Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I'm only asking this because I'm afraid that HRT will be ineffective for me as I'm a 46 year old Australian trans woman and I'm still fixating on being passable. I have saved money for my transition which I'm about to start, via HRT, in mid February.

Additionally what are the pros and cons of surgery in Australia versus Thailand for FFS in regards to skilled practitioners and overall pricing?

I understand that HRT will most likely relax my mental and emotional needs for "passability" but being easily seen as a women will add confidence to my need to live and relax as a woman. Besides I  have been both fortunate enough and determined enough to save for FFS.

I choose to live a very active, fit and healthy lifestyle too because this is luckily another part of my character.

Any help would be much appreciated of course

Thanks in advance girls,
Roxie.

I would certainly advise waiting for awhile after you start HRT for FFS as the muscle and fat in your face does change.
Having FFS surgery too soon may lead to a need for revisions.

I would second what Cindy said. If it helps, I am 49, started HRT when I was 47... the changes from HRT usually take at least 6-12 months to become noticeable and chances are you won't have transitioned to full time within that period. You owe it to yourself to first of all see if HRT will help before going under the knife.

Thanks Cindy and Grace, I was told the same thing by my Gender Center counseller and so I will allow 10 months for HRT to work its magic, which will hopefully be enough to lessen my desire for FFS's ministrations.

It does take time, I do know that the Australian GCS surgeon won't even do a BA unless you are at least 18 months on HRT as physical changes are gradual.

As far as the face goes after 2 years on HRT my facial changes meant that I no longer needed the same glasses, my distance vision had returned to normal.

I'd been on HRT for about eight months when people started telling me they thought I was looking younger! ;D

You're right Grace, I will probably not have fully transitioned in this time because I will also be able to use this time to save even more money. I am a well skilled and well paid construction worker in Sydney and thus I will need to change my "career" direction soon enough which in turn requires more dollars!

I don't think there's any FFS surgeons in Australia, but that doesn't automatically mean Thailand. There's a number of other countries. Personally I'd go to Thailand for SRS, but not sure what I'd do for FFS.

Also, did you check what it costs? Its kind of expensive, more so than SRS.

Quote from: roxie rudi on December 28, 2015, 12:53:27 AM
You're right Grace, I will probably not have fully transitioned in this time because I will also be able to use this time to save even more money. I am a well skilled and well paid construction worker in Sydney and thus I will need to change my "career" direction soon enough which in turn requires more dollars!

I have two close transgender female friends in construction. One runs a concrete pour company and the other a roofing company. No problems in their transitions.

Ummm.... Cindy, forgive me if I'm showing my ignorance but I'm unaware of what "GCS" and the other acronyms/abbreviations that you are using actually mean. Remembering please that I have only recently decided to make a long time needed move to transition. This has been for various reasons.

Sorry Hon,

GCS, gender correction surgery or SRS, sex reassignment surgery or or GRS, gender reconstruction surgery -- all acronyms for the female bottom surgery, construction of a neo vagina.

BA, breast augmentation ( a boob job)

FFS, facial feminisation surgery.

There are also surgery for making your bottom more curvy by implants (please don't ever have that) or fat redistribution to enhance curves or decrease waist size.

Tracheal or voice surgery. Tracheal shave reduces the size of the 'Adam's apple. Voice surgery tightens the vocal cords to make a more feminine voice.

Wow. Concrete pouring eh? If she can do it then so can I. But unfortunately I don't see me being able to continue with the same company with which I am employed without a LOT of harassment from who will become my erstwhile "mates". I can do without that drama. Similarly I am familiar with many others across the industry where larger projects are concerned. But that's cool because I have an exit strategy.

Well there's certainly a lot of construction work in Sydney at the moment!

Thankyou very much Cindy, you have taught me some new terms. However apart from FFS the only other surgery which I am considering is GRS/SRS. I would love a nice and girly bum and big boobies but I will let HRT take a natural course in these matters.

I will save assiduously for a "neo vagina" because thinking about having one myself just feels soooooo right.

Do remember that many members of this site are in the USA and sadly in many places the discrimination against TG people is far higher than seen in Australia. Our anti-discrimination laws are very strong, and the level of public acceptance very high in comparison.

