Well I thought I'd better up date this thread...

I'm leaving for Buenos Aires tomorrow on pleasant 16 hour flight (I live in NZ, so we are close to nowhere except maybe parts of Australia lol). Things are going really well and my situation has really changed since beginning to organise this trip. I'm out to practically everyone I know, I've changed my legal name and am living fulltime. I must say everyone has been so great, especially my family, me and mother are closer than ever which is great! She has even offered to fund my SRS/GRS and come over to Thailand with me for a week or two to help with the worst of post op recovery, so sweet So will hopefully be doing that by mid next year

As for T-Change, Amanda has been so great with everything and so helpful, any question is answered really quickly and informatively, she even helped me with some details about my accommodation, communication has just been generally great! So really happy with the service so far
I'm just in packing mode now and writing final lists, the what to bring thread in this FFS section has been really helpful! I'm bringing a little George Foreman smoothie blender too which I bought for this trip, so compact and works really well! I think I'll using it a lot once I'm back over summer too, I LOVE boysenberry smoothies! I'm loading up my new hard drive too, so will hopefully maintain my sanity while apartment bound :p

My appearance is still changing a lot due to HRT but really I'm only fixing my male type bone structures which I will always have a problem with, so I don't see an issue really -I want them gone for more than just aesthetic reasons too, so I'm personally happy with the timing. I'll insert a couple of recent photos below to help with pre/post op comparison:











Claire

Well I'm not sure if anyone is looking at my thread, hello if you are! lol.
Well I've been in Buenos Aires for a couple of days now, I have only looked around within a couple of blocks of where I'm staying, but its quite a nice area with so many shops and malls, some nice restaurants etc. so I'm happy Too bad about the all the dog poo on the side walks lol, they seem to really like dogs here...
Amanda who liaises with the clients etc. has been so cool and helpful, we've had some great chats too, she's also a trans woman so understands... She took me around today to get my blood tests, x-rays and ekg etc. plus took me to the supermarket So I'm pretty darn happy at the moment bar a few issues with the apartment which will be being fixed soon hopefully... the stove tried to electrocute me yesterday  :/ and the hair dryer sucks :p

Well I'll be having my final consult in about 30 mins and then surgery tomorrow, wish me luck

Claire

Good luck sweetie!  You will look awesome!

Aww thank you I really hope so! lol. Well I had my final consult this evening, Amanda and Rossi were great, I had a minor freak out just before leaving for it and kinda on the way too, the crazy Buenos Aires rush hour traffic did NOT help, but Amanda helped me calm down a lot I think I want to marry this woman!! Shes a pretty damn cool chick
Anyway I'm about off to bed, the next time I post will probably be a couple of days post surgery.

Claire

i hope everything goes well with your surgery hun keep us posted! i'm pretty sure your post op result is gonna be great.
i can't wait to be in Argentina for my ffs this december 

hope everything goes well Claire, sending you lots of positive energy

i hope you are fine Claire, when you feel better , please tell us how it went.

Kisses 

Well thank you for the positive energy, I'm sure some of it must have made its way to me, as everything is going really well and I'm super happy so thank you!

Anyway the update...

