Help me choose a FFS doctor for an Asian face!

[shoko]

question: so about 10 days after surgery do you think it would be okay to go on a little vacation somewhere for a week?  my girlfriend has a week off then and i'd hate to just go straight home.. i don't want to do anything that would impair healing though.  was thinking about staying somewhere in marbella or going to casablanca, etc..

haven't heard back yet from Jenny's Nest, is there an alternative in case that's not available?

[mmmmm]

It is ideal if you can stay a week or two longer somewhere not too distant. If anything happens like minor complication, or if you are just affraid of something not healing as you expected, just can call them arrange additional check-up just to make shure. Its a lot better idea to stay around like 20 days post-surgery, and do some seightseeing and tourism (with care!) than having long and exhausting flight back home 8 or 10 days after surgery. Although ask clinic staff what activities you can safely do, and what to avoid.

[Paula1]

Good advice mmmmm

Nice to see you on here .... 

[Paula1]

Hiya,

If Jenny is not available, she will know who else to recommend as she has said the same to me.

And Facial Team can help you out too in this matter.

Hugs

Paula

question: so about 10 days after surgery do you think it would be okay to go on a little vacation somewhere for a week?  my girlfriend has a week off then and i'd hate to just go straight home.. i don't want to do anything that would impair healing though.  was thinking about staying somewhere in marbella or going to casablanca, etc..

haven't heard back yet from Jenny's Nest, is there an alternative in case that's not available?

[shoko]

Hello girls,

Well, I'm day 4 post-op... from Facial Team in Marbella   I can't express just how happy I chose Facial Team!  Although I'm still very swollen, bruised and in pain, I have a feeling it's going to turn out alright.  After a two-night stay at High Care Hospital (a very new, clean and beautiful facility, btw), I'm hanging out in my room at Hotel San Cristobal right in old town by the beach.  Perfect location - I have a room with a bath and gentle hand shower, gentle blow dryer, beautiful views and tons of space.  I can walk to the local supermarket for food and get my laundry done for 10 euros about 3 minutes away.

Anyway, I was lucky to get a surgery date of March 15 in short notice so I flew to Malaga via London and spent one day doing all the sightseeing and preop tests/consultations on the 14th.  On the day of surgery I was reassured by the doctors and wheeled into a large operating suite.  My procedures lasted from about 9am to 11pm: brow/forehead reconstruction, revision rhinoplasty, lip lift, jaw/chin, tracheal shave and hair transplants.  OMG I don't recommend hair transplants right after as I vomited and could not hold still due to back pain, but we got through it.  The nurses really took care of me afterwards and all my lines were removed the next day (thank goodness!).  I could eat, get cleaned up, had a lymphatic treatment and walked around until it was time to go on the 17th.

It's really hard to sleep now because my coronal incision is right behind my head, they give you ibuprofen and paracetamol for pain though I wish I had Vicodin with me.  Today they checked up on me by phone (a cell phone is provided) and in a few days they will take me back to remove stitches and have a final consultation.  Only thing is I didn't see the other doctors after the operation, just Dr. Bellinga who checked up on me.  But everything was explained in a booklet beforehand.

The best part is that they really listen and give suggestions for the most natural result, which is what I was after.  Being only on HRT for about 3 months, it was important to me to give that time as well.

So here I am, a little bored but if anyone else is here or has questions let me know!!

[Laura_7]

Congratulations 

How is the weather and what did you have to eat today ?



*hugs*

[shoko]

Congratulations 

How is the weather and what did you have to eat today ?



*hugs*

Thank you!

The weather is perfect, sunny and cool (I only go out in the evenings).

Today I bought some more groceries, kind of overdid it with a piece of dark chocolate which was very difficult to chew   But I made soup, a half sandwich, and spinach for dinner.  At lunch it was a protein shake and yogurt.  Just trying to keep well hydrated all day   Hopefully I can sleep better tonight on my back without turning on my side again.

[Laura_7]

Thank you!

The weather is perfect, sunny and cool (I only go out in the evenings).

Today I bought some more groceries, kind of overdid it with a piece of dark chocolate which was very difficult to chew   But I made soup, a half sandwich, and spinach for dinner.  At lunch it was a protein shake and yogurt.  Just trying to keep well hydrated all day   Hopefully I can sleep better tonight on my back without turning on my side again.

