Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi everybody!

I'm sure I am no stranger to the FFS forums as of late. Here is a promised thread on my FFS journey with Dr. Cardenas.


My surgery is booked for Saturday, June 21, 2014.
June 19---Leave the US
June 20---Arrive in Guadalajara at 1pm. Consultation with Dr Cardenas during the afternoon
June 21---Surgery day
June 22-26---Recovery
June 27---Fly back to the US


I will be having the following procedures done:
* Forehead remodeling (Dr C claims I only need Type I forehead surgery, but I will try ask for Type III)
* Eyebrow lift
* Hairline advancement
* Rhinoplasty
* Buccal fat pad removal
* Possible neck liposuction


I am not quite sure if I have a type III forehead, but I would like the flattest and most feminine forehead possible, which I believe can only be achieved by Type III surgery. My pre-op pictures can be found below. Post-op pictures coming soon (obviously).


Pre-op Front View

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.tinypic.com%2Fvr38js.jpg&hash=079e61cd258f9c482aa321f0d929b572b9a245d4)

Pre-op Profile View

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.tinypic.com%2Fvwvrk7.jpg&hash=5c4a449e833988fae816d7c12c4978db209b17d3)


(The following updates are edited and added as my journey progresses)

Update 1 (June 20, 2014)
So I just got back from my consultation with Dr. Cardenas.

He has agreed to perform Type III forehead remodeling on me, along with a rhinoplasty, eyebrow lift, hairline advancement, and buccal fat pad removal. My surgery will commence at approximately 5:30 am PST tomorrow morning.

I am a candidate for Type III for the very reason most of you thought I WOULDN'T be---that reason being I am ethnically Asian.

Apparently, the bridge/slant of Asian noses tend to be more "set back" and deeper at the point where the bridge meets the sinus area. That is what gives us the illusion of a flatter nose, as opposed to a caucasian nose where the bridge is more "outwards," less slanted, and more prominent, creating a sharper look. My priority is to obviously appear more feminine while retaining my ethnic appearance, and that is why Type III works for me.

Because of my deeper bridge slant, Type I will only grind the sinus area so much and still leave a protruding sinus over my nose, due to the difference in gradient between my bridge slant and the forehead.

According to Dr. Cardenas, in cases where the bridge is too slant, Type I can still be performed. However, a bridge implant must be used to connect the nose and whatever is left of the sinus area after Type I grinding. This will mask the protruding sinus area. Doing the implant, however, will diminish my Asian appearance, and could possibly make me look more Caucasian, so Type III forehead remodeling it is!

Dr. Cardenas was VERY helpful, and was very mindful of the fact that my ethnicity played an important role in the end-results of my surgery. I am thoroughly impressed. He gave me numerous options on how we can go about the different procedures, and made it clear that the decision was ultimately up to me.

Vicente (team member of Cardenas) has been extremely helpful in guiding my mom and me throughout the process also! The recovery house I am staying at has far exceeded my expectations, and the food is lovely! So far, so good. Now to just wait for the actual surgery.


Update 2 (June 22, 2014)
I am back in the recovery house after spending a day in the hospital.

Dr. Cardenas performed Type III on my forehead as planned, and has promised to show me pictures of the Type III surgery in progress. My forehead and eyes are really swollen but I can already see that my forehead is as flat as I had wanted it, including the sinus area! I can definitely say at this point that Dr. Cardenas' Type III results look VERY promising.

I can't comment on my nose results but will be able to on Wednesday once my cast is removed.

Pain wise, the entire procedure thus far is not so much painful as it is uncomfortable. The only painful experience I've had was when drinking water. The water stung the wounds left by the buccal fat removal inside of my cheeks, and boy did that hurt for a bit.

The services provided at both the hospital and recovery house are top-notch. I will update with pictures as soon as the swelling goes down.


Update 3 (June 26, 2014)
Some pics included in this update!

So this morning I had my nose cast and the tubes inside my nose taken out. I was able to see my nose for a momentarily second before they re-bandaged it. My nose is now considerably thinner all around, and sharper at the tip. Definitely a more aesthetically pleasing and feminine looking nose, but I wasn't jumping up and down upon seeing it. I think it will require me just a bit more time getting used to.

I also regained my sense of taste partially. There are certain foods I can taste, and some that I can't. Sometimes my taste comes back completely, only for it to disappear again 10 mins later. Pretty weird.

I have put together a comparison picture of my forehead results to showcase type III. Note that my forehead and face in general are still very swollen. I was able to see my x-ray's today and it's crazy how much swelling there is around my forehead still. So my forehead's final result should actually appear flatter than in the pics below.

Sorry for the bad pic qualities and lighting. I am still at the recovery house in Guadalajara and this was the best I could do for now (did this on an iPhone). After my swelling subsides and I am back in the US, I will provide some proper post-op pics (including full face) similar in quality to my pre-op pics I first posted when making the thread.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.tinypic.com%2F21earp.jpg&hash=dc690fcae0dffcd407082151bebc069017b2b76a)


Will keep you all updated as time progresses!

You look VERY FEMENINE :)  ... About the type III .. Most probable he will refuse to do it... :/ .. i hope he does not.. but it is the same history over and over again... if he decides to do just type I, there will be an improve anyway...  After all, you are very femenine, maybe a little improvent its all you need.. I hope everything goes fine... :), i think you dont have to worry about complications since he is an experimented surgeron, neither coming to Mexico, i repeat it is not dangerous if you are not a drug dealer.

My best wishes!! Hugs!!

I feel like the only thing You need is forehead and rhinoplasty work, and maybe an eyebrow lift, but not necessary.

Rhinoplasty more as a beautifying type of surgery rather than feminising.

When it comes to forehead, I think he won't do type III purely because You don't have much of a forehead, You do have the brow bossing, this pertruding bit above your nose bridge, but I think dr was right about saying that you only need type I forehead contouring.

I know we as trans women always think and want to go to the absolute maximum of shaving half of our skull, but first of all you don't need that, second of all Type III contouring surgery effects can be noticed, I presume, only in very masculine, caucasian faces, who have a very pertruding forehead, and You're not a candidate for that.

Thanks so much for opening this thread, You wouldn't believe how excited I am for you! Weeeeeerrrrrrrkkkkk!!

In these pictures, does not look like a type III forehead.... I agree he probably will refuse to do it. Roni do you have an oblique profile view?

Jgirl, I presume once type I is performed on Roni's face, it'd be as type III performed on a caucasian patient.

Asian faces tend to be a bit more flatter, and I have a feeling, once the brow bossing is shaved, there will be no forehead overhanging over the bridge of the nose, but we'll see!

Good luck, thanks so much for sharing your journey once again, so valuable !!

It's not about Asian faces vs. Caucasian faces, it's really about how far the frontal sinus protrudes over the bridge of the nose, which can happen at various degrees across all races of people.  I've uploaded Roni's photo and my own pre/post op photos with a black line showing the bridge of the nose in relation to the forehead, attempting to gauge how much actual overhang of the frontal sinus there is. If Dr. C thinks he can reduce the prominence of the frontal sinus to that point with type I, then it's suitable. If not, then type III. I think Roni has a little less prominence and Dr. C might be able to shave it down, but the bone over the frontal sinus can be thin so you generally can't achieve much set back there. Does she absolutely need type III? Probably not, but would type III yield a nicer result, probably would.

Roni have you sent your pics to other surgeons? Have any of them recommended type III?


(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1282.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa532%2Fjgirlpacific%2FRoni_zps798dddaf.png&hash=089514720ece6199e4072d88b33a0dc95412e782) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/jgirlpacific/media/Roni_zps798dddaf.png.html)

For comparison

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1282.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa532%2Fjgirlpacific%2Fprofilebefore_zps3ea6cd08.jpg&hash=c84f98618963e94ec990b4b6d277c5f2a5703971) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/jgirlpacific/media/profilebefore_zps3ea6cd08.jpg.html)

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1282.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa532%2Fjgirlpacific%2FCardenasbeforeampafterprofilecomparison_zps580a0823.jpg&hash=2afc334f121a188bd4c72e837c74e7e4b229abb8) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/jgirlpacific/media/Cardenasbeforeampafterprofilecomparison_zps580a0823.jpg.html)

Notice the amount of setback that Dr C was able to do for me, look at the black line... it's really not very much. I still wonder if bone cement or similar was used in my case although Dr. C insists that it was just shaving only, but looking at the comparisons I'm really doubting that is the case.

Roni, feel free to use my pics with the black line if you want to show to Dr. C how little type I sets the frontal sinus back. As you can see, mine still hangs over almost JUST AS MUCH as before surgery. It's kinda crazy. 

