I just got my confirmation surgery date for January 14th of 2016. I have plenty of time to get organized and mentally prepared. I consulted with a few surgeons with my Forehead being a priority. I wanted a surgeon that had consistent results with regards to forehead and I'm always pleased with the results I have seen for Type III reconstruction.
The procedures I will be getting are:
1. Forehead Reconstruction/Orbital Shave/Brow Lift
2. Feminizing Rhinoplasty
3. Trachea Shave
4. Hair transplants immediately after surgery to fill in corners. The hair will be transplanted from the coronal incision for the forehead work.
Total price is around $25,000. I will also be staying with Jenny from the Hidden Women as I will be traveling alone for this trip.So will be close to $30,000 with my travel and lodging.
I'll plan on posting updates as I complete certain milestones including both pre-op and post-op experiences, so that others may find it useful!.
My first task is finishing my legal name change, updating my ID/Birth Certificate with my new name/gender and then applying for a passport. Hopefully i can get all this sorted out in 5 months!
Quote from: michelle82 on July 24, 2015, 04:26:50 PM
I just got my confirmation surgery date for January 14th of 2016. I have plenty of time to get organized and mentally prepared. I consulted with a few surgeons with my Forehead being a priority. I wanted a surgeon that had consistent results with regards to forehead and I'm always pleased with the results I have seen for Type III reconstruction.
The procedures I will be getting are:
1. Forehead Reconstruction/Orbital Shave/Brow Lift
2. Feminizing Rhinoplasty
3. Trachea Shave
4. Hair transplants immediately after surgery to fill in corners. The hair will be transplanted from the coronal incision for the forehead work.
Total price is around $25,000. I will also be staying with Jenny from the Hidden Women as I will be traveling alone for this trip.So will be close to $30,000 with my travel and lodging.
I'll plan on posting updates as I complete certain milestones including both pre-op and post-op experiences, so that others may find it useful!.
My first task is finishing my legal name change, updating my ID/Birth Certificate with my new name/gender and then applying for a passport. Hopefully i can get all this sorted out in 5 months!
That's awesome! Congratulations and best wishes :)
Quote from: michelle82 on July 24, 2015, 04:26:50 PM
I just got my confirmation surgery date for January 14th of 2016. I have plenty of time to get organized and mentally prepared. I consulted with a few surgeons with my Forehead being a priority. I wanted a surgeon that had consistent results with regards to forehead and I'm always pleased with the results I have seen for Type III reconstruction.
The procedures I will be getting are:
1. Forehead Reconstruction/Orbital Shave/Brow Lift
2. Feminizing Rhinoplasty
3. Trachea Shave
4. Hair transplants immediately after surgery to fill in corners. The hair will be transplanted from the coronal incision for the forehead work.
Total price is around $25,000. I will also be staying with Jenny from the Hidden Women as I will be traveling alone for this trip.So will be close to $30,000 with my travel and lodging.
I'll plan on posting updates as I complete certain milestones including both pre-op and post-op experiences, so that others may find it useful!.
My first task is finishing my legal name change, updating my ID/Birth Certificate with my new name/gender and then applying for a passport. Hopefully i can get all this sorted out in 5 months!
Just wondering what's the individual breakdown of the costs for #1 in particular?
Quote from: blackponyx on July 25, 2015, 07:47:36 AM
Just wondering what's the individual breakdown of the costs for #1 in particular?
The breakdown was 17,000 euro for the forhead,nose,and trachea as a package price. And then roughly 5000 euro for the transplants. They also offered a genioplasty on my chin for 3000 euro but at this point I'm holding on that, because it's more of an aesthetic change and not really feminizing.
Hi! Glad to hear you've got your date sorted :-)
Regarding costs, forehead reconstruction for me was EUR4100 (forehead contouring, brow bossing removal, brow lift). That quote was for the first quarter of 2015.
Forehead shave for 4100 sounds good.
Quote from: michelle82 on July 24, 2015, 04:26:50 PM
My first task is finishing my legal name change, updating my ID/Birth Certificate with my new name/gender and then applying for a passport. Hopefully i can get all this sorted out in 5 months!