Well I'm really happy with the people here, Rossi is great, his surgical assistants seemed very professional and the and I think the anesthetist is rather good I think, after 7 hours under, waking wasn't as bad as some 2-3 hour ops I've had.. The hospital is good too, nice rooms and modern looking, although they need to move on from the horrible old noisey through wall A/C units, and crumbly crusty bread stick things for my first post op meal (breakfast), how about some corn on the cob etc. while you're at it too lol.
So surgery went very well (as far as I know) with no problems or major complications and I am healing ridiculously fast, Amanda tells me I am faster than usual, so maybe I'm just lucky. Pretty much all the swelling is gone from my upper face and just the lower half is a bit puffy, my top lip is a bit numb still due to this but I'm getting feeling back as it goes down.. it looks so luscious now though! lol, but I'd rather be able to drink a coffee without it dribbling down my chin My forehead, brows and eyes look really nice, the cast comes off my nose tomorrow, but the signs are good there, I can see the bridge flows into my brow just seamlessly.
They have done some amazing work on my chin too, it already looks good, but when I feel how much swelling is still projecting, I know its going to be a lot more compact than it is now... As far as I can tell my face is now pretty well unclockable already, I get looks but I have a nose cast and black eyes, on an otherwise tall pretty girl (I hope I'm not sounding to arrogant or anything, I'll leave others to judge when I put some pics up, hopefully tomorrow- I forgot my usb cable to link my phone to my laptop, I'll try and get a before and after nose cast removal tomorrow..), it's just a sense.. I get positive attention from men, and friendliness from random woman which is a lot diffterent to 2 weeks ago, when I looked ok from the front, but I could tell a lot of people we're still clocking me due to my profile... I don't sense this now. And god I love finally seeing eyes being all open properly and so cute

So I'm a very happy camper so far.. the only tiny issues are that I'm still not sure about the lower tip of my nose.. maybe as the swelling goes down it will improve (I have/had a very long septum which has been hard to deal with- this was not my first rhinoplasty... definitely the best so far though! I think I'm done with it now, no mater how it goes lol, I'm probably to a harsh critic of my own nose), and I would like to improve the shape of my hairline with implants at some time.. mine is/has always been very low so problem there, they improved the shape a bit, and I have no visible incision on my forehead which is nice though, and the way I style my hair you never see the two areas that annoy me anyway.. I would rather this than complicate more important aspects of the surgery anyway.. so a nice-to-fix in time if it bothers me maybe..

So I'm really happy.. I had the best pasta I've ever had last night as belated birthday dinner (my birthday was the 19th ) so that was nice, and I'm getting out and about doing little exploring for short periods, although I'm trying to avoid the head as it does my swelling no favours.. I'm currently looking for a cute parasol/umbrella to protect me from the sun too..

Last but not least, I must mention Amanda, the trans woman who run this whole thing, she is amazing- I love her to bits, she just makes everything work and is just a cool person that I've come to really admire. She a credit to transwomen everywhere, she works so hard but she really cares.. This probably all sounds too positive in this kinda jaded industry, I'm not sure how to prove I'm genuine,, take it or leave it I guess.

Cllaire

Quote from: lemon_ice on October 23, 2014, 06:02:07 PM
Well thank you for the positive energy, I'm sure some of it must have made its way to me, as everything is going really well and I'm super happy so thank you!

Anyway the update...

Well I'm really happy with the people here, Rossi is great, his surgical assistants seemed very professional and the and I think the anesthetist is rather good I think, after 7 hours under, waking wasn't as bad as some 2-3 hour ops I've had.. The hospital is good too, nice rooms and modern looking, although they need to move on from the horrible old noisey through wall A/C units, and crumbly crusty bread stick things for my first post op meal (breakfast), how about some corn on the cob etc. while you're at it too lol.
So surgery went very well (as far as I know) with no problems or major complications and I am healing ridiculously fast, Amanda tells me I am faster than usual, so maybe I'm just lucky. Pretty much all the swelling is gone from my upper face and just the lower half is a bit puffy, my top lip is a bit numb still due to this but I'm getting feeling back as it goes down.. it looks so luscious now though! lol, but I'd rather be able to drink a coffee without it dribbling down my chin My forehead, brows and eyes look really nice, the cast comes off my nose tomorrow, but the signs are good there, I can see the bridge flows into my brow just seamlessly.
They have done some amazing work on my chin too, it already looks good, but when I feel how much swelling is still projecting, I know its going to be a lot more compact than it is now... As far as I can tell my face is now pretty well unclockable already, I get looks but I have a nose cast and black eyes, on an otherwise tall pretty girl (I hope I'm not sounding to arrogant or anything, I'll leave others to judge when I put some pics up, hopefully tomorrow- I forgot my usb cable to link my phone to my laptop, I'll try and get a before and after nose cast removal tomorrow..), it's just a sense.. I get positive attention from men, and friendliness from random woman which is a lot diffterent to 2 weeks ago, when I looked ok from the front, but I could tell a lot of people we're still clocking me due to my profile... I don't sense this now. And god I love finally seeing eyes being all open properly and so cute

