Hi all...
I know that Carol here has had a wonderful experience with Femilife in Peru, and there were some other discussions here about others going there either for the surgery, or a consultation. I have been in contact with Nikky, and everything seems great, but I was just looking to correspond with anyone else who has been down there to see about their experience. I guess I'm just cautious....
Has anyone else been there recently or had an experience with them? Thanks!!!
PS... I'm looking at arriving in Peru on August 5th for my surgery...
I am sorry to ask, and I don't want to suggest anything but have you ever considered any of the Thai doctors for FFS? I think some of them are very good and there are many patients out there you can contact
I did look over there for FFS... there were some interesting options, but a lot of drawbacks as well... Don't know the language, accomodations, etc. Years ago I figured I'd go there for everything...
I've been happy with this place in Peru so far... There were old threads in here about a couple people going down there to check it out and having a good experience, and one woman I've been in touch with had her work done there.
Although the doctors there have been doing this a while (And the FFS doctor is a maxillofacilary reconstructive trauma surgeon), the "company" is fairly new bringing it all together in one place, so I guess I just wanted a little more "personal experience".
I have had no warning flags, nor bad gut feelings about it...... and I do trust my gut. Just wondering if anyone else has been there recently. Honestly, I'd still be asking these questions about the docs in the US if I was doing it here too.....
I have just returned from Lima after having my FFS over two seperate surgeries, the first being on April 5th and the second on the 16th April.
My first surgery consisted on forehead recontouring, chin/jaw remodelling, scalp advance, brow lift and lip lift which all took about 6hours; whereas the second surgery was just to be 3-4 hours consisting of Rhinoplasty, upper and lower Blepharoplasty, face and neck lifts. Dr Pimentel is fabulous and is a bit of a perfectionist, during the 2nd operation he decided to do lipo on my neck and manipilate my cheek muscles to make them look fuller so as to give me a much better overall look as I did not want to have cheek implants. So the surgery ended up being nearly 8 hours, the downside of which nobody thought to inform my partner of why it was taking longer, so she was obviously distraught with worry that something had gone wrong.
I am very pleased with the results so far and can't wait to see the final look when all the swelling has gone.
Femilife is a young company and need some improvements to the service that they provide, particularly with regard to accommodation which wasn't brilliant but it served its purpose. The Manana attitude is a bit annoying when you are used to working to a strict appointment schedule, so there was a great deal of waiting around. But overall I'm so pleased that I chose Femilife and would probably do so if I had to do it again.
Thank you Giselle, I really appreciate you taking the time to post.
If you don't mind me asking, what about the accomodations did you not like? Also, is there internet access in the accomodations? I'm pretty sure I remember Nikky saying there is WiFi, but that's about the only way I'll be communicating with everyone after the surgery.
Anything else you think I need to know before going?
I appreciate the feedback!
There was wifi in the apartment which worked well for the most part although some skype calls struggled using video.
We upgraded to another apartment as we didn't like the one we were offered, which we only found out about a few days before travelling....the cost was $50 per night which included the allowance for accommodation already paid of $34 per night from our original quote.
The apartment in general was badly maintained, cleanliness was an issue, some aspects were hazardopus such as loose light fittings in the shower. Not sure if you are aware but Nikky uses www.innperu.com for accommodation; but there are much better places close by if you have time to look before travelling; not sure how Femilife would feel about that though.
Please feel free to PM me if you want any further information.
Quote from: Giselle Marie on April 27, 2012, 10:43:33 AM
There was wifi in the apartment which worked well for the most part although some skype calls struggled using video.
We upgraded to another apartment as we didn't like the one we were offered, which we only found out about a few days before travelling....the cost was $50 per night which included the allowance for accommodation already paid of $34 per night from our original quote.
The apartment in general was badly maintained, cleanliness was an issue, some aspects were hazardopus such as loose light fittings in the shower. Not sure if you are aware but Nikky uses www.innperu.com for accommodation; but there are much better places close by if you have time to look before travelling; not sure how Femilife would feel about that though.
Please feel free to PM me if you want any further information.
Thanks Giselle Marie for this great info.
You were saying there are much nicer place to stay in close by, I can't search any hotels near by because I don't know where Femilife is located, would you know the address?
I have a tentative date of September 6th with them.
Thank you
Hey Shedevil....
How has your communication been with them? I'm going in August.....
The office is on Avenida Larco 345, Miraflores, Lima, from there you go south to the Larcomar which is a small mall overlooking the beach which has some good eating places and is lovely to watch the sunset from.
This is the main area either side of Avenida Larco where there are some small hotels and apartment blocks.... although I'm not sure how a hotel would work if you have jaw or chin surgery and are unable to eat anything but soft or blended food.
I'm not sure how Nikki would feel about you not using her recommended accommodations, but if I had known more about the area and had longer time to arrange then I would of certainly made alternative accommodation arrangements.
Well, it's all set. I will be arriving in Lima on August 5th for my FFS with Dr. Pimentel at Femilife. Deposits have been sent, airline reservations have been made, and I'm in full freak out mode! LOL.
I never thought I would feel anxious at this stage. Although I do look in the mirror and "can't wait" to see less of the man, there are times when I'm just sitting by myself that I do still feel that fear and anxiety... Thought I had gotten over all of that. Of course, I was never one to take change easy.. lol
That is normal to feel anxious before the surgery. I went out of my mind before my SRS. Congratulations for your surgery date.
I wish you a very successful surgery
Quote from: swan on May 20, 2012, 12:23:11 PM
That is normal to feel anxious before the surgery. I went out of my mind before my SRS. Congratulations for your surgery date.
I wish you a very successful surgery
Thank you! And thanks for letting me know it's ok to be anxious. It's nice to hear!
i sent a email to them , but never got a reply
Sometimes Nikky takes a little while to respond to emails.