Quote from: jgirl76 on June 18, 2014, 02:11:04 PM
It's not about Asian faces vs. Caucasian faces, it's really about how far the frontal sinus protrudes over the bridge of the nose, which can happen at various degrees across all races of people.  I've uploaded Roni's photo and my own pre/post op photos with a black line showing the bridge of the nose in relation to the forehead, attempting to gauge how much actual overhang of the frontal sinus there is. If Dr. C thinks he can reduce the prominence of the frontal sinus to that point with type I, then it's suitable. If not, then type III. I think Roni has a little less prominence and Dr. C might be able to shave it down, but the bone over the frontal sinus can be thin so you generally can't achieve much set back there. Does she absolutely need type III? Probably not, but would type III yield a nicer result, probably would.

Roni have you sent your pics to other surgeons? Have any of them recommended type III?


(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1282.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa532%2Fjgirlpacific%2FRoni_zps798dddaf.png&hash=089514720ece6199e4072d88b33a0dc95412e782) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/jgirlpacific/media/Roni_zps798dddaf.png.html)

For comparison

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1282.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa532%2Fjgirlpacific%2Fprofilebefore_zps3ea6cd08.jpg&hash=c84f98618963e94ec990b4b6d277c5f2a5703971) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/jgirlpacific/media/profilebefore_zps3ea6cd08.jpg.html)

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1282.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa532%2Fjgirlpacific%2FCardenasbeforeampafterprofilecomparison_zps580a0823.jpg&hash=2afc334f121a188bd4c72e837c74e7e4b229abb8) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/jgirlpacific/media/Cardenasbeforeampafterprofilecomparison_zps580a0823.jpg.html)

Notice the amount of setback that Dr C was able to do for me, look at the black line... it's really not very much. I still wonder if bone cement or similar was used in my case although Dr. C insists that it was just shaving only, but looking at the comparisons I'm really doubting that is the case.

First, thanks for the good wishes everybody! I'm so excited! Gahhhh! I fly out of LAX tomorrow, and it's finally starting to hit me that certain things are about to change forever.

Jgirl, you're completely right with everything you said. If my frontal sinus is too thin there is no way carving it down with Type I will help. The ideal situation would be that my frontal sinus bone is thick, that way more grinding can happen, and a flat "Type III-esque" forehead can be achieved without actually having to undergo Type III.

People who undergo Type III either have extreme brow bossing, or considerable brow bossing but too thin of a frontal bone to work with. I am not the former case, but I could very much be the latter, so Type III is still a possibility for me. Some people who fall under the latter case opt for Type II where a mix of grinding + bone cement is used to mask much of the thin sinus area that grinding couldn't completely erase. But Type II bone cement is just that---a way to mask your bossing rather than eliminate it, and for some girls this results in a "dolphin forehead" as discussed in another thread. So type II is out of the question for me. I guess we will find out during my consultation!

Edit: Thanks for the edited pictures you made. Will definitely come in handy in discussing the forehead area with Dr C.

Quote from: crowcrow223 on June 18, 2014, 01:41:52 PM
Asian faces tend to be a bit more flatter, and I have a feeling, once the brow bossing is shaved, there will be no forehead overhanging over the bridge of the nose, but we'll see!

Good luck, thanks so much for sharing your journey once again, so valuable !!

I can only wish, haha. And no problem, I figured this thread could possibly help with all the negative attention Dr Cardenas is receiving lately. I am still confident in his ability, but hopefully my surgery will help answer a lot of questions surrounding "Conservative Cardenas."   :laugh:

Have a good flight! XO

Good luck Roni and thanks for being so willing to be so open with us.  I will be haunting this thread over the next month!

I am planning a November trip so all the Cardenas "noise"  here over the past few weeks has been very useful.  I am grateful to everybody  for their input (without getting threads locked).

Emma

This post will probably be my last pre-op update while in the US.

I am getting so excited! In roughly six hours I will be taking a train from my hometown of San Diego to Los Angeles. From LAX, I will be flying to Dallas for a connect flight, which is actually not until tomorrow morning. I will be staying at a hotel in Dallas before flying to Guadalajara tomorrow! So that explains the 24-hour long travel, for anyone who was wondering. Oh, and my mom will be with me throughout the whole journey!

I'll be catching up on some much needed sleep during travel and also during my stay in Dallas (God knows I can barely get any sleep now), so I will update all of you next when I am in Guadalajara, right after my consultation with Cardenas. So you all should know by my next update whether Cardenas is willing to go through with Type III.

And thanks EmmaD! Were you planning on going to Cardenas as well?

Talk to you all very soon!  ;D  ;D  ;D

Roni,
Tyler proactively contacted me today about my forehead... I've expressed to him that if the frontal sinus still protrudes over the bridge of the nose and you can't fix it with shaving, type III is needed. I told him I will have to get a revision... I trust and hope Dr. C will make the right call with you. Regardless, you look great and will get an improvement either way! Here's to hoping your surgery is a big success! Happy travels!

Yes, I am considering Cardenas (not looking at type 3 or jaw/chin bone work - more soft tissue and nose).  I am looking at others too including Australia but there doesn't seem to be any FFS specialists here which is understandable with such a small population.  Travelling from Australia, it will take longer than 24 hours and any sleeping will be on planes (about a 16 hour flight just to get the LAX!)! Not really looking forward to that part, not so much getting there but getting home.

All the very best over the next few days.  I will be thinking of you.

You know Roni,

I think Jgirl is right, I see where you're coming from worrying about your bossing cause of the slope on your forehead but you don't have a lot of frontal sinus overhang, you seem like a type II could be appropriate for you, but like Jgirl says, type III yields the best results on just about everyone... Unless the bossing really is minor.

Quote from: EmmaD on June 19, 2014, 02:18:47 PM
Yes, I am considering Cardenas (not looking at type 3 or jaw/chin bone work - more soft tissue and nose).  I am looking at others too including Australia but there doesn't seem to be any FFS specialists here which is understandable with such a small population.  Travelling from Australia, it will take longer than 24 hours and any sleeping will be on planes (about a 16 hour flight just to get the LAX!)! Not really looking forward to that part, not so much getting there but getting home.

All the very best over the next few days.  I will be thinking of you.

Somebody on one of the threads mentioned an FFS surgeon in Australia, Mr. Carlisle I think, you may wanna look into that Emma...

Cost will be the big issue in getting all my desired FFS procedures done here in Australia.  I am looking at Australian surgeons but I do not hold out any hope that they are within my financial reach. Just the way it is!

So I just got back from my consultation with Dr. Cardenas.

He has agreed to perform Type III forehead remodeling on me, along with a rhinoplasty, eyebrow lift, hairline advancement, and buccal fat pad removal. My surgery will commence at approximately 5:30 am PST tomorrow morning.

I am a candidate for Type III for the very reason most of you thought I WOULDN'T be---that reason being I am ethnically Asian.

Apparently, the bridge/slant of Asian noses tend to be more "set back" and deeper at the point where the bridge meets the sinus area. That is what gives us the illusion of a flatter nose, as opposed to a caucasian nose where the bridge is more "outwards," less slanted, and more prominent, creating a sharper look. My priority is to obviously appear more feminine while retaining my ethnic appearance, and that is why Type III works for me.

Because of my deeper bridge slant, Type I will only grind the sinus area so much and still leave a protruding sinus over my nose, due to the difference in gradient between my bridge slant and the forehead.

According to Dr. Cardenas, in cases where the bridge is too slant, Type I can still be performed. However, a bridge implant must be used to connect the nose and whatever is left of the sinus area after Type I grinding. This will mask the protruding sinus area. Doing the implant, however, will diminish my Asian appearance, and could possibly make me look more Caucasian, so Type III forehead remodeling it is!

Dr. Cardenas was VERY helpful, and was very mindful of the fact that my ethnicity played an important role in the end-results of my surgery. I am thoroughly impressed. He gave me numerous options on how we can go about the different procedures, and made it clear that the decision was ultimately up to me.

Vicente (team member of Cardenas) has been extremely helpful in guiding my mom and me throughout the process also! The recovery house I am staying at has far exceeded my expectations, and the food is lovely! So far, so good. Now to just wait for the actual surgery. :)

Good luck darling!! I think everyone who's seen your picture knows how beautiful your going to look after a little correction.

Quote from: angel0202 on June 20, 2014, 08:18:45 PM
Good luck darling!! I think everyone who's seen your picture knows how beautiful your going to look after a little correction.

Thanks angel. :)

Best of luck Roni!!

Quote from: calicarly on June 21, 2014, 05:50:29 AM
Best of luck Roni!!

Thanks Calicarly!

One hour til my operation! I will be leaving for the hospital in fifteen minutes. I'm excited and nervous at the same time!

Good luck Roni. I'll be thinking of you over the few days.