Hi Michelle,
I hope you the best for the FFS, you will have a new face and a new life, FFS is I believe a major step ahead in a transition...
Tell me, which country are you living in ? Is that possible to have legal name and sex mention changed in such a short time frame ?
Hello all, i getting more and more excited and scared as the days count down. I'm also starting to second guess if I even really need FFS. I seem to now pass after 4 months of HRT, and about a year of hair removal. I'm still slightly struggling with seeing myself in mirrors and seeing that old guy stare back especially when I have no makeup on or from certain angles. Has anyone else gone through this?
Planning Updates:
- I got my plane ticket purchased.
-I had a Skype appointment over the weekend with Jenny from thr hidden woman. She was very responsive to all my questions and I already feel much better about her overseeing my care.
Things still to do in the short term:
-send deposit to Jenny to reserve my date for care with her.
-apply for passport
-get letter from physician or therapist disclosing my gender transition treatment. Apparently this is a precondition for surgery with Facial team.
-send facial team recent blood work
-sign and return consent forms for surgery.
Quote from: marie on July 31, 2015, 11:08:57 AM
Hi Michelle,
I hope you the best for the FFS, you will have a new face and a new life, FFS is I believe a major step ahead in a transition...
Tell me, which country are you living in ? Is that possible to have legal name and sex mention changed in such a short time frame ?
Hi marie,
I live in the US, and I believe it's fine to update both name and gender marker, as long as you have all the correct paperwork and legal documents.
On Thursday I will be Applying for a new drivers license and SS card. I needed a court order for the name change and letter from physician for the gender marker. Hope that helps.
weee, ive completed almost all of my pre-op steps and paid my surgery balance today!!
i've decided to purchase virtual FFS photos from Alexandra too, so i can decide on the chin work or not. Ill post those once they are complete.
Surgery is 7 weeks away now!
Congratulations; time is really going to fly by, please keep us posted.
Michelle:
Thank you for keeping up with this thread. I will be following it as I may well be going there in the summer 2016 for some lower face work. I was extremely impressed with the thoroughness of the Skype consult this week. Things were completely and comprehensively covered and I was repeatedly "sold down" rather than being upsold for more involved work than necessary. I appreciate this approach as opposed to the "shotgun" approach of some Doctors leaving one to decide which is needed vs what CAN be done.
I wish you a safe trip and successful outcome. Please feel free to PM me if you care to.
Be safe and enjoy the day.
Elaine
I decided against having lower face work done because I was passing before any other work. Had my forehead and nose done, and I've regretted not getting the works ever since. Once certain things become more feminine, the rest look out of proportion and unbalanced. Also, having an extremely feminine forehead, really brings out the masculinity of an undone chin. I'm of the "more is less" opinion when it comes to the bony work of the face. Just get it done if you can afford it - in most cases it looks more masculine than you think.
Congratulations Michelle on your choice and good luck in January.
Bet you are getting excited ... :)
You will be in excellent and caring hands.
Hugs
Paula
Congratz!
I'm looking into FFS in 2017 myself and I've had the hairtransplants separately (FUT).
Just to let you know, the hair transplants are amazing!
I had them about 3 years ago and they are past my chin now. So not afraid to pull my hair back anymore ;)
I'm looking at FFS myself at a yet undetermined date in 2016. Lower work is probably happening but I don't know if I'll get a sliding genioplasty, maybe just shaping of the chin. In my DL photo I'm noticing it pretty badly.
iKate, you should really reconsider not getting a sliding genioplasty. It is the only truly effective way of shaping the chin. The chin burring is a *very* limited procedure, which doesn't reduce the chin's vertial height, one of the big differences between a male and a female chin. I don't think I've seen a transwoman who wouldn't benefit from one (that's not to say there aren't any, I just haven't seen any).
Quote from: BellaSwan on November 26, 2015, 10:55:21 AM
iKate, you should really reconsider not getting a sliding genioplasty. It is the only truly effective way of shaping the chin. The chin burring is a *very* limited procedure, which doesn't reduce the chin's vertial height, one of the big differences between a male and a female chin. I don't think I've seen a transwoman who wouldn't benefit from one (that's not to say there aren't any, I just haven't seen any).