Can't wait to hear your feed back, gonna be a whiiile.
i've had my eyes on this place for a while now.
from the results ive seen they are actually really good the only thing thats scaring me and i know this sounds bad is it being in peru element
Same haha.
It just sounds dirty and unclean hearing it.
/->-bleeped-<-
/going to hell
As someone who considers herself a latina person the anti-peru stuff honestly makes me angry. Peru is one of the places I've considered trying to live some day. Although since it is a "criollo" family my relatives might agree about Peru. :-\ My father said something about how I shouldn't live in latin america because the buses would have chickens on them or something. That stuff is screwed up.
Anyway, yes Peruvians can do just as good a job as Americans, no peruvians are not going to all steal your money, no peruvians are not dishonest or lazy (although it's true that latin american countries do have a tendency to be looser with schedules)....
I'm latina too? Lol.
Most latin countries are dirty.
Chill.
Haven't been to Peru yet, obviously.
If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. XD
Quote from: JoeyD on May 21, 2012, 07:22:20 AM
I'm latina too? Lol.
Most latin countries are dirty.
Chill.
Haven't been to Peru yet, obviously.
If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. XD
I mean the city where I live is pretty gross/dirty too so I'm sure a poor/"third world" country will have a lot of places like that. I wasn't just responding to you though. I've seen people in other threads say that they thought that if they used femilife they would be robbed or that it was bad to pay anything in advance because then they would just keep your money. that's blatant prejudice and if that wasn't going on I might feel more comfortable about people making jokes about the smell.
Oh.
Viva la taco bell.
as long as we're being latin my sister married a mexican who refuses to go to taco bell. he has grudgingly started going to the sit down mexican restaurants but he won't have anything to do with the fast food.
Quote from: Carbon on May 21, 2012, 12:41:22 PM
as long as we're being latin my sister married a mexican who refuses to go to taco bell. he has grudgingly started going to the sit down mexican restaurants but he won't have anything to do with the fast food.
Tell your brother in law it's not that serious lmao.
Quote from: GhostTown11 on May 21, 2012, 01:33:09 PM
Tell your brother in law it's not that serious lmao.
I told her to tell him that the fast food places are not mexican food. She took that to mean that I thought she should call it Italian food or something, so I told her to tell him that it's North American food. It apparently is a big deal for him though, which I respect even though I resent him for not inviting me over for his family's Christmas enchiladas.
I also told my sister that giving her baby hot sauce wouldn't be child abuse since the child is Mexican, so if anything he should be able to drink it straight. She didn't think that was very funny.
Yes, Nikky takes a while to answer emails. That's a bit frustrating. I had doubts about transferring money as well, but there are a lot of reasons for this (One is that you get taxed after bringing in more than $10,000 into Peru), and I did my research, and finally, just figured, you have to take a chance, no? Also, I know that there are other programs in south america that require the same transfer. There are a few really good spanish immersion programs that my friends have done where you have to transfer all the money prior to going. So I knew about that as well.
South America is just different, it's not bad, or wrong. My best friend is from Chile, and a good friend, (and an ex girlfriend) are from Venezuela, so I know what these countries are like. I have another friend from Peru, who grew up in Lima, and now lives in Los Angeles. She prefers the medical care there more in Peru than here. Another friend of mine (American) had his nephew live in Lima for a year, and he also said that the medical care was "top notch".
My problem wasn't ever with Peru, as it's one of the places I really want to see anyway. (Too bad I will be in no condition to see Machu Pichu). My problem was with a company so new, and little information about the doctors on their site. But after talking to a few people who went there, and researching things on google's peru site. (www.google.com.pe (http://www.google.com.pe)) everything checked out.
Besides, Lima is the capital city and has a lot to offer. I'm sure if you go into the very small villages then yes, you will find some dirtier conditions... but check around your own country. Those areas exist there too.
Well, hope this helps. I'm a gringa who was born and raised in Chicago, and lives now in Miami. I am excited to see Lima and experience the culture..... oh, and have some surgery.
When it comes to the medicine the USA medicine is far from the top regarding the quality. it is on the top regarding the prices. In the USA doctors charge the most expensive rates.
I have had liposuction done in Bogota, Colombia and there is one of the best doctors for lipo you could possibly find on earth. I don't know much about Peru but I assume that the medicine there is first class as well. You will be shocked that the clinics look better then the US clinics, and the nursing is much better then the one in the US.
I have heard that the doctor in Peru is very good but I don't have any first hand experience with him.
Quote from: swan on May 22, 2012, 01:25:59 PM
When it comes to the medicine the USA medicine is far from the top regarding the quality. it is on the top regarding the prices. In the USA doctors charge the most expensive rates.
I have had liposuction done in Bogota, Colombia and there is one of the best doctors for lipo you could possibly find on earth. I don't know much about Peru but I assume that the medicine there is first class as well. You will be shocked that the clinics look better then the US clinics, and the nursing is much better then the one in the US.
I have heard that the doctor in Peru is very good but I don't have any first hand experience with him.
i feel like this too , as im not even in the USA ,when i see dr spiegals and dr di maggio results are both around the same quality , it doesnt make sense to me to go to spiegal at double the price
I can vouch for Femilife. I am in Lima right now and I had my FFS done by Dr. Pimentel on May 17, 2012. So far I am very pleased with the whole experience.
Quote from: Jaimie on May 23, 2012, 03:16:29 PM
I can vouch for Femilife. I am in Lima right now and I had my FFS done by Dr. Pimentel on May 17, 2012. So far I am very pleased with the whole experience.