Sure we need to keep safe and if a workplace feels like somewhere you will be uncomfortable then do of course change.

But I think I would be correct in saying that few Australians have received the level of discrimination that is seen OS.

In my (limited) dealing with Federal politicians and more involved dealings with State politicians, there is very strong support for TG rights. The police are trained in transgender acceptance and virtually every lawyer I work with is transgender friendly.

All public services in Australia have anti-discrimination laws that they enforce. And I would be very surprised if any major company risked a discrimination case against transgender people. They would be cleaned out.

Certainly is Grace, cranes everywhere! But I have had a past that includes acquaintance with many ne'erdowell fools that my true self can certainly do without. That's the "buildin' game" for me unfortunately. I have on occasion been somewhat self destructive while hiding from this wrong body that I feel cursed with.
Please forgive my prior stupidity but now it's time to stop and do what is right for me! 

You are right again Cindy. Many discussions with my counseller at the Gender Centre bare this out.

Quote from: roxie rudi on December 28, 2015, 01:28:00 AM
But I have had a past that includes acquaintance with many ne'erdowell fools that my true self can certainly do without. That's the "buildin' game" for me unfortunately.

Trans or not, there seems to be a tsunami of harassment and discrimination against women working in construction... as companies that allow it to happen are finding though they risk being sued for it!

Female construction worker subjected to assaults, bullying and rape threats, awarded $1.3 million
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-17/female-construction-worker-awarded-1.3m-sexual-harassment/7039062

ABC.net.au/Freya Michie

A female road construction worker subjected to assaults, sexual harassment, bullying and rape threats at a Melbourne workplace has won a $1.3 million payout.

Anyway, do either of you girls have any idea of comparative pricing vis a vis Australia and Thailand? Dr Suporn, from my investigation, seems to be THE surgeon where FFS is concerned. Am I right?

By the way Cindy and Grace you both have lovely, soft and feminine features which I dream of having.

No! That is just evil crap and I'm glad that the girl's struggles were at least recognised. This behaviour can not be allowed to continue.

No idea on costs for FFS. Dr Suporn has a good reputation for GCS but I have no idea on FFS. If I was interested I would probably go to the European, USA or Mexican FFS teams. I think you would be looking at about $50k with airfares etc and depending on what you wanted done.

Thank you for the lovely compliment!

I have had no FFS and I am unrecognisable from my previous 'male' self. Even I don't recognise him.

Thanks again Cindy, I should be okay with that but I shall have to do more research to find facial surgeons outside of Thailand.

Quote from: roxie rudi on December 28, 2015, 01:38:36 AM
Anyway, do either of you girls have any idea of comparative pricing vis a vis Australia and Thailand? Dr Suporn, from my investigation, seems to be THE surgeon where FFS is concerned. Am I right?

Suporn has an incredible reputation for GRS, but his reputation for FFS and BA is not in the same league. I've read quite a few positive reviews of his FFS work, maybe nothing bad (not really looked). I'd guess he has the best reputation in Thailand for FFS, though others also do it. I'd suggest using google a lot.

I was just looking at Dr Chettawut's site (another Thai GRS/FFS surgeon who I googled) and it overwhelmed me with hopes and dreams of feminine beauty that would give me the freedom I desire so very deeply. And there was a photo of a 40 year old woman who looked stunning because of her FFS, and it wasn't all just photography skills.

Quote from: roxie rudi on December 28, 2015, 03:37:55 AM
I was just looking at Dr Chettawut's site (another Thai GRS/FFS surgeon who I googled) and it overwhelmed me with hopes and dreams of feminine beauty that would give me the freedom I desire so very deeply. And there was a photo of a 40 year old woman who looked stunning because of her FFS, and it wasn't all just photography skills.

I would not solely base it on geography.

You might look in the FFS section and make up your mind on a few surgeons.
You might contact them and get a virtual picture of a possible outcome.
There is also a website virtualffs in the uk where you might ask for some kind of preview picture.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=110589.0

If a rhinoplasty for example would do it might be possible to look for local plastic surgeons.
Otherwise there are very good specialists worldwide.


*hugs*

Thank you Laura I will keep your advice in mind and thanks especially for the idea of previewing possible FFS needs.