Yeah I dunno, which is why I'm going to do a few consultations at the beginning of the year. I probably do need it but I fear nerve damage.
I said I hadn't seen a transwoman who wouldn't benefit from a sliding genioplasty, not height reduction specifically. Look, I know it's frowned upon to be honest on this forum, but I really just want iKate to get the best result possible, and in my opinion I don't think she should discard what a sliding genioplasty can do for her. Also, due to the shape of the male chin, height reduction is not necessarily obvious. No one has a clue what I'm talking about when I say I need to get a smaller chin, but that doesn't mean I don't "need" it. iKate's chin reminds me of mine and I made the mistake of thinking I didn't need it. Just tryng to give my opinion so that hopefully she doesn't have the same regrets.
I'm not sure you understand what a sliding genioplasty does.
Quote from: Lagertha on November 26, 2015, 11:20:10 AM
Look above at iKate! She doesn't need any height reduction with genioplasty. Now you have finally seen one example!
Actually, I kind of do, unless you were being sarcastic.
I'm just a bit scared of the procedure, and the problem with my chin is moreso the shape.
But that is my unqualified opinion. I don't even know WHAT I need.
The sliding genioplasty is employed to change the height, width, projection, and basic shape of the chin. Not just frontal projection. Burring is then done to fine tune. If it's the shape that bothers you, a genioplasty can help you a lot.
Let me start my own thread instead of derailing this one.
I'm just calling it what the FFS doctors are calling it.
Here are my pics.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,199785.0.html
Ok so I paid for Alexandra's VFFS photos earlier this week. Here are the photos I will be working with!
(https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c61c/0hx4t9y994dqg6s6g.jpg) | (https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9718/tivkopx996rrb7y6g.jpg) | (https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cd46/fa4udk4uft1xfkt6g.jpg) |
I will post the Virtual revisions once i recieve them and then do a final comparison after surgery :)
Quote from: michelle82 on November 27, 2015, 06:47:03 AM
Ok so I paid for Alexandra's VFFS photos earlier this week. Here are the photos I will be working with!
(https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c61c/0hx4t9y994dqg6s6g.jpg) | (https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9718/tivkopx996rrb7y6g.jpg) | (https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cd46/fa4udk4uft1xfkt6g.jpg) |
I will post the Virtual revisions once i recieve them and then do a final comparison after surgery :)
Michelle,
How is your bite ? Your lower jaw is recessed somewhat. Not sure what procedures you are considering, but if you do have a bite problem and you think you would ever want to get that corrected - - then you may need to do a "king's X" and re-think the order of the procedures. PM me if you want.
Quote from: michelle82 on November 24, 2015, 07:19:16 PM
Surgery is 7 weeks away now!
Hi, Michele! I'm having surgery with Facial Team just a couple of days after you - I arrive on the 14th and surgery is the 18th.
It would be nice to meet you. :)
Quote from: myfairlady49 on November 27, 2015, 10:34:13 AM
Michelle,
How is your bite ? Your lower jaw is recessed somewhat. Not sure what procedures you are considering, but if you do have a bite problem and you think you would ever want to get that corrected - - then you may need to do a "king's X" and re-think the order of the procedures. PM me if you want.
My bite is fine. But yes FT did make some comments on my recessed chin. They recommended a sliding genioplasty, but im not convinced that fixing the chin will do much in terms of feminization which is why im having the virtual photos done to help make that decision. What is a King X procedure?
Quote from: Eveline on November 27, 2015, 10:45:52 AM
Hi, Michele! I'm having surgery with Facial Team just a couple of days after you - I arrive on the 14th and surgery is the 18th.
It would be nice to meet you. :)
Sounds great Eveline! I will be at Jenny's nest until the 24th. Where are you staying?
You have a nice oval face shape from the front, but the jaw and chin do look masculine from the side in my opinion. I definitely think you'd benefit from a genioplasty.
Quote from: BellaSwan on November 27, 2015, 12:52:30 PM
You have a nice oval face shape from the front, but the jaw and chin do look masculine from the side in my opinion. I definitely think you'd benefit from a genioplasty.
Im not sure I agree that my jaw looks masculine. I would agree that the projection of my chin is short. Which to me is just a aesthetic thing and not so much a gender difference.