Great Jaimie! Let me know more when you can... I'll be there on August 5th! How are your accomodations?
http://youtu.be/RxKxKNj7m4U (http://youtu.be/RxKxKNj7m4U)
I just made a video of my apartment. I have Wi-Fi in the apartment and a TV with DVD player in the bedroom. There is only a shower, no bath tub. The kitchen has a water boiler so I can make soup and pasta. There is a single pot electric range, a microwave, utensils, dishes, and a small refrigerator. Next to the window in my video is a mattress that Nikky got for me because my mother is coming to visit me. My mother will be sleeping on a small mattress on the floor but she is OK with that. If I had known she was coming to visit in advance Nikky would've put me in a larger apartment. Layla from the UK, who is here right now with her friend, says that her apartment is bigger (three bedrooms vs. one) but my apartment is nicer. My apartment is only a few blocks from Larcomar Mall and the coast. Sorry I can't talk very well in the video, I still have a nose cast on. I tried to make the video short because it would take forever to upload otherwise. The Wi-Fi in my apartment is 0.5 Mbps download and 0.4 Mbps upload.
Quote from: Jaimie on May 23, 2012, 05:58:13 PM
http://youtu.be/RxKxKNj7m4U (http://youtu.be/RxKxKNj7m4U)
I just made a video of my apartment. I have Wi-Fi in the apartment and a TV with DVD player in the bedroom. There is only a shower, no bath tub. The kitchen has a water boiler so I can make soup and pasta. There is a single pot electric range, a microwave, utensils, dishes, and a small refrigerator. Next to the window in my video is a mattress that Nikky got for me because my mother is coming to visit me. My mother will be sleeping on a small mattress on the floor but she is OK with that. If I had known she was coming to visit in advance Nikky would've put me in a larger apartment. Layla from the UK, who is here right now with her friend, says that her apartment is bigger (three bedrooms vs. one) but my apartment is nicer. My apartment is only a few blocks from Larcomar Mall and the coast. Sorry I can't talk very well in the video, I still have a nose cast on. I tried to make the video short because it would take forever to upload otherwise. The Wi-Fi in my apartment is 0.5 Mbps download and 0.4 Mbps upload.
Wow! You work fast! Since I noticed that the picture on your computer is ME!!! (from this forum.) LOL!!!!!! Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I am getting a two bedroom, because my friend is going to stay with me for two weeks... Good to know you like the place. All I really need is a blender, since I make a lot of smoothie type drinks, and after all my jaw work, I'm sure I'll be drinking a lot of those.
Thanks so much Jaimie! I hope your recovery is coming along great. One last question... do they pack the nose? Or is it only the nose cast? (Hopefully no packing!!)
XO
My nose was packed for two days. I had to breathe through my mouth the whole time. After Dr. Pimentel took the packing out I still had discharge and congestion for a few days so it was still difficult to breathe through the nostrils. Having the packing out is a huge improvement. I'm on day 7 of my recovery and tomorrow I get the nose cast off.
I wish I had smoothies. I am just now starting to eat soft foods. I can eat pasta and tuna now. I can't eat anything hard yet. The first 4 days and all I could eat were liquids, soup, Gatorade, and yogurt. I like the yogurt here. It is runny enough to drink and it comes in lots of different flavors.
My apartment doesn't have a blender. Nikky bought me a mattress for my mother and I'm sure if you give her a few soles she will get you a blender.
Honey,
My advice for having a nose job. When you wake up from the anesthesia you will have a feeling that you can not breath. Plus due to the nose job and the mouth work you will have a terrible taste of blood in your mouth. That is the worst part of the FFS. You must be psychologically prepared for that in order not to freak out. Also if this is your first anesthesia you must be prepared to be shaking when you wake up. Most of the people freak out when they start shaking. It lasts for about 15 minutes but if you are conscious at that time it is a very unpleasant experience. But the FFS is not really a painful surgery, even though we all react different to pain. The pain can be easily controlled with painkillers. So don't worry about anything. You fall asleep, you wake up, a few days of pain, then you are a new person. :)
xxxxxxx
HATE HATE HATE having my nose packed! (Had sinus surgery before..) Was hoping for just a nose splint. Oh well, can't have everything!
Yeah, the anesthesia is a pain for me. Really bad violent reactions to it. Lots of forceful vomiting when I'm only semi conscious. There is Zofran, which helps stop this for me. I told Nikky to see if she can get it, but I am also working on getting the IV meds and taking them with me. I just cannot throw up that violently after this kind of surgery, and Zofran is the ONLY thing that stops it for me. So I need it no matter what.
I have to find out about what I need to do to bring it into the country. (It will be prescription, so I don't think it will be a problem)
As far as waking up goes, I'm actually pretty aware, even when I'm out of it. I remind myself to breathe, and that it's temporary, and to just sleep it off. Has always worked for me. I'm hoping my eyes don't swell shut after the forehead work. I've heard that's common for the first 24 hours or so.
Yeah, I'll need a blender. I have some great protein, and some meal replacement shakes filled with nutrients. I figure I'll live on that for quite a few days.
Thanks for the updates Jaimie, and thanks as always for the advice swan!!
I am also very conscious when i awake from anesthesia. Tell your anesthesiologist about your vomiting problems and he will take care of it. I have personally never vomited after GA but there are many medications they can give you when waking you up to prevent the vomiting. About the prescriptions, you can have them on you without any problems. BTW zofran is available in most of the countries and i am sure they have it in Peru. Just tell them that you are very susceptible to it before.
Even though it is a few months away, it will pass very quick. Keep positive attitude :)
I have just posted some of my post-op pictures in this thread here (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,116203.msg957287.html#msg957287) and there are some larger images available in my blog here (http://caroluren.blogspot.co.uk/p/ffs-results.html)
I'm just posting because I'm really interested in Femlife and your experiences. If I go, it'll be for Mid-November. If I may ask, what are you getting done, and for how much?
Well, I have just postponed my surgery which was scheduled for August 5th.....
