Hello,

I've been post-op GRS for nearly two years now, and the time has come for FFS. I've been reading and thinking about it for almost 4 years, so it's certainly not rushed. I know what procedures can help me, and have mild expectations. But I still have a couple of blind spots in my understanding, and I hope some of you that have had the experience could enlighten me on some questions I have. There's a lot of information online, hearsay, but I take that with a grain of salt. I rather hear from experience, so please only respond if you have had FFS. (although, feel free to discuss FFS and comments)

1st question: Based on your experience, would you recommend FFS and why?
2nd question: Did you experience numbness, and with which procedure(s) and how long did it take to regain sensitivity?
3rd question: How was your experience with pain?
4th question: How long did it take to recover completely?
5th question: I heard that bone hurts long after surgery, is this true?
6th question: is there any part of the procedure you regret, or would advise against?

Thank you for your time!

1. Im definitely biased on that, but I would recommend FFS to every trans woman

2. Yes.
forehead numbness - gone after 2 weeks.
top of scalp (behind incision) - 2 month numbness, 6 more months before it returned to fully normal like before surgery
chin and nose, not really numbness, but tingling sensation, chin 1 month, nose around 3 months.

3. First 5 days wasnt easy, but it was manageable with strong painkillers. After that ibuprofen for another week, and no need for anything after that.

4. Depends what you mean by that. In terms of most swelling and actual recovery stuff, I could say 2 months. In terms of being able to exercise normally again, and run and jump etc... 5 months (mostly due to cheek implants)

5. I didnt have aggressive bone work, except for forehead reconstruction, so I cant say much about that. By far most painful were cheek implants.

6. Not really. Everything was well coordinated and agreed upon into most detailed aspects. But surgeon took initiative during surgery and advanced hairline little too much (for my taste), which wasnt exactly what we agreed, but he believed it would be for better result (his personal taste). I prefered and still prefer higher forehead and upper facial third, and I planned to use little hair transplant to cover the scar (which Im not able to do now, as it would make forehead even lower). Im planning to have that fixed someday in future, Im not yet fully sure how exactly. There is only so much that endoscopic or coronal forehead lift can achieve, and the only other option is tissue expander. Which isnt the fun option.   

Thank you mmmmm,

It's interesting that the cheek implants were problematic, would not have thought that.

I would recommend it if I went to a good doctor.
So nope, I can't answer that since I was butchered

Hiya


1st question: Based on your experience, would you recommend FFS and why?
+Unequivocally yes! Passing in stealth matters that much to me. Now I no longer spend hours comparing my face to cisgender women. For me to cure the dysphoria I needed it all: GRS, BA & FFS.
2nd question: Did you experience numbness, and with which procedure(s) and how long did it take to regain sensitivity?
+Only in scalp where the hairline was corrected
3rd question: How was your experience with pain?
+ Minimal and with rhinoplasty discomfort from what feels like a stuffed nose!
4th question: How long did it take to recover completely?
+ 2 weeks but rhinoplasty to be "restaurant ready" 3 weeks
5th question: I heard that bone hurts long after surgery, is this true?
+ I didn't have my jaw done but I believe this has a longer recovery time
6th question: is there any part of the procedure you regret, or would advise against?
+ Yes. Avoid "beautification". Stick to the goal of feminising your face where testosterone has wrought havoc on bone structure. Wait till the FFS settles and only then see if you need or want any beautifying.

Overall get many many consultations to be 100% sure of what you need.

Kindnesses
Victoria xx

Hey girl!  I should join you as a post op in a little over two months (73 days).  I had some FFS work done last year and thought I'd provide you my input.

1st question: Based on your experience, would you recommend FFS and why?

I would recommend it anyone who feels that they need it.  Frankly, it should be covered by insurance because in a gender transition it is to correct appearance and it is not a cosmetic procedure.  It definitely helped me in my ability to not be misgendered.  It did not change my appearance as much as it softened it.  For some people it can be the difference between night and day.
     
2nd question: Did you experience numbness, and with which procedure(s) and how long did it take to regain sensitivity?

I had a couple of procedures done. 

I had some work done on my nose in April of last year that was not FFS related.  There was some numbness and it took 6-8 months to get most of my sensitivity back.  During that time I frequently couldn't tell if my nose was running.   

In August of last year I had hairline reduction, forehead contouring, brow bone reduction, brow lift and upper and lower eyelid work.  I did experience numbness on the top of my head and my eyebrows.  The brow numbness didn't last too long but the top of the head has taken longer to get the sensitivity back.  I am just now feeling like I have got all of my feeling back.  It is pretty standard for there to be a period of time post surgery where you have reduced sensation.   

3rd question: How was your experience with pain?

I did not have a lot of pain.


4th question: How long did it take to recover completely?

I will take this to mean when was I able to go back to work. 
    For the April procedure I was off work 6 days.
    For the FFS in August I was off work for 2 weeks but I probably could have gone back sooner if I had too.


5th question: I heard that bone hurts long after surgery, is this true?

I did have some pain in my brow area from the shaving down of the orbital rims and on my forehead, but it was not bad.  I did not have any other bone work done.


6th question: is there any part of the procedure you regret, or would advise against?

None.  All of my procedures exceed my expectations.


Thank you for your time!

No problem. I hope you can figure out what all you want and need and are able to have success.


FYI - I know you didn't ask but I had my procedures done by Dr. Harrison Lee in Beverly Hills.

Here is a before and after comparison:



I love the change and so does the computer..........I'm actually 55

@Angieisalone: I'm so sorry to hear that... I'm still interested in your story, but I understand that you are not willing to share it because of having the wrong doc. If I may ask, how are you coping right now?

@MasterSifuVictoria & @Jessie Ann:  Wow! ...that are some amazing stories. The "beautification" is indeed a great tip to avoid, and only do what cures the dysphoria is also excellent advice I 'm certainly going to follow. Jessie Ann, that is also some great advice to my first question. Very nice results!

1. Would you recommend FFS and why?

Most certainly. For me passing is most important. Anything that helps that is money well spent.

2. Did you experience numbness, with which procedure, and how long did it take to regain sensitivity?

Yes, mainly on the forehead and top of the head from the coronal incision. Still slight numbness on-going two years after the procedure.

3. How was your experience with pain?

Very little pain. Hospital medication for the first day and a half pretty much suppressed all the pain. Thereafter paracetamol helped take the edge off. Worst part was the degree of swelling over the first 48 hours round eyes and mouth.

4. How long did it take to recover completely?

6-7 weeks for the bruising to subside. Before then didn't really want to be seen out in public.

5. I heard that bone hurts long after surgery, is this true?

I was lucky and it didn't hurt. However, the feeling around the bone areas definitely does still feel different. Tend to avoid allowing pressure on areas that have been worked on.

6. Is there any part of the procedure you regret, or would advise against?

No. Just would have liked some done slightly differently. May go for revisions in a year or two.

Thanks!

I've had my photo's done by Alexandra Hamer of http://www.virtualffs.co.uk

She did an amazing job.

Already send the pictures to my surgeon who was interested in them. I went to a local craniomaxillofacial surgeon, and got a consult with him. He's a nice guy, and I trust him. he did a lot of facial reconstructions, accidents and so forth. At first I wanted to go to one the famous FFS surgeons, but I decided that it doesn't really matter. Lately I also heard a horror story from a girl who was operated by a famous FFS surgeon (I'm not saying who). Only to make the point that no surgeon is infallible. I stress that point because some seem to believe in these so called "pop star" surgeons. Well, I don't.