Of the surgeons i spoke with most made this same statement. Im also getting Alexandras opinion on this as well from VFFS.
You may be right. As I admitted earlier, I'm the type to lean towards more when it comes to bone contouring of the face, not in the amount taken off, but in the number of areas targeted. That being said, I am unimpressed with the work of most FFS doctors due to my personal preferences that obviously color what I see looking at people's faces so I'm inclined to disagree with what they say. Many times when people think Drs are trying to oversell procedures, I disagree. The doctor I'm going with said that I'm very beautiful and feminine looking, but then proceeded to tell me exactly what my analytical eyes already knew (and what I was there for). He did manage to talk me out of an upper lip lift, but I might still go for one on the day of surgery. The other doctors I've consulted needed me to point out what was "wrong" with my face because they couldn't see it until I said it. I'm not going to trust that. I realize I don't have any obvious gender markers that need removal in the eyes of the average person, but a doctor should see it. The point of all this was, you and I probably disagree on which procedures are "necessary" because we probably have different basic views. But like I said, you have a nice oval shape. I think you'll look beautiful if you just have forehead, nose, and upper lip lift.
Bella, I am curious which surgeon you have chosen to do your surgery?
Quote from: michelle82 on November 27, 2015, 12:48:31 PM
Sounds great Eveline! I will be at Jenny's nest until the 24th. Where are you staying?
I'll be at the Nest, too! Through January 27th I think...
Quote from: michelle82 on November 27, 2015, 12:47:25 PM
My bite is fine. But yes FT did make some comments on my recessed chin. They recommended a sliding genioplasty, but im not convinced that fixing the chin will do much in terms of feminization which is why im having the virtual photos done to help make that decision. What is a King X procedure?
Yeah I've been told that about my recessed chin too and I just don't think messing with it is worth the recovery for me, esp cuz it doesn't bother me.
Alexandra from VFFS was very kind enough to give me a quick evaluation of my chin, while she is working on preparing my virtual photos. She also confirmed that fixing my chin would only be a minor beauty enhancement and not a feminizing procedure. Im still leaning towards no chin work at this point, unless im really blown away by the differences in the virtual photos.
Hey Michelle!
What day are you flying home from Jennie's Nest? My surgery date is the 27th of January and I arrive on the 24th.
You already pass in your photo but I'm excited to see how you look after surgery! My name is Jaclyn by the way :)
Bwaaa! Nvm, missed your previous post that you're leaving on the 24th :( I wish you the best of luck!:)
Quote from: spaceships on December 03, 2015, 01:53:18 PM
Bwaaa! Nvm, missed your previous post that you're leaving on the 24th :( I wish you the best of luck!:)
No problem! Are you staying at the Nest? Maybe ill get to say hello as you are arriving and im leaving :) hugs!
My flight gets in at 1pm (assuming it's on time :| ). What time are you flying out?
Quote from: spaceships on December 03, 2015, 02:44:20 PM
My flight gets in at 1pm (assuming it's on time :| ). What time are you flying out?
my flight is leaving early around 9am -- a little too early.
So I just got my Virtual FFS photos back from Alexandra. I'm pretty happy with the results, and I think it's helped me decide on the chin work. She sent me photos with and without the chin work. Here is the photos without the chin procedure. This is just forehead, nose, hairline.
(https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5b5e/2i0l7oq5edy8pvh6g.jpg)
really nice!!
Alexandra does wonderful work and the look she has given you falls totally into line with Facial Team's natural results.
Not long to go now, bet you are getting excited ... :)
I am counting down to early April and my turn ... :)
Merry Christmas to you and what a wonderful New Year's present.
Quote from: michelle82 on December 21, 2015, 05:54:57 PM
So I just got my Virtual FFS photos back from Alexandra.
You're so pretty already and I'm totally looking forward to keeping tabs on this thread to see your results! Your chin is a bit weak, yes, but you probably already know it's not masculine per-se and any chin work done would just be a beautifying procedure. You got this~
Best of luck, and have a safe trip!
