Quote from: Joanna on November 12, 2012, 06:30:43 AM
Hey April, thanks for your message.  You look radiant in your picture, I cannot believe anyone would mistake you for male.  However like you say that was 3 weeks post op.  Now you look 110% female.  Just lovely.  It just goes to show how a face can continue to change post FFS.

thank you for the compliment! Spiegel does good work.

I should probably give a little more background on the story. I was out at dinner with some friends (all trans) and most did not pass well so i probably just got lumped in plus im tall so im sure the waitress (who's gender was very ambiguous) just put 2 and 2 together. 

Hmmm...You look actually very good for 4wks post op.  It generally takes around the 6 month mark to see a finished result and after 6 months changes will still take place, but at a slower rate for up to a year and sometimes longer..Chins usually take the longest.  Did you have the sliding genioplasty done?  That can take longer to heal, because it is more invasive to do.  No worries though..relax.

Hi Michelle

Thanks for your reply to this thread.  Yes I did have the sliding genioplasty done.  Apparently he took out about 1cm from the middle of my chin.  However it is still puffy all around there.  I sometimes get weird sensations in my lower front teeth at the front.  The chin is still quite numb especially to the right side.  How long does it take for the swelling to finally go down in the chin and the nose?

I am approaching the 6 week mark now and getting happier by the day

Here I am at 6 weeks post FFS and 13.5 months HRT

Looking good!

Could you tell me what type of "Brow reduction" you had done and who your surgeon is? Did you have it done in Brighton?

You look amazing! I'm jealous!

Hi Joanna, you're looking great for six weeks post! Your surgeon did well. I attribute your concerns to transition blues, which affect most of us. The best way to combat these blues is to get up and go out every day after about day 7 post-op, even if it's just for one hour a day. In my case, I looked like a zombie and people gave me these sympathetic stares, for example when I went to the JP Gaultier exhibit at the De Young Museum in SF. Returning from the De Young via taxi was diffcult, as taxis were in short supply, and so I was surprised in no small way when people invited me to join them in their cab 🙂 I guess it was out of pity. Going out as a post-op zombie thus comes with some unexpected privileges, but most importantly, it gets you out of the post-op rut that otherwise takes over. Not that any of this still applies to you now -- you're long past the zombie stage. Go out and show the world your fabulous new self. Hugs, Beatrice

Sorry to butt in, but all I have to say is: you look very lovely indeed.   

Quote from: Tesla on November 19, 2012, 11:22:05 AM
Looking good!

Could you tell me what type of "Brow reduction" you had done and who your surgeon is? Did you have it done in Brighton?

Tesla - I went to see Mr Keith Altman at the Nuffield Hospital in Brighton.  He did a grand job and the staff there are just lovely.  As for my brow reduction, I am not sure?  I think it wasn't just a "shave down" I think part of it was removed, shaved and then replaced.  The orbital rims of my eye sockets were shaved down.

Quote from: beabela on November 27, 2012, 01:14:09 PM
Hi Joanna, you're looking great for six weeks post! Your surgeon did well. I attribute your concerns to transition blues, which affect most of us. The best way to combat these blues is to get up and go out every day after about day 7 post-op, even if it's just for one hour a day. In my case, I looked like a zombie and people gave me these sympathetic stares, for example when I went to the JP Gaultier exhibit at the De Young Museum in SF. Returning from the De Young via taxi was diffcult, as taxis were in short supply, and so I was surprised in no small way when people invited me to join them in their cab 🙂 I guess it was out of pity. Going out as a post-op zombie thus comes with some unexpected privileges, but most importantly, it gets you out of the post-op rut that otherwise takes over. Not that any of this still applies to you now -- you're long past the zombie stage. Go out and show the world your fabulous new self. Hugs, Beatrice

Hi Beatrice.  You are right.  It is easy to become a bit of a recluse and hide away at home.  I have to admit, that was exactly what I did for the first couple of weeks.  I felt awful.  However, I am pleased to report I am now out and about, back at work and living full time   All going well so far.

Quote from: Sage on November 27, 2012, 02:05:32 PM
Sorry to butt in, but all I have to say is: you look very lovely indeed.   

Thank you very much

Quote from: LizMarie on November 24, 2012, 01:00:50 AM
You look amazing! I'm jealous!

Quote from: TessaM on November 19, 2012, 11:57:17 AM
Your so pretty

Thanks ladies.  I don't feel very pretty sometimes, but I am getting used to using make-up to its full potential.  Less is more!

Quote from: Joanna on November 29, 2012, 06:32:17 AM
Tesla - I went to see Mr Keith Altman at the Nuffield Hospital in Brighton.  He did a grand job and the staff there are just lovely.  As for my brow reduction, I am not sure?  I think it wasn't just a "shave down" I think part of it was removed, shaved and then replaced.  The orbital rims of my eye sockets were shaved down.

So interested to see that you went to Altman. I've been looking all around the world at FFS surgeons, not realising until very recently that there was one operating less than 50 miles from where I live. I think he did a great job on you, but what gave you the confidence that he had the experience of FFS and the aesthetic ability to provide a great looking result? ... Like yours!

Quote from: Joanna on November 29, 2012, 06:32:17 AM
Tesla - I went to see Mr Keith Altman at the Nuffield Hospital in Brighton.  He did a grand job and the staff there are just lovely.  As for my brow reduction, I am not sure?  I think it wasn't just a "shave down" I think part of it was removed, shaved and then replaced.  The orbital rims of my eye sockets were shaved down.

