Hello again Susan's, it's been a while.
So given the utter lack of information/reviews available on the internet on my chosen FFS surgeon for FFS, and not just as a plastic surgeon for cis people, I figured it would be worthwhile to make a new topic for my upcoming FFS as a sort of braindump.
So anyway, some backstory; early on I considered FFS a goal in my transition, but after my GRS (see
here), I figured I might be able to get away with not getting FFS. I wanted to try to move on in my life without it. However, dysphoria kept happening in photos and the mirror, misgendering kept happening, and other just plain **** kept happening. My psychological high from being post-op then subsided and then I pretty much realized my fight wasn't over about 6 months post op. So then, enter my FFS shopping experience...
here. You can read all about my financial woes and pricing quotes at that link.
After getting super lucky and immediately landing a new job after being laid off in November, (which has been going GREAT btw) I ended up going with Dr. M. I decided as well that I was not going to rely on insurance at all, but simply savings--this just HAS to be done no matter the cost. Dr. M only costs $20-$21k, he has the credentials and I have the money, plus easy lodging nearby with my grandmother in one of the "active adult communities" in the area for recovery, so I chose him. If I get insurance reimbursement after the fact, that would be nice, but not necessary. I was able to charge the surgery to two new cards anywho, which were paid off immediately with savings for pretty massive sign up bonuses (ie: Chase Sapphire Reserve
100k points offer anyone? It's sadly no longer available now :/)
Now, my consult with him went well, however we both spoke with pre-existing knowledge of what the various surgeries entailed (in particular as I had already spoken with Facialteam and Spiegel before I spoke with him). He was knowledgeable and opinionated (answering my question in particular about forehead incision selection quite well), but also was also alot more relaxed than Spiegel or Facialteam and seemed a bit more beauty focused...which tbh, I don't mind. He also was quite a sales guy in terms of procedures. However, my honest opinion is, if I'm spending the price of new car on facial surgery I better look like a damn model following it, not just more feminine ^_^. I did fyi go with everything on his menu that was recommended, which includes the following.
Tracheal Shave
Forehead Contouring (he does type III if needed)
Malar/Cheek Implants
Mandible Contouring
Now, dealing with his office has been relatively straightforward save for one odd clerical mix up when I got a voicemail intended for someone with the same first name as myself, which was swiftly resolved. Galina, my direct contact in his office has been handling my arrangements and a Michele in the office even submitted my surgery for reimbursement via my now current insurance company at my new job, Oxford. I was expecting an outright denial but I actually didn't get it, I actually got this instead for everything except the forehead contouring CPT code (where they asked specifically for proof of visual field obstruction, given how this type of surgery is typically done for that purpose).
"For all requests, a treatment plan that includes ongoing follow-up and care by a qualifying health provider experienced in treating gender dysphoria must also be submitted."
I'm not presently seeing a therapist but given the verbiage of that statement (along with allusions specific to behavioral health in other parts of the document for breast and genital surgery), I figured a statement from my endo would suffice. I have of course contacted her and am awaiting a letter at this time. I'm going to a peer support group regularly up here in CT anyway. I find it works better for just helping me get crap off my mind than a therapist, albeit I probably could use more cis opinions in my life!
Anyway, surgery is in two weeks, I'm flying down on Tuesday the 30th, pre-op office visit the next day, surgery on June 1, and stitch removal on June 12, return to work the next day in CT unless shtf. My pre-ops came back ok, and I'm excited as heck and raring to do this. I'm concerned about how things are going to go (the guy however has great reviews and good result photos on his site, along with a history of presenting at Southern Comfort Trans Health Conference and double board certification), of course, and also about my return to work. I am wondering how the gaggle of cisgender men I work with (I am the only woman working in my department really within a Network Operations Center) are going to react with me coming back to work with a new face (and no...btw, I am not out at work, I'm just a woman in that office). I am NOT using FMLA as I am not yet eligible at my new job and am simply using accrued time off. I guess if I'm not feeling up to it, I'll have to take a leave of absence after my two paid weeks off and pay full price in premiums for a single month of health insurance coverage (which is really the only protection FMLA provides other than a guarantee I'll keep my position--which I doubt they're going to give away anyway as I am basically a skilled worker and my return to work eventually is absolutely guaranteed unless major shtf). We'll see how it goes.
Cheers, stand by for an update
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