So I'm a very happy camper so far.. the only tiny issues are that I'm still not sure about the lower tip of my nose.. maybe as the swelling goes down it will improve (I have/had a very long septum which has been hard to deal with- this was not my first rhinoplasty... definitely the best so far though! I think I'm done with it now, no mater how it goes lol, I'm probably to a harsh critic of my own nose), and I would like to improve the shape of my hairline with implants at some time.. mine is/has always been very low so problem there, they improved the shape a bit, and I have no visible incision on my forehead which is nice though, and the way I style my hair you never see the two areas that annoy me anyway.. I would rather this than complicate more important aspects of the surgery anyway.. so a nice-to-fix in time if it bothers me maybe..

So I'm really happy.. I had the best pasta I've ever had last night as belated birthday dinner (my birthday was the 19th ) so that was nice, and I'm getting out and about doing little exploring for short periods, although I'm trying to avoid the head as it does my swelling no favours.. I'm currently looking for a cute parasol/umbrella to protect me from the sun too..

Last but not least, I must mention Amanda, the trans woman who run this whole thing, she is amazing- I love her to bits, she just makes everything work and is just a cool person that I've come to really admire. She a credit to transwomen everywhere, she works so hard but she really cares.. This probably all sounds too positive in this kinda jaded industry, I'm not sure how to prove I'm genuine,, take it or leave it I guess.

Cllaire

Hello Claire! So happy to read you again here  . I hope you are great.

Well here are a couple of terrible selfies I took on my phone just prior to removal of my nose cast on Friday night, so about 9 days post op. I apologise for the bad lighting an angles etc. I'll try and take a few better and more recent ones if I can find anywhere with decent lighting... it's all really dim around where I am for some reason.. and maybe someone to take them to reduce fish eye effect etc. I might have to resort to using a brightly lit shop or something lol. I still have a lot of swelling in my chin/jaw area so, please make allowances for that, but when I feel where the bone is now, I can tell it's a huge improvement. Well here goes..:

Hi there!
You're looking great for 9 days post-op and I'm really impressed by the chin. Very happy for you and also for others as it can only be good for everyone to have  another competent surgeon offering his services.
Also, assuming you see Amanda again, please say hello to her for me. You're right, she's a great lady and I'm really glad to see that her new venture is getting off to a good start.
Wishing you all the best for a very happy recovery!
Donna

P.S. It would be really great for everyone if you posted standardised before and afters when you have recovered enough ie. front & profile with no makeup and similar lighting  for both sets of pictures.

Thanks Donna I'm really happy too, as far as I can tell, he is a very good surgeon and very professional. I think Amanda is quietly quite happy with the change in surgeons, Rossi is the real deal in maxillofacial surgery here in Argentina, plus he is a very pleasant man which makes things much easier I think
I am apparently healing abnormally quickly for some reason, but my pain is persisting longer than usual, maybe I'm just a wuss, but our bodies are all different I guess.
I will definitely see Amanda again, she actually just left my apartment, and I'll be seeing here again tomorrow, she really is great huh I make sure I pass on your greetings and good wishes
Thank you, I'm mostly coping well with things and staying happy mostly, although I had a bit a down day yesterday.. I bought icecream and that helped at least I'm ashamed to say lol.

Yes I will try to take some before and after shots, I might have to twist Amanda's arm as it's not really possible to do myself. I do tend to wear a little bit of akeup in the chin area due to and electrolysis disaster about 6 weeks ago which is gradually improving.. and I think will be ok eventually hopefully, but I will keep it to a minimal amount of foundation in that area if that's ok.

