FFS

[heatherrose]

I transitioned two months after my 40th birthday.
Early in my transition I considered FFS but now almost four
years later after one year of hormones.
I know I do not need it.

[Deanna_Renee]

I voted, not yet transitioned, because, well, I haven't transitioned yet. But, when I do, and I will, then I definitely plan on FFS and it will likely fall into the over 30 category (not really an option any longer, I'm 48).

Deanna

[Nero]

I wonder if age really has much to do with at all. If you're destined to develop a browridge or sharp jawline, doesn't that happen during puberty?

[heatherrose]

doesn't that happen during puberty?

The brow ridge and all that can take into the twenties to develop and testosterone
continues to affect the way a man looks for the rest of his life.

[Janet_Girl]

I am too old to go thru all the surgeries that we can get to help.  And I personally don't think I look that bad.  I leave those to you younger girls.

When you get my age you realize that you will not be a Super model, but you can be a happy Grandma.


Janet

[FairyGirl]

after one year of hormones.
I know I do not need it.

That's the reason I keep telling myself I'm waiting at least 2 years before any FFS. Many in that other thread about what surgery to have first seem vehement that FFS is all important. To me my SRS is much more important, and something I don't have to wait to see what hormones are going to do first before I have it. I'll have the rest of my life to get any FFS procedures I want, but I'd rather live it as a completed woman. Some might even argue that one is not complete without FFS, but for me personally after SRS will be close enough.

[heatherrose]

To me my SRS is much more important, and something I don't have
to wait to see what hormones are going to do first before I have it.

Especially when FFS can cost MORE than SRS.

[Janet_Girl]

Especially when FFS can cost MORE than SRS.

Yeah.  What is up with THAT!


Janet

[MeghanAndrews]

Just turned 39 when I got FFS. I would have had to have gotten it at 18, age didn't have much to do with my appearance. Sometimes bones are in place when you are younger. Sure, T can definitely add to the male facial structure but for some of us, just like some MTF you see at 18 on HRT for a year or two, FFS is the only way to live life being seen as the gender we are.

[Buffy]

Out of all the things I have had done, FFS was by far the most critical in my transition. We live in a society where women are taken at the value of their face (whereas men are taken at face value).

The change in my self confidence and the loss of paranoia had a marked effect on my happiness and ability to live and work (and importantly to me - be seen as Female).

We are not all the same and have different beliefs and values, mine has always been to fully look the part and be able to back that up when I open my mouth and speak. SRS was just the icing on the cake.

Buffy

[Agent_J]

Early in my transition I considered FFS but now almost four
years later after one year of hormones.
I know I do not need it.

That's why I'm taking a "wait and see" attitude about it.  For me, being woman has multiple significant points, many of which are beyond my face and since I've no solid reason to believe it absolutely necessary for me, it becomes a question of what I want.  I'm also watching how realistic I'm being with my expectations in life e.g. trying not to let myself put value in places and on procedures where it is unwarranted because that path easily leads to serious disappointment.

[Blanche]

FFS at 30.  GRS at 35.  I'm an Ousterhout & Bowers graduate & I love your country for having such great surgeons!

[heatherrose]

I agree that FFS is necessary for many girls to increase their chances
of living a more hassle free life. If anyone feels that this procedure will
help them with their confidence level, then wonderful go for it.

I have seen such awesome transformations of facial features as a
result of HRT. What I have a problem understanding is, people who are
still early in their transition, championing the wonders of the procedure for
others who have not even started HRT. Many that I have seen actually
have little to worry about and quite possibly HRT will provide
them with the results they are seeking.

If they do go through with FFS early into their transition as
nature runs it's course with HRT, it is likely the facial features
will change even further and it is impossible to know if the
result will be all that great. Why waste your money?

[Butterfly]

I have seen such awesome transformations of facial features as a
result of HRT. What I have a problem understanding is, people who are
still early in their transition, championing the wonders of the procedure for
others who have not even started HRT. Many that I have seen actually
have little to worry about and quite possibly HRT will provide
them with the results they are seeking.

The opposite is also true.  Not everybody responds well to hormones.  I'm the perfect example.  Despite having been on HRT for several years, hormones only transformed into a feminised male and as such, I couldn't have had a successful transition, so I opted for FFS & it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made.

If they do go through with FFS early into their transition as
nature runs it's course with HRT, it is likely the facial features
will change even further and it is impossible to know if the
result will be all that great. Why waste your money?

Regardless of our personal views, that's for the person undergoing FFS to decide. 

[YoungSoulRebel]

The brow ridge and all that can take into the twenties to develop and testosterone
continues to affect the way a man looks for the rest of his life.

This.  Look at several male actors who've had a career that's spanned twenty years or more, preferably those who started acting in their early twenties.  Testosterone affects one's body throughout one's life, long past puberty.

[Dorothy]

I'm 29.  Had FFS 3 years ago & GRS last year.  I guess I could've gotten by without FFS, I was fairly passable but I wanted others to see me as a woman not as a trans woman & with my pre-FFS looks, I could only aim for the latter.

[umop ap!sdn]

FFS would help most of us, myself included. Not only for passing and confidence, but to make us look more like ourselves. I'd love to have more feminized facial features, but I get by well enough that it's not really worth it. To be able to use the ladies' room at work everyday without incident is good enough.

Look at several male actors who've had a career that's spanned twenty years or more, preferably those who started acting in their early twenties.  Testosterone affects one's body throughout one's life, long past puberty.

Very true, although I believe the skeletal changes happen early on. The sooner HRT can work its magic on soft tissues, the better, but hormones don't affect bone or cartilage.

[Dana Lane]

Heather, hormones did a wonderful job on your face! I know I will have to get at least some FFS. At least a nose job. I am going to wait and see for the rest of it, though.

[Hannah]

I was telling my therapist about my planned ffs and got so engrossed that I didn't notice how stunned she was. To the average person having the bones in your face ground down and reshaped seems to be mind blowing. She's had facial hair removal as well, so she can usually relate somewhat but when I went into detail on forehead reconstruction her face was priceless.

[heatherrose]

Heather, hormones did a wonderful job on your face!

Thank-you for saying so but... that picture was taken three
years before I started hormones and when I was twenty pounds lighter.