Quote from: michelle82 on December 21, 2015, 05:54:57 PM
So I just got my Virtual FFS photos back from Alexandra. I'm pretty happy with the results, and I think it's helped me decide on the chin work. She sent me photos with and without the chin work. Here is the photos without the chin procedure. This is just forehead, nose, hairline.
The change is very subtle but the hairline definitely makes the most difference to me. I will also say that I don't think you need the chin work for feminization, just beauty.
Quote from: iKate on December 23, 2015, 01:41:38 PM
The change is very subtle but the hairline definitely makes the most difference to me. I will also say that I don't think you need the chin work for feminization, just beauty.
I agree, the hairline is probably what i'm excited for the most! Also my nose reduction will make a nice impact to my face I hope as well!
I'm flying out today, and should arrive in Marbella on Tuesday!. I will keep this thread up to date as best as I can as the days unfold! Thursday is the surgery day!!
Quote from: michelle82 on January 11, 2016, 07:50:23 AM
I'm flying out today, and should arrive in Marbella on Tuesday!. I will keep this thread up to date as best as I can as the days unfold! Thursday is the surgery day!!
Hope to see you there, Michelle!
I'm flying out Wednesday with surgery next Monday...
Michelle & Evaline:
Best wishes for you both on your trips to Marbella. I am looking forward to hearing more of your visits.
Hugs and smiles
Elaine
Hi Michelle & Eveline ... :)
I will be thinking of you and you will be fine.
Looking forward to seeing your results.
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
Im back in the recovery room and doing well. The staff here is just wonderful and caring. Its a bit difficult to sleep because of the nose packing. But im fluids and shakes. More updates to cone and photos when i feel more energy.
Hi Michelle,
Great news.
Well done.
Keep trucking kiddo .... :)
Hugs
Paula
I'm midway through day two and feeling better. Swelling is minimal but quite a bit bruising around the eye from the rhinoplasty. The nose packing is out which makes a world of difference. Everyone at the hospital has been amazing and caring!
Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk
Congrats Michelle!
Great news, well done and bodes well for me in April ... :)
All FT girls that I have seen just post-op hardly look as if they have been thru a few hours of surgery.
Quote from: michelle82 on January 15, 2016, 04:25:56 AM
I'm midway through day two and feeling better. Swelling is minimal but quite a bit bruising around the eye from the rhinoplasty. The nose packing is out which makes a world of difference. Everyone at the hospital has been amazing and caring!
Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk
Here is a photo album journal of my first few days at the hospital.
http://imgur.com/a/cVv6j (http://imgur.com/a/cVv6j)
Oh wow congratulations on such a big milestone! Wishing you a fast recovery.
The food at the hospital looks good! :) Thanks for sharing with us your experience... Makes me a bit less nervous!
Wow Michelle,
You look great so soon after surgery ... 8) but it's the FT norm.
Now I cannot wait to April when I eat that food.
I had better increase my daily fast walking from 2-3 miles to 4 miles so that I lose even more weight before tucking in after surgery ... ;)
Shame that I will not be able to use the pool at the apartment that I am sharing on Marbella's Golden Mile but I sure will be splashing around in the few days prior to getting on that gurney.
Keep healing honeybun. ... :)
Hugs
Paula
Quote from: michelle82 on January 16, 2016, 01:28:21 PM
Here is a photo album journal of my first few days at the hospital.
http://imgur.com/a/cVv6j (http://imgur.com/a/cVv6j)
Gorgeous results! I really envy all of you girls with a low nasal radix pre surgery - it makes the post op profile all the more impressive and feminine. Mine was and remains high.
Looks like you're surgery went awesome Michelle!! I hope your recovery goes well! From my experience..the pain exponentially decreases after the first few days and the swelling will slowly subside after the first few weeks!
I had surgery with FacialTeam just over 1 month ago now and am amazed at both the result and the overall experience I had with them from my initial skype consult all the way through the post op appointment. I brought my mom with me for the trip and she was really amazed at just how much FT cares about their patients. Just the other day I was able to text my patient coordinator Laura and she was able to quickly answer a question I had! The relationship you develop with the FT staff in such a short amount of time really is like no other you will have with a medical team...I still remember the nice gentleman FT nurse that took great care of me immediately post op the first night when I was not feeling well at all! He made both nights go by without a hitch.
