Dr. Z butchered my friend's face, she looks like she had two muffins on her face for cheeks, and huge scars by here ears...

Quote from: NYCTSGirl01 on December 10, 2013, 11:02:20 PM
Here are some tips I wish I had before I had FFS.
1. Make sure you ask all you questions regarding the procedure and have it documented. A surgeon may say later when you have a complication "of I never say that." or accuse you of having unrealistic expectations.
2. Understand where, how and when you are eligible for revisions. Does he do revisions in his office or at a hospital. Can you simple ask for a revision or is the revision dependent on his approval.
3. Understand how the procedures are done. Don't wake up from surgery only to find out the wrong part of your forehead or jaw was removed.
4. Have x-rays done before surgery. If a mistake is made it will be hard to prove that something was done if you can't show how you looked before.
5. Do not go alone. You will need someone there for you if and when a surgeon tries to cut corners.
6. Don't believe everything you are told. A surgeon is a businessman first and a "doctor" second. His main concern may not be to help people.

This is great advice.

On topic, I had a consultation with Dr. Spiegel recently and I was pretty disappointed.

Initially his assistant took me into a room and asked me what I wanted to have done and why. She went over what later seemed to be the same talking points he hit upon about what I wanted done, not really relating to anything concerning my situation. Dr. Spiegel probably spent no more than 10 to 15 minutes with me.

In terms of your list above, he only vaguely covered the details of the individual procedures - his YouTube videos on his website gave the same amount of information I was given. Any details about the procedures were never mentioned in regards to me and my personal situation (e.g., 'in your case you might see such and such because of such and such), only things like, "women's brows have less of a ridge allowing more like to be reflected giving a more youthful feminine look." That all was interesting to learn, but could I please know how my brow, eyes, and face might play into all this? He never mentioned revisions. No mention of X-Rays or anything about pre-op prep.

My face isn't super feminine, but it's not super masculine either. I think it's pretty neutral and only minor corrections will need to be made. For example, I've always received compliments on my nose, that it's dainty and cute (which I mentioned during the consultation), but yet I was quoted for an $8,000 rhinoplasty? Were they listening to me?

I was then shuffled into his assistant's office where she, accompanied by another one of his assistants, handed me my quote of almost $40,000, said they'd need about $5,000 upfront to book the surgery date, and literally stopped talking and stared at me waiting for me to make a decision only a minute or two after I received my quote. I felt incredibly peer pressured... the type of peer pressure like when you're looking at dresses that cost way more than you can afford but you feel you'll be a loser or below everyone in the store if you don't buy it.

In contrast, my consultation with my SRS surgeon left me feeling refreshed, listened to, and incredibly motivated. They went over every little detail about the surgery, pre-op and post-op details, asked me tons of questions in regards to what might effect different outcomes from the surgery, etc. The biggest thing is that I felt very comfortable and welcome with my SRS surgeon and their practice and like it is a service being done to help me.

I got a gut feeling to stay away from FFS with Dr. Spiegel and look else where.

Quote from: NYCTSGirl01 on March 29, 2014, 03:08:24 PM
I just found a another case where he is being sued for medical malpractice.

Who is being sued for medical malpractice?

Deer reeg maybe you should have a consultation with Facial Team. To me and some friends they only suggested a minimal approach. For me they did not suggested lip lift and changes on the cheeks. Both are not necessary.

Many FFS surgeons always suggest the full program to all patients which maximizes their profits but not always our feminization.

Lara

No surgeon is perfect, but the good ones all come darn near close. If it is a well known surgeon, they are probably well known for a reason. Trust your instinct from the consultation- that will pretty much tell you everything you need to know besides their general reputation.

Most -if not all- doctors have had some complications and occasionally these procedures require revisions. It's all part of the risk. There are very few docs who can tout that they haven't had any major complications... But they do exist. It was one of the reasons I chose Dr. Mayer. After seeing my own result, I firmly believe him too.

Spiegel seems great to me, I'd think there is nothing to worry about at all. These surgeons do these procedures so many times it is basically down to an art form.

Quote from: teeg on April 03, 2014, 04:57:08 PM

For example, I've always received compliments on my nose, that it's dainty and cute (which I mentioned during the consultation), but yet I was quoted for an $8,000 rhinoplasty? Were they listening to me?