Omg . I bet you have the biggest smile right now. Cheers for big improvements and life changing surgery x x

I just want to say something since this is the only Cardenas thread left, every single thread that Jgirl has started and in which she has spoken with thorough respect, have now all been locked, due to others slandering Cardenas or due to "jumpy" moderators, however, I believe that Jgirl is an asset to this forum as an active user and I think her investigation and concerns are absolutely valid, and, considering her respectful demeanour and eloquent writing manner, I do not think she is here to put Dr Cardenas down or to make false accusations, I have been a witness to the fact that not one single girl member of Susan's has come forward who has had a type III forehead reconstruction with him,  despite him offering and charging special prices for this procedure. I believe Jgirl is in search of quality and value for her money in regards to FFS. As are most of us here and her concerns and questions are of use for the people who might be looking for type III forehead reconstruction and equally to all future Cardenas patients. I would like to make a friendly and caring appeal to the moderators who have warned her and locked her threads, as aforementioned although the subject has caused some heated arguments by others, I haven't once seen her making slanderous or derogatory comments to other members, moderators, or to or about surgeons.

Roni shall be getting back to us soon in regards to her promised type III reconstruction she should be undergoing today as well and maybe shed some light on the subject. With absolute and due respect to moderators of course, and thanks for keeping this forum a positive one, with a healthy exchange and "flow" of information.

Wow, good luck Roni!! :) I too am following this thread with much interest as I'm looking to have FFS myself in next 6-7 months. Currently I'm considering Cardenas, DiMaggio, or possibly Rossi if I can find some more results and information from him. Cardenas is actually at the top of my list at the moment as my nose is my biggest issue for me while my sinus overhang is not too bad for a Caucasian.. I can't wait to see how you look Roni, you're already so pretty! I think you will look amazing when you're all healed :)

As for Carly's comment, I also agree. I have seen some rather slanderous comments and threads from others which I think should absolutely be dealt with, but I hope we can keep at least some threads open about Cardenas, I rather like his results and will quite likely have him work on me, I think Jgirl looks amazing! but I definitely understand the issue she has with the work done, and really appreciate her helping to empower others with more information. Is it possible to just delete slanderous comments or suspend the offenders responsible? I would hate for this thread be shut down due to just one offensive poster...

God, I've been thinking of Roni since yesterday!! I actually have butterflies.  Hopefully there in person in November.

On the other stuff, this is Roni's thread about her surgery.  Can we leave it that way?  If someone tries to piggy-back off this thread and re-litigate other issues, guess what is going to happen?

Best wishes to Roni!

Edit: turns out I can't spell!

Update 2
I am back in the recovery house after spending a day in the hospital.

Dr. Cardenas performed Type III on my forehead as planned, and has promised to show me pictures of the Type III surgery in progress. My forehead and eyes are really swollen but I can already see that my forehead is as flat as I had wanted it, including the sinus area! I can definitely say at this point that Dr. Cardenas' Type III results look VERY promising.

I can't comment on my nose results but will be able to on Wednesday once my cast is removed.

Pain wise, the entire procedure thus far is not so much painful as it is uncomfortable. The only painful experience I've had was when drinking water. The water stung the wounds left by the buccal fat removal inside of my cheeks, and boy did that hurt for a bit.

The services provided at both the hospital and recovery house are top-notch. I will update with pictures as soon as the swelling goes down.

I would also like to add that it is unfortunate there had to be so much controversy regarding the recent Cardenas threads. Would first and foremost like to thank the moderators for doing what they think is right and keeping Susan's a peaceful environment to engage in trans-related conversation.

With that being said, I would like to thank Jgirl, however. She is the sole reason I decided to go ahead with Type III forehead remodeling. Without her, I could have ended up another unhappy girl. So far I am loving what results I can see, and it is people like Jgirl who engage in respectful and meaningful conversation that help make transitioning better and more successful for all of us.

Hopefully the storm that erupted here regarding Cardenas can be put to rest, as I would not like this thread to end up like all the others. I am possibly the first girl to publicly come forward about Type III with Cardenas on this forum, if not the internet. In a few days when I post some result pics, it is my hope that questions surrounding Cardenas can be answered.  ;)

SO GLAD your happy and in little pain. Take care, the post opp annoyingness will soon be a memory.  :angel:

Congrats Roni :D !! i hope you get the result you want :) and thanks for sharing,  i really find it very usefull these, maybe im cosidering cardenas for my type III, Thanks you so much!!

And good luck with the recovery!

FINALLY SOMEONE CAME UP WITH THE TYPE III PFFFFT!!! Now my mind is quiet in peace and might go with him again as originally planning. In fact my head was pivoting with all those confusing debate threads that I linked up all threads and e-mailed it to Cardenas to check Susans out and told him you better stop escaping the Type III requests or you'll lose people so there he finally jumped into the waters thanks god.  >:-)

Congrats.  I am very pleased for you. 

Now I really do have butterflies.  Planning back on track.  Woohoo!!!!

Thanks for all your thoughts everyone! Just realized I have lost the ability to taste, but I guess that is normal after a rhinoplasty. It's just disappointing because the food at the recovery house has been amazing so far, and I was SO looking forward to eating something nice once I was discharged from the hospital. Oh well!

On a much different note, I too am glad Cardenas proceeded with type III forehead remodeling. Now that it's all said and done, and there is finally a type III patient present amongst us women here, let us move our energy AWAY from the recent Cardenas fiasco so that this thread remains open. I appreciate it everybody. :)

I am soo happy for you Roni, sounds like you will see great results and thanks to you and Jgirl for solving the type III forehead mystery with Cardenas lol, now I am so excited to see your results, even though I'm not going to Cardenas, like you and Jgirl, I am fully transitioned for years now and spent quite a while on hormones and this is more of a finishing touch than a kick start like many others use it for, that's why I get so interested in the results for girls like us.

I hope you will be sharing pics with us, happy healing Roni and hugs your way x

Congrats Roni!! :D :D

Can't wait to see the results! Sounds like you are already very pleased which is excellent!. Keep that up and you'll be recovered in no time!

Jenny, I keep meaning to say this when I see your avatar in other threads, u look great!

Quote from: calicarly on June 23, 2014, 05:05:38 AM
Jenny, I keep meaning to say this when I see your avatar in other threads, u look great!

Aw thanks sweetie :D And best wishes for you with your upcoming surgery with Dr. Bart! Exciting times these are!

I am so happy for you, Roni! You can't believe how much you have helped me and others.

Your experience, as I mentioned, is very valuable.

Keep us posted and God bless.

Congrats Roni, and have a speedy recovery.. Can't wait to see the new pics.

Quote from: calicarly on June 23, 2014, 03:40:14 AM
I am soo happy for you Roni, sounds like you will see great results and thanks to you and Jgirl for solving the type III forehead mystery with Cardenas lol, now I am so excited to see your results, even though I'm not going to Cardenas, like you and Jgirl, I am fully transitioned for years now and spent quite a while on hormones and this is more of a finishing touch than a kick start like many others use it for, that's why I get so interested in the results for girls like us.

I hope you will be sharing pics with us, happy healing Roni and hugs your way x

Yep! Cardenas has done an excellent job on my forehead from what I can see so far. My eyebrows might be a little too high for my liking. They are definitely more feminine but I've always been more a fan of lower-set brows. But my brows aren't a deal breaker or anything, and I'm sure once the swelling is gone, my brows should lower into a place I'm more comfortable with.

Quote from: Jennygirl on June 23, 2014, 04:59:18 AM
Congrats Roni!! :D :D

Can't wait to see the results! Sounds like you are already very pleased which is excellent!. Keep that up and you'll be recovered in no time!

Thanks Jenny! Recovery is going well. The pain and discomfort have gone away. Right now it just feels like a general numbness all over my forehead area, but I am slowly but surely regaining feeling in the areas operated on.

My sense of smell/taste still hasn't regained though, and I am getting increasingly worried that they might not come back! Rare result for those who have undergone rhinoplastys, but it's definitely happened.

Quote from: crowcrow223 on June 23, 2014, 12:29:44 PM
I am so happy for you, Roni! You can't believe how much you have helped me and others.

Your experience, as I mentioned, is very valuable.

Keep us posted and God bless.

Quote from: shedevilcanada on June 23, 2014, 06:11:57 PM
Congrats Roni, and have a speedy recovery.. Can't wait to see the new pics.

Thanks, girls! I am glad to be of help to those seeking FFS in the future. Pics definitely coming soon!

Roni, just fyi- my eyebrows dropped probably a good 5mm total after brow lift and it took about a month maybe two. So I'm sure you'll be good there.

Also, as far as the smell thing- that happened to me, too. It's totally normal to have loss of smell for a while. I even had some loss of movement on one side of my nose that really scared the s*** out of me. But it all came back a-okay :)

Sounds like you are doing great to me! Keep drinking lots of water and prop that head up during sleep to speed the healing!

...and then of course PICS once you are feelig up to it ;)

Roni, I'm so glad to hear that your type III procedure went well, and I'm glad to have been able to help you make a decision based on my experience with Dr. Cardenas. If your longer term outcome remains positive I may still return to Dr. Cardenas to revise the type I procedure he performed on me with type III. Thank you for sharing your experience and excited to see your results! :)

Quote from: Jennygirl on June 24, 2014, 05:05:02 PM
Roni, just fyi- my eyebrows dropped probably a good 5mm total after brow lift and it took about a month maybe two. So I'm sure you'll be good there.

