Quote from: Brenda E on November 10, 2014, 06:23:52 AM
You need nothing Alaia - if that's your stripped-down photo, you look far prettier than most stripped-down cis-women.
But since you asked, and since such broad compliments are often less than constructive...
Your hair seems ok to me, but the hairline could be moved forward a little bit, depending on how much you wear your hair pulled back and regularly showing the natural hairline. And the trachea shave might be a good idea, only because in the photos it stands out a little bit.
The stuff in between the hairline and the trachea - the whole "face" part of you - looks pretty good to me. As with all of us, there's tweaks here and there which might help, but nothing screams "man!" If your surgeon can produce results that are extremely subtle and undetectable, then it might be a good move; just don't end up with a face that looks like it's obviously had work done. There's already a very cute girl in those photos (and in your avatar pic), and it would be a shame to ruin that cute natural look with some aggressive surgery. 
Thanks Brenda, I appreciate it. And I absolutely agree about not ruining my natural look--I don't want anything overly aggressive done in the areas mentioned, just a subtle refinement.
Quote from: Hanazono on November 10, 2014, 06:40:34 AM
When I read FFS, I went to look at your pics and thought - Not bad for postop pics. But it boggles my mind you have not had FFS yet. Maybe you could just save the money for other stuff.
Thank you for your comment Hanazono. I suppose I could save money for other stuff, but I really believe the money spent on FFS is an investment in which the emotional dividends will far outweigh the costs. This isn't something that I've considered lightly. I realize my face is very androgynous, but I still feel there are enough male markers there for it to be perceived as male rather than female. All I want is to just slightly correct and soften things so that my face readily reads female.
Quote from: amber roskamp on November 10, 2014, 06:48:33 AM
Alaia you look great, but if you feel like you need ffs go for it. I think that the most beneficial ones for you would be the hairline lowering, a brow lift, and a trachea shave.
Thank you so much Amber! Your comment was short, to the point, and provided an opinion without coming off as judgmental--which is exactly what I was looking for. I really appreciate it.
Quote from: Just Shelly on November 10, 2014, 08:36:09 AM
I never comment on anyone's pics....but because you seem to look very similar to myself I felt I needed too.
Honestly the only thing I would definitely do if I was in your position is a trachea shave. Fortunately I don't have any Adams apple.....never even knew I didn't LOL
For the rest, yes you (or I) could definitely have some other procedures....but nothing a little....and I mean a little makeup can't take care of. My hairline is very similar to yours....maybe even a bit more receded above the temples. I'm not ecstatic over it, but I'm also not the only woman with a similar hairline.
There is something about the width of your face between the area of your ears that seems more male than female BUT!!! you have no makeup on! Eye makeup can make a huge difference! With eye makeup I am sure I would not notice this as much. The amount of space between the upper lip and nose is also more in the male range BUT!! again nothing severe....and also nothing a little makeup can't pull the eye away from.
In all I think you look pretty decent for no makeup.....I give you kudos!! Something I definitely couldn't do Without makeup I think I would gender you female around 70-80% the 70 only being the Adams apple, without that I would say 80%. I think you would be fine without any FFS but possible a trachea shave.
Some really good input there Shelly, I appreciate it. These pictures don't completely show my hairline either, it actually goes pretty high on the sides, which makes styling very annoying as I have to place my hair in a way to hide it. But you're right, many cis women have the same issue, I know a couple at work that are in that position.
Your comments also picked up on one of the areas I'm very torn over, the width of my face. I'm certain a well done cheek augmentation would address this, but I'm also wondering if I shouldn't just wait that one out. Another year or two of HRT could very well address that. Although I don't think it could hurt anything to have it done either. I dunno, I'll have to see what the doctors say during consultation and then give it some more thought.
And yeah, with makeup on I am perceived as female for the most part. But I'd like to take things from 70-80% up to 90-95%. I know I specified several areas I'm considering getting work done on, but really, I'm going to stress with the doctor that I don't want anything too extreme. I know I'm almost there and a subtle approach to take me the rest of the way is all that is needed.