The main thing I love is how my eyes look now, so open an pretty

Hello Claire! Girl you look awesome after 9 days post-op. Thank you for share your transition with us. Is very helpfully .

Best wishes.

Hi Claire, have you managed to take in any of Buenos Aires yet? Oh, its Me, the person from London, who had surgery just before you, I took you to the supermarket. Have you been to the Saturday night Tango show at the Pacifico yet, its the best. Did you get to visit the Teatro Colon. Have you already written about previously, somewhere else on this thread???

Quote from: firestarter on October 27, 2014, 07:38:57 PM
Hi Claire, have you managed to take in any of Buenos Aires yet? Oh, its Me, the person from London, who had surgery just before you, I took you to the supermarket. Have you been to the Saturday night Tango show at the Pacifico yet, its the best. Did you get to visit the Teatro Colon. Have you already written about previously, somewhere else on this thread???

Yes I remember.  No I'm not yet two weeks post op and still feeling a quite frail, I find the heat a little oppressive too and it causes me facial pain and does no favours for my swelling, so I'm being very careful and only going for short trips away from the apartment. I may start doing more once I feel a bit better and more confident, I would like to go on maybe a winery tour or something as a day trip maybe if I'm feeling up to it before I go home.

Claire.

Quote from: lemon_ice on October 27, 2014, 04:14:21 PM
Well here are a couple of terrible selfies I took on my phone just prior to removal of my nose cast on Friday night, so about 9 days post op. I apologise for the bad lighting an angles etc. I'll try and take a few better and more recent ones if I can find anywhere with decent lighting... it's all really dim around where I am for some reason.. and maybe someone to take them to reduce fish eye effect etc. I might have to resort to using a brightly lit shop or something lol. I still have a lot of swelling in my chin/jaw area so, please make allowances for that, but when I feel where the bone is now, I can tell it's a huge improvement. Well here goes..:

Awww!! You look so adorable & cute, I just wanna hug you  Your eyes are so much more emphazised and they are so beautiful! Pre-op I they weren't as noticeable!!

what an amazing difference, so happy for you

Thank you all for you kind word and wishes

I am quite happy about how it's gone, I'm not sure about my nose- I have always rather hated it all my life and I'm very sensitive and critical of it still, it seems ok when I look at it most times lol.

I have also been battling a bit of post surgery depression and a real feeling of worthlessness, I feel so narcissistic even mentioning as I know we all go through some very tough times... I think it might be a combination of being far away from friends and family during an emotional time, having no one to talk to, and maybe missing a bit of routine ie work.. I don't know,. I'm also overdue for another IPL visit, I had to stop to make sure my skin was ok for surgery and facial hair is coming back with the new growth cycle which I really hate.. I'm having some long plucking sessions to keep it under control before I can resume IPL.. What doesn't help is the kind of light I have in the bathroom, its very directional and harsh, which makes me look horrible, until I see myself in a mirror somewhere else and I look fine.
I'm sorry to sound maudlin and ungrateful.

I did have a nice experience today though, on the way back fro popping out for a little take out lunch and a trip to the pharmacy, two large Argentinian guys were going into the apartment building just in front of me, they was me and held the door, allowing me to enter first, and then the same for the lift (most lifts have the old fashion manual doors here), which was really lovely and brightened my afternoon. I was rather afraid at first, but they were very courteous.. so I guess I'm probably passing which is nice

Quote from: Auroramarianna on October 29, 2014, 04:25:09 AM
Awww!! You look so adorable & cute, I just wanna hug you  Your eyes are so much more emphazised and they are so beautiful! Pre-op I they weren't as noticeable!!

Thanks Aurora I want to hug you too I totally agree, it's really bought my eyes out and they seem a lot further apart as well as looking more open and bigger, it's probably my favourite change of all Thanks for noticing

Claire.

Amazing changes even early on.

Wonderful! any more recent photos of how it has been progressing?