My FFS Experience with Dr. Zukowski

[Maybebaby56]

@ 2Cherry, cej, Debra, Michelle, and April, thank you so much for the kind words.

I know everyone touts their surgeon, but I think Dr. Zukowski really is very good - despite my complaints about aftercare.  His name on his personal e-mail is "facesculptor", and that's exactly what he is.  He has been doing reconstructive plastic surgery for 23 years, and FFS for over 19 years.  He does about three procedures a week, so probably over 100 a year.  That's likely over 2000 FFS procedures in his career.

That said, I don't know if he does Type III forehead reconstruction, as he pointedly mentions the disadvantages in breaching the sinus cavity in his consultation correspondence.  I know he told me that he was initially trained to do coronal incision type procedures, but he later switched to endoscopic techniques, and that is his bread and butter.  So if you think you need Type I or Type II forehead work, he might be your guy. Incidentally, both Dr. Harrison Lee and Dr. Eric Bensimon said I needed type I or II forehead contouring, so I know Dr. Zukowski wasn't "selling" me on this. It was the right procedure for me.

I hope this thread has helped others with their FFS decisions!

With kindness,

Terri

[cej]

I'm glad you had a good experience! Zukowski seems to be polarizing, a lot of other surgeons criticize his work but many of his patients love him. I decided I needed type III and went to Spiegel.

[clawdeenwolf]

No I don't believe he does type 3 forehead reconstruction. He can attempt it, but it won't look flat. I've seen photos and I don't like how it looks.

But he is good if you don't have a type 3 forehead.

[anjaq]

Does the Zuchowski endoscopic method really have a much lower risk of scalp numbness than the hairline or coronal incisions? You say you have some scalp numbness, so at least some temporal numbness is happening , as it does with the other methods as well, but are the risks of long term numbness less?

[Maybebaby56]

Does the Zuchowski endoscopic method really have a much lower risk of scalp numbness than the hairline or coronal incisions? You say you have some scalp numbness, so at least some temporal numbness is happening , as it does with the other methods as well, but are the risks of long term numbness less?

You know, that's a good question.  I have a hairline incision, because I had a scalp advance.  Even so, the incision is much shorter than a coronal incision by four to five inches on each side, so fewer nerves may be getting severed. If I didn't elect to have a scalp advance, the incision would have been even smaller. Still, I do have forehead numbness starting just over my eyebrows, except for an interesting little strip right in the middle of my forehead where sensation is already returning, and scalp numbness posterior to the hairline incision. Dr. Zukowski gave the usual disclaimer that feeling would return in the next few weeks or months.

~Terri

[Debra]

Still, I do have forehead numbness starting just over my eyebrows, except for an interesting little strip right in the middle of my forehead where sensation is already returning, and scalp numbness posterior to the hairline incision. Dr. Zukowski gave the usual disclaimer that feeling would return in the next few weeks or months.

Yeah that's what I have too. The middle above the nose has feeling but the rest of the forehead including eyebrows are semi-numb. I can currently only 'raise' my left eyebrow even tho I try to raise both.

[aaajjj55]

Compare me six months ago, before FFS, and me last week, two-months post-op:




I apologize if I have offended those of you who reject gender stereotypes, or feel that "being a woman" is a lot more than your clothes or the physical appearance of your body.  I can appreciate that point of view, but I am very much gender binary, and I have come to the conclusion that my "inner self" does not count as currency for my desire to be accepted by others in society as female. 

Terri,

I am in awe at what you have achieved, an inspiration to all of us of more advanced age (although I doubt anyone would guess looking at you!).

Am totally with you on the gender stereotype issue.  I'm very much of the 'each to their own' point of view and ultimately, it depends on how one's dysphoria manifests itself.  Mine tends to centre on a yearning for the lifestyle ('socia' dysphoria) but this tends to be a more specific view of the female lifestyle rather than just wanting to be female whatever (and, in fact, I will often see a woman in the street and think that, if that is womanhood, no thanks).  If, and it's a very big if, I was to consider transition, I am realistic and know that, as I am a similar age to you, no amount of FFS is ever going to turn me into a 20 year old beauty.  I would, however, need to feel comfortable that I could become a reasonably attractive middle aged woman and if I couldn't satisfy myself on that, then I can't see how transition would give me the fulfilment I crave.  As I said at the start, though, each to their own and I know that many others will have a different view on what works for them.

In the meantime, congratulations on your achievement and thank you for sharing your experience and results with us.

Amanda

[Maybebaby56]

Thank you, Amanda, for your kind words.

