Hi everyone, I am leaning towards bone burring only with a PS in NYC. He's a cranial facial guy who admits he's never done this before for cosmetic reasons..only for congenital birth defects. Which, I would argue, is what I have. He didn't even ask for a bone scan until I mentioned it. It's gonna cost 14k. He's a Harvard and Columbia University trained doc. But not an ffs surgeon. Also I'm reading info stating the bone burring can be risky and not effective. But he says it will be but doesn't really elaborate. I should be seeing these red flags but I'm so
desparate to have something done. Seems hard to believe since I would say I would require reconstruction.  This ffs stuff is so unnerving and all I want to do is look more feminine and stop being ridiculed. I get laughed at on the daily. I live in NYC where you'd think people would be more accepting. It's just the opposite. They hide behind anonymity and feel empowered to bully strangers who look different and whom they will never know.But it seems impossible to make a truly informed decision with so much info out there. And I don't want to have to travel to Boston, BA or SF. Anyone have any advice? Thanks!

Get a look at your bone scan and plan on another visit with the doctor to discuss the procedure that will be used on you. If there is sufficient material for burring, then there isn't a problem. If the structure is thin, ask the doctor to explain the approach that will be used. There are options other than restructuring that will do the job but if you are uncomfortable with the approach the doctor will be using, consider another doctor. It's better to pay more to get it done right the first time than to go back for a redo.

Quote from: Dena on February 05, 2017, 08:25:14 AM
Get a look at your bone scan and plan on another visit with the doctor to discuss the procedure that will be used on you. If there is sufficient material for burring, then there isn't a problem. If the structure is thin, ask the doctor to explain the approach that will be used. There are options other than restructuring that will do the job but if you are uncomfortable with the approach the doctor will be using, consider another doctor. It's better to pay more to get it done right the first time than to go back for a redo.

Thanks so much for your response , Dena! I needed some guidance and have no one else
To talk to about this. I will get the scan and see him again. Many thanks!

To be honest, to be that pricetag for a bone burring only (not a type 3 reconstruction) by a doctor who has not so much experience with facial feminization seems to be way to high. I believe you can go to one of the FFS specialists and get a full reconstrucion for that price. Going outside of the USA, you can almost get a full FFS for that price (at least if you add another $5k).

Yes, you really need x-rays or CT scans to see whether the brow ridge is solid bone or if it's a thin layer in front of a larger sinus cavity behind it.  This in turn determines what procedures are most appropriate to address the area. 

And Anja is right, you're not getting a home-state discount, either. 

Also, there is credence to the idea that it's better to go to someone who has more experience with this -- not so much in terms of the technical aspects of the surgery, though that's important, but in having done enough of them to understand the underlying aesthetic principles involved. 

Thanks all for your responses. The PS has says he's done all the forehead contouring or the most at Columbia and Weill Cornell in nyc but that's mostly on kids. This is a whole diff ascetic. Plus I need a facelift too and he said that would be too much in one procedure. Yet I see a lot of ladies here have those two and more in one procedure. Wish this was easier. Sorry to sound like a whiner!

Many of the women on the site who have had more than one procedure have been under for a long period of time. It may take 12 or more hours to complete all the procedures. Yes, it can be done safely but the longer you are under, the greater the risks. Your surgeon may want to reduce the time you are under and feels that the procedures you desire will extend far to long.

You are not a whiner. If you don't understand what is going on now, you might make a mistake that you will regret latter on. The advantage of this site is shared knowledge and someday you will be able to pass what you know on to somebody much like you.

Quote from: TigerLilyNYC on February 05, 2017, 08:04:47 AM
He's a cranial facial guy who admits he's never done this before for cosmetic reasons..only for congenital birth defects.

Er I'd be worried about that. Even for a lower cost

I would look elsewhere. Dr Lee would do a type 3 reconstruction for that price. I would suggest you consider rhinoplasty as well to acheive the maximum  feminisation of the forehead.

I'm going to echo Ypsf09's comment about Dr. Harrison Lee.  For the same 14k I was able to get a hairline reduction, brow lift and upper and lower eye lids in addition to the forehead contouring and brow bone reduction.  I was also able to get BA for just a bit more.  He has an office in NYC in addition to his office in Beverly Hills so it might be a good thing to take your scans and schedule a consult with him.

Great profile pic Jess. You should be in Dr Lee's book.

Quote from: Ypsf09 on February 06, 2017, 02:59:22 PM
Great profile pic Jess. You should be in Dr Lee's book.

