

The two girls that I shared supper with looked amazing already.

One girl who was French was only 3 days post-op and had very little bruising. She was a bit swollen, of course, and had a chin garment on.

The other girl who was from the States was going home the next day and was around 12 days post surgery and there was no bruising at all. You would never have gussed that she recently had surgery apart from a little swelling.

Have a great day.

Paula

Thanks Paula! I just got confirmation on my reservations with Jenny's Nest, and will definitely check out Restaurante El Tanguito. Maybe just a takeout - don't want to scare the other patrons.

[Laura_7]

Get her to take you to Restaurante El Tanguito - the food is to die for ....   ...

I had a lovely salad as a starter that was huge ...

Yes, they often have that there... something to look forward to 


hugs

[Celia0428]

Perdoem meu inglês ruim. Estou usando o Google Tradutor.

It seems your Google translator is set to translate Portuguese into Portuguese 

[jhulyglow]

It seems your Google translator is set to translate Portuguese into Portuguese 

Thanks for the warning.

[Lara1969]

I had FFS with Dr. Simon and I am very happy with the result. But they have a different approach compared to surgeons in North America. I like their approach of looking very natural (in my personal view). Many faces from US docs are looking artificial in my opinion and it is easy to see that they had a face surgery.

I think you made a good decision.

Lara

[Eveline]

Tiny update: paid my security deposit of 2000 euro via wire transfer yesterday.

Now I'm thinking of pre-paying the rest cuz the dollar is going the wrong way vs. the euro. Total cost in dollars just went up close to $1000 in a few days. Geez!