And enjoy the Marbella area while you can!! I really do miss it already and would love to go back someday!
I'm so happy for you. I am having another consult with Facial Team later this month.
Please keep us posted.
I may end up PM'ing you in hopes of getting more info about a few things (if you don't mind).
Best,
KG
UPDATES:
Day4 Post op-
Uneventful and I didn't notice much difference in the swelling or bruising. The pain did begin to become a bit more noticeable and irritating after leaving the hospital. My pain level overall as been around a 2 to 3. It all just feels like a headache that won't go away. Post-op you are only prescribed NSAIDS, and wasn't given any narcotics for pain. Day 4 also included a visit by the Facial Team accupuncturist, which was very relaxing and nice. I have some energy to go outside and walk around Jenny's lovely villa and able ot move around the house, but my energy level is still very low. I haven't had much desire to go out into town. One thing I would like note is that the hair-transplants require a great deal of post-op aftercare. They must be rinsed with Saline spray every 2 hours all day until bed time. And then you must also wash the area with a Betadine shampoo once daily.
I will get around to post more photos as I see improvements in the healing process.
I'm so happy for you! Please keep us posted! I'm having my second skype call with Facial Team in a few days. I can't wait to see your results. You were pretty before, so I'm sure it just enhanced that prettiness.
Best of luck with the healing process.
Hi Michelle .. :)
Good to hear that all is going well.
I am sure that you will hit those Marbella night spots soon ... ;)
Hugs
Paula
Congrats! Really awesome results, you look wonderful! Thank you for sharing, the pictures reveal an environment there with a peaceful, caring feeling. I'm considering procedures so you've offered a peek at what it's like there.
I notice you mentioned only NSAIDs... was that your choice, or do they generally avoid other pain relief meds for some reason?
Thanks again for sharing... wishing you a continued great recovery!
Congrats Michelle! Glad to see you're coming along nicely!
UPDATES:
Here is my Day 4 and Day 5 post-op photo. bruising is coming along nicely. But it seems to go in cycles around my eyes. It looks like its going away one day and then seems to come back. I have no noticeable swelling in my forehead. I notice a very slight puffyness in my lower cheeks which I think is from the fluid draining.
Day 4
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FDuo95uF.jpg&hash=3e46d356b941a9b8867ed6c17d5a281cc7e73e8c)
Day 5
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FvIUJ1hZ.jpg&hash=7956f82d238c37ee2c0f836dfd994a370628ce98)
Today is actually Day 6 post-op and I'm feeling much better energy wise. The pain seems to be mostly isolated to my forehead temporalis muscles. I believe they have to cut these muscles a bit to round out the temporal ridges of the skull. Other than that the pain is manageable with rotating Tylenol and Ibruprofen. To answer someone's earlier question about pain management. Facial Team only prescribes Tylenol/Ibruprofen as a standard post-op care because pain is typically not an issue with their surgeries. I'm sure if someone was suffering more pain for whatever reason, they would prescribe something stronger as needed.
The hair transplants are still a bit un-sightly looking but no complications so far!.Jenny and her team do a great job washing my hair for me and helping me keep them clean with a betadine shampoo. These are quite relaxing washes too!. I can't recommend enough how amazingly beneficial it is for me to stay at Jenny's Nest. There is no way I could have done this surgery alone! I'm truely moved by the special family that Jenny has created here at the Nest. It is something that I will cherish forever. She is truely a woman with a giant heart and a beautiful human being. Anyone considering FFS with Facial Team should not even think twice about staying with Jenny. It is priceless.
On Friday I get the bandages taken off, so I will post more pictures and updates!
Looking good Michelle .. :)
Don't forget to say 'Hi' to Jenny for me and tell her that I am looking forward at some point to her company again this coming April.
Hugs
Paula
Really amazing... congrats!
Quote from: michelle82 on January 20, 2016, 03:41:44 AM
The hair transplants are still a bit un-sightly looking...
I am impressed with the way the transplants look... a surgical work of art. The density and how they placed them is impressive. They really got great mileage out of the coronal donor area hair. I can see how the new hair growth there is going to look really amazing as it comes in. Thank you for sharing that part of your experience.
