Thank you!
Looking back at 10 nights: 2 at HC Hospital, 8 at Aldea health resort. Knowing what I do now, would I do this the same way? Absolutely, yes.
We each have unique details in our goals. And factors including health, age, genetic background, finances. I am saddened by the fact not every transgender individual has access to resources for FFS, much as GCS and other procedures that may improve quality of life or are even life-saving are often out of reach. I have felt guilty at times posting when things go well. I want to provide information to potentially help others, much as the information I gathered from friends I made here at Susan's Place definitely helped my decisions.
I will say this purely on my own, not as site volunteer (moderator) but just my thoughts:
if you have the money to have FFS you should be donating to Susan's Place to help others. I do, and I do. The information at Susan's has changed peoples' lives and in many cases has literally saved lives. I didn't know some things were even possible until I spent time here.
Looking back at the first ten days, it was day three when it hit me: this is a profound change. I had been told this might happen, but looking at before/after photos is two-dimensional and didn't quite prepare me for what I saw in the mirror. I'll admit I sat down on day three several times, crying like I never have before and in a good way. It still stops me in my tracks when I'm not thinking about it and catch a reflection in a window - how a relatively slight change in skull shape has such an impact on facial features.
The other thing I wasn't expecting is just how comprehensive the aftercare is. Careful facial massages, optional acupuncture, hair washed by a nurse each day, daily checks for blood pressure, pulse and oxygen level. The on-site nurse at Aldea can provide sleeping medicine if necessary (I didn't, but heard about this from another FacialTeam guest). A FacialTeam psychologist holds an optional weekly meeting at Aldea and is available on-call. I don't think any of this was frivolous - these are things to help with healing. I had some pain in my eyes post-op, probably from swelling but it wasn't going away quickly enough. FacialTeam arranged to take me to an ophthalmologist as a precaution, but I canceled that after the second acupuncture session removed the pain. I don't exactly know how acupuncture works but it worked for me. I am amazed at the quality of post-op aftercare, and of course the operation itself.
If you stay at Aldea, the current arrangement is you'll be checking into Aldea the first night where you'll have a large private room with two small beds and lots of storage space. From Aldea you'll go to HC Hospital for two nights, leaving the majority of your stuff in your room at Aldea. The food at both places is good enough to get the job done - better than many airlines but it ain't a tapas bar. Something I wish Aldea provided was filtered water - I usually drink tap water (it's totally safe in this area). I've heard the bottled water they sell is expensive, so I picked up a few litres at a grocery before settling in at Aldea. I asked FacialTeam if there's a way for Aldea to add a water filter machine in the hallway or dining area - maybe they will in the future.
Things to bring to Aldea:
- Full size container of shampoo, conditioner and other hair products. I mistakenly brought miniature airline carry-on size of my favorite hair products and promptly ran out because I didn't realize my hair would be washed every day.
- Full size hairbrush if you have long hair. I almost brought a compact travel brush instead, and was glad to have my full size brush. After surgery and initial hair washing my hair was a tangled mess... required careful brushing.
- Hair straightening iron (if you use one), 110-220 volts. For travel I use an inexpensive dual-voltage with an insulated carry bag, easier to pack if it's still warm.
$25 USD on Amazon.
- International power plug adapters. If your home is in North America, I like
this one because it's small.
- Chap Stick. If you're into the Katy Perry song bring cherry flavored. You won't be breathing through your nose a week or two after FFS, and that means you'll wake up every morning with very dry lips from breathing through your mouth.
- Q-Tips to help clean areas around your nose if you get that altered. And for eye goobers or whatever the technical term is.
- Little purse-size packages of Kleenex tissue. Having my face taken apart and reassembled caused a runny nose for several days.
- Sandals. Weather in Marbella is usually nice, but the main reason is for indoors. Sandals are easier to put on than socks or shoes, and the first few days after surgery you may not feel like bending down.
- Sharpie felt pen. Why? Because the pills provided for the first few days all look similar and have teeeny markings on the foil packaging and might not be English language. To help avoid mistakes, write what they are on the packaging.
- Spray-on sunscreen, especially for face. You probably won't apply this for the first few days, but once you do go outside the sun here can be intense. I didn't bring one but a hat might be good.
- Makeup remover. I used this to remove glue from outside of my nose after the plastic splint/cap was removed.
- Makeup. I don't normally wear foundation but needed it after day 7 (when makeup is first allowed) to cover bruising.
- Phone, laptop, charger.
- Soft bristle toothbrush. After FFS you will have stitches inside your mouth - best with soft bristles.
- Tweezers. You won't use these at first, but if you have a lip lift some stitches will work their way through the skin. Don't force it - give the stitches time to dissolve - but tweezers can be handy for very carefully removing flaking skin next to the stitches.
- If you've recently had GCS: spare underwear, pads, dilation kit.
Things you won't need at Aldea:
- Hair dryer. Aldea has one built into the wall, and their dryer has a North America style power outlet (for powering your flat iron) although that is 220 volts not 110v.
- Extra snacks, unless you have a favorite (there isn't a grocery nearby, and no convenience store or vending machine on-site). Your room includes a small fridge and there is plenty of stuff in the dining room - extra fruit you can take to your room, packaged yogurt etc.
Bring to HC Hospital:
- Chap Stick
- Toothbrush etc.
- Sandals. Easier than dealing with socks or shoes after surgery. The place is very clean but you should never walk barefoot on any hospital floor.
- Phone, laptop, charger, and international power plug adapters.
- If you've recently had GCS: spare underwear, pads, dilation kit. Bladder control might not be good the first day after anesthesia.
After leaving FacialTeam and Aldea I took a train to Madrid and stayed at an AirBnB near the main train station. I didn't realize how much Madrid is like a Spanish version of Paris - filled with sidewalk cafés selling tapas, carefully preserved historic buildings all through the central district, and it's huge. I walked 7 hours in one day and enjoyed every minute. According to my GPS that was 7 miles (11km).
Balcony of AirBnB apartment in Madrid, $65 USD per night.
Plaza Mayor (Major Town Square)
Ten days post-op