A while back, I had as much shaved down as possible without breaking into the sinuses. I was pretty naive about FFS back then and the surgeon may not have had the skills to go further. I suppose my forehead wasn't 'bad' pre-FFS.

I've stipulated to my new FFS surgeon to go further and remove all trace of masculinity. He said that this will be his goal. I hope he will do just as good a job as your surgeon has done on you. I did some research on Altman and bookmarked him just in case. Traveling thousand of miles by plane in a physical state is not something I relished, so I picked a UK surgeon.

BTW, I presume you had a pre-op x-ray done? Was this done on the day or weeks before?

You look amazing Joanna very pretty.

I agree. You're being too hard on yourself. You look fantastic.

When I first read this thread, I actually googled that lady you compared yourself to. Hyperbole much? 

Girl, all of those procedures you listed were pretty much the equivalent of cutting off your face and putting on a new one. What did you expect? 

Anywho, in the words of Tyra Banks, you look fierce!

Quote from: DianaP on November 29, 2012, 08:55:03 PM
When I first read this thread, I actually googled that lady you compared yourself to. Hyperbole much? 

Girl, all of those procedures you listed were pretty much the equivalent of cutting off your face and putting on a new one. What did you expect? 

Anywho, in the words of Tyra Banks, you look fierce!

Hey Diana, ha ha ha   I was referring to Jocelyn Wildenstein



I felt like I looked like this for a few days post op, especially when the swelling was coming out.  Of course I didn't, but it sure felt like it at the time.  I am glad to say I deffo don't look like that now!

Quote from: KarenMTF on November 29, 2012, 08:38:59 PM
I agree. You're being too hard on yourself. You look fantastic.

Aw thanks Karen, it's nice to get such positive feedback x

Quote from: MANDY GG on November 29, 2012, 09:22:45 AM
You look amazing Joanna very pretty.

Thank you as well Mandy x

Quote from: Tesla on November 29, 2012, 08:48:21 AM
A while back, I had as much shaved down as possible without breaking into the sinuses. I was pretty naive about FFS back then and the surgeon may not have had the skills to go further. I suppose my forehead wasn't 'bad' pre-FFS.

I've stipulated to my new FFS surgeon to go further and remove all trace of masculinity. He said that this will be his goal. I hope he will do just as good a job as your surgeon has done on you. I did some research on Altman and bookmarked him just in case. Traveling thousand of miles by plane in a physical state is not something I relished, so I picked a UK surgeon.

BTW, I presume you had a pre-op x-ray done? Was this done on the day or weeks before?

Yes, very wise to not travel too far for this type of surgery.  I had to go back in 12 days after my main surgery to stop a bleed that had occured on the side of my head.  This would have been a total nightmare if I had to get on a plane or travel long distance.  Being close to the hospital meant I got treated by my surgeon in the hospital where the original surgery was completed. 

With regard to the X-ray.  I had to have an xray of the jaw and chin area, and a "Cone Beam" CT Scan completed of my forehead and upper part of my skull.  This was done about 6 weeks before my surgery so I could discuss the results with Mr Altman well in advance to ensure the chosen surgery was possible and correct for me.

I hope that helps x

Quote from: Carlita on November 29, 2012, 06:37:06 AM
So interested to see that you went to Altman. I've been looking all around the world at FFS surgeons, not realising until very recently that there was one operating less than 50 miles from where I live. I think he did a great job on you, but what gave you the confidence that he had the experience of FFS and the aesthetic ability to provide a great looking result? ... Like yours!

I met a couple of ladies who had already been to Mr Altman for their surgery.  One of whom being Skyanne who has posted on here before.  Both she and the other lady looked really good.  I guess you never really know how things are going to go.  You have to trust your surgeon will do what he says he will. 

Mr Altman is a Mixillo-facial surgeon and has been working with the human skull for many years.  He has a lot of experience and has specialised in the feminisation for quite a long time now.
xx

Quote from: Joanna on November 30, 2012, 05:14:35 AM


I met a couple of ladies who had already been to Mr Altman for their surgery.  One of whom being Skyanne who has posted on here before.  Both she and the other lady looked really good.  I guess you never really know how things are going to go.  You have to trust your surgeon will do what he says he will. 

Mr Altman is a Mixillo-facial surgeon and has been working with the human skull for many years.  He has a lot of experience and has specialised in the feminisation for quite a long time now.
xx

Thanks so much for that info ... and I think you're so right about the benefits of having surgery close to home if at all possible.

Quote from: Joanna on November 19, 2012, 11:00:08 AM
Hi Michelle

Thanks for your reply to this thread.  Yes I did have the sliding genioplasty done.  Apparently he took out about 1cm from the middle of my chin.  However it is still puffy all around there.  I sometimes get weird sensations in my lower front teeth at the front.  The chin is still quite numb especially to the right side.  How long does it take for the swelling to finally go down in the chin and the nose?

I am approaching the 6 week mark now and getting happier by the day

Here I am at 6 weeks post FFS and 13.5 months HRT

Sorry, but I have been preoccupied.  You look fantastic!  It may take the full six months to see the permanent changes to the chin and jawline.  You will see the most result in the first 6 months, so wait for that period then you will most likely see pretty much the result, but it will even get more defined even after six months.  I can tell already that your chin is still little swollen and the lower jawline.  You will def see more changes to these areas.  I am sure you will be very pleased, as it looks like this surgeon really knew what he was doing.  You are going to be one of the very lucky ones who turn out very passable.  I am sure you are already getting looks by men and women as well lol and good feeling I know. Good luck in the future.