FFS: most bang for the buck

[Toni]

Morning girls. I know this has come up before. I tried to find a specific FFS forum but was unable to.  Moderator feel free to move me if there's a better place for this post.  I'm going to have srs soon in Thailand and have been thinking about some FFS at the same time/ same visit.  I have given this some thought and come up with the following, understand I don't have unlimited cash, srs is on my dime:
     Forehead/brow-maybe eyebrow lift, hair line/style can reduce this impact for less money than forehead work that costs almost as much as srs?
     I have thin lips-fuller lips might reduce visual length to chin and nose,  let me wear more lipstick when I wanted, another visual impact to look less male?
     femininize nose- mine isn't too bad, but could be made more feminine, I'd like that.
     Facial hair-maybe get a full electrolysis while I'm recovering, or maybe while under for the srs?  Cheaper than stateside? 
     Eyelid surgery-open up my eyes and make them look bigger, more feminine, more makeup?
     My trachea isn't very big and I can do voice work.  I'm not binary and don't need to pass all the time, but I'm trying to find good places to put the little extra I have that will make me look decidedly more feminine when I choose to do so.  I see nice looking cis women with faces all over the map. Thoughts, please?  Thanks, Toni

[rmaddy]

A current picture might help.

The only thing that stands out for me on the list is the idea to have electrolysis while you're under.  Although electrolysis is somewhat painful, it couldn't possibly be cost effective under general anesthesia.  Additionally, electrolysis needs to be done for months to years, to catch hairs that are out of growth phase.

If you are going to be in Thailand anyway, it sure makes sense to have FFS while there, although I don't envy you that dual recovery.  I'm one week status post FFS and still quite sore/swollen.  The other way to be cost effective with FFS is to shop your local market.  Depending on where you live you may find someone up to the task--not necessarily an FFS guru, but trained in the relevant procedures.  You can recover at home, which will save you a bundle, and of course you don't have to travel.  Additionally, you gain the ability to easily return to your surgeons office if issues arise.  That's pretty much priceless as far as I am concerned.  FFS is complex--there will be post-op questions.

[tgirlamg]

Hi Toni... There is a lot to be said for having your surgeon within easy travel distance as Rmaddy mentioned... If you are having surgical complications, ( they can happen, even with the best surgeons ) ... The last thing you may want to do is have to fly or travel far to deal with them... I ended up having 4 procedures and multiple re-checks to correct frontal sinus complication from my type III Forehead re-contouring...  Happily my doctors were onljy a two hour drive away

Onward we go!!!

Ashley

[Toni]

Hi Ladies (and you both look great to me), that's the sort of rational thinking that I need right now to help me sort out sense from non sense.  SRS alone is complicated enough as it is.  I certainly will consider your comments, but if one had to choose in order of greatest impact, what would it be?  I know a pic would help, but I remember reading something sort of prioritizing this stuff for effectiveness in a general sense.  Thanks for your valuable input.  Toni

[tgirlamg]

Hey Toni...

Yes, a pic would help but in my own case... I think the two procedures that had the most affect on my appearance was the rhinoplasty and the lower face bone work which included chin reshaped and advanced forward... Jaw retapering and masseter muscle reduction.. 

I found Dr Ousterhouts book on FFS to be a great source of information on the procedures and I had read it all before my consult!

Onward we go brave sister!

Ashley 😀🌻💗

[Toni]

Thanks Ashley, that helps a lot.  I,ll look for the book, sounds like important reading if I'm considering this.  I guess I could do FFS anytime, but piggyback with srs seemed like maybe an opportunity.  I'm too old to expect something like you younger girls, but then again, I think I can do better than Mrs. Doubtfire! :-)  Toni

[tgirlamg]

Hey Toni

I believe Amazon has it..  A lot of really great info that I think anyone considering FFS should have...

I had FFS and GRS about 4 months apart without an issue but I wouldn't do them much closer together than that... There is a lot of self care and healing that go along with both those procedures!!!


Not sure your age but I did the procedures at age 53 and 54... You can see my starting point pics in reply # 514 in this thread

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,210798.500.html

Feel free to PM if I can be of help along the way sister!

Onward we go!!!

Ashley

[AlexisRene]

Toni. You may want to say the general location or nearest large city where you live currently. Maybe someone could recommend a regional Doctor for you. In another post by rmaddy, she found a nearby surgeon that I had not heard of. They are out there, just not always the easiest to find. Am not trying to sway you away from Thailand at all. Just a thought if you were interested in staying local.

If you are going to be in Thailand anyway, it sure makes sense to have FFS while there, although I don't envy you that dual recovery.  I'm one week status post FFS and still quite sore/swollen.  The other way to be cost effective with FFS is to shop your local market. 

I remember reading a post by someone here who was discussing having GRS/FFS & BA all in one surgery. I have not accomplished anything surgical related, but have met friends who had FFS. Absolutely cannot imagine those first few weeks from doing all 3 at once.

[rmaddy]

I remember reading a post by someone here who was discussing having GRS/FFS & BA all in one surgery. I have not accomplished anything surgical related, but have met friends who had FFS. Absolutely cannot imagine those first few weeks from doing all 3 at once.

Me neither!  FFS plus BA is a lot to handle.  FFS hurts much more in the short term, but I think the discomfort of BA is going to linger longer.

I seem to remember reading some reports from women who have had the trifecta though.  All I can say is "wow!"

[Dena]

Warlockmaker and Susan both used PAI and had multiple surgeries. I think Susan was only FFS and GCS but Warlockmaker had the works.

[Toni]

Thanks all, lots of stuff to think about.  It just seemed worth "bundling" if it made sense.  I have decided to see if a couple of small things could be done with srs, no more, I think raise eyebrows (not bone work), and lip work-that'd move me in the direction i want to see.  I just this last Friday had my latest butt load of pellets and they commented that my face has continued to change, maybe not near done yet.  I think I maybe should wait for anything major until after srs, and hrt is renewed and stabilized for a while.  Appreciate all your help, Toni