Hi everybody,

mid of September 2017 I'll be having a face-to-face consultation for my FFS in summer 2018 with Facial Team in Marbella (Spain).

Announcing this might possibly help some of you guys in their decisions and findings. Me myself I'll go for the consultation on-site because it was recommended by Carmen in the first place, rather than participating in an online consultation via Skype and secondly because an FFS is an overly serious leap and I just wanna reduce risk of a less presentable result or one that doesn't satisfy my requirements to a certain extent. Having said that, I don't mind getting on the plane for two or three hours.

Amazingly Alexandra Hamer will conduct the Virtual FFS right there and live so to speak. I wasn't aware of that, this turned out in the course of extended email exchange with Carmen. By now I don't know if they'll enable me to get my hands on those Virtual FFS pictures that are said to provide a quite close forecast of what your face is gonna look like after all has been done.

I will possibly publish them here as it might be interesting of how a Virtual FFS actually looks like. I can't even begin to tell you how I'am looking forward to this particular day that's gonna change my life next year in a radical way.

Quote from: Saskia_F on June 29, 2017, 03:37:01 AM
Hi everybody,

mid of September 2017 I'll be having a face-to-face consultation for my FFS in summer 2018 with Facial Team in Marbella (Spain).

Announcing this might possibly help some of you guys in their decisions and findings. Me myself I'll go for the consultation on-site because it was recommended by Carmen in the first place, rather than participating in an online consultation via Skype and secondly because an FFS is an overly serious leap and I just wanna reduce risk of a less presentable result or one that doesn't satisfy my requirements to a certain extent. Having said that, I don't mind getting on the plane for two or three hours.

Amazingly Alexandra Hamer will conduct the Virtual FFS right there and live so to speak. I wasn't aware of that, this turned out in the course of extended email exchange with Carmen. By now I don't know if they'll enable me to get my hands on those Virtual FFS pictures that are said to provide a quite close forecast of what your face is gonna look like after all has been done.

I will possibly publish them here as it might be interesting of how a Virtual FFS actually looks like. I can't even begin to tell you how I'am looking forward to this particular day that's gonna change my life next year in a radical way.

Yes, please publish (: they're one of the two I'm seriously considering. Did the mention how long the waiting list is?


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Dear Jill,

the waiting list is currently 6 months. Carmen mentioned that you can fix the final surgery appointment any time for the future once you paid the deposit of 20 % upon the free consultation on-site. That's what I am gonna do. Surely, I don't know the final amount yet, but I will take a bunch of bills with me that should serve the purpose.

They were also fair to tell me that they will retain EUR 400 in case of surgery cancellation from my side (EUR 600 if a hair transplant is supposed to be done at the same time). I am alright with that as long as I know beforehand. Considering they pick you up at Malaga airport (70 kms from Marbella), having expenditures because of you doing the consultation, checks, 3D scanning etc., it is a pretty fair deal.

Quote from: Saskia_F on June 29, 2017, 03:57:07 AM
Dear Jill,

the waiting list is currently 6 months. Carmen mentioned that you can fix the final surgery appointment any time for the future once you paid the deposit of 20 % upon the free consultation on-site. That's what I am gonna do. Surely, I don't know the final amount yet, but I will take a bunch of bills with me that should serve the purpose.

Thank you for the quick response. Is the skype consultation subpar? Also if it's not to personal, what's their ballpark range for ffs?


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I wouldn't say it's subpar, however - to say the least - doing it online without them seeing me in person could probably make them overlook one or another aspect of my face (or anyone else's face) that could turn out to be a disadvantage once the day has come. Talking out of my perspective, I don't wanna take any additional risks just to save one or two days of travelling and 300 Euros of travel expenses - that would incommensurate with each other.

It's by far not a personal question when it comes to costs. In the course of my extensive researches I've been asking myself why there're rarely costs mentioned by anyone. Now I think I know: Each face is individual and is at a "different stage", meaning some might need less, and some more things to be rectified. As far as I figured out, doing an FFS with the "basics" (if there're basics at all) could cost about 25'000 Euros. In my case I predict a total amount of around 30'000 to 32'000 Euros as pretty much I wanna have 'em done at me.

Once I know more in September, I'll definitely not withhold any information in this forum concerning the costs.

I'm also going to an onsite consultation in September (appointment is 11th September).

I didn't get told anything about submitting a partial deposit in advance and I believe you are given the images to take away. I made it clear to Carmen at the outset that my provisional date isn't until November 2018 and I'm talking to other providers as well (going for a consultation with Dr Rossi in Buenos Aires in December as well).

Hi Sophie,

I guess Carmen mentioned the deposit since I was aiming for a surgery date in distant future from the get-go. In order to safely fix that date (summer 2018) I should make a down payment of 20 %. I can't relate to the fact why she was asking for it in my case. Makes me feel a bit strange.