But I was having forehead, brow lift, nose, cheeks, chin, jaw, lip lift, tracheal shave, mini facelift, and my eyes done..... and it was around $17,000 for everything.
I spoke to Carol (posted above) and another girl about their experiences and was pleased with what they had to say. You can also read Carol's blog. Honestly, I've had a very good experience with Nikky there, but she does take some time to respond to emails.
Anyway, when I do end up having it done, I am going there, no question.
do you mind me asking why you postponed your surgery?
Hello girls. I too have decided on Femilife. I've absolutely been blown away by the results of all the girls I've seen and the prices are more in line with what I can actually save. I'm a bit uneasy about sending such large sums of $$$ before arriving but my intuition tells me I'm doing the right thing. I too would love any input for girls that have been to Femilife to have FFS. I've already read Carol's blog regarding her trip and was so impressed with her work and her willingness to share experiences with those of us contemplating a visit to Peru. Would love to see some pre/post op pics too if willing to share. AuburnAubrey, wish I could go along with you and get this done at the same time... I'd love to have someone there to share experiences with and to talk to. I'd love to talk more about all of your experiences with Femilife thus far.
~ Jessie <3
Quote from: englishroseeight on July 03, 2012, 07:07:48 PM
do you mind me asking why you postponed your surgery?
Well, I kept having these breakdowns as the date kept getting closer.... and I realized that I stopped looking forward to it. Figured it was either fear, or something deeper screaming to be heard. So, in either case, I felt it was best to step back and resolve that before moving forward. I didn't want to do it, then wake up and be out of my mind that I did it......
So, just a little setback on the road.... I'll figure it out.
Quote from: JessieAshley on July 04, 2012, 12:16:51 AM
I'm a bit uneasy about sending such large sums of $$$ before arriving but my intuition tells me I'm doing the right thing.
AuburnAubrey, wish I could go along with you and get this done at the same time... I'd love to have someone there to share experiences with and to talk to. I'd love to talk more about all of your experiences with Femilife thus far.
~ Jessie <3
Jessie...... I was uneasy about sending the money as well...... but don't worry. It's fine. I also found out that other things in South America (like spanish emersion courses) also require the wiring of money to set the reservation. (My therapist is going to Equador in August, and had to wire 50% for her spanish emersion course.) I didn't have any problems with my deposit.
And I did postpone mine........ for the reasons above. Good luck with everything! If you want any specifics, just PM me.
i remember feeling a bit wary of Dr Di Maggio a couple of years ago because it seemed like suddenly everyone was talking about him out of the blue on the yahoo group, but yet there was relatively little real-life experience of his work. i wondered if it was all too good to be true. Even when later there were a good number of girls who had been to him and posted their experiences on line with photos i still felt hesitant because surgeons like Dr Z, O, NvdD etc had such long histories in terms of presence on the FFS boards. BUT then i met a girl in person who had been to him and that kind of relaxed me. the internet is amazing in many ways, but it is kind of detached from reality and it can't replace face to face correspondence.
I think dr di maggio might have initially specialised in reconstructions and non-cosmetic trauma stuff and the FFS was a branch out from that. So it wasn't that he wasn't an established surgeon, more that he wouldn't have been on the radar internationally prior to focussing more on FFS side. So I am guessing that this might also be the case with Dr Pimentel?? It will take time for him to establish himself in the FFS world, but as time passes more girls will have been to him and there will be therefore more proof of his skills out there. It is certainly really useful to have ladies like Carol documenting their trips and I hope more who go to him do the same. Dr Pimentel is on my list, but I am going to try and find someone to meet up with who has been to him first, as i know it will reassure me :) Aubrey - maybe you should look to do the same, as it might make you feel more confident about doing the surgery? regardless of feeling confident about the choice of surgeon the whole concept is pretty scary and i think it really helps to meet girls who have been through it, getting tips etc.
Aubrey,I wish you all the very best in overcoming these trials.Life is scary but I know that you have overcome much to get this far(as most of us have)......You will continue to do so.Take all the time you need and when the time is right you will surely be the one to know.Until then take some pleasure from the things you have achieved thus far.
Big smiles and support from my heart.Collette
Quote from: englishroseeight on July 04, 2012, 09:55:10 PM
Aubrey - maybe you should look to do the same, as it might make you feel more confident about doing the surgery? regardless of feeling confident about the choice of surgeon the whole concept is pretty scary and i think it really helps to meet girls who have been through it, getting tips etc.
I have absolutely no fear of going to Peru, Dr. Pimentel, or the actual surgery...... It's more of the fear of, "am I ready for this step?" or, perhaps more accurate, "Am I sure that this step is for me?" The fear, or whatever it is, lies somewhere in here.
I'm cool with the surgery. One thing about research I've known for a long time. There will be people that love it, and people that hate it. The degree of what is considered a "bad experience" is extremely personal for the individual, and often times, a bad review is that the person just had expectations that were way to high to be realistic. And ultimately, anyone can have a bad experience at a good place, and vise versa. After you make sure that whatever you are reviewing is "sound", then you have to trust your gut and make a decision. Because ultimately, whatever happens is going to happen.
Quote from: collettemichelle on July 04, 2012, 11:00:36 PM
Aubrey,I wish you all the very best in overcoming these trials.Life is scary but I know that you have overcome much to get this far(as most of us have)......You will continue to do so.Take all the time you need and when the time is right you will surely be the one to know.Until then take some pleasure from the things you have achieved thus far.
Big smiles and support from my heart.Collette
Thank you dear!!
Hi sweetie
You have made the right decision with postponing the surgery. Take your time. Don't do it until you are certain it is the right decision for you. It took me years to make sure I'm transsexual and sex change is for me. I now have no doubts I made the right choice.
I wish you the best of luck.