Also, as far as the smell thing- that happened to me, too. It's totally normal to have loss of smell for a while. I even had some loss of movement on one side of my nose that really scared the s*** out of me. But it all came back a-okay :)

Sounds like you are doing great to me! Keep drinking lots of water and prop that head up during sleep to speed the healing!

...and then of course PICS once you are feelig up to it ;)

Thanks for the reassurance, Jenny! :)

The swelling around my eyes is going down and I feel like my eyebrows are slowly settling where I want them to. Either that or I'm simply getting used to their new higher position.

I talked to the doctors over at Dr. Cardenas' facility and they assured me I will be able to smell and taste once they remove the cast in and around my nose. Apparently I had undergone a more invasive form of rhinoplasty, one that didn't only change the external tissue of my nose, but also the soft bones and hard bones inside (or something along those lines, not too term-savvy here).

The way my swelling seems to be going down, I should have pics on here by next week hopefully! :)

Hi Roni, I hope your healing process goes well.

Quote from: bad reputation on June 25, 2014, 01:56:34 PM
Hi Roni, I hope your healing process goes well.

Thanks dear!   :-*

Quote from: jgirl76 on June 24, 2014, 08:47:13 PM
Roni, I'm so glad to hear that your type III procedure went well, and I'm glad to have been able to help you make a decision based on my experience with Dr. Cardenas. If your longer term outcome remains positive I may still return to Dr. Cardenas to revise the type I procedure he performed on me with type III. Thank you for sharing your experience and excited to see your results! :)

I didn't see this message for some reason the first time. So glad that you're back!

When did most of your swelling disappear to where you could present in public without looking like a balloon? Haha.

Roni, I am so happy to see that everything is turning out so well and you are happy with your results!

I was told today that at 6am PST tomorrow (8am here in Guadalajara), my nose cast and tubes will finally be removed! I cannot wait to see how my nose turned out, sans the swelling!! If my sense of taste doesn't come back by the end of the day tomorrow, I think that will warrant a little bit of worry from my end, but keeping my fingers crossed!

And thanks Celia, honey. :)

Update 3
Some pics included in this update!

So this morning I had my nose cast and the tubes inside my nose taken out. I was able to see my nose for a momentarily second before they re-bandaged it. My nose is now considerably thinner all around, and sharper at the tip. Definitely a more aesthetically pleasing and feminine looking nose, but I wasn't jumping up and down upon seeing it. I think it will require me just a bit more time getting used to.

I also regained my sense of taste partially. There are certain foods I can taste, and some that I can't. Sometimes my taste comes back completely, only for it to disappear again 10 mins later. Pretty weird.

I have put together a comparison picture of my forehead results to showcase type III. Note that my forehead and face in general are still very swollen. I was able to see my x-ray's today and it's crazy how much swelling there is around my forehead still. So my forehead's final result should actually appear flatter than in the pics below.

Sorry for the bad pic qualities and lighting. I am still at the recovery house in Guadalajara and this was the best I could do for now (did this on an iPhone). After my swelling subsides and I am back in the US, I will provide some proper post-op pics (including full face) similar in quality to my pre-op pics I first posted when making the thread.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.tinypic.com%2F21earp.jpg&hash=dc690fcae0dffcd407082151bebc069017b2b76a)

 :o :o :o :o :o :o :o ... OMG .. You are free from that horrible bones.. CONGRATS!!!! c:

WOW! What a difference Roni! I wish Dr. Cardenas did that for me...  Incredible. You must be feeling so happy! XOXO

Quote from: INgrid Alicia on June 26, 2014, 07:34:31 PM
:o :o :o :o :o :o :o ... OMG .. You are free from that horrible bones.. CONGRATS!!!! c:

Yes, free from those caveman bones, indeed!  ;D

Hi Roni,

I'd like to ask, did you opt to add any procedures since your initial list? I'm not sure, but it looks like you maybe had a lip lift?

And congratulations on the results, they look great so far!

Quote from: jgirl76 on June 26, 2014, 09:54:42 PM
WOW! What a difference Roni! I wish Dr. Cardenas did that for me...  Incredible. You must be feeling so happy! XOXO

I am! The forehead looks even better in person. :)

Quote from: Sybil on June 26, 2014, 10:36:43 PM
Hi Roni,

I'd like to ask, did you opt to add any procedures since your initial list? I'm not sure, but it looks like you maybe had a lip lift?

And congratulations on the results, they look great so far!

Nope, no lip lift! Probably just the sizes of each pic are different, that or the swelling.

He did an amazing job wow...  :o :o

I'm starting to wonder if I'm a type III now.

Congrats Roni, Thnx for sharing.

So I'm in Dallas at the moment, waiting for my connect flight to California.

Little funny story to share. My passport currently still states male, and has my old male photo from three years back, despite me being full-time female for quite some time now. Anyways, on my way to Guadalajara last week, I was called ma'am 100% of the time, until airport security looked at my passport, giving them a chance to do a double-take on the way I looked. I never faced any problems in customs, presumably because they had assumed I was MtF.

Now on my way back to the US after surgery, I had to be pulled aside TWICE to undergo lengthy security checks, once in Mexico and once in Dallas, basically both airports I've been to so far. Nothing quite feels as nerve wrecking as hearing them announce on the PA, for all in the airport to hear: "(Insert my full birth name here), please report to security at Gate X." The checks involved officials asking me question after question, my items, body, and clothing having to be checked, because I could not pass as my birth gender at all.  ;D

I hated that they scrutinized me so much, but at the same time passing as your true gender feels amazing!! FFS was so worth it! I wonder how LA airport officials are going to react when I land there in four hours, lol.

Quote from: Janae on June 27, 2014, 02:35:23 AM
He did an amazing job wow...  :o :o

I'm starting to wonder if I'm a type III now.

Congrats Roni, Thnx for sharing.

I don't think you'll know for sure until your consultation with your surgeon. In my case I don't think I was necessarily type III---just that Dr. Cardenas agreed to perform type III because I requested it. If I was going to pay for forehead surgery, I wanted it to look the best possible so it was Type III or nothing for me.

Now, your full-time profession is what? is WHAT? is giving me face.

You're giving me face and some real fish realness!

The eyebrow work he did on you is absolutely exquisite and I want to eat your eyebrows. For realz.

WWEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRKKK

Looking so femme and fabulous I can't process it!

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.tinypic.com%2Fdny6v9.jpg&hash=055c4d6892d0fd43fdda8a98ac3c52357519379a)

Hard to believe that was me on the left a MONTH ago. What I did since then: reshape brows, cut + dyed hair, and of course, FFS.

Exact same outfit and makeup then and now.

Swelling is subsiding fast! Once my cast is off as well, proper pre-op and post-op pics will be posted here. :)

Wow Roni that looks sooooooooo good! Do you have a direct side profile view picture? You provided an oblique but would love to see profile! OMG! :)

Quote from: jgirl76 on June 29, 2014, 12:54:20 AM
Wow Roni that looks sooooooooo good! Do you have a direct side profile view picture? You provided an oblique but would love to see profile! OMG! :)

Made one real quick just for you, girl. :)

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.tinypic.com%2F29fpjzd.jpg&hash=7c465a9c21dc715e3707282945798130119449fa)

Sorry that my fringe is half in the way, but you can see the difference in the sinus area clearly. I'll pull my hair back for the proper post-op pics.

It looks really really good Roni!

OMGGG WEEEEEEERRRRRRKKKKKK

You look gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!! I'm so happy for you!

Jgiirl has mentioned it in the past, and I kind of noticed it now, you tell me Roni if you feel the same way, that Cardenas doesn't lift the brows high enough in the middle of the face? He kind of lifts the outer two thirds of them if you know what I mean?

The brow bossing was even heavier than I thought if I look at that front pic of you. Lol at getting rid of the caveman bones!! Can't fault this, to think you're only gonna look better and better from here on! There goes one happy Cardenas patient ! Congrats my darling x

Quote from: crowcrow223 on June 29, 2014, 04:12:22 AM
OMGGG WEEEEEEERRRRRRKKKKKK

You look gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!! I'm so happy for you!

Jgiirl has mentioned it in the past, and I kind of noticed it now, you tell me Roni if you feel the same way, that Cardenas doesn't lift the brows high enough in the middle of the face? He kind of lifts the outer two thirds of them if you know what I mean?

Yeah, I noticed that too!! At first I hated my new eyebrows, as I mentioned earlier in this thread. But I sort of got used to them and believe they even compliment me now. Eyebrows are a very subjective thing, and different people like them different ways; what's beautiful to one may not be for the other. So I guess future Cardenas patients will have to come into consultation knowing what kind of eyebrows they want to get.