So you'll be around just three days before I arrive  We sisters are flocking around these placed like midges     

I will be there in End of August because the consultations in other cities wer enot clear enough, no 3D scans, not enough time, I guess. As I understand it it is like this: consultation is free except travel and room. If you want to book a surgery date you can do it at any time if you pay a deposit, but if you withdraw the date, they charge you those 400-600 EU for rescheduling the date to another patient. But its the only way to save you a date for surgery, if you do not do that, it means if you go for a date, you will have to accept 6 months advance booking and also the quote they give only is valid half a year, after that, prices often increase.
The virtual images Alexandra does are only available during the consultation unless you pay her her regular fee, in which case she will do them properly and not just a quick version and you get them in email. She did mine during a consultation but I did not buy them. Later I did take new pictures and sent them to her to make it again and then paid for it to keep them.

Hi Anja,

thank you so much for having shared your experience. Indeed I can imagine those free consultations in one of the EU major cities to be conducted more or less in a hurry with a pretty tight time plan.

Usually Alexandra Hamer charges a couple hundred pounds to do a full virtual FFS. I can relate to her that she's not gonna give 'em out more or less for free after having had the free consultation on-site at Marbella. I will clarify this issue with Carmen beforehand and will let you guys know the outcome. To me it is crucial to get something in hand I can keep for the long time span of 10 months between my consultation and the actual surgery date.

I wouldn't mind to pay the regular vFFS fee to Alexandra Hamer. Considering the overall costs - that doesn't make much difference in my view.

Yes its Alexandras business and its what she earns her money with - I am not sure how much FT pay her for doing the quick VFFS, but I guess its more based on the time she spends there and for the ful VFFS she needs more time. Its their business model, so not much one can do other than pay.

The consultations in other cities last about 30 min and they try to be thorough but of course there are limits, mainly because there are no 3D scans available to discuss more details and I guess if some questions come up at a consultation in Marbella that the surgeon doing the appointment cannot fully answer, he could in theory ask back to someone else? Not sure about this, though.

Quote from: Saskia_F on June 29, 2017, 03:37:01 AM
Amazingly Alexandra Hamer will conduct the Virtual FFS right there and live so to speak. I wasn't aware of that, this turned out in the course of extended email exchange with Carmen. By now I don't know if they'll enable me to get my hands on those Virtual FFS pictures that are said to provide a quite close forecast of what your face is gonna look like after all has been done.

I will possibly publish them here as it might be interesting of how a Virtual FFS actually looks like. I can't even begin to tell you how I'am looking forward to this particular day that's gonna change my life next year in a radical way.

If you do publish pictures it would be very interesting to see how accurate the virtual FFS is. If you could publish the Virtual FFS and before and after pictures that would be awesome.

By the way - anyone know what to do in Marbella other than getting the consultation? If you are having the surgery, you probably will mostly stay in a neat hotel room, butwhen going there for a consulation - does it make sense to book the flight a few days early and stay some days? I tried to look for hotels but they are insanely expensive in late August. And cheaper hotels have no pool or anything to do at the hotel, so I wonder what a single traveller can do in the city? And maybe someone knows affordable places to stay there?

I managed to get squeezed into a surgical slot this month!!! so excited. I did my skype consult yesterday morning with Dr Simon and i must say he is very professional yet warm and friendly at the same time. Even though the price is like 3 times what Id have to pay in Bangkok I think its a much safer option as their technique is done to compliment Yeson's vocal feminization surgery. I was going to go to Thailand to do it because I didnt want to wait so long for the surgery but now that i got a slot this month im cancelling all my consultations in Bangkok. Ill do a review of my experience too after im done so hopefully it can help other sisters in their journey too

Quote from: anjaq on July 05, 2017, 01:27:22 PM
By the way - anyone know what to do in Marbella other than getting the consultation? If you are having the surgery, you probably will mostly stay in a neat hotel room, butwhen going there for a consulation - does it make sense to book the flight a few days early and stay some days? I tried to look for hotels but they are insanely expensive in late August. And cheaper hotels have no pool or anything to do at the hotel, so I wonder what a single traveller can do in the city? And maybe someone knows affordable places to stay there?

I dropped Alexandra Hamer an email asking if a slightly extended vFFS would be feasible, also with the opportunity taking the pictures home. I am still waiting for reply. I wouldn't mind paying something in addition since this issue is simply to important to me.