I will affirm the comment about Thailand is not your only alternative to Australia.  I lot of people go to surgeons in Buenos Aires, Argentina too.

Thanks Deeiche. On a similar note, does anyone know about Femilife? They have an advertisement on Youtube for FFS. Are they any good?

I was in the process of talking to the cranio facial team in Adelaide before my world collapsed around me. They are world renowned cranio facial surgeons. Unfortunately I won't know what they can do now as the money I had saved for the last decade and a half has been taken from me in a separation that is still very raw and hard to understand and process.

Thank you "Confused". I will look into this because I am an Aussie citizen and "world renowned" is awesome. I very much hope that you can sort out your separation as beneficially as possible. I feel for you having lost resources that were to be used for your freedom.

Wowee! I just had a quick look at the cranio-facial unit in Adelaide and its practitioner Dr David David and I have to say from a cosmetic perspective that I am incredibly impressed. I'll have to find out their pricing however. Can anyone help me with this?

Quote from: roxie rudi on December 28, 2015, 12:48:11 PM
Thanks Deeiche. On a similar note, does anyone know about Femilife? They have an advertisement on Youtube for FFS. Are they any good?

I don't have any personal experience with Femilife.  However if you do a Google search for "Carol and femilife" you can find her well written comments regarding her FFS with Dr Pimental.  Her blog is a good read because she also posts about getting FUE hair transplants in Turkey.

Quote from: roxie rudi on December 28, 2015, 02:58:13 PM
Wowee! I just had a quick look at the cranio-facial unit in Adelaide and its practitioner Dr David David and I have to say from a cosmetic perspective that I am incredibly impressed. I'll have to find out their pricing however. Can anyone help me with this?

I had just gotten to the stage of setting up consults with the various surgeons involved.
Bear in mind that every consult is a charged consult in Australia (some of it covered back on Medicare) and I had to cancel the meetings due to what was going on personally.
My schedule was to have me meeting with 7 different surgeons from different backgrounds over a period of about a month in October this year.
I don't know what the end figure would have come to and I don't know if it could have been a public patient process for the day or if insurance would have assisted in the costs (guessing not many people have challenged our health insurance system on the 'cosmetic' vs 'essential for emotional and mental wellbeing' aspect in such a situation yet...)
The appeal was that this was local and I would be in my own health system if things went wrong.
Dami

I have just emailed a surgeon and a couple of psychiatrists I know to find out what is available in Australia as far as FFS.

I'll let you know.

Cindy

Cindy and Dami I literally do not know how to express enough thanks, so, here goes anyway: THANKS!! XOXOXO!!

Yes Dami I'm forced to agree with you about being comfortable within my own health system.

This forum and officials is quite amazing, how come until recently I never knew of it's existence !!

Quote from: roxie rudi on December 29, 2015, 02:09:56 AM
Cindy and Dami I literally do not know how to express enough thanks, so, here goes anyway: THANKS!! XOXOXO!!

Yes Dami I'm forced to agree with you about being comfortable within my own health system.

Hi,

Just thought I'd let you know - I got quotes from Supporn and from Facial Team in Spain, and they weren't a lot different from each other.

After initially thinking I'd need FFS, after everyone around me saying not required I'm starting to take that in. Still if I do go anywhere it would be Spain. They have a very good reputation and FFS is all that they do.

As far as I know, and I have looked, there's no one in Australia that specializes in, or advertises FFS.

For me that is great to know! I especially like the facts that feminine (alongside feminising) facial surgery is their only specialisation and that they also have a great reputation. I hope other girls here find this very helpful too. Thank you very, very much Penny. I am breathing a little bit easier now.

Ciao bella,
xoxo,
Roxanne.

Quote from: PennyW on January 05, 2016, 11:15:44 PM
Hi,

After initially thinking I'd need FFS, after everyone around me saying not required I'm starting to take that in.

You could try some bangs to cover forehead and brows.
With long hair its also possible to lead the hair up to just before one ear around the forehead to the next ear, and fix it with pins.

If you have not long hair yet you might try a wig or some clipin extensions, they can be used with hair a few cm long (there are vids on youtube for that). I'd go for real hair, it has a better feel imo.

Hair and some foundation makeup (I'd recommend organic) can already make a big difference.


hugs