You look great. Having hair transplants done at the same time from the scalp strip removed during coronal incision is such a great idea.
When I started investigating FFS surgeons I contacted FacialTeam twice via email and never heard back from them. While I am happy with the results from my surgery and FUE 3 weeks later, I wish FT had been an option.
Quote from: michelle82 on January 20, 2016, 03:41:44 AM
UPDATES:
Here is my Day 4 and Day 5 post-op photo. bruising is coming along nicely. But it seems to go in cycles around my eyes. It looks like its going away one day and then seems to come back. I have no noticeable swelling in my forehead. I notice a very slight puffyness in my lower cheeks which I think is from the fluid draining.
Day 4
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FDuo95uF.jpg&hash=3e46d356b941a9b8867ed6c17d5a281cc7e73e8c)
Day 5
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FvIUJ1hZ.jpg&hash=7956f82d238c37ee2c0f836dfd994a370628ce98)
Today is actually Day 6 post-op and I'm feeling much better energy wise. The pain seems to be mostly isolated to my forehead temporalis muscles. I believe they have to cut these muscles a bit to round out the temporal ridges of the skull. Other than that the pain is manageable with rotating Tylenol and Ibruprofen. To answer someone's earlier question about pain management. Facial Team only prescribes Tylenol/Ibruprofen as a standard post-op care because pain is typically not an issue with their surgeries. I'm sure if someone was suffering more pain for whatever reason, they would prescribe something stronger as needed.
The hair transplants are still a bit un-sightly looking but no complications so far!.Jenny and her team do a great job washing my hair for me and helping me keep them clean with a betadine shampoo. These are quite relaxing washes too!. I can't recommend enough how amazingly beneficial it is for me to stay at Jenny's Nest. There is no way I could have done this surgery alone! I'm truely moved by the special family that Jenny has created here at the Nest. It is something that I will cherish forever. She is truely a woman with a giant heart and a beautiful human being. Anyone considering FFS with Facial Team should not even think twice about staying with Jenny. It is priceless.
On Friday I get the bandages taken off, so I will post more pictures and updates!
Well you look great considering what you have gone through! I'm sending them some pics again and hope to book with them soon possibly.
Thanks for posting.
UPDATE-
10 DAYS - POST OP
I had the remaining stitches and bandages removed on Friday. I'm flew home about 9 days post-op and had no troubles flying home and going through customs. In Toronto I was questioned about the bruising around my eyes. I explained that I had surgery on my face and it was bruising from that. I also showed them a letter which Facial Team will provide you explaining the surgeries and everything was fine. I haven't had GRS yet, and also had no issues with body scanners that some trans people have experienced.
I'm really starting the love the results, despite the ugly bruising under my eyes, which I know will fade with time. I've always HATED my profile and 3/4 profile, but I absolutely love the forehead and nose work!. I'm beyond happy!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F56ASdxQ.jpg&hash=b3d631f2159dee9b0c20deeef4bc502500ee9a34)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F8W3b8yt.jpg&hash=84abbe87676a3c44566487badf1c341b60654188)
Love Love LOVE your new nose, it's so cute!
Quote from: michelle82 on January 24, 2016, 03:13:52 PM
I'm beyond happy!
Yes, I bet :D
Michelle:
You appear to be a fast healer and are bouncing back rapidly. The results from FT look excellent. Warmest wishes to you going forward in the New Year and looking forward to seeing future updates.
Be safe
Elaine
@michelle82
I'm loving your results! The hair transplant looks so good and you must be excited to see the hairs grow out. :)
I have a few questions if you don't mind answering... I read on Facial Team website that during the hair transplant stage, they switch over to sedation and go off the general anesthesia. I wonder what that experience was like, or did you sleep through it? Also, any idea how long the surgery took?
All the best~
Hello Maquillage,
Thank you for the compliments, I'm loving the results as well! Everyday it gets better and better!
Regarding the procedures. The transplants are done using a mild sedation. I remember being awake for most of it, but I would shut my eyes just because you feel very tired from Anesthesia anyways. I don't think I really fell asleep though, just more of resting my eyes. The actual surgery took about 6 hours, and then the transplants took about 4-5 hours if i remember correctly.
