When should I start working on appointment for FFS?

[SammyHatesGreenEggs]

Good morning all,

I wanted to check how long everyone else gave HRT before they had FFS?  Are there any major wait times for the procedures either?  Finally, did you complete facial hair removal prior to FFS?

I don't know for sure yet if I'll need FFS, but don't want to add wait time if I could/should be doing something in regards to it in the interim.

Thanks for your advice,
-Sam

[Charlie Nicki]

Good question, I would like to know as well. What I can answer is that hair removal takes a long time so you should definitely start as soon as you can.

[Kendra]

I agree with Charlie Nicki.  If you have the resources to consider FFS, I recommend permanent facial hair removal without delay.  I didn't fully understand the impact of hair removal until I had it done.  It's not just visible stubble - thousands of roots below surface change the texture and color of skin.  FFS and recovery takes part of a year - permanent hair removal often requires 2 or 3 years. 

HRT can reduce the need for FFS with changes to facial muscle and fat but doesn't have any effect on bone shape unless you're very young.

[kitchentablepotpourri]

I was on HRT for five years before I had FFS, and I would have gotten it after 1-2 years of HRT if I had the $monkey for it.  I didn't have my facial hair removal completed prior to FFS, but I didn't have a lot of facial hair, barely any hair grew on my cheeks, and the hair on my upper lip and chin was not very dense, which I am very thankful for since facial hair removal can cost 10k or more.

[Kendra]

Yeah I should add that - not everyone has the same facial hair density to start with.  My beard was thick.  And sometimes I can just be dense. 

[Colleen_definitely]

I would give HRT at least a year to do its thing.  I would also get as far along in hair removal as possible as well.  Those two combined did thing I never thought they could for me to the point where if I do end up getting FFS it's going to be for really minor things.

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

I would give HRT 2 years, personally. After only HRT and laser hair removal, I'm already passing sometimes. I don't even wear makeup or typically female clothing.

[Paige33455]

A question to ask yourself is whether or not you want to continue "torturing" your skin after you've invested so much in FFS. Particularly if you find that facial hair removal will require electrolysis rather than laser.  If you need electrolysis, I recommend you get as many treatments done before starting HRT.  The longer you're on a hormone regimen the more your skin will change and the more uncomfortable/painful electrolysis becomes.

In my case i'm approaching 170 hours of electrolysis and just short of two years on HRT. I started both about the same time and noticed a big change in the pain level AT about 6 or 7 months on hormones. I wanted to get the majority of my electrolysis completed before FFS to minimize the chance of damaging my face/skin and affecting the surgical result negatively.

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

A question to ask yourself is whether or not you want to continue "torturing" your skin after you've invested so much in FFS. Particularly if you find that facial hair removal will require electrolysis rather than laser.  If you need electrolysis, I recommend you get as many treatments done before starting HRT.  The longer you're on a hormone regimen the more your skin will change and the more uncomfortable/painful electrolysis becomes.

In my case i'm approaching 170 hours of electrolysis and just short of two years on HRT. I started both about the same time and noticed a big change in the pain level AT about 6 or 7 months on hormones. I wanted to get the majority of my electrolysis completed before FFS to minimize the chance of damaging my face/skin and affecting the surgical result negatively.

100% agree, get all of your facial hair removed before FFS. That takes about 2 years anyway, which gives you time to see what HRT does.

[Allison S]

I've had consultations for rhinoplasty well before accepting that I'm trans. I think it's fine to meet with surgeons for ffs whenever but what's important is taking your time. Choosing the right surgeon for you is going to take time and for me it's going on more than 7 years just for my nose (which I don't recommend if you know what you want. I didn't)... Surgeons can make suggestions but it's all a matter of your vision matching with their artistry and skill set.
Good luck!

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[jill610]

For me my forehead and orbital rims/brow bossing is my big cause of dysphoria and in my mind ability to "pass". Others tell me I'm nuts but either way I am heading to Spain it seems in September which will be almost exactly a year on hormones. I do see a big difference from laser and hormones. My pigmented hair is about 90% gone and I'm about to start electrolysis for the white ones, which was maybe 10% of the total. Hopefully hair free by September.

[Colleen_definitely]

My orbital rims are the thing that really bothers me as well.  I suppose while the doc is in there with his angle grinder or whatever that he can knock back my brow ridge at the same time.  No cis people notice these features but they just bother me, especially in photos where I don't pick my chin up quite enough. 

Getting the hair burned out of my face made an enormous impact for me.  Then of course HRT's magic helped on top of that.

[SammyHatesGreenEggs]

Thanks for the advice from everyone!

I start laser hair removal next week (on face and...other areas needed for surgery down the road).  Almost all of my hair is dark, and my skin is light, so I'm hoping that can do 80-90% of it with electrolysis for the rest.

Based on what I've heard here, I'll give that and HRT a year or two before seriously looking into FFS.

[IsabellaSwan]

I remember back in the day, before I had any FFS, someone advised I complete facial hair removal before FFS, because afterwards it reportedly got much more painful. That being said, keep in mind that trauma to places where hair removal has been performed can result in dormant follicles reawakening and therefore requiring you to get a touch up.

[Dani]

I had FFS with only 2 years of HRT. I am still doing electrolysis with almost 120 hours done.

My schedule may not be ideal, but it works for me.