Quote from: calicarly on June 29, 2014, 04:26:36 AM
The brow bossing was even heavier than I thought if I look at that front pic of you. Lol at getting rid of the caveman bones!! Can't fault this, to think you're only gonna look better and better from here on! There goes one happy Cardenas patient ! Congrats my darling x

Yep, my brow bossing was VERY noticeable pre-FFS, and any person staring at me from the side would know I was MtF.

Very good point... If I was ever fortunate enough to hopefully have some eyebrow work done with possibly dr C, I'd ask if he actually is skillful at raising the middle part as well, as this would be my main objective, I'd like to have my eyebrows lifted evenly, not just the outer 2/3s

but I'm being picky now, just aa detail really. He did an amazing, amazing job! He did an amazing transformation on you, I'm so happy for You Roni <3

Quote from: Roni on June 29, 2014, 01:37:46 AM
Made one real quick just for you, girl. :)

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.tinypic.com%2F29fpjzd.jpg&hash=7c465a9c21dc715e3707282945798130119449fa)

Sorry that my fringe is half in the way, but you can see the difference in the sinus area clearly. I'll pull my hair back for the proper post-op pics.

Hi Ronni. I didn't get to meet you. That night before you left I came to the house. Surgery is all done now. I can actually so thus far I'm realllyyy please with his work. My forehead is round and smooth. No hiiden shadows. I did get the type 1 . this worked out great for me. Still have the packaging in my nose... Its a buzz kill... However I think itlll be cute.

Quote from: lovelessheart on June 29, 2014, 07:49:24 AM
Hi Ronni. I didn't get to meet you. That night before you left I came to the house. Surgery is all done now. I can actually so thus far I'm realllyyy please with his work. My forehead is round and smooth. No hiiden shadows. I did get the type 1 . this worked out great for me. Still have the packaging in my nose... Its a buzz kill... However I think itlll be cute.

Aw! I wish I had gotten the chance to meet you. I know Vicente and Tyler were saying a new patient had arrived at the house. I'm glad you are happy with your results and that Type I was all you needed. Happy recovering!

Hi Roni. Your forehead does look fantastic. I had my forehead done by Dr Cardenas, and it looks the same as yours. I'm just not sure, I thought it was supposed to look absolutely flat, or at least flatter in shape. Mine, like yours, is smooth and rounded. I didn't have a type III, but just the same, it looks exactly like yours. If I HAD had, and paid for a type III, then as soon as I was well enough I would get an Xray done, that would show the plates and screws, just to dismiss any doubts that I might have. Now after all is said and done, I MUST get a type III, to see exactly what the differences are. It has become a bit of an obsession. I need to have the ability to know by looking at somebody who HAS had forehead surgery, if a type III was undertaken or not. You look absolutely beautiful regardless, so please do not take what I have said the wrong way. Much Love.

Interesting, on close examination, it could well be a type II, which if it was, it still served the purpose perfectly in Roni's case, did Cardenas give you the pictures he promised you of the type III in process Roni? Tyler himself promised to share them on the forum but he hasn't? ,Even if there was a type III, there will most definitely have been use of bone cement...

:s ... OMG here we go again... LOL ... I think it looks flat like type III ... but who knows.. :s

Quote from: calicarly on June 30, 2014, 03:56:34 AM
Interesting, on close examination, it could well be a type II, which if it was, it still served the purpose perfectly in Roni's case, did Cardenas give you the pictures he promised you of the type III in process Roni? Tyler himself promised to share them on the forum but he hasn't? ,Even if there was a type III, there will most definitely have been use of bone cement...

Yes, Dr Cardenas showed me multiple pictures of the type III procedure in progress. They took my frontal sinus out, reshaped it and everything! I had pretty significant brow bossing prior to the surgery, as some of you have noticed, so the results I attained are a godsent gift
compared to what I looked like before!

Thank you. Yes it was two of us actually. We arrived end on the same night. She's still at the hospital I'm here at the house. I have had no pain really.. Just extreme discomfort with the nose stuffings. My eyes are still swollen tho...and my neck...was yours like this?

Quote from: Roni on June 29, 2014, 02:15:49 PM
Aw! I wish I had gotten the chance to meet you. I know Vicente and Tyler were saying a new patient had arrived at the house. I'm glad you are happy with your results and that Type I was all you needed. Happy recovering!

Wow Roni, the work he did for your forehead looks fanfreakingtastic! You must be SO happy! I so cannot wait to see with the cast off! :)

Make sure to get a bunch of pics RIGHT after the cast comes off. It will be a very clear indication of the final result.

It only takes about an hour for the nose to swell up after cast removal, then you are usually stuck with that for 6-12 months. Swelling in the nose takes a very long time to subside.

Anyway, so happy for you girl! Your new side-profile pic looks to be top-notch perfecto! He nailed it!

Quote from: lovelessheart on June 30, 2014, 03:33:12 PM
Thank you. Yes it was two of us actually. We arrived end on the same night. She's still at the hospital I'm here at the house. I have had no pain really.. Just extreme discomfort with the nose stuffings. My eyes are still swollen tho...and my neck...was yours like this?

EXACTLY how I felt! No pain---just general discomfort. When they take out the cotton stuffings in your nose you will see just how big they are, and why they are so uncomfortable. I didn't think something so big could fit in my nose!

And yep, I couldn't fully open my eyes at one point, and my neck looked as if I had gained 30 pounds. You're fine girl! It will only get better from here.

Edit: Look at my avatar. That's me only 8 days after surgery! You have nothing to worry about. :)

Quote from: Jennygirl on June 30, 2014, 04:22:08 PM
Wow Roni, the work he did for your forehead looks fanfreakingtastic! You must be SO happy! I so cannot wait to see with the cast off! :)

Make sure to get a bunch of pics RIGHT after the cast comes off. It will be a very clear indication of the final result.

It only takes about an hour for the nose to swell up after cast removal, then you are usually stuck with that for 6-12 months. Swelling in the nose takes a very long time to subside.

Anyway, so happy for you girl! Your new side-profile pic looks to be top-notch perfecto! He nailed it!

Thanks Jenny!

I am definitely more than happy about how my forehead turned out! Only one and a half ish weeks til I get to take my nose cast off. Not looking forward to the swelling, so I will take your advice and take LOTS of selfies in the 24-hour period after the tapes come off.  :laugh:

Quote from: Roni on June 30, 2014, 07:07:14 PM
Thanks Jenny!

I am definitely more than happy about how my forehead turned out! Only one and a half ish weeks til I get to take my nose cast off. Not looking forward to the swelling, so I will take your advice and take LOTS of selfies in the 24-hour period after the tapes come off.  :laugh:

It's great to hear how pleased you are, that is what matters most. I know as the swelling goes down you will just be happier and happier with your results- it is already obviously a great result.

And yeah, literally by the time I got back home from having the nose cast removed my nose had swelled up considerably. A ton right a way and then slowly a little bit more for the next couple of days. I'm about 2 months post rhinoplasty currently and in my avatar~ it is finally starting to get close to the cast removal day. I have been really good about not bumping it, too, somehow :P
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FqyikaFX.jpg&hash=c32830ade61901da9980294708e74042a7dabab1)
first pic is in the office, second when I got home, and third a few days later. You can see the look of befuddlement on my face by the time I got home. "Oh, there is the swelling they were talking about!"

Quote from: Jennygirl on June 30, 2014, 08:37:17 PM
It's great to hear how pleased you are, that is what matters most. I know as the swelling goes down you will just be happier and happier with your results- it is already obviously a great result.

And yeah, literally by the time I got back home from having the nose cast removed my nose had swelled up considerably. A ton right a way and then slowly a little bit more for the next couple of days. I'm about 2 months post rhinoplasty currently and in my avatar~ it is finally starting to get close to the cast removal day. I have been really good about not bumping it, too, somehow :P
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FqyikaFX.jpg&hash=c32830ade61901da9980294708e74042a7dabab1)
first pic is in the office, second when I got home, and third a few days later. You can see the look of befuddlement on my face by the time I got home. "Oh, there is the swelling they were talking about!"

Oh wow. Literally minutes from cast off to swelling? Yikes! Yours didn't look bad after the swelling though; mine is probably going to return to the wide Filipino nose I have always been self-conscious about. They slimmed down my bridge/upper nose too---does that typically experience as much swelling as the tip?

OH MY GOOOOOSSHHHHH Roni you look AMAZING. I <3 your forehead! Has your sense of smell and taste come back? I think I will be going back to Dr. C for type III... Your experience proves he has the ability to do excellent forehead work. Thank you so much for having shared your photos! You're the only type III Cardenas patient anyone can find and I know it's going to answer a lot of questions for a lot of women who are considering him. I just so wish that he would have done the same for me... What's done is done, but at least I know he's worth going back to. Thank you for erasing the question mark in my mind! XOXO

Roni- the tip will have most of the swelling. In other areas, it should diminish pretty fast- I would say around 2 weeks probably? But the tip doesn't get much bloodflow so it will take a long time for it to go down. I think generally you can expect 80% swelling gone after 2 months, 90% after 3 months, and up to 12-24 months for it to be completely gone.

