Hi Everyone! Wow, it looks like this thread is on fire. LOL
I've been dealing with a nasty virus for a few weeks so I haven't had the time to peek in here.
First off, I am soooo sorry some of you have had issues with your FFS assessments. I know that it's a HUGE step for you, and there are ALWAYS concerns and yeah it can be very scary. Those were certainly not the issues I had with Dr. DiMaggio, nor was I ever aware of this type of thing going on when it came to his practice. So I can only comment on my own experiences (and I have right on this thread).
I think I've been very fair when it came to my own assessment of his work and practices. If you go back a few pages, you can see what I mean.
In regards to what others say that have worked for him, I really can't say much because, in all fairness, I don't know nor was I ever concerned with their working or personal relationships. I was only concerned with my FFS and whatever results I wanted to have. I always take those things with a grain of salt. Besides, who wants to get caught up in all that drama?
I know that it can be very disheartening to hear comments like those that have been posted on this thread ( I haven't scoured the Forum for more). Again, I was NOT there in person when these comments were made so I will try to remain as neutral as I can. However, I can attest that some FFS surgeons (that I interviewed) can sometimes be a bit cocky and arrogant, and some, unfortunately, will feed you more than a few "darlings, Honeys, and beautiful" in hopes you'll sign up with them. I think most of us are smart enough to figure that out.
I will also tell you that some of us that were pre-FFS-op (and I would include myself on this) expect to come out of surgery with these very high expectations. In fact, when I used a few photos of women (models, actresses etc) I liked faces on, I was told, "Um, no...realistically your bone structure can't give you the results you want." This was at the beginning of my FFS journey when I was interviewing most FFS doctors. However, I did get a few that said, " I can't give you those faces, but what I can give you is a female version of you." My first response was "What the heck does that mean?" I couldn't really imagine a female version of my face! I had no way of really knowing...and that was really disheartening as well. So I get what you ladies are saying to a certain degree. I think for me it was mostly NOT knowing what I would end up looking like especially after that!
As I started to interview more doctors ( Facial Team, Dr. Ousterhuat, and others and then finally Dr. DI), I started to realize that I may not look like a model, but I'll probably look like my female twin, I began to be ok with that. I had spoken to another doctor ( he shall remain nameless) that promised me all sorts of things and told me how he could create this face that would light up a room when I would walk in. When I took a look of his work, I was not impressed with the plastic looking expressions. You could tell they had work done. I wanted to just look as natural as I could at this point. So I passed on him (plus, he kept calling me sweetie, and stuff and that just turned me off).
When I had a consult with Dr. Ousterhaut, Facial Team and eventually Dr. DiMaggio, they ALL told me almost the same thing about what I needed or didn't need. That's when I started to see a positive pattern. That's when I began to trust them a bit more. All of them told me my type III forehead would be a challenge, but once it was worked on it would make a difference. They also told me I had a lot of fat under my chin, and I would probably want lipo, and a lift, especially after the chin reduction since the skin, would just droop down after the face had settled. Honestly, I had never thought of that. I was looking at my nose and forehead mostly. And yes, I too thought they were initially trying to up-sell me. It's okay to be guarded and careful. Don't let anyone tell you not to be. It's your freakin' face, and it's not like you can just keep getting it fixed if it doesn't work out. Sure, simple revisions should be done if need be, but to continuously get work done might cause more problems for you in the end. Our bodies aren't cut out for all that. At least mine isn't. So getting it "right" the first time is important certainly.
I settled on Dr. DiMaggio because I thought he would be just as aggressive as Dr. Ousterhaut ( Dr. O was already getting ready to retire and I didn't really feel comfy with his protege'). After looking at Dr. DiM's FFS work I thought he was the best fit for me ( AGAIN...the best fit for ME). Plus, I was being told by Dr. O that my face would cost $49,500 or so to get done!!! Yikes. I wasn't ready for that total either. lol My FFS with Dr. DiMaggio cost me less than half of that, and I am happy with the results! Sure, there will always be a few things that I would want to get done here and there, but I am also aware that my Facial Dysphoria is pretty bad and I can't trust that. Luckily, my wife and friends are there to help me out with their love and honesty.
As far as my FFS goes, it's made a HUGE difference! My face has continued to change here and there a little more than a year later. It's not as plump/swollen as it was and you can see a little more of my age lines here and there, but I am happy. I'm also very tall too 6'2. And yes, I get people telling me the obvious "You are tall!" But, I don't get, "Are you a man?" Even if people find out ( because I share my story with them), they always seem to be shocked that I was ever in my "male form".
So my advice on what others say or gossip about here is --stay away from it, and concentrate on getting the facts from the doctors. If you are NOT happy with the answers you are getting then, by all means, look for another Doctor that will. Ask those of us that have gone through the process if need be, about our experiences and see if that matches with your own expectations. YOU are the ONLY one that can make that call.
I hope the above helps a bit.
And with that, I'm going to ask as a courtesy to my thread that you start another one to discuss any issues not associated to my original posts.
Peace and HUGS Everyone!