Quote from: swan on July 06, 2012, 02:32:16 PM
Hi sweetie
You have made the right decision with postponing the surgery. Take your time. Don't do it until you are certain it is the right decision for you. It took me years to make sure I'm transsexual and sex change is for me. I now have no doubts I made the right choice.
I wish you the best of luck.
Thanks Swan....... how are you feeling? XOXO
I returned back to normal life and I'm feeling super happy. I'm somehow afraid of having sex and untill I get over this fear I will not do it. Other then that I have recovered 100%
Quote from: swan on July 07, 2012, 03:50:09 AM
I returned back to normal life and I'm feeling super happy. I'm somehow afraid of having sex and untill I get over this fear I will not do it. Other then that I have recovered 100%
Wonderful!!! (ahhhh, fear..... how I know thee.. :) )
I just got my quote today:
- Remodeling Forehead ( tipe 3) with scraping the orbital contours
- scalp advancement
- Rhinoplasty
- Chin feminization
- Jaw feminization
- lift upper lip
-Reduction of the Adam's Apple
Total cost: 13.500 U.S. Dollars
I'm looking at going around Nov 16. My girlfriend will be coming. :)
Just FYI--
I did cancel my surgery as stated, and Nikky is sending me my deposit back, which is awesome. HOWEVER- after I sent her my banking info needed for the transfer, she asked me for my full address, and also my identification number. I wasn't sure what she meant, so I tried to clarify it. She said I needed to give her my national identification number........ which in the US is my social security number. I called my bank, and they assured me that that wasn't needed to do the transfer... (either was my home address). I told Nikky that, and she said her bank is asking for it. So I had my friend who speaks spanish call the bank in Lima and ask. they also said that they did not need that, and the numbers I gave were all they needed. (Again, not needing my address). I wrote to Nikky and told her that I am still confused to what number that she needs, because now both banks said I don't need to give any other info.... and that I will not give out my social security number, because with that, my bank info, and my address, you can do a whole bunch of bad stuff.
Today I recieved an email stating that she sent the money, and it should be in my bank in one business day.
I really don't know how to take this. I had no bad feelings about Femilife, or Nikky, but this is a huge red flag. I hate to think that they were fishing for my social security number. (This is big in South America, where the selling of US social security numbers is big business.) She never said the words social security number, (I even wrote to her in spanish to see if that was it), but she kept asking for my national ID number, which basically is my social. Strange that when I refused, the money still got wired.
I'll wait to see if I get the money back. I don't know if it's anything or not, but I wanted to post the experience here. Take it for what you will. I will, however, have to rethink going there when I am ready for my FFS based on this. I've heard great things about Dr. Pimentel, but trust is a huge issue for me, and I'm not so sure I trust her now.
Anyway, again, just take it for what it is. Just wanted to make people aware of it.
Did you get the money? I am sorry for asking but your previous post made me a bit paranoid.
Quote from: swan on July 11, 2012, 07:07:12 PM
Did you get the money? I am sorry for asking but your previous post made me a bit paranoid.
I did. I recieved it this afternoon.... (Minus $500 which I guess were fees?.... whatever. Price I have to pay for cancelling I guess.)
Like I said, I really had no problems with her, and no bad gut feelings.... but why suddenly she was asking for that, when it obviously wasn't needed, bugs me a bit.
I'll take responsibility for my part. I was a little indecisive, and told her I may cancel, then I was ok, then I cancelled.... so maybe she was just frustrated with me.... which is fine. But yeah, going over this made me feel uncomfortable. Hope it wasn't a "she screwed me so I'll screw her" type of thing. I mean, I was still planning on going there when I'm sure I'm ready... but now I have some doubts. not sure how I'll get over that one.
i actually got your spot for august 5th, so ill be able to say first hand how good a job they do.
i worry too about sending a large amount of money off like that so far away, and theres all sorts of things to angst about. its a bit of a leap of faith.
i completely agree. dont get anything permanent like this done, unless you are absolutely, completely sure.
Flopsie,
Congratulations for your surgery date. I wish you best of luck. Please keep us informed. I don't think you should be afraid of sending the money as they sent the money back to Aubrey even though she canceled the surgery. They sound like a serious company and I don't think sending the money would be an issue. Also I was thinking that Nikkie perhaps doesn't speak good English and maybe the thing with the social security number was just a misunderstanding.
Anyway what are you having done?
heres what nikky quoted-
Remodeling of the forehead
Scalp advance
Feminization Rhinoplasty
Cheek implants (small)
feminization of chin
Feminization jaw
Lifting the upper lip
face lift in the lower face ( rejuvenation)
for approximately 17000 usd.
dimmagio quoted 27000 for the same procedures, btw.
Sounds like a full FFS. Great :)
They have really great prices, but I'm not sure about some of the results. From what I've seen, the forehead recontouring dr. Pimentel does isn't all that satisfactory to me (most results still look too narrow and not nicely around down to the nose). Maybe he's more of a conservative surgeon.
Quote from: flopsie on July 16, 2012, 05:14:55 PM
i actually got your spot for august 5th, so ill be able to say first hand how good a job they do.
i worry too about sending a large amount of money off like that so far away, and theres all sorts of things to angst about. its a bit of a leap of faith.
i completely agree. dont get anything permanent like this done, unless you are absolutely, completely sure.
Please let me know how everything goes! There's days when I'm a bit upset with myself for cancelling, but overall, I still think it was the right thing to do for me at this time........ still working though it all... And I'll probably still go to Femilife when all is said and done.
Swan, I do speak spanish, and did write to her (and she responded) in spanish, so I can get that misinterpretation out of the way. Again, this number that she said she absolutely could not send the money without, was suddenly not needed at all after I called the bank. So who knows. I've never read a bad thing about Nikky, nor did I have any bad experiences with her, or Femilife.... It's more just a cautionary tale.......