Of course being kind and careful will keep it going away as fast as possible. That is absolutely key! Try your hardest not to bump it.

Quote from: jgirl76 on July 01, 2014, 02:53:25 AM
OH MY GOOOOOSSHHHHH Roni you look AMAZING. I <3 your forehead! Has your sense of smell and taste come back? I think I will be going back to Dr. C for type III... Your experience proves he has the ability to do excellent forehead work. Thank you so much for having shared your photos! You're the only type III Cardenas patient anyone can find and I know it's going to answer a lot of questions for a lot of women who are considering him. I just so wish that he would have done the same for me... What's done is done, but at least I know he's worth going back to. Thank you for erasing the question mark in my mind! XOXO

Yep, taste and smell have come back which is great. I'm glad my experience was able to help you make a decision. I owe it to you in the first place! :)

Quote from: Jennygirl on July 01, 2014, 03:26:11 AM
Roni- the tip will have most of the swelling. In other areas, it should diminish pretty fast- I would say around 2 weeks probably? But the tip doesn't get much bloodflow so it will take a long time for it to go down. I think generally you can expect 80% swelling gone after 2 months, 90% after 3 months, and up to 12-24 months for it to be completely gone.

Of course being kind and careful will keep it going away as fast as possible. That is absolutely key! Try your hardest not to bump it.

Gotcha! Thanks so much for the information Jenny! :D

Quote from: Roni on July 01, 2014, 10:02:52 AM
Yep, taste and smell have come back which is great. I'm glad my experience was able to help you make a decision. I owe it to you in the first place! :)

Gotcha! Thanks so much for the information Jenny! :D

I do think this thread put the type III mystery to rest. Please some post op pics often Roni you're looking better and better as days go by !

Goregoussss avi! Yes we went to the hospital today to remove the cast and take out the stuffing. That hurt like hello! Seriously i  felt like it was stuff in my nose . I'm wondering did Dr Cardenas wife do my nose... Whoever done my most...did a magnificent job. I really have no complaints what so ever. I'm highly please. Wish I could have met ya. My take off day is tomorrow . not really looking forward to it. I did however thought I would see Dr Cardenas one last time. The doctor that removed the stuffing wasn't him. Actually I didn't know his name. He was very friendly tho. :)

Quote from: Roni on June 30, 2014, 07:03:52 PM
EXACTLY how I felt! No pain---just general discomfort. When they take out the cotton stuffings in your nose you will see just how big they are, and why they are so uncomfortable. I didn't think something so big could fit in my nose!

And yep, I couldn't fully open my eyes at one point, and my neck looked as if I had gained 30 pounds. You're fine girl! It will only get better from here.

Edit: Look at my avatar. That's me only 8 days after surgery! You have nothing to worry about. :)

Quote from: lovelessheart on July 01, 2014, 04:00:55 PM
Goregoussss avi! Yes we went to the hospital today to remove the cast and take out the stuffing. That hurt like hello! Seriously i  felt like it was stuff in my nose . I'm wondering did Dr Cardenas wife do my nose... Whoever done my most...did a magnificent job. I really have no complaints what so ever. I'm highly please. Wish I could have met ya. My take off day is tomorrow . not really looking forward to it. I did however thought I would see Dr Cardenas one last time. The doctor that removed the stuffing wasn't him. Actually I didn't know his name. He was very friendly tho. :)

Yes his wife does the noses. So happy about your progress so far---your healing seems to be moving along quite fast!

OMG, can I have a full size pic of your avatar? You're so exceptionally beautiful!!

Well yes, my nose turned out beautiful. The healing process is annoying but its beautiful . I do have one thing I did not like. When Vicente dropped my off at the airport. He did just that. Told me to have a nice day . that kind of turned me off because I do not know how to speak Spanish. It would have been of help if he had came and at least showed me the process. Luckily I found it and wasn't late missing my flight. Took me some time to figure it out as I had to ask people around. Thank god for my translating app. Overall the experience was pleasant. I'm happy with my results. In the end that's what matters.

Quote from: Roni on July 01, 2014, 07:07:53 PM
Yes his wife does the noses. So happy about your progress so far---your healing seems to be moving along quite fast!

Roni, you've gotten a lovely result - I really like and am impressed at how it sympathetic to your genetic heritage!

Glad to hear that sensation is returning - if it's coming back this quickly, there's a very high chance you will get full recovery.  As an aside, frontal sinus is unique to each person, almost like a fingerprint, and some military forces use frontal sinus records as well as dental for ID.  So it's like you've changed your fingerprints as well!

Quote from: GeorgieGirl on June 29, 2014, 06:37:43 PM
Hi Roni. Your forehead does look fantastic. I had my forehead done by Dr Cardenas, and it looks the same as yours. I'm just not sure, I thought it was supposed to look absolutely flat, or at least flatter in shape. Mine, like yours, is smooth and rounded. I didn't have a type III, but just the same, it looks exactly like yours. If I HAD had, and paid for a type III, then as soon as I was well enough I would get an Xray done, that would show the plates and screws, just to dismiss any doubts that I might have. Now after all is said and done, I MUST get a type III, to see exactly what the differences are. It has become a bit of an obsession. I need to have the ability to know by looking at somebody who HAS had forehead surgery, if a type III was undertaken or not. You look absolutely beautiful regardless, so please do not take what I have said the wrong way. Much Love.

Dr. Cardenas uses a patients own blood and bone dust to make a paste to glue the bone back, he doesn't use titanium plates and screws. Dr. DiMaggio does the same. I believe Facial Team, T-Change (Rossi) and Dr. Bart use titanium plates or screws.

MY NOSE CAST IS FINALLY OFF!

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.tinypic.com%2F2hrod48.jpg&hash=b8648afe89a867a7a1938a62f28cf0d02fc7a8d0)

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FO7iefVL.jpg&hash=d7f1ffa911b14ed0b47039a5a1591a1981a63908)

I am loving how my nose looks! Noticeably thinner than it was before, yet still a little wide in order to retain my Filipino looks.

I used to hate my new higher-arched eyebrows, but now they are my favorite part of my face!

And you girls already know how in love I am with Cardenas' forehead work.

Dr Cardenas and his team are just miracle workers, especially for the price they charge for FFS, and I might go back to them for chin work and breast augmentation in the future. Safe to say my experience with Cardenas was a huge success!

As I said in the other thread, you look absolutely incredible Roni. Eyebrows and nose are perfect! You must be SO happy with your results. Good lord. Freaking incredible result.

Quote from: Jennygirl on July 03, 2014, 05:53:05 AM
As I said in the other thread, you look absolutely incredible Roni. Eyebrows and nose are perfect! You must be SO happy with your results. Good lord. Freaking incredible result.

Thanks Jenny! Yea, I never thought I would end up looking like this one day. It is definitely a good feeling finally being comfortable in my skin.

@.@
O.o

^.^

Roni, you should be delighted with your results!
Just about everything has gone as well as can be at this early stage - all that is left is for bone healing and maturation.

Why do you want to go back for chin work?  From what I can see, you have fairly good facial balance as is.  There is a slight convexity to your profile with your lower jaw slightly set back, but it is generally considered pleasing in a female face.

Girl you look INCREDIBLE! Loving the nose, Theresa did a great job! Forehead is still looking good too. As the swelling goes down in another month hope to see some more pics! :)

How long did you have your cast on for?

Quote from: Roni on July 03, 2014, 05:47:51 AM
MY NOSE CAST IS FINALLY OFF!

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.tinypic.com%2F2hrod48.jpg&hash=b8648afe89a867a7a1938a62f28cf0d02fc7a8d0)

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FO7iefVL.jpg&hash=d7f1ffa911b14ed0b47039a5a1591a1981a63908)

I am loving how my nose looks! Noticeably thinner than it was before, yet still a little wide in order to retain my Filipino looks.

I used to hate my new higher-arched eyebrows, but now they are my favorite part of my face!

And you girls already know how in love I am with Cardenas' forehead work.

Dr Cardenas and his team are just miracle workers, especially for the price they charge for FFS, and I might go back to them for chin work and breast augmentation in the future. Safe to say my experience with Cardenas was a huge success!

Quote from: luna nyan on July 03, 2014, 07:34:55 AM
@.@
O.o

^.^

Roni, you should be delighted with your results!
Just about everything has gone as well as can be at this early stage - all that is left is for bone healing and maturation.

Why do you want to go back for chin work?  From what I can see, you have fairly good facial balance as is.  There is a slight convexity to your profile with your lower jaw slightly set back, but it is generally considered pleasing in a female face.

I don't know. I feel like, especially looking at my side profile, that my chin is set back compared to the rest of my face, which ends in my mouth looking pretty weird. I'm just my own worst critic I guess.

Quote from: lovelessheart on July 03, 2014, 02:45:39 PM
How long did you have your cast on for?

Honestly, I only kept the tapes/cast on for a week after they had re bandaged my nose. I think I was told to keep it on longer. Just got incredibly tired of walking around in the mall or gym only for people to stare at my cast.

