Overwhelmed by FFS and feel at a loss

[Meena]

I've been researching FFS for over a year now, mostly lurking and compiling information on surgeons. I know what I would like done and have enough money and can loan a small amount. But I'm so lost as to who to go to and it's left me feeling depressed and stagnant. I don't want to wait any longer, I want to make a choice.
How do you decide on a surgeon?

Particularly people who have had surgery or have made their deposit/booked surgery; what made you feel you knew enough to decide?

I was going to go with Facial Team because their results on their website look pleasing and they have a legion of fangirls. Then I kept hearing bad things about their lack of craniofacial specialty and how their results are too subtle to make a difference (which often looks the case).

I was considering Dr Bart van de Ven because I like the approach of the clinic but haven't found a great deal of information out there as to whether he's worth travelling abroad or is simply popular to Europeans.

I was considering Dr. Marcelo Di Maggio because he is so affordable and has a reputation for amazing forehead work (my primary concern). But I keep hearing about how his work is "too smoothed out" and cannot find enough photos of his patients to feel safe.

So I'm lost and exhausted. I don't know who to choose and I feel desperate and tired of waiting.

I am going with Facial Team for exactly the reason you mention above- that they make subtle changes- because I feel that small changes can have a huge impact when it comes to psychology and when it comes to harmonizing the rest of the face. I transitioned many winters ago and I am not unhappy with my face on the whole- so I didn't want a massive change which would affect my mind and relationships with people who only know me as a woman. I think that a really dramatic change would have a negative impact on me, to be honest. I want to be able to see myself in my face and I want my husband to still see the face that he fell in love with me.

I chose FT also because of their preferred method of accessing the forehead (coronal incision). I know there are differing opinions on how best to access the forehead but I, personally, didn't want a scar at my hairline. Secondly, I wanted hair transplants and FT will be using the skin they cut off to harvest hair follicles for my transplant, immediately after my forehead is done. I am realistic in that the changes will be subtle and for me the rejuvenating effect of this surgery (along with the feminizing effect) was an important consideration- I am over 40, afterall. Thirdly, I am in Europe and Marbella is a 4 hour flight from where I live- it is far easier for me to come home from Spain than it would be from the US  or Central/ South America.

[alejandratx]

I went to Dr. Cardenas in Mexico, and personally would recommend him.  It helps if you speak some spanish, but by no means required (Saw another gal there who didn't speak a bit of it).  I had type 1 forehead brow reduction, orbital rim, hairline lowered, upper lip, jaw recontouring, and some fat injections too, along with a facelift.

I get hit on now by guys.. gals tell me I look gorgeous.  They didn't before.   That alone is enough to convince me it worked.  That and the b4/after kinda makes it obvious too.

Hope this helps someone.

do you have a price range/ list for him. i know theres supposed to be one on his website but its a broken link right now.