I am realistic and know that, as I am a similar age to you, no amount of FFS is ever going to turn me into a 20 year old beauty.  I would, however, need to feel comfortable that I could become a reasonably attractive middle aged woman and if I couldn't satisfy myself on that, then I can't see how transition would give me the fulfilment I crave. 

These were my thoughts exactly.  My goal, from the beginning of my transition, was to be "a reasonably attractive middle aged woman" that one would not look twice at while walking down the street.  I will never have a womb, or bear children, or have a girlhood or mother-daughter relationship, or grow up with others girls and have a lifetime to learn what it is to be a woman in our society, both good and bad. I feel post-transition social acceptance is my only remaining claim to womanhood.

I risked my family, friends, and career on the chance I could have "ten good years"  being accepted a woman in society, "good years" being defined as financial independence and reasonably good health. Of course, I would love to be thought of as pretty, and being gender binary, I want men to be attracted to me, although I am probably bisexual at this stage of my transition.  Somehow, I have managed to acquire a boyfriend even at this stage of my transition, and once I am anatomically correct I hope I will be able to fulfill my role as a girlfriend and maybe even someday as a wife. If I can do that, all the pain and suffering and doubt will have been worth it.

Thank you again for your well wishes,

Terri

[TaylorLeigh]

Wow. Great results!

[R R H]

What fabulous results Terri. You look wonderful x

[icy]

Wow you look so gorgeous!

I wonder why doctor z doesn't narrow/refine the nostril tip to make it more tinier.

I just wanted to post an update.  I am now almost two months post-op, and while recovery is slow, I am mostly pain-free.  Still, many areas of my face are either tender (orbital rims, ear lobes believe it or not) or numb (forehead, front of scalp, under jaw, tips of ears).

I am still spitting sutures, which are most noticeable on my forehead.  My neck often hurts and I am constantly massaging it because it is so uncomfortable. Right now, my biggest problem area is my neck, which is still quite swollen, and the fact my nostrils are uneven and the tip of my nose is still swollen.  All these problems will likely resolve in the next few months, I am told.

You can see that here:


All that said, if you compare this photo or my avatar photo to what I used to look like, the difference is huge. Despite the pain, despite the cost, FFS has been very worthwhile for me. 

~Terri

[yashika_1989]

Terri, congrats, you seem to have had great results. Am glad for you.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It really helps!

[Christine1]

Thanks Terri! You look amazing. I haven't started hrt but I am only an hr from dr. Z? Your results are just amazing.

[Maybebaby56]

Wow you look so gorgeous!

I wonder why doctor z doesn't narrow/refine the nostril tip to make it more tinier.

Hi Icy,

If that is what you want, I am sure Dr. Z could give you that look. I did not specify at all. I can tell you that at day 12, the first day all the surgical tape came off, I had a perfect little slightly upturned nose. Within a week, the tip became more swollen, and I noticed I was developing a bump on the bridge of my nose. I will be talking to Dr. Z this week about the possibility of filing down the bone this summer.  The tip seems to be getting smaller on its own, which Is what I was told to expect.

With kindness,

Terri

[maybeventually]

Hi Terri,

I'm scheduled with Dr. Z in September! Thank you so much for sharing your FFS experience with him in such detail!

[Maybebaby56]

Hi Terri,

I'm scheduled with Dr. Z in September! Thank you so much for sharing your FFS experience with him in such detail!

You're welcome! I am glad it helped. Good luck with your surgery in September!  If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

With kindness,

Terri

[Female2female]

Hi Rachel,

I was naive. Dr. Zukowski is fully credentialed to use local hospitals, and he offers that option, but he sells the idea that his clinic is cleaner and cheaper.  It may very well be, but the one thing I did not consider, and he did not mention, was that your options for pain management are limited when you are in a hotel room with a nurse.

I was in a *lot* of pain after surgery.  I was begging for more pain meds, but the nurse could only do so much. In a hotel room, there is no blood oximeter or means of artificial ventilation, so there is a real danger from fatal respiratory depression from opioid overdose. I really suffered. It was a mistake I'll never make again.

But yes, I am pleased with the results!  I wish you much luck and great blessings for your upcoming surgery.

~Terri

I am most likely booking surgery with Dr Bart Van de Ven, does anyone know what the pain management is like at his clinic?  I think I only get one night in hospital, then I am in a guesthouse.  Are there doctors that keep you in hospital for more than a night or two?

[Sonja]

It sounds like post op care is something that really has to be carefully thought of and organised.

Sonja.