Hello all,

I'm currently looking into different surgeons for FFS, and Dr. Zukowski is beginning to seem like the best choice given my facial structure and need for moderate bone work.  I wanted to know all of your thoughts on him, and specifically his work.  I've heard his personality is a bit much for some, but I'm not choosing a romantic partner, I'm choosing a surgeon!  Oddly enough, his is the only work I've never really heard spoken ill of.  Everyone will say "Spiegel is too subtle, O. is to aggressive, Myer is very overpriced, and Cardenas is inconsistent", but I've yet to hear anything bad about the man besides the fact that he behaves a lot like a used car salesman!  Anyways, thoughts about his results would be appreciated.

Also, has anyone had top surgery done with him?  I'd love to have it done with him at the same time as my FFS, but I'm not sure he's really the best man for the job.  Dr. McGinn would be my ideal surgeon for top surgery, but I only a four week window to have surgery and then I must be back to my busy lifestyle.  Are his results good?  Do they seem comparatively positive? 

Thanks,
Sasha

I had been scheduled with Dr. Zukowski but I cancelled as there were some results I've seen that I just didn't care for... One in particular kept me up at night: - This girl appears to have some nerve damage? Occasionally when she speaks you can see what appears to be her lip/lower face drooping? I also think she looks a bit strange and her hairline was lowered too far. I don't think she has a "bad" result overall, she is certainly feminized, but to me she looks "done" even a year after surgery.

I did have my breast augmentation done with Zukowski in 2009 - Cohesive silicone gel implants under the muscle. I think he did a good job with the placement of the implants, BUT THEY ARE TOO BIG... He talked me into 600cc implants and I'm 5'7"  - If you go to him for BA go 100cc less than whatever it is he recommends to you... or you'll come out with a big azz rack... and now I really want them re-done  

I am going to Dr.Cardenas for FFS in mid-May - I have met 3 people that have been to him and all 3 look great! They don't have that "done" look. I consulted with Dr. Zukowski, Ousterhout, and Bart van de Ven in Belgium and so far I feel more confident in Cardenas from what I've seen. I'll let you guys know how it goes.... Wish me luck! 

Thanks for the response;

Every time I get any closer to making a decision, it seems something inevitably throws me back to page one!  You are right, this is clearly a case of nerve damage...but she does pass very well (until she speaks, that is).  And honestly, if this is the worst-case scenario, I'm not as worried as perhaps I should be.  I've considered going with someone who does more subtle work-Speigal, especially-but what bothers me is that half of the time his work is so subtle that there is scarcely any difference at all.  Surgery is non-refundable, and a part of me just doesn't feel secure with the idea of putting that much money into a procedure that might not do anything at all.  I suppose it all comes down to how much you *need* done; you can see from my picture that I have a ways to go in terms of passibility, even after a year of hormones, and the last thing I want is to find myself down 30K and still looking like a man.  Do you know where I could possibly find some of Cardenas's results?  Also, will keep that in mind w/ regards to the implants.  Though honestly, most surgeons these days go a bit too large...

You can go to www.transop.com to see some results there -  Also search "Cardenas ffs" on YouTube and you'll see some results on YouTube. Granted there are not as many results available for him as there are for some other surgeons, but one of my best girlfriends went to him; I can't show you her pictures but suffice to say he did a great job on her, and 2 of her friends as well.  I think from your picture that you should give yourself some credit, you don't need an Ousterhout level surgery from what I can see   Yup! Take my advice and don't go too big on the implants! It's not a good look... I regret it more and more... Men's eyes are down there rather than "up here" especially at work where I need muthas to take me seriously.

I also agree, don't drop 30k on a surgeon who is gonna give you results that you could get for half the price elsewhere. I considered Spiegel for a hot minute but ultimately it was too much money and I didn't think his results were worth it. That is not to say he isn't a good choice for some people, but he wasn't someone I would consider for my needs.

Just wanted to throw Dr. Mayer into the mix, he is great for moderate bony work (Type 1 "brow shave" method). He is highly meticulous and doesn't try to up-sell on the list of procedures. Definitely a surgeon that takes great pride in his work, and it shows when you meet him. He is also one of the best as far as not making people look "done"... the way he does noses could not be more natural looking.

I considered Mayer; But I'm pretty sure my brow is type II; not all of us are as naturally lucky as you are!  Also, isn't his pricing absolutely insane?  Plus he's all the way on the other side of the country from where I am!

Honestly, I'm not sure what level of work I'll need...of course crazy implants aren't the way to go, but the kind of passibility to allow for stealth is my goal, and with my bone structure and (perpetually) short hair, I'm not sure a minimalist is going to cut it.  It's certainly a risk: with some of the more...drastic surgeons, at least you know that you'll wake up looking different.  Financially speaking, I am only going to have one shot at this, and I suppose I'd rather look "done" than male.  Ideally, I wouldn't have to look like either though!

Totally hear you! I am pretty sure both Cardenas and Zukowski are Type I/II forehead folks as well, same as Mayer (although he doesn't do the type II "fill"). Mayer's cost seemed extremely reasonable to me, except he does charge a lot for rhinoplasty (it is probably his specialty though).

If you feel like you need aggressive work I would recommend someone who can do a Type III reconstruction. Spiegel might be your best bet for location in that case? If I wanted a type 3, I would probably check out Di Maggio

Dr Z did all my work above my waist.  Dr McGinn was my GCS surgeon.  I am happy with the results of both surgeons.