I imagine that being perfect .. a slight mediterranean breeze ...

but dark chocolate shoud melt .. given some time 

Did you try some typical specialties ... like olives ?
And do they have some fruits of the season ?
Or is it imported oranges ?


*hugs*

[Paula1]

Hiya honeybun,

I was out driving around this evening.

I find driving my car so relaxing and went over to Heathrow (London) Airport and around.

Seeing planes land and take off, I thought of you and my flight to Malaga from Gatwick (London) in 11 days time.

And here you are having had surgery and happy so far that you chose Facial Team ... 

I am glad that you are staying at Hotel San Cristobal, I liked it very much.

Jenny Bowman of 'Jenny's Nest' suggested that I stay there last May when I flew down to see Drs Capitan, Dr Simon & Dr Bellinga.

Isn't Dr Bellinga a sweetie as are Dr C & Dr S?

Do pm me if you wish with any pre & post op fotos but will understand if you don't wish to ... 

Also try the restaurant that Jenny and I went to last May,  but only if you are up to it.

It's really good and only a few minutes walk from the hotel and around the corner from the old 'Jenny's Nest'

See:  https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187439-d2214190-Reviews-El_Tanguito-Marbella_Costa_del_Sol_Province_of_Malaga_Andalucia.html

I had a kind of shepherds pie which was lovely.

Anyway happy healing and look forward to your next report.

Hugs

Paula  xx

PS. By the way it's bloomin cold and cloudy here in South West London with a bitter east to north east wind. Cannot wait to arrive at my apartment in Marbella , see some nice sunshine for a change and use the pool and other facilities there for a few days before surgery.

Hello girls,

Well, I'm day 4 post-op... from Facial Team in Marbella   I can't express just how happy I chose Facial Team!  Although I'm still very swollen, bruised and in pain, I have a feeling it's going to turn out alright.  After a two-night stay at High Care Hospital (a very new, clean and beautiful facility, btw), I'm hanging out in my room at Hotel San Cristobal right in old town by the beach.  Perfect location - I have a room with a bath and gentle hand shower, gentle blow dryer, beautiful views and tons of space.  I can walk to the local supermarket for food and get my laundry done for 10 euros about 3 minutes away.

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[Paula1]

Hi again Shoko,

Trust that you had a good night's sleep.

You were saying that you had a revision rhinoplasty with Dr Bellinga.

My major concern ( which, of course, is quite normal ) is my revision rhinoplasty.

He is taking cartilage from both my ears to improve the appearance of my nose from it's rather USA barbie doll appearance to a more classical European look, as it used to be.

I have never liked my nose but I used to defend it avidly on the Yahoo group FFS Support when I had it done as many of their members criticised it for being too short and piggy like. They were right, of course, as it's presently too small for my face. I compare it to the UK's retired Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle's nose.

Just out of interest what was wrong with your nose and what did Dr B do to it?

Wow that was a long time to be in the operating theatre!!

Have a nice day.

Hugs

Paula

My procedures lasted from about 9am to 11pm: brow/forehead reconstruction, revision rhinoplasty, lip lift, jaw/chin, tracheal shave and hair transplants. 

So here I am, a little bored but if anyone else is here or has questions let me know!!

[Paula1]

Thanks for your pm's Shoko ... 

Just going to check them out.

Sleep well tonight.

Hugs

Paula

[shoko]

I'm back at home now about 2.5 weeks post-op.

The only thing that is bothering me aesthetically is my nose.  This was my second rhinoplasty and I really wanted a smaller nose but my tip is still too tall.  They say it's due to swelling and I have to wait a year but I don't think reduced swelling can make it _that_ much shorter (reduced swelling after my first rhinoplasty didn't make that much difference, either).

I'm a bit frustrated   I'm pretty happy with everything else so far but why can't I ever get the nose right?!  What can I do?

[shoko]

I just need to vent.  I am very unhappy with my rhinoplasty and lip lift.  It's like he paid no attention to what I requested or the photos I showed.  I thought going through this would make me happy, instead now I'm depressed, not to mention out a lot of money and having to recover for nothing

[Laura_7]

I just need to vent.  I am very unhappy with my rhinoplasty and lip lift.  It's like he paid no attention to what I requested or the photos I showed.  I thought going through this would make me happy, instead now I'm depressed, not to mention out a lot of money and having to recover for nothing

*hugs*

But you say you had brow/forehead reconstruction, revision rhinoplasty, lip lift, jaw/chin, tracheal shave and hair transplants ...

surely there are things you are happy with ?