Same thing happened to me twice
During a real life consultation dr NVDD first asked me if I had a nosejob(??) no, I hadn't and then advised a nosejob, totally unnecessary.

Dr Suporn did too, during a real life consultation, while I was in Chonburi to support a friend for her SRS.

Thing is: I have a natural small, short nose with a natural 'scooped' bridge. I was totally amazed about dr NVVD's suggestion and declined his FFS 'service' at all.

After dr Suporn suggested a nosejob too....it just dawned on me that FFS surgeons tell MTF what they think they want to hear and most MTF's have a nose issue.

However, I don't and it kept me thinking. I think most FFS surgeons aren't the most ethical people and want to earn as much money they can make off a MTF, they reckon MTF are insecure (and see (very)(expensive) FFS surgeons as gods)

Of course I took dr S off of my FFS list and looked further, while doing my homework.

I ended up having FFS (forehead only) with dr Chettawut whose sole remark about my nose was 'your nose looks ok, we'll leave it like that. Otherwise it's gonna look unnatural.

That's the reason I choose to go with dr Chettawut; his honesty. Besides that: my natural low nosebridge went fluently into my new foreheadline. Excellent results.

Talking about unethical FFS surgeons: I would have ended up with a disfigured nose/face if I had agreed with having a nosejob.
A way too short and small nose looks hideous and off balance with the rest of my face.

Quote from: Achila on March 31, 2014, 12:17:15 PM
Dr. Z butchered my friend's face, she looks like she had two muffins on her face for cheeks

The dr Z piggynoses, stratospherical eyebrows amaze me to no end. Let alone his 'advice' to have cheekimplants.
Cheekimplants throw facial proportions out of balance and make even ciswomen faces very harsh and older looking....ciswomen who  have had too much plastic surgery or have cheekimplants actually look like transsexuals.

I've watched dr Z's 'it's about time' promotion DVD and I was shocked to see FFS/cheekimplant faces when animated.
Very strange looking but even stranger because they could barely open their mouth to speak...probably obstructed by cheekimplants. Just like their smile, which looked restricted.

Certainly draws unwanted attention to their faces.

Dahlia, I think you are touching on an important aspect... and I would like to add that this is why getting second opinions is an excellent plan before making the final decision to go with a certain doctor. Some FFS surgeons might indeed try to take your money, but some simply take a lot of pride in their work. I like to think that is most of the doctors But we can never know for sure.

When Dr. O told me he wanted to feminize my entire face (forehead, brow, nose, lips, jaw, and chin) I didn't get the feeling that he just wanted my money. I think he is just a more aggressive surgeon in general- and I don't fault him for that. Some people will want that for themselves. For me though, I was looking for something much more subtle, so it completely turned me off and I kept looking.

Each surgeon has different pros, cons, and personality. The key is finding one that lines up best with the individual seeking correction. Everyone is going to have a best doctor for them.

The main thing is that it all carries risks. There will always be patients with less than satisfactory results in their eyes. At some point you just have to accept that you've done all the research you can and go into surgery with confidence.

I had FFS with Dr. Spiegel.
Rhinoplasty
Forehead
Hairline
Brow
Chin
Jaw
That was A LOT of work.
Complications: The top of my head is somewhat numb. My forehead feels kinda "tight." My nose, oh god. I can't breath out of one nostril. It is a little crooked. There is a random bump at the tip. There are two small bumps near my brow. I also have holes in my gums where he did the incision for the jaw.
Also I should add that he did the surgery with another Dr who was doing their fellowship(?). Sometimes I get paranoid thinking Spiegel was just watching while the other guy did the whole surgery.

Overall I most definitely regret getting work done on my jaw however the rest is OK. I definitely look more "feminine" now. Looking at my old passport for example I am embarassed. How could I go out like that!? (I exagerrate slightly, of course). I am obviously not happy about my nose.

I feel like I am in an awkward stage right now. Do I go to him for a revision? How can I trust that hell do a better job this time? I don't really think that I want to see him ever again.

*Take this post with a grain of salt. Not really in the best place right now.