I'm also very interested in your results. I'll probably be booking next month.
Quote from: auburnAubrey on July 17, 2012, 10:58:41 AM
Please let me know how everything goes! There's days when I'm a bit upset with myself for cancelling, but overall, I still think it was the right thing to do for me at this time........ still working though it all... And I'll probably still go to Femilife when all is said and done.
I am sure that you have done the right thing with cancelling the surgery. I have learned the hard way that every time I do something and I am not certain 100 % I end up being sorry. Take your time and don't do it until you are 100 % sure you want it. Transitioning is a very tough path we take and going with the flow is a MUST in order to complete it. Going with the flow is about listening to your intuition.
Were there any red flags besides the social security number issue? I'm a year or two away from FFS, but I want to be ready and prepared with a plan. The prices seem great there and same with the results, but that makes me wonder if it's too good to be true. I'll definitely be here to see how everyone's work goes!
Quote from: Rory on July 22, 2012, 02:33:50 PM
Were there any red flags besides the social security number issue? I'm a year or two away from FFS, but I want to be ready and prepared with a plan. The prices seem great there and same with the results, but that makes me wonder if it's too good to be true. I'll definitely be here to see how everyone's work goes!
Honestly? No. that's what made that whole thing sit so uncomfortably for me... Everything was fine, our communication was good, she was refunding me my money...... then that whole thing.
I never had a bad feeling about Nikky, or Femilife. I just posted that story as a caution. It didn't effect me, but I certainly wonder what would have happened if I did give her my Social security number. Oh well, nothing happened, and I'm still in the 90th percentile of being sure I'll go there when I'm ready.
Quote from: auburnAubrey on July 23, 2012, 04:14:46 PM
Honestly? No. that's what made that whole thing sit so uncomfortably for me... Everything was fine, our communication was good, she was refunding me my money...... then that whole thing.
I never had a bad feeling about Nikky, or Femilife. I just posted that story as a caution. It didn't effect me, but I certainly wonder what would have happened if I did give her my Social security number. Oh well, nothing happened, and I'm still in the 90th percentile of being sure I'll go there when I'm ready.
Mkay, just thought I'd check. It'll definitely be on my list of possibilities in the future.
What happened with the girl who went to Peru for FFS on the 5th of August? Anybody know?
No, haven't heard...... but am interested.... My original plans there were to arrive on August 5th, and leave on September 5th... I don't know how much she had done, but she might still be there....
Quote from: auburnAubrey on July 10, 2012, 08:52:37 PM
Just FYI--
I did cancel my surgery as stated, and Nikky is sending me my deposit back, which is awesome. HOWEVER- after I sent her my banking info needed for the transfer, she asked me for my full address, and also my identification number. I wasn't sure what she meant, so I tried to clarify it. She said I needed to give her my national identification number........ which in the US is my social security number. I called my bank, and they assured me that that wasn't needed to do the transfer... (either was my home address). I told Nikky that, and she said her bank is asking for it. So I had my friend who speaks spanish call the bank in Lima and ask. they also said that they did not need that, and the numbers I gave were all they needed. (Again, not needing my address). I wrote to Nikky and told her that I am still confused to what number that she needs, because now both banks said I don't need to give any other info.... and that I will not give out my social security number, because with that, my bank info, and my address, you can do a whole bunch of bad stuff.
Today I recieved an email stating that she sent the money, and it should be in my bank in one business day.
I really don't know how to take this. I had no bad feelings about Femilife, or Nikky, but this is a huge red flag. I hate to think that they were fishing for my social security number. (This is big in South America, where the selling of US social security numbers is big business.) She never said the words social security number, (I even wrote to her in spanish to see if that was it), but she kept asking for my national ID number, which basically is my social. Strange that when I refused, the money still got wired.
I'll wait to see if I get the money back. I don't know if it's anything or not, but I wanted to post the experience here. Take it for what you will. I will, however, have to rethink going there when I am ready for my FFS based on this. I've heard great things about Dr. Pimentel, but trust is a huge issue for me, and I'm not so sure I trust her now.
Anyway, again, just take it for what it is. Just wanted to make people aware of it.
I have talked a few times with Nikky, and from my experience, it is hard to communicate with her. She does not fully understand English; which in my opinion for a position like hers you should really have a firm grasp on the English language. I sent Nikky a request for information on Testimonials from some of Femilife's past patience. She replied back about two weeks later with ONE email contact. I requested the same information from another prospective FFS surgeon, and literally I received about 30 email contacts. There were other red flags as well for me so I think that Femilife is not the place I would want to go for my FFS. I hear that the techniques that the surgeons use there (especially for the bone) is pretty modern and extensive but it still worries me going there. A friend of mine is planning to go there for revisionary work but she still have a few months before any final decision is made yet?
One of the girls on one of the other groups I am in had FFS there about 6-8 months ago and she can not say enough good about the service she recieved. She is very pleased with the results and how she was taken care of post op.
She looks cute too!
Hi i m new here ,I m 30 yo and 10 months in hrt i m in contact with nikky but its so dificult ,the first time i send her my fotos she didnt response ,i was waiting 3 weeks and i ask her if is there ant problem she told me she didnt recieve my email...i resend them, but sometimes she never answer i wanna have ffs there but it looks dificult to comunicate,translate my emails to spanish and resend them, i ask for doctors opinion and if he saw my fotos because i have already had a rhinoplasty and this will be a revision so i wanna know if he can do it,and his opinion,
I hope it will ends good..
