Anyone else visiting Dr. Cardenas next month?

[Trying]

I have an appointment next month and I am so anxious! I have also paid for Type III in advance and they said they would refund the difference if they didn't do it, but I'm thinking it will be needed anyway and he may not do it? He often advises against aggressive methods, and, while that is admirable, Type I is usually not enough for the brow.

I want to be assertive and tell him that I want Type III, but I don't want to sound rude. Can anyone here give me any suggestions on how to go about doing this?

Also, I feel so weird. It's like having a toothache, then having a doctor say it needs pulled, and the toothache is so terrible, but, when you finally go in to have the surgery, the pain just vanishes and you don't want it pulled anymore. It's like that with this FFS. Is this a normal feeling? I also feel so guilty about how much I'm spending. :\

I'm all-ears for input, anything can help! Thank you!

[deeiche]

Hmm, I don't want to add anything to a thread to get it locked but I have to add my observation.

I would want to know what type of forehead reconstruction was going to occur prior to surgery.

The surgeon I went to did before profile X-Ray and was able to see Type III was required.  I also had profile X-Ray taken after surgery.  You can see my frontal sinus is almost completely removed.

[Trying]

Hey, thanks for replying!

His suggestion for me was Type I. When I asked about the thickness of the bone of the sinus cavity (since it varies from person to person), saying that the bone is usually too thin to be suitable for shaving it down so much, he said that there is no way to be 100% certain without an MRI. He proceeded to say that he does know during the surgery, though, because he uses transillumination to see just how thick the bone is and if it is thick enough to shave it, or if Type III is required. I'm still iffy on it, though.

Type III is required for just about everyone, so I bet I would get optimum results from that. But how do I convince him to do it that way regardless?

[deeiche]

Here is a link to my post with before/after X-rays, Re: Dr Rossi surgery Sept 16.

I don't know how you "convince" a surgeon to do something.

Not sure why you would need MRI, profile X-ray was pretty good at showing the size of my sinus.  Other people have shown their before profile X-rays too.

Hey, thanks for replying!

His suggestion for me was Type I. When I asked about the thickness of the bone of the sinus cavity (since it varies from person to person), saying that the bone is usually too thin to be suitable for shaving it down so much, he said that there is no way to be 100% certain without an MRI. He proceeded to say that he does know during the surgery, though, because he uses transillumination to see just how thick the bone is and if it is thick enough to shave it, or if Type III is required. I'm still iffy on it, though.

Type III is required for just about everyone, so I bet I would get optimum results from that. But how do I convince him to do it that way regardless?

[Trying]

Wow, that is quite a dramatic difference indeed!

I've already paid for the Type III, so maybe he would be more willing to just do that instead of refunding the difference? I'll try posting some kind of side profile soon to see if that might help me get more input on how helpful it would be?

[warmbody28]

I went to him a few years back. just tell him what your looking to do (which im guessing is look as feminine/normal you as possible). he should be able to accommodate what you want. Just make sure you speak up in your consultation and be firm yet polite in what you want. sometimes people dont do this with surgeons and in return the surgeon wont be as aggressive as the patient wants. but yeah you should be good.

[Trying]

Wow, that is very reassuring, thank you! Now I feel more confident in the surgery.

[radialan]

I'm sorry that I did not see this thread earlier. 

If you want to know with certainty before your surgery, send us an MRI.  A x-ray could be a satisfactory alternative, although Dr. Cardenas prefers an MRI. 

But, it sounds like this would be a waste of your money because you're already convinced that you need Type III.  If we were to do conventional contouring, you might subconsciously believe that you received something inferior.  So, just to be clear - If you have decided that you want Type III regardless, we will do that for you. 

[Roni]

I'm sorry that I did not see this thread earlier. 

If you want to know with certainty before your surgery, send us an MRI.  A x-ray could be a satisfactory alternative, although Dr. Cardenas prefers an MRI. 

But, it sounds like this would be a waste of your money because you're already convinced that you need Type III.  If we were to do conventional contouring, you might subconsciously believe that you received something inferior.  So, just to be clear - If you have decided that you want Type III regardless, we will do that for you.

Yeah Dr. Cardenas was quite nice and very accommodating with my request for Type 3. I'm sure you will be fine Trying!