Quote from: Roni on July 03, 2014, 05:22:43 PM
I don't know. I feel like, especially looking at my side profile, that my chin is set back compared to the rest of my face, which ends in my mouth looking pretty weird. I'm just my own worst critic I guess.

That's potentially more an orthodontic issue, especially if your front teeth overlap by more than 2mm

So flawless!! I noticed their website is being under construction at the moment, the price list is gone and I'm really hoping they won't raise them drastically :( Ugh!!

You're a beautiful woman Roni, I'm happy for You!!! Made my day!!

Roni you look gorgeous!!!

Did you have hairline advancement, If so how well did he hide the incision scar??

Also how long did it take for sensation to come back??

Another thing, I know his wife does the noses. Did you discuss with her about keeping your nose's ethnic details intact??

I'm so afraid of having a nose that's too thin and European that it doesn't fit my face. Some surgeons don't understand how important this is. The wrong nose for the wrong ethnicity can really throw a look completely off.

Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 04, 2014, 05:19:10 AM
So flawless!! I noticed their website is being under construction at the moment, the price list is gone and I'm really hoping they won't raise them drastically :( Ugh!!

You're a beautiful woman Roni, I'm happy for You!!! Made my day!!

Which website do you go to? I booked my surgery and everything through transop.com which is still up and running for me, unless they had only recently reinstated the website. I don't think the price should go up too much if anything. I think my surgery package went from 9.7k last year to 9.9k this year, so only a $200 raise.

Quote from: Janae on July 04, 2014, 07:41:34 AM
Roni you look gorgeous!!!

Did you have hairline advancement, If so how well did he hide the incision scar??

Also how long did it take for sensation to come back??

Another thing, I know his wife does the noses. Did you discuss with her about keeping your nose's ethnic details intact??

I'm so afraid of having a nose that's too thin and European that it doesn't fit my face. Some surgeons don't understand how important this is. The wrong nose for the wrong ethnicity can really throw a look completely off.

Yes, they did advance my hairline. I look in the mirror now and aside from a few scabs (which are slowly coming off), I can't see my incision scar at all unless I look very close in the mirror. Incision has been the least of my worries.

Sensation around my forehead and eyes started coming back probably three days post op. Right now at two weeks post op I would say my sensation is 60% there. Although I probably wouldn't mind losing sensation if it meant I could keep my forehead results.  :laugh:

I didn't discuss my nose with his wife---only with Cardenas, which I presume he relayed my nose concerns to his wife. As I mentioned earlier in my thread, Cardenas was very mindful of the fact that I was Asian. He didn't make my nose too thin/Caucasian-looking. He also didn't put any implants or anything that might cause my nose to look sharper and less Asian. I think he definitely knows how to work with ethnic noses.

Oh okay. Well I took my cast off yesterday. I feel so much better. All that junk on my nose.

Quote from: Roni on July 03, 2014, 05:22:43 PM
I don't know. I feel like, especially looking at my side profile, that my chin is set back compared to the rest of my face, which ends in my mouth looking pretty weird. I'm just my own worst critic I guess.

Honestly, I only kept the tapes/cast on for a week after they had re bandaged my nose. I think I was told to keep it on longer. Just got incredibly tired of walking around in the mall or gym only for people to stare at my cast.

I'm freaking so angry right now... They have increased prices of ALL procedures by 15%, fuc*!!! Just got an email from C.

If you don't want to have a lot of work with them done, that might not be much, but if you do, it may mean even few thousand dollars more to pay :/ GREAT..

Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 05, 2014, 04:15:08 AM
I'm freaking so angry right now... They have increased prices of ALL procedures by 15%, fuc*!!! Just got an email from C.

If you don't want to have a lot of work with them done, that might not be much, but if you do, it may mean even few thousand dollars more to pay :/ GREAT..

Oh wow.. I'm so sorry crow! I still think even with the 15% increase, Cardenas is more than worth the money and still cheaper than his nearest competition, DiMaggio.

Quote from: Roni on July 05, 2014, 04:59:54 AM
Oh wow.. I'm so sorry crow! I still think even with the 15% increase, Cardenas is more than worth the money and still cheaper than his nearest competition, DiMaggio.

Yeah, compared to all other surgeons he's still very good and affordable, but I started planning everything in terms of how much am I gonna be able to save, how much overdraft I may have to take etc, and now I have to re-calculate anything and postpone the surgery at least 2-3 months...

Quote from: samantha55522 on July 05, 2014, 02:48:51 PM
The results of MDM are unique and can not be compared. Anyway Cardenas this year began to understand that should start trying to make the MDM results as who is the pioneer in remodeling the frontal bone and orbital rim without titanium and others....MDM did a lot of Tipe III reconstruction during the las 15 years and of course this expertise is more expensive, because his results are better than others.
I still believe that Roni result is relative because Roni femininity and beauty help with the final result, but the technical results in the hands of MDM could have been much better....sorry but this is a minimun tipe III reconstruction....
Hugs.
S.

Sammantha, can you please describe what makes Dr. Cardenas type III a "minimum type III reconstruction" ?  What does that mean?  Thanks, J

Hi Roni,

A HUGE congratulations on your fantastic result. Absolutely gorgeous. I didn't think you needed much done from your photos but you thought so, communicated your needs and the surgeons delivered. 

You have certainly put my mind at ease even though while I don't believe I need a type 3, I do need a fair handful of things done. Well, I want them actually.  My cost is about double!!!  Time to book.

Thank you so much for being open.

Emma

Quote from: samantha55522 on July 05, 2014, 02:48:51 PM
MDM did a lot of Tipe III reconstruction during the las 15 years and of course this expertise is more expensive, because his results are better than others.

Samantha, can you please explain how you calculated these 15 years?... Everybody knows Dr. Di Maggio started to do FFS in 2007, which would make 7 years of experience.

Thanks Samantha, I don't doubt about Dr. Di Maggio's experience in plastic and craniofacial surgery in general but you were specifically mentioning 15 years of experience in type 3 forehead reconstruction, which I think is not correct as he started to do FFS in 2007 and type 3 forehead  procedure is not used for anything but FFS. I just thought that once again you were going too far at promoting him

Quote from: samantha55522 on July 05, 2014, 07:20:54 PM
Celia may be for your "info" started in 2007, but will be a good idea to read his CV from his website...MDM is Specialist is Craniofacial Surgery from 1997 and did a lot of craniofacial reconstruction not only FFS, also pediatric craniofacial reconstruction and adult trauma and oncology and most of the craniofacial surgery procedures.
For your info craniofacial surgery is an specialty within plastic surgery.
And MDM is one of the few FFS surgeon with this specialty....
Have a nice week end.....
S.

Good idea,

If you'd like to read up on Dr. Cardenas or Dr. DiMaggio, go to their respective web sites

Susan's Place is not the place to SPAM adverts for a particular surgeon

Do not impose upon another person's experience

Thank you

V M

Quote from: samantha55522 on July 05, 2014, 08:20:41 PM
No promotion, I'm just answering your question and reporting in general.
For "REAL" craniofacial surgeons as MDM, the osteotomies used in FFS are less complex compared to those used in the remodeling of a skull in pediatric craniosynostosis. So I suggest you study a little about techniques and procedures used in craniofacial surgery. Absolutely dr. MDM is an expert in craniofacial surgery, the proof is in the results and patients who seek what are generally those who seek the best possible outcome in the frontal and orbital remodeling.
Greetings.
S.

Samantha,
If your sole and unique purpose in being here is not to promote Dr Di Maggio, could you kindly explain why you intervened in this thread in particular and what else brings you to Susan's Place?  I have looked at all of your posts and have never seen you get involved in any other subject.  As I have asked you before, are you personally trans and have you even been through FFS yourself ? 

For those interested, here is Samantha's introductory post: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,128093.msg1014471.html#msg1014471

Hugs
Donna

Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 05, 2014, 04:15:08 AM
I'm freaking so angry right now... They have increased prices of ALL procedures by 15%, fuc*!!! Just got an email from C.

If you don't want to have a lot of work with them done, that might not be much, but if you do, it may mean even few thousand dollars more to pay :/ GREAT..

I could be wrong but the Package Prices listed at http://transop.com/index.php/pricing/packages (http://transop.com/index.php/pricing/packages) haven't seem to increased since the announced increase at the beginning of the year. Can you verify that this is over and above the quoted prices?

Back on topic  8)

Roni, your results are quite lovely, you have every reason to wear a big smile and have a sparkle in your eye

Congrats and hugs  :icon_chick:

Quote from: whatever on July 06, 2014, 08:34:44 AM
I could be wrong but the Package Prices listed at http://transop.com/index.php/pricing/packages (http://transop.com/index.php/pricing/packages) haven't seem to increased since the announced increase at the beginning of the year. Can you verify that this is over and above the quoted prices?