Thank you. I may be in there. I think I sent them this picture.

Needless to say I'm a big fan of his work.

Quote from: I Am Jess on February 06, 2017, 05:52:55 PM
Thank you. I may be in there. I think I sent them this picture.

Needless to say I'm a big fan of his work.

He did an amazing job, Jess!! So you had no complaints about the procedure itself and the bedside manner and staff? I've been reading some bad things about that. Thanks for responding!

Quote from: Ypsf09 on February 06, 2017, 02:32:30 PM
I would look elsewhere. Dr Lee would do a type 3 reconstruction for that price. I would suggest you consider rhinoplasty as well to acheive the maximum  feminisation of the forehead.

Thanks! Does my nose look masculine? That wast on the list but what the heck!

Quote from: TigerLilyNYC on February 06, 2017, 05:57:17 PM
He did an amazing job, Jess!! So you had no complaints about the procedure itself and the bedside manner and staff? I've been reading some bad things about that. Thanks for responding!

I'm not sure where you are reading the reviews at but I know there is someone who has been posting on Yelp and on RealSelf about Dr. Lee going so far as to claim that the positive reviews are fake.  I've looked at a number of the negative reviews and many of them make the same claims using the same writing style but have different user names.  I have a review up on Realself that includes pre-transition photos.  I personally know a number of the other ladies who have posted positive reviews on the RealSelf site. 

I have absolutely no complaints about the procedures.  I think he did an amazing job on me.  I was fortunate that I didn't need a whole lot done.  I've had friends who have received $60-70,000 estimates from him.  He was great pre surgery and the aftercare has been good.  Post surgery there was a little bit of a rush to get me out but that was not Dr. Lee or his staff.  It was the staff of the surgical center which is run by a number of doctors.  I actually had to separate procedures done by Dr. Lee about 4 months apart.   The first procedure I had was some non-cosmetic nose work and a trachea shave.  If I had to have another procedure done, I would have no problem going back to him again.

Quote from: I Am Jess on February 06, 2017, 05:52:55 PM
Thank you. I may be in there. I think I sent them this picture.

Needless to say I'm a big fan of his work.

Amazing pics just oozing ton of feminity and youth. I saw your old pics on your Ffs post. You have come a long way in your transition. Congratulations.

Quote from: TigerLilyNYC on February 06, 2017, 06:06:37 PM
Thanks! Does my nose look masculine? That wast on the list but what the heck!

Well judging from your profile pic, yes it is because If the bridge of the nose is not setback along with the forehead you will not have the smooth transition from nose into forehead. But if you can post a side profile of your face, I can be tell you more accurately if not getting rhinoplasty would impact your forehead feminiZation.

Also if passing is already an issue and your main purpose of this surgery is to pass and be feminine, most probably you would need help of rhinoplasty as well.

Hello TigerLilly -

Not sure if this helps, but last week I met Dr. DiMaggio at WPATH in LA. As we were speaking, Dr. DiMaggio introced me to David Reich, the president of Mt Saini. I had also previously asked about FFS at Mt Saini, but DiMaggio said that he would not be permitted to do all of this standard FFS procedures, (including, in my case, a face/neck lift), as he could do in Buenos Aires. In fact, Reich said to me that DiMaggio could only participate as a "proctor"' at Mt Saini due to licensure issues.

However, if you only need forehead work, then Mt. Saini (with DiMaggio) may be an option for you, but, according to DiMaggio, you will need to contact David Reich directly. DiMaggio says that Mt Saini determines who the patients are, the costs, timing, etc.

- Taylor

Quote from: taylor1444 on February 09, 2017, 11:11:34 AM
Hello TigerLilly -

Not sure if this helps, but last week I met Dr. DiMaggio at WPATH in LA. As we were speaking, Dr. DiMaggio introced me to David Reich, the president of Mt Saini. I had also previously asked about FFS at Mt Saini, but DiMaggio said that he would not be permitted to do all of this standard FFS procedures, (including, in my case, a face/neck lift), as he could do in Buenos Aires. In fact, Reich said to me that DiMaggio could only participate as a "proctor"' at Mt Saini due to licensure issues.

However, if you only need forehead work, then Mt. Saini (with DiMaggio) may be an option for you, but, according to DiMaggio, you will need to contact David Reich directly. DiMaggio says that Mt Saini determines who the patients are, the costs, timing, etc.

- Taylor

Thanks, Taylor! That does help! I will call Dr Reich's office! Thanks