Yes, the responses are slow from her. I'm not sure, but I believe that she is running everything there by herself.... so as she gets busier with clients, it takes up more of her time. (That's my assumption).
its very hard to find someone who had surgery with femilife and it isnt good...if there is a lot of girls who already did ffs there why they dont talk? if i finaly go there i ll be diferent because i know how it is to help one person to make the right choise and feel good and not scary....i think nikky must work on that and be more kind and give informations...i dont know if she wants to be like this, but i think it will make alot of girls to go there...so if any of you already had the operation please give informations...and share your experience this will help alot .....thnks
info is always good. i wish i could help :(
Quote from: rachl on July 09, 2012, 09:17:17 PM
I just got my quote today:
- Remodeling Forehead ( tipe 3) with scraping the orbital contours
- scalp advancement
- Rhinoplasty
- Chin feminization
- Jaw feminization
- lift upper lip
-Reduction of the Adam's Apple
Total cost: 13.500 U.S. Dollars
I'm looking at going around Nov 16. My girlfriend will be coming. :)
wow rachl that's insane! does it include accommodation and all that?
Hello everybody thank you for your wonderful informative posts, After reading them, I'm still very nervous.
I know what you are feeling Aubrey, I have the same feeling now, I'm scheduled for January 14 for full FFS and thinking of postponing because I don't know if I'm doing the right thing?
Btw Aubrey, why did she charge you $500? Nikky told me it that my deposit was fully reimbursable.
hi sheyla i am afraid that this will happent to me also if i finally send the deposit and the surgery is to close...and that is hapened because we dont have a lot of results to see..doctors photo...and opinion...i dont know if dr pimentel see our photos or nicky send the same quote to everyone...when i send my pics to dr dimaggio amanda told me that the doctor saw my pics and i am sure of that because he saw exactly what i want for my nose that is already operated once and i want a revision...the bad comunication from nicky a very far away country like peru witch is a poor country and the only 3 -4 post op girls that you can find on the internet are the reasons that maybe i ll choose a more expensive doctor...maybe dr bart in belgium...see his website so many girls...also for me is very important the liplift and dr bart is very good on liplift and chin -haw reduction...dr pimentel s girls is like they didnt do liplift...i want more agressive aproach....and i cant talk to the doc to ask him thinks i must go to peru for a consultation...and it is very dificult...if any girl know nikky must tell her that she must show a more
a-pre and post results(if i finally go there i would like to give my photos)
b-photo of the doctor
3-a way to contact and ask question from the doc
its a big thing to change so musch your face
and you must be sure who will do it and if he can do it ...
Kisses and sorry for my bad english i hope you understand me...
Hi Nancy, I agree totally, but the price was so good and after talkinmg with Carol, seems Dr Pimentel is very good and speaks good english
who is carol? look i am in a big dilema,i wanna go there to do all in one surgery but i wanna also be sure what dr can do....for example if he isnt agressive enough maybe i will wanna have a revision...so i prefer not to do all in one but to be sure for the results, i would like to have a consultation but it is so far awy its 19 hours trip from greece where i live...and the cost is around 1500 euros close to 2000 usd...i dont know what i ll finally do...i hope things will change and nikky do something and we will feel closer to the doctor, see how he is look like...i am afraid to leave my face to someone that i never saw before...only from the words from someone who also i never saw, and maybe nikky must give a contct line to the doctor who speaks very good english...so why nothing from all these doesnt happen?...if she want to increase her work must do something ...
Carol had work done there and she said Dr Pimentel;s bone work was incredible
here's her blog
http://caroluren.blogspot.ca/p/my-ffs-in-lima-peru.html (http://caroluren.blogspot.ca/p/my-ffs-in-lima-peru.html)
you can ask her questions, she's a terrific lady, great help to me
I mentioned to Nikky what I wanted (very agressive) and she consulted with Dr Pimentel, and said that he could do it.
Quote from: rachl on July 09, 2012, 09:17:17 PM
I just got my quote today:
- Remodeling Forehead ( tipe 3) with scraping the orbital contours
- scalp advancement
- Rhinoplasty
- Chin feminization
- Jaw feminization
- lift upper lip
-Reduction of the Adam's Apple
Total cost: 13.500 U.S. Dollars
I'm looking at going around Nov 16. My girlfriend will be coming. :)
This is truly an awesome price, I would save over 6000 Dollars compared to the price of Dr. Z.
This was truly interesting to read, because I still don`t know if Dr. Z is better or Femilife is better...
Femilife and Dr. Z are the best, and I have my decision to make in the oncoming months.
Making the FFS @ Femilife, would save me a lot of time, would save me several months of Cash saving.
I got an even better price from Femilife some weeks ago for
- Mandibular and Chin reshaping (Jaw and chin feminisation)
- Full Septorhinoplasty
- Hairline Lowering
for 8000 Dollars, including all fees, anaesthesia, 2 Weeks accomodation and nursing and some other stuff.
But Dr. Z who gave me a price with 20.000 Dollars has some advantages, he would make
> Full adams apple shaving with hidden scar under the chin
> Chin and Jaw feminisation, Jaw feminisation with hidden scar inside the mouth and small incision hidden under the chin
> Liposuction on my Belly for a superflat belly and to gain some body fat for softening the face (Cheeks, Nasiobialfold filling etc)
> Lip filling
> Cheekbone Enhancements
> Full Septorhinoplasty
> Filling of the Nasiobialfold and the Cheeks with own body fat for supercute soft female face
> Full forehead recontouring with sinus bow shaving
> Hairline Lowering (Hairline Advancing) almost an inch down (2,54cm lowered Hairline)
> Facelift and tightening muscle, tissue and skin after the mandibular cutting and adams apple cutting for truly perfect female jawline aft
You see it`s possible to become model-like female after the Dr. Zukowski FFS, I think Dr. Z and Femilife are the best of the best worldwide, I don`t have any bad gut feelings about both of these FFS Clinics, and I need to make my decision in the oncoming months. :)
Aaaaw I am so anxious, if I get TOOOOO anxious I would chose femilife because their FFS would be possible some months earlier because of the somehow a little bit lower price.