He just said the prices have been increased by 15% in all procedures, then I replied asking to provide me the list of new prices for the surgeries I'm interested in having, still waiting for the answer

Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 07, 2014, 02:54:53 AM
He just said the prices have been increased by 15% in all procedures, then I replied asking to provide me the list of new prices for the surgeries I'm interested in having, still waiting for the answer

I thought the price increase happened with effect from the beginning of May and is an annual thing.  Still have to get my bum moving and get mine organised. Have a lot of my professional team suggesting getting it done in Australia instead.  They are all a bit pushy on it actually.  God only knows what it would cost here. 

Quote from: V M on July 07, 2014, 12:07:06 AM
Back on topic  8)

Roni, your results are quite lovely, you have every reason to wear a big smile and have a sparkle in your eye

Congrats and hugs  :icon_chick:

Thanks V M! As of right now though I have this huge giant burn mark on my forehead---a result of no sensation in my forehead area. Was straightening my hair with a straightener and I guess I had touched my forehead with the metal part of the straightener but didn't feel the burn. Only have the mark to prove it happened..

Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 07, 2014, 02:54:53 AM
He just said the prices have been increased by 15% in all procedures, then I replied asking to provide me the list of new prices for the surgeries I'm interested in having, still waiting for the answer

15% increase is fairly steep, but it often occurs once someone has bee established as an expert in a given field.

I'll be honest and say that for most MDs, dealing with quotations is the part they least like to deal with as price shopping makes their skills feel devalued.  Most would have the attitude "if someone values my skill and treatment outcomes, my fees are reasonable enough for what I do"

For the consumer who has budgetary concerns, it's important, but I'm throwing the health providers viewpoint out for reference here so people understand why they can get short and surly when someone tries to negotiate too much on fees.

Quote from: V M on July 06, 2014, 04:54:01 AM
Susan's Place is not the place to SPAM adverts for a particular surgeon

Do not impose upon another person's experience

Thank you

V M

But what if someone has a totally killer recipe for Spam?

I would like to hear it.

Quote from: luna nyan on July 07, 2014, 07:18:25 AM
15% increase is fairly steep, but it often occurs once someone has bee established as an expert in a given field.

I'll be honest and say that for most MDs, dealing with quotations is the part they least like to deal with as price shopping makes their skills feel devalued.  Most would have the attitude "if someone values my skill and treatment outcomes, my fees are reasonable enough for what I do"

For the consumer who has budgetary concerns, it's important, but I'm throwing the health providers viewpoint out for reference here so people understand why they can get short and surly when someone tries to negotiate too much on fees.

I wouldn't dare negotiate the fees whatsoever. I'm just genuinely interested in his services, need to know the reality, and I asked very politely if the pricelist has been updated, and then requested a confirmation. That's it :)

Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 07, 2014, 05:03:22 PM
I wouldn't dare negotiate the fees whatsoever. I'm just genuinely interested in his services, need to know the reality, and I asked very politely if the pricelist has been updated, and then requested a confirmation. That's it :)

That's fine, there isn't issue with that.  Some others though...

There have been a couple of questions about our pricing in this thread, so I wanted to step in and provide some limited feedback focused on this issue.  Earlier this year, we did increase our prices a little bit due to increased costs at our new hospital that opened in April.  The actual increase over our 2013 prices ranges from zero to 15%, depending on the procedure.  As an example, the price of Forehead Contouring increased 10% while the price of Type III Forehead Reconstruction increased only 3.6%.  The price of breast implants remained the same.  There are no further price increases currently being considered for 2014.

We do have our complete Facial Feminization price list online.  If anyone would like to view it, just go to our website (transop.com) and click on the button labeled "instant package quote" or the pull down link entitled "build your own package." 

Price of breast augmentation remained the same? That's not what the doctor told me... How can I contact you radialan?

Edit: I've just compared prices of BA between Lazaro Cardenas' website (the blue one), and transop, and the blue one said it's 2750 (which now after the increase comes about to 3100), but transop one says it's over 5000. But the blue one is shut down now as they're updating their prices

Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 09, 2014, 02:48:03 AM
Price of breast augmentation remained the same? That's not what the doctor told me... How can I contact you radialan?

Edit: I've just compared prices of BA between Lazaro Cardenas' website (the blue one), and transop, and the blue one said it's 2750 (which now after the increase comes about to 3100), but transop one says it's over 5000. But the blue one is shut down now as they're updating their prices

Hi, CrowCrow.  The cost to place breast implants is $2,750.  To arrive at the total price, you then have to add the cost of the implant material which ranges from $1,200 to $2,300 depending on the type of implants selected.  Please feel free to contact me via the TransOp site by clicking on the "contact us" pull down menu in the top, right-hand corner.

Hi Roni,

Congratulations, you look great! I had type 3 forehead reconstruction with Dr. Meltzer because I had a large frontal sinus with thin bone covering it , so he wasn't able to use burring.

Karen

Hi Roni,
Hope you're still doing well! I was just wondering how is healing continuing to go? Any complications? I'm still considering type III revision with Cardenas, just have to wait about another 4 months or so. 

Quote from: missymay on July 10, 2014, 05:09:53 PM
Hi Roni,

Congratulations, you look great! I had type 3 forehead reconstruction with Dr. Meltzer because I had a large frontal sinus with thin bone covering it , so he wasn't able to use burring.

Karen

Hi Karen , you look stunning, what did u had done with Dr Meltzer and what was the cost if u dont mind me asking? If he wasnt so busy I would of definitely gone to see him

Quote from: shedevilcanada on July 17, 2014, 05:54:21 AM
Hi Karen , you look stunning, what did u had done with Dr Meltzer and what was the cost if u dont mind me asking? If he wasnt so busy I would of definitely gone to see him

Hey shedevil,

I noticed in another thread you said you're more numb than you would like after your revisions, how are the results though? I'm wondering cause of your comment above... I remember u showed us some fairly swollen pics a while back, I'm sure you're looking much more settled and feminine now right? Hugs!

Quote from: calicarly on July 17, 2014, 06:28:14 AM
Hey shedevil,

I noticed in another thread you said you're more numb than you would like after your revisions, how are the results though? I'm wondering cause of your comment above... I remember u showed us some fairly swollen pics a while back, I'm sure you're looking much more settled and feminine now right? Hugs!

hey Calicarly, yes the numbnest around the chin and bottom lip area is still there, I'm now 49 days postop, and hopefully with time the numbnest will fade away.

As for the results, yes I am more feminine, but the swelling around tip of nose, neck, chin and jaw is still prominent. Also because they didnt have time to fix the upper lip after removal of the implant, the upper lip and above the upper lip looks gross.

As for the rest, there will be some minor revisions for the nose(not feminine I think), face lift not tight enough and filling the cheeks with fat transfer ( cheek implants I think should of been combined sub malar/malar implants instead of malar implants.

Going back in september to fix the upper and lower lips, and will discussed with surgeon about the other revisions to do probably a year post op

Quote from: shedevilcanada on July 17, 2014, 05:54:21 AM
Hi Karen , you look stunning, what did u had done with Dr Meltzer and what was the cost if u dont mind me asking? If he wasnt so busy I would of definitely gone to see him

Hi shedevil; thank you for the compliment  :)  I had surgery with Dr. Meltzer in 2007, so I'm not sure what he charges now, but I had type 3 forehead reconstruction which included a scalp advancement, and a rhinoplasty which allowed him to remove some bone where the bridge of the nose and the forehead meet. 

Quote from: missymay on July 17, 2014, 09:11:26 PM
Hi shedevil; thank you for the compliment  :)  I had surgery with Dr. Meltzer in 2007, so I'm not sure what he charges now, but I had type 3 forehead reconstruction which included a scalp advancement, and a rhinoplasty which allowed him to remove some bone where the bridge of the nose and the forehead meet.

Hi missymay, thats all he did, wow , well I'm guessing you probably look stunning already before the surgery, the things he did though, he did them extremely well,

Quote from: jgirl76 on July 17, 2014, 04:04:41 AM
Hi Roni,
Hope you're still doing well! I was just wondering how is healing continuing to go? Any complications? I'm still considering type III revision with Cardenas, just have to wait about another 4 months or so.

Hey girl,

Healing is going well. Sensation isn't fully there yet but I'm not even a month post-op. The incision scar is fading fast and I'm not even using anything on it, though I probably should. My forehead is flat when you look from my left profile, but for some reason when looking from my right profile, it doesn't look as flat and looks more "slanted" than the other side, perhaps they didn't shave one side of my forehead enough. The average person really can't tell; only I can because I know my forehead.

My FFS results were a life changing miracle though. I now blend in as cis and everyone who meets me never knows. I've gone on dates and also fooled around with a lot of guys who all didn't know. Being treated as my true gender is so much easier after my FFS, that's for sure. I will have pics up here when I am one month post-op.

Good for you Roni you found your rainbows end.

Hi Roni can you please email me I have some questions about your experience I wanna go to dr cardenas please if you can tumoni209@gmail.com