Yes, I agree Dr Z. gave me a BA that, in my opinion, was *huge*.  I am a 42 DD now.  And when I look at myself naked I think my boobs are really big.  But I am a big girl at 5'10" with a big thorax.  So when I have clothes on, I have a natural looking feminine profile.

My breasts have grown some because of my continued use of hormones and my continuing second puberty so you may want to take that into consideration when you think about a BA.

I had a complete facial work done with him as well.  Overall I have had minimal nerve damage or loss.  But realize that there are more nerves in your face than just about anywhere else in your body, so any operation that cuts deeply into your face, you have a real possibility of feeling loss.

I have about 70-80% feelings in my scalp as a result of my scalp advance.  In contrast, Dr. McGinn told me she has 0%, no feelings, in her scalp as the result of the scalp advance she had.  So this is a real possibility.

My breasts have normal feeling, but the underside of my nipples, where the saline implants where pushed in, have little feeling.  But the scarring is minimal and appearance is quite nice, and response to stimulation (!) is quite normal.

This is severe invasive surgery, no matter who does it.

Dr Z can be overbearing but in my opinion, he is an artist with a scalpel. 

If you want more specific information of the work I had done, feel free to PM me.

-Sandy

Quote from: jgirl76 on May 01, 2014, 02:36:49 AM
I had been scheduled with Dr. Zukowski but I cancelled as there were some results I've seen that I just didn't care for... One in particular kept me up at night: - This girl appears to have some nerve damage? Occasionally when she speaks you can see what appears to be her lip/lower face drooping? I also think she looks a bit strange and her hairline was lowered too far. I don't think she has a "bad" result overall, she is certainly feminized, but to me she looks "done" even a year after surgery.

I did have my breast augmentation done with Zukowski in 2009 - Cohesive silicone gel implants under the muscle. I think he did a good job with the placement of the implants, BUT THEY ARE TOO BIG... He talked me into 600cc implants and I'm 5'7"  - If you go to him for BA go 100cc less than whatever it is he recommends to you... or you'll come out with a big azz rack... and now I really want them re-done  

I am going to Dr.Cardenas for FFS in mid-May - I have met 3 people that have been to him and all 3 look great! They don't have that "done" look. I consulted with Dr. Zukowski, Ousterhout, and Bart van de Ven in Belgium and so far I feel more confident in Cardenas from what I've seen. I'll let you guys know how it goes.... Wish me luck!

OK, let's be fair here:

You couldn't have possibly picked a less flattering video of that particular girl to exhibit the work Dr. Z performed on her. Her hair is a mess, the lighting is completely off. It seems a little deliberate and sketchy on your part, just saying. Not to mention how you questionably chose a video from her 4 month healing mark, when her latest video is a year+ after her surgery. Vendetta much? 

If I may, as this girl's results were one of the things that actually ENCOURAGED me to pursue FFS with Dr. Z this-coming October:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CDwCnkF4IE&list=UU936-75gKFvIbnOx1yU0Oxg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZkdGdrkfpk&list=UU936-75gKFvIbnOx1yU0Oxg
(Makeup can also be an important way to gauge an FFS result, btw. While femininity should be achieved through FFS without the need for makeup, as with all women, it can enhance and markedly bring out feminine features.)

And also, just for you, jgirl (one of the most recent examples of her "settled" result with Dr. Z):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFmTzq9pHkw&list=UU936-75gKFvIbnOx1yU0Oxg

Does anyone still detect overtly perceptible "nerve damage"? 

Quote from: jgirl76 on May 01, 2014, 02:36:49 AM
I had been scheduled with Dr. Zukowski but I cancelled as there were some results I've seen that I just didn't care for... One in particular kept me up at night. This girl appears to have some nerve damage? Occasionally when she speaks you can see what appears to be her lip/lower face drooping? I also think she looks a bit strange and her hairline was lowered too far. I don't think she has a "bad" result overall, she is certainly feminized, but to me she looks "done" even a year after surgery.

Also, it DEFINITELY begs mentioning that this is the same girl weeks (or, at most, months) before Dr. Z intervened:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBAFusm_lW4&list=UU936-75gKFvIbnOx1yU0Oxg

That girl is actually beautiful by even "mainstream" standards now, and if you asked people (who aren't listening to her admittedly off-putting voice) to determine whether she was a.) trangendered or b.) had a significant (or any) amount of facial surgery, most people would place their bets against both. She looks like a naturally beautiful biological woman, and as you can see above, you wouldn't have thought she had a shot in hell before Dr. Z.

I usually do not jump into the Ford vs. Chev. thing I will just say they I had my FFS with Dr. Z and there is his personality that either works or doesn't I guess however in looking at the various pre and posts I selected him including the full package of clinic, support and per and post communication. I had the full meal deal with him as well. There was more than I few times I wanted to kick him where the sun does not shine however his integrity and work has been top notch so far.

I believe my result will be very positive and I am only 12 weeks post so I have a long ways to go. From what I have now experienced looking at other girls recovery is not a great indictor as there are many factors and some people like myself have taken extra long to show any positive signs from the surgery. It takes a long time to heal properly and things really change week to week and month to month. I know GG's who just had a nose job and it took them a year or more for things to settle let lone more extensive work done on the face which we endure.

I am happy with my choice also as I do believe it is half skill/ science and half art as it where.

Good luck in your choice and future FFS

Best-

All,

I will no longer be able to persue FFS; the situation has left me in a very bad spot so I please insist that you refrain from continuing this conversation.  Frankly, it's not the best thing for my mental health right now.  Thank you!