Hi so I'm thinking about FFS. I don't really have a list of surgeons yet but I'm sure there's one around here. How do people generally choose their surgeon, especially if it's not based on money alone? Costs being equal, do you prefer one who is close, or uses a certain technique, or something else entirely?

Also, I'm considering VFS so should I save the trachea procedure till then? I'm also open to voice therapy so maybe I should get the shave? This part is very confusing for me!! 

Thanks ladies

No FFS here but I would go with a skilled surgeon over one who is close.

As for VFS and trachea shave, if you are going to Dr Haben and having CTA then wait on the trachea shave. If you are only going to have VFS, then you can do it anytime. With CTA, the surgery would have to be repeated because CTA would cause more of a projection that would have to be shaved again.

Quote from: Dena on March 02, 2016, 10:56:01 PM
No FFS here but I would go with a skilled surgeon over one who is close.

As for VFS and trachea shave, if you are going to Dr Haben and having CTA then wait on the trachea shave. If you are only going to have VFS, then you can do it anytime. With CTA, the surgery would have to be repeated because CTA would cause more of a projection that would have to be shaved again.

Thanks Dena! So how can someone best determine the skill of a surgeon?

Also, what is CTA? I'm not familiar with that term!

Look at the results and reports of others. We have many people reporting their results in the FFS section and they are more than willing to answer your questions. Be careful about a doctor who want to sell you everything they do as many of us only need a limited number of procedures.

I had what was called plastic surgery aka nose job and my surgeon had the option to sell me more procedures but he didn't. He suggested a face lift latter which I could use now but I think I am going to age naturally. I have alway been uncomfortable with the idea of a 20 year old face on a 60 year old body.

It sounds like you may not be familiar with vocal surgery. Korea only offers VFS where Dr Haben offers several more options. The link is very informative even if you should decide to use another surgeon. I always recommend therapy and knowing your voice before surgery. In my case, I knew I would have to use a trained voice after surgery but at least now, my trained voce sound feminine - something the old voice wasn't.

http://www.professionalvoice.org/feminization.aspx