But Dr. Z does a lot of more procedures on my face, including tightening/facelifting the mandibular and neck soft tissue after the bone cutting, and some other interesting things.
I`m so happy to have these two FFS Clinics.
Nikki is truly nice wrote a lot of mails to her, and I talked to Dr. Zukowski on the phone over half an hour he is so great and very nice, he also wanted to give me some contact infos from other T-Girls in Berlin but this is not necessary I have seen the pictures on his website, he`s awesome (but I must admit I am highly interested to see a real FFS in real-life, not just all these pictures on the internet, to have a closer look where exactly the scars are, to have a closer look how the mandibular jaw shape is made and how a shaved trachea looks like).
OK Femilife and Dr. Z are the best of the best.
Time will tell who makes my FFS :)
Booked the femilife FFS for August 2013, but after talking to Dr. Zukowski, well he wants to give me the complete real deal full thing for an awesome price.
I cannot decide anymore which clinic is better, I guess Dr. Z can do even more to my face.
But Femilife is a young upcoming and really great clinic who can give awesome prices for more poor people who have a hell of a time getting at least a few thousand dollars together and could NEVER afford Dr. O or other US surgeons with their 30.000+ Dollar prices, and Femilife offers truly great manbiular surgery results (sometimes the size of the chin is amost reduced to half of the size bevore and thats just AWESOME AWESOME compared to some other clinics who don`t even reduce the chin size a quarter of an Inch (6mm).
If someone asks me, I always recommend Femilife!
But I guess I am going to make the FFS @ the Zukowski Clinic.
What do you think?
What would you do?
These two are the best worldwide in my personal opinion, and I have contacted dozens of FFS surgeons worldwide.
how can you be so sure about femilife results?if you search on the internet there is only 4 girls post op from femilife..with not very clear pictures...3 of them on their website and one on ffs support...dr z have lot more girls who can their pics and they talk about their experience on the forums....so it is a litle bit weird what you say...i hope femilife is good on their results i really wanna have all in one surgery but i wanna be a litle more sure ...and i cant...any girl who was there for her ffs except carol and the other 4 girls?
someone told me, it's not because they have lots of pictures on their website that they are their own. I'm not implying anything, I'm just saying some might use pictures from any site.
Dr Z I think would be awesome...but because it's double the price that's why I considered Femilife over him. Toby MAyer in California was top on my list too but a bit pricey like Dr Z.
As for face and neck lift I'm have it done at Femilife too and the price for full FFs adam shaving and face and neck lift was absolutely mind blowing
i wanna do it...all in one surgery and i have the money for femilife but i m scared...its very far and so little information...no good comunication and no post op girl to ask.....i wanna do it but all these makes me think...i wanna be sure...it can be a disaster and its my face...its very good price ok...but if things arent as they said i will need a lot more for revision....sooooo nikky or any girl who knows her bring the doctor to the girls one photo of him...why so much mystery? give more results and be informative...because i dont think i can play my face on roulete...
I have also been searching for pictures/blogs of outcomes/results, besides Carol's pictures and their pictures on their website. The few links I have found to pictures or videos have been removed unfortunately, but understandably. Reports only state that they are happy, but do not give any details. If anyone can share their person experience and outcome directly with me, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.
i dont think you should be scare im going there on 2/22/13 will be getting my ffs in 3/6/13, i agree its scary but if dont risk you will never find out,plus i feel that most girls dont want to share pics, i guess is for personal reasons, i had sent a mssg to this lady on 12/28/2012 on facebook and she never reply but guess what this morning 1/24/13 got a mssg from her saying this.
Sorry did not see the message if now I'm already in Peru appointment with the surgeon and all very well
I advise a lot to do with Femilife the only thing you have to worry is to pack and not lose the flight Femilife else is handled by a cozy little apartment in a good area with supermarket nearby offices a short walk around this are people lovely kisses Mia .. On Thursday I have my surgery .
Date 3/31/13 hello girls er im back everything well now im recovering its been 23 days.
Sounds great :)
Femilife is one of the places I received a quote from. The others are Drs. Bart, Spiegel, Supporn, Chettawut, Simon and Capitan, Ousterhout, and T-Change in Argentina. so I have done alot of checking around. all my quotes were from the required frontal, 3/4 side and side photos. the recommended procedures I recieved ranged from everything to just forehead bossing/browlift/hairline advancement and lip lift. I have had the upper lip lift and cheek implants with Dr. Spiegel, and and am very very happy with the results. I get only favorable reactions from people and feel it made a great leap in feminization. I did those because I had financing available that would cover them, but not the more expensive forehead work. I want the forehead reduction/brow lift/hairline advancement procedure and I will be satisfied with my face.
I would feel comfortable going to Femilife from what I have been able to learn, and is a main candidate to complete my FFS. I have an appointment with Dr. Zukowski this late April for an in person evaluation, as I will be in Chicago for my regular checkup for my hormone provider. And today I discovered Dr. Leis in Philadelphia is very resonable for the work I want done to my face. So I am still in the research process.
If I get this done, and get a bit more booty (buttocks and hip enhancement), and my SRS, I will be one happy girl! If only I had the money all at one...
I would say good luck make your wise decision xxxx
io would stay away from femlife if I were you
Cardenas if you want low cost...
Dr Z is alot safer and you can get results posted...
femlife outsoures the surgeon I heard
I went to Femilife and had FFS with Dr. Pimentel. I am very satisfied with the results. Nikky and Mari took good care of me while I was recovery and I had a great time in Lima. I am one year post op now. I would recommend Femilife. I certainly consider Femilife in the future if there is anything else I decide I want done.
hello Jaime i would love to see the results maybe show some pics this my email ssmia26@aol.com
how long it took you to see the results in the lower part like the jawline and chin.