I'm getting ready to schedule FFS with Facial Team in Marbella, Spain, most likely in late July or early August. Anyone else going to be there around that time?
Last week I had a Skype consultation with Dr. Simon. He was well prepared and had definite opinions on the photos I provided. Unlike some surgeons, he doesn't seem to get impatient with questions, and was ready to go to into whatever detail I liked.
Communication is a big deal for me, particularly as this is corrective FFS, and I want to know exactly what is going to be changed, how much, and why. I'm expecting to have the following procedures:
* Forehead reconstruction with brow lift
* Hair transplant
* Chinplasty
* Lower jaw contouring
One thing I like is that Facial Team takes profile, 45-degree and side X-rays before the pre-op consultation, so you can discuss exactly where they plan to remove bone. You also get the "after" X-rays so you can see in detail what was achieved. For a good example, see these (http://facialteam.eu/facial-feminization-surgery/malin/) before and after X-rays.
Another thing I like is that Facial Team doesn't seem to have raised their prices much, if at all, over the last couple of years. I know this because I had a quote from them before I started transition, and there's very little change.
So, that's it for now. More to come as the time approaches. :)
I think you made a good choice to have revision work with Facial Team. They are kind of obsessive with detail pre-surgical assesment and CT-scans, which is specially great in such a case as yours, where you will have forehead and chin&jaw revision work. I hope you will be happy with result this time.
Though it would be also really helpful to share info on your first FFS experience with dr. Cardenas. What were you happy with, and what didn't go so well. This kind of information about surgeons and experience is much more valuable than many other satisfying experiences together. Thats just my opinion.
Quote from: mmmmm on May 15, 2015, 03:18:53 PM
... Though it would be also really helpful to share info on your first FFS experience with dr. Cardenas. What were you happy with, and what didn't go so well. This kind of information about surgeons and experience is much more valuable than many other satisfying experiences together. Thats just my opinion. ...
I hear you. Some people have had problems when they were specific about "what didn't go well" so I would prefer not to go into it in a public forum. Anyone with questions, feel free to PM me...
Good luck Eveline are you having the coronal incision with immediate transplants? And do you mind sharing what they are charging for everything?
Quote from: michelle82 on May 16, 2015, 06:20:45 AM
Good luck Eveline are you having the coronal incision with immediate transplants? And do you mind sharing what they are charging for everything?
Michelle, as I understand it, the transplants are to be done right after the FFS, using a strip of removed from the incision at the crown of the head. The quote calls it an "immediate microcapillary transplant".
Your question makes me wonder if I'll literally be out the whole time under general anesthesia, or whether the transplant is done under lighter sedation. I"m going to ask and will post the answer.
Also, I'm still waiting on a revised quote and will add the cost to this thread when I get it next week. :)
Today I got the quote from Facial Team, and the total is about 23,000€ ($26,500) for the following:
* Forehead/Orbital Reduction & Eyebrow lift
* Mandibular Reduction & Chinplasty
* Immediate hair transplant
I'm also estimating $1800 for airfare from Miami, and around $1500 for hotel. I have no clue yet what to estimate for meals.
My patient coordinator, Tamara Blanco, has been very responsive so far.
Next step: Send the requested 2000€ deposit and reserve a surgery date. :)
Acho os resultados da Facial Team muito fracos. Não vejo diferença nas pessoas que conheço que operaram com eles. Pouco experientes, Dr. Simon é dentista, não fez medicina!
Good Morning everyone,
I have just translated this comment from Portuguese to English and it says:
I think the results of Facial Team too weak. I see no difference in the people I know who operated them. Inexperienced, Dr. Simon is a dentist, did not medicine!
All that I can say is after seeing many UK based post-op Facial Team patients in London last February when Dr Capitan was holding a London Presentation and again last week when I was in Marbella for another consultation with both Dr Capitan & Dr Simon when I met two more post-op patients, I am very impressed with their results.
These are Dr Simon's qualifications:
Professional Memberships & Certifications Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons of Brazil
Society of Plastic Surgeons of Brazil
World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
European Professional Association for Transgender Health (EPATH)
Education & Training Specialization in Oral Surgery in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2001.
Specialization in Surgical Anatomy of the Face, University of Sao Paulo, 2002.
Residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2002-2005.
Fellowship at Dept. of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Antwerp, Belgium, 2005-2007.
Received MA from University of Gent, Belgium, 2007.
Hospital Affiliations High Care International Hospital, Marbella, Spain
Green Hill Hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Eveline you will be in excellent hands ... :) Quote from: jhulyglow on May 28, 2015, 01:11:09 PM
Acho os resultados da Facial Team muito fracos. Não vejo diferença nas pessoas que conheço que operaram com eles. Pouco experientes, Dr. Simon é dentista, não fez medicina!