Have you considered if light makeup would make a difference, or a change in complexion ... like a little tan ?


Maybe they would do another revision in case ... with reduced fees ?
According to others nose revisions are not easy ...


*hugs*

[shoko]

*hugs*

But you say you had brow/forehead reconstruction, revision rhinoplasty, lip lift, jaw/chin, tracheal shave and hair transplants ...

surely there are things you are happy with ?

Have you considered if light makeup would make a difference, or a change in complexion ... like a little tan ?


Maybe they would do another revision in case ... with reduced fees ?
According to others nose revisions are not easy ...


*hugs*

I'm only unhappy with the rhinoplasty and lip lift (so far, the rest I think will turn out well).  But those are probably the most prominent and important features.  I already had a rhinoplasty before and I don't want to go through this again.  I mean it's like he was so careless I can't believe it.  And they turned around and blamed me, saying I didn't want the tip of my nose touched, something I definitely never said!

Now I'll probably need to delay my GCS because of this, it ruins everything I'm so angry

[Laura_7]

I'm only unhappy with the rhinoplasty and lip lift (so far, the rest I think will turn out well).  But those are probably the most prominent and important features.  I already had a rhinoplasty before and I don't want to go through this again.  I mean it's like he was so careless I can't believe it.  And they turned around and blamed me, saying I didn't want the tip of my nose touched, something I definitely never said!

Now I'll probably need to delay my GCS because of this, it ruins everything I'm so angry

*hugs*

Try to make the best of it.
Have you tried some makeup ? And there should be parts which have improved.

I'd try to calm down and really have a look at it. Probably there are large areas where there is an improvement.

I'd talk to them politely then, and talk about a possible revision.
I'd not get upset simply be insistent they share a part of the fees.
You can say you are active on boards, its possible they want to keep up a good reputation.
Nose revisions may be difficult, I'd assume they know this.
So some kind of agreement satisfying both sides might be found.

*hugs*

[shoko]

*hugs*

Try to make the best of it.
Have you tried some makeup ? And there should be parts which have improved.

I'd try to calm down and really have a look at it. Probably there are large areas where there is an improvement.

I'd talk to them politely then, and talk about a possible revision.
I'd not get upset simply be insistent they share a part of the fees.
You can say you are active on boards, its possible they want to keep up a good reputation.
Nose revisions may be difficult, I'd assume they know this.
So some kind of agreement satisfying both sides might be found.

*hugs*

I understand, I've been totally civil about this via email.  All they're saying is wait until 3 months for the next Skype follow up.  But they don't understand, makeup cannot hide a disproportionately large nose, and everyone notices it.  It's embarrassing to go out.  The problem is, I'm not sure I trust him to fix the problem if he won't even admit to it.

I went in as a patient.  I didn't disclose that I'm a doctor who works frequently at plastic surgery centers here in Beverly Hills.  I know what I'm talking about and surgeons here are surprised as well.  It's unacceptable!

[Laura_7]

So what happened in your opinion ? Was it a misunderstanding ?

Do you have something in writing, or a preview photo where you specified what you want ?


Well is it possible they do not admit in general, and come around later ?



Sorry you feel that way ... but I'd say most people don't notice ...

*hugs*

[shoko]

So what happened in your opinion ? Was it a misunderstanding ?

Do you have something in writing, or a preview photo where you specified what you want ?


Well is it possible they do not admit in general, and come around later ?



Sorry you feel that way ... but I'd say most people don't notice ...

*hugs*

Oh I was very clear, I even gave them plenty of sample photos too.  But for him to say I didn't want my tip touched when there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever I would ever say such a thing?  That's wrong

Where I work, if the patient is upset the patient is right!  I've done plenty of revisions that are done free of charge and there is no argument!

The problem is, it will cost me to take time off again and fly there even if it was free

[Laura_7]

Yes of course.

Could it have been an internal mixup, like wrong notes ?

Do you have an idea how they usually handle requests for revisions ?


*hugs*