So I remember going into the Operating room around 9:30am, and then I didn't return to my recovery room until about 8pm that same night. So it's quite long process when you add the hair transplants!
Quote from: maquillage on January 28, 2016, 03:11:23 AM
@michelle82
I'm loving your results! The hair transplant looks so good and you must be excited to see the hairs grow out. :)
I have a few questions if you don't mind answering... I read on Facial Team website that during the hair transplant stage, they switch over to sedation and go off the general anesthesia. I wonder what that experience was like, or did you sleep through it? Also, any idea how long the surgery took?
All the best~
so nice result i am happy for you. I however begin to be scared.. my FFS and BA with dr bensimon is in 18 days.. 31 days seemed far away.. but 18 omg.. What did you find was the most painful?
Quote from: archlord on January 28, 2016, 08:32:50 AM
so nice result i am happy for you. I however begin to be scared.. my FFS and BA with dr bensimon is in 18 days.. 31 days seemed far away.. but 18 omg.. What did you find was the most painful?
You look beautiful already darlin! I'm excited for you! Surprisingly the surgery was not really painful only a bit uncomfortable at times.
The worst part was the first night having the nose packing in if you have rhinoplasty. So you have to breathe through your mouth the entire night. Other than that, the first week post-op just felt like a mild headache most of the time.
Quote from: michelle82 on January 28, 2016, 08:45:37 AM
The worst part was the first night having the nose packing in if you have rhinoplasty. So you have to breathe through your mouth the entire night.
I guess that wont be a problem i have a minor nose deviation and i am naturally breathing from mouth like all the time haha.
Hi Michelle,
All looking good.
Hope you are OK.
Hugs
Paula
UPDATE:
I'm a bit over 3 weeks post op now, most of all my bruising is gone, and i have a bit of swelling on my nose still. I was told that this would take months to reduce, but its only noticable to me. in terms of numbness I have a bit of numb feeling on the right side of my forehead near my temple, but it gets better each day. I also have a bit of numbness and tightness on the top of my head near the coronal incision. I also notice some minor swelling up up near the coronal incision where they place the Endotines. (These are the little hooks FT uses to better help hold the eyebrows and skin in their new position after suture the incision back up). I can feel two swollen little bumps where they were placed I believe.
Other than that, its pretty uneventful. I'm back to work completely with no issues. (I work a desk job, so its not much physical demand) I was haven't been mis-gendered prior to FFS for atleast 6 months, so it's a bit irrelevant for me to post much on this topic. However I'm now leaving the house with little to no makeup, and not having an issue being misgendered, or getting wierd looks.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdTQhYI6.jpg&hash=407cd6fdf27a79bc6af27a8b628d94101bd6484f)
Wow you look amazing for 3 weeks! Gives me hope I'll be able to go back to work by then myself then.
You're healing really well, you look amazing!
One more photo from today which is actually now 4 weeks post-op to the day. The shape of my nose is a bit better shown here, as well as the forehead work.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FnDOJ51E.jpg&hash=e150041acb4c19701fa6f17eac5f21d93b6485f0)
Incredible, I cannot even tell you had surgery. They are truly exceptional at what they do. Really wonderful result, you look terrific!
Yep, when I was consulting FT down in Spain last year in May, Jenny Bowman and I had dinner with two girls that had surgery.
One French and one American.
The French girl was post-op two days and had little bruising and the other girl was just about to fly home to the States at about ten days post-op and hardly looked as if she had gone thru pretty invasive surgery.
She just had some residual swelling.
After my original FFS in 2004, I looked beaten up for weeks and the swelling did not subside for 6 to 9 months.
In fact my nose was still swollen after 15 months !!!!
It all depends on the surgeon's techniques and expertise.
Quote from: michelle82 on February 10, 2016, 07:04:34 AM
One more photo from today which is actually now 4 weeks post-op to the day. The shape of my nose is a bit better shown here, as well as the forehead work.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FnDOJ51E.jpg&hash=e150041acb4c19701fa6f17eac5f21d93b6485f0)
Really amazing how great (and different) you look from before! And so fast! It's exciting =)