WARNING
There are some translation issues and separate accusations have also been made regarding 'infiltration' of the FFS area by staff members of surgical units.
I am aware and have warned such staff members to declare their allegiances when posting.
Since this has not occurred I will warn members who are seeking advice on FFS units to be very aware that they may be receiving biased, unprofessional and inaccurate advice from such people.
I find this deeply disappointing and saddening.
I suggest that people are very cautious in who they take advice from.
Cindy
Eu conheço pessoalmente meninas brasileiras que ficaram decepcionadas com as cirurgias aqui no Brasil operando pela Facial. De repente com Dr. Capitan na Espanha os resultados sejam melhores! Eu particularmente não gosto, mas, FFS é uma escolha particular de cada uma e eu respeito. Perdoem meu inglês ruim. Estou usando o Google Tradutor.
My surgery date is now set for September 3, 2015. Yay!
I'm hoping to stay at Jenny's Nest, which has some nice services for recovering FFS patients. Waiting to hear back from Jenny on the reservation.
And I still need to wire my deposit and get a new passport. The never-ending list of transition "Things to Do"...
Jenny's Nest sounds nice :)
hugs
Hi Eveline.
Awesome news ... 8)
Jenny Bowman is lovely.
When I was in Marbella two weeks ago, I met up with her and two patients who she was looking after and we all went out to dinner in Marbella - Old Town.
Get her to take you to Restaurante El Tanguito - the food is to die for .... :) It's a few yards away from her home. I understand that they do take-outs too.
Compared to eating out in the UK, prices are incredibly reasonable.
I had a lovely salad as a starter that was huge and as a main, I had their Spanish version of ' Shepherd's Pie ' that was simply delicious.
Lots for you to look forward to kiddo.
Take care
Hugs
Paula
Quote from: Eveline on June 01, 2015, 03:05:49 PM
My surgery date is now set for September 3, 2015. Yay!
I'm hoping to stay at Jenny's Nest, which has some nice services for recovering FFS patients. Waiting to hear back from Jenny on the reservation.
And I still need to wire my deposit and get a new passport. The never-ending list of transition "Things to Do"...
Quote from: Paula1 on June 01, 2015, 06:56:33 PM
Hi Eveline.
Awesome news ... 8)
Jenny Bowman is lovely.
When I was in Marbella two weeks ago, I met up with her and two patients who she was looking after and we all went out to dinner in Marbella - Old Town.
Get her to take you to Restaurante El Tanguito - the food is to die for .... :) It's a few yards away from her home. I understand that they do take-outs too.
Compared to eating out in the UK, prices are incredibly reasonable.
I had a lovely salad as a starter that was huge and as a main, I had their Spanish version of ' Shepherd's Pie ' that was simply delicious.
Lots for you to look forward to kiddo.
Take care
Hugs
Paula
Thanks Paula! I just got confirmation on my reservations with Jenny's Nest, and will definitely check out Restaurante El Tanguito. Maybe just a takeout - don't want to scare the other patrons. ;)
Morning Eveline,
You are welcome.
Don't worry they are used to patients with head garments etc .... ;)
The two girls that I shared supper with looked amazing already.
One girl who was French was only 3 days post-op and had very little bruising. She was a bit swollen, of course, and had a chin garment on.
The other girl who was from the States was going home the next day and was around 12 days post surgery and there was no bruising at all. You would never have gussed that she recently had surgery apart from a little swelling.
Have a great day.
Paula
Quote from: Eveline on June 01, 2015, 08:58:34 PM
Thanks Paula! I just got confirmation on my reservations with Jenny's Nest, and will definitely check out Restaurante El Tanguito. Maybe just a takeout - don't want to scare the other patrons. ;)
Quote from: Paula1 on June 01, 2015, 06:56:33 PM
Get her to take you to Restaurante El Tanguito - the food is to die for .... :) ...
I had a lovely salad as a starter that was huge ...
Yes, they often have that there... something to look forward to :)
hugs
Quote from: jhulyglow on June 01, 2015, 02:47:23 PM
Perdoem meu inglês ruim. Estou usando o Google Tradutor.
It seems your Google translator is set to translate Portuguese into Portuguese :D
Quote from: Celia0428 on June 02, 2015, 08:33:56 PM
It seems your Google translator is set to translate Portuguese into Portuguese :D
Thanks for the warning.
I had FFS with Dr. Simon and I am very happy with the result. But they have a different approach compared to surgeons in North America. I like their approach of looking very natural (in my personal view). Many faces from US docs are looking artificial in my opinion and it is easy to see that they had a face surgery.
I think you made a good decision.
Lara
Tiny update: paid my security deposit of 2000 euro via wire transfer yesterday.
Now I'm thinking of pre-paying the rest cuz the dollar is going the wrong way vs. the euro. Total cost in dollars just went up close to $1000 in a few days. Geez!
Quote from: Eveline on June 03, 2015, 05:00:54 PM
Tiny update: paid my security deposit of 2000 euro via wire transfer yesterday.
Now I'm thinking of pre-paying the rest cuz the dollar is going the wrong way vs. the euro. Total cost in dollars just went up close to $1000 in a few days. Geez!
It looks like eur-usd is going up after last week low at 1.09 ... Some prediction is up to 1.145 or 1.15, before going down on 1.10 again.
But think positive... last year this time it was almost 1.4 :)
Or hope that Greece defaults and is kicked out of the Euro. I would think the Euro would tank then.....
Off to Marbella this week - finally! I'll be there 1/14 - 1/27, with surgery on 1/18.
I'm excited but feeling really anxious. For some reason, the international travel is freaking me out, which seems silly since my passport now has the correct name and gender...
(I know this is an old post, but for continuity I'm updating here.)
Quote from: Eveline on January 11, 2016, 07:38:33 AM
Off to Marbella this week - finally! I'll be there 1/14 - 1/27, with surgery on 1/18.
I'm excited but feeling really anxious. For some reason, the international travel is freaking me out, which seems silly since my passport now has the correct name and gender...
(I know this is an old post, but for continuity I'm updating here.)
Hi Eveline I'm flying today! I'm also sort of freaking out about the international travel! I haven't had SRS so I'm nervous about the body scanners in the airports! But i'm sure we will both be fine!
See you towards the end of the week!. My surgery is on the 14th, and I should be released back to the Nest on saturday.
Good Luck Eveline & Michelle ... :)
I will be thinking of you and you will be fine.
I am getting very nervous already and I am a FFS surgery veteran ... LOL ... ;D
Please give my regards to all the surgeons, patient co-ordinators and staff plus Jenny Bowman.
Have a safe trip and you will really enjoy Marbella, it's awesome.
Get Jenny to take you to the restaurant El Tanguito in Marbella Old Town. We went there together last May.
See my report: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187439-d2214190-Reviews-El_Tanguito-Marbella_Costa_del_Sol_Province_of_Malaga_Andalucia.html
When I fly in on March 31st, I will be going straight there for dinner. Can't wait ... :)
Hugs
Paula
OK, there was a bit of a gap in coverage here.
Tomorrow is surgery day - yay! I'm sitting here in the living room in Jenny's Nest with Michelle and some other girls. Everyone has just been wonderful. Hoping I can get some sleep soon - the driver gets here tomorrow morning at 7:45 am. :)
Later I'll post some photos of the Nest and and some before and afters. Also my fun experience with a missed connection in Madrid - thank heaven for Starbucks, where I hung out for 10 hours waiting on the next flight to Marbella...
Best of Luck Eveline!
Let us know how things are going.
Emily
I'm sure everything will go well. You are in good hands. Please keep us in the loop, but also get some rest and relaxation.
Cheers!
Hi Eveline,
Hopefully by this time you are all tucked up in bed at the hospital.
I am sure all went well.
Looking forward to hearing from you but take your time.
Hugs
Paula
Thanks everyone for the kind thoughts!
Back at Jenny's Nest after a really first-class experience in hospital. Results look good except the swelling obscures things a bit.
Can't say enough about how wonderfully I've been treated by everyone here at Jenny's, Drs. Simon and Capitan, and the other surgeons and medical staff. And restaurant-quality meals in hospital! Just amazing...
My new profile (still quite puffy):
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=0B1qK1QDKjDX4VEFOOGZ4RXJYWHM)
Awesome Eveline!
Congratulations; it looks like you are going to have a really good result!
Looking good Eveline ... :)
Please give Michelle and Jenny my regards.
My turn soon .... ;)
Hugs
Paula
Quote from: Eveline on January 20, 2016, 01:02:53 PM
My new profile (still quite puffy):
Congratulations Eveline!!!
Please say hi to Jenny and Nicola for me!
A couple of days ago:
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=0B1qK1QDKjDX4UzRvRUU4YUcxZ2M)
Can't get over the smoothness of my forehead. I feel like a new person!
BTW, the blue in my hair is from the ink used to mark the transplant area. I freaked at first, but now kind of like it. ;)
You totally must rock the new blue! Miss you! xoxoxo
Quote from: Eveline on January 25, 2016, 05:24:10 PM
A couple of days ago:
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=0B1qK1QDKjDX4UzRvRUU4YUcxZ2M)
Can't get over the smoothness of my forehead. I feel like a new person!
BTW, the blue in my hair is from the ink used to mark the transplant area. I freaked at first, but now kind of like it. ;)
Quote from: Eveline on January 25, 2016, 05:24:10 PM
... Can't get over the smoothness of my forehead. I feel like a new person! ...
It's amazing, hard to believe you're only a week post... looks excellent, congrats!
Thanks for posting this. I'm having another consult with them. They seem to be more aggressive now on foreheads.
So happy for you.
Hi Eveline,
All is looking good.
Hope you are well.
Hugs
Paula
Thanks for the nice thoughts everyone!
I'm home and feeling good, although my jaw is still way swollen. To be expected but oww.
I'm writing up a long trip report and may start a couple of additional threads (like why having CAT scans before/after FFS is a good thing). As soon as I get the CAT scan photos converted, I'll post them.
Top line summary - IMHO, Facial Team and Jenny's Nest are totally amazing. I could go on and on, will do so soon. ;)
I am glad you are back feeling good and looking wonderful.
Emily
Quote from: Emily R on January 29, 2016, 07:50:00 AM
I am glad you are back feeling good and looking wonderful.
Emily
Thanks Emily! It's nice to be home but I must say I miss the little "instant community" that formed among those staying at Jenny's Nest. Sniff.
Quote from: Eveline on January 29, 2016, 09:16:16 AM
Thanks Emily! It's nice to be home but I must say I miss the little "instant community" that formed among those staying at Jenny's Nest. Sniff.
You could exchange email adresses and connect via skype :)
hugs
Hi Eveline,
Making friends with other girls at the time of surgery is half what this is all about.
As a result of having FFS in Chicago in 2004, my two best USA friends stem from those days as well as three UK girls.
Glad you are back home safely and I am now counting down the days to when I fly to Malaga.
Just have to get thru a minor varicose vein operation on Sunday and then I am good to go.
Take care and look forward to hearing all about your FT experience and 'Jenny's Nest' recovery.
Hugs
Paula
Quote from: Laura_7 on January 29, 2016, 11:07:50 AM
You could exchange email adresses and connect via skype :)
hugs
To your point, this experience got me using Facebook again - very nice to see how the other girls are doing and hopefully a good way to keep in touch in our case...
Just made a note of the ice cream booth.
Sounds yummee.
Looks like I might put weight on in Spain as I do when in the USA .... ;)
Just as well I am losing weight in readiness for my holiday !!!
Quote from: monamtb on June 11, 2015, 09:39:07 AM
Hy Eveline,
Just like Paula1 I met Jenny and her 2 patients mid May - you will receive great care - she will be like a big sister looking out for you any minute you will be with her. She is an awesome person and will also take you around to see some of Marbella as soon as you are fit enough - we went to see the Buddhist temple, which I guess you might too - it will help so much getting well again after surgery when you are in her care. The two girls were also already quite fit and enjoyed going places - also to the Argentinian restaurant - which I also agree has some absolutely delicious food.
Down towards the beach you might want to check out the NATURAL ICE CREAM booth - you turn right at the beach promenade and close to the harbor area you will find it on the right hand side - small but -ohhhh so good. The vendor told me I'd buy the best ice cream in Marbella - well I haven't checked all the other places - but it was definitely one of the best ice creams I ever had - and I had some really good on in Italy!
You will have a wonderful time there and an awesome experience - all the best!
Quote from: Paula1 on February 06, 2016, 07:19:54 PM
Just made a note of the ice cream booth.
Sounds yummee.
Looks like I might put weight on in Spain as I do when in the USA .... ;)
Just as well I am losing weight in readiness for my holiday !!!
And the first month post op you need extra protein, good carbs, and healthy fat for healing, so you really shouldn't be trying to lose weight during that time frame, and you certainly deserve some yummy treats like ice cream. :)
Yep get fit and trim before FFS and pig out after FFS .... ;D
The more fat the better for that eventual Brazilian Butt Lift .... ;)
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,201567.0.html
See: http://alexanderaslani.com/
and: http://alexanderaslani.com/portfolio/brazilian-butt-lift-dr-aslanis-lecture-imcas-paris/
Quote from: kittenpower on February 11, 2016, 11:33:16 AM
And the first month post op you need extra protein, good carbs, and healthy fat for healing, so you really shouldn't be trying to lose weight during that time frame, and you certainly deserve some yummy treats like ice cream. :)