In 2005 I've spent a while in Marbella - funny enough - ten years later to return for different purposes  Things you could visit is the old town near Puerto Banus Marina - the night life, food and the people are amazing, sitting outside during balmy summer nights. Everybody who is anybody spending their vacation out there, showing off with their Maseratis, Porsches and Ferraris. Puerto Cabopino Beach and Marina is also worth seeing. I can highly recommend taking a rental car, driving those 80 kms down the Autopista AP7 to pay Gibraltar a visit. Being a British overseas Territory, you even have to present your passport upon entering - strange feeling. I recall you can even shop duty free there. Take the road all the way up to the top of the rock in order to see Africa in only 40 kms distance. Don't miss out on visiting those subterranean defensive fortifications engraved into the rock with all its tunnels. 

Staying at a hotel is indeed ridiculously expensive, starting from EUR 200. So I chose a rental apartment offered on AirBnB instead for EUR 90 per night. Surely you won't have a pool and ocean view as you'd have when renting a hotel room. But I can stand it 

Quote from: Pengola on July 05, 2017, 04:04:41 PM
I managed to get squeezed into a surgical slot this month!!! so excited. I did my skype consult yesterday morning with Dr Simon and i must say he is very professional yet warm and friendly at the same time. Even though the price is like 3 times what Id have to pay in Bangkok I think its a much safer option as their technique is done to compliment Yeson's vocal feminization surgery. I was going to go to Thailand to do it because I didnt want to wait so long for the surgery but now that i got a slot this month im cancelling all my consultations in Bangkok. Ill do a review of my experience too after im done so hopefully it can help other sisters in their journey too

You are very lucky! Congrats dear! Somebody else must have called off her surgery I guess. Wishing you a pleasant stay and quick recovery! Hope you'll not be alone out there.

By the way, what do you mean by "as their technique is done to compliment Yeson's vocal feminization surgery"? Is there a link between Facial Team and Yeson? I can hardly imagine.

Quote from: AnonyMs on July 05, 2017, 08:21:22 AM
If you do publish pictures it would be very interesting to see how accurate the virtual FFS is. If you could publish the Virtual FFS and before and after pictures that would be awesome.

Hi dear,

yes this is also something I am wondering, what the average percentage of accuracy would be. 70 or 80 percent? I will figure out. Will be posting a password encrypted document though since I don't wanna every Tom, Dick and Harry to have access right away. Password via PN in due course. 

Quote from: Saskia_F on July 06, 2017, 01:32:51 AM
By the way, what do you mean by "as their technique is done to compliment Yeson's vocal feminization surgery"? Is there a link between Facial Team and Yeson? I can hardly imagine.

Oh yes there is!
http://www.yesonvc.net/page/1_1_6.php
They seem to "hang out" together at conferences

Thats great luck to get a surgery date that fast. If you are flexible, its always a good chance, I guess.

Regarding Marbella - I figured it is sort of a high society place. Very expensive, I bet a meal and drink in the evening will cost a fortune as well. If Gibraltar is that close, I am sure that there will be day trips with the bus available? I think renting a car probably is going to be expensive. I asked Jenny from Jennys Nest and she apparently may be able to offer a room for less money than those hotels charge for the high season. So I am considering doing this - would also be nice to see that option in case I end up having the surgery there. She seems not to be officially recommended by FT anymore, but still operates the place and I think people still know it.

Quote from: anjaq on July 06, 2017, 04:51:20 AM
Oh yes there is!
http://www.yesonvc.net/page/1_1_6.php
They seem to "hang out" together at conferences

Thats great luck to get a surgery date that fast. If you are flexible, its always a good chance, I guess.

Regarding Marbella - I figured it is sort of a high society place. Very expensive, I bet a meal and drink in the evening will cost a fortune as well. If Gibraltar is that close, I am sure that there will be day trips with the bus available? I think renting a car probably is going to be expensive. I asked Jenny from Jennys Nest and she apparently may be able to offer a room for less money than those hotels charge for the high season. So I am considering doing this - would also be nice to see that option in case I end up having the surgery there. She seems not to be officially recommended by FT anymore, but still operates the place and I think people still know it.

Oh, we've come full circle  That's interesting to know about Facial Team and Yeson.

Trips offered by hotels are inevitably more expensive than the same trips offered by local travel agents, so look around and compare prices. You can easily get to Gibraltar from Marbella by getting the express bus to La Linea (just across the border) from Marbella Bus Station. La Linea bus station is very close to the border, just walk across and get a bus. However you'd have to walk up all the way from Gibraltar old town to the top of the rock. It's pretty steep and in this heat ... But possibly there are small busses going up.

Unfortunately I don't know what Jenny's nest's conditions and rates are. Me myself I'd rather go for an own apartment rented privately. The prices are really decent.

Yes - I find it cool that the two cooperate somewhat. It also means you can have FFS with FT and not worry about them damaging your voice during surgery, as they are aware of what Dr Kim does.

I think I would try to find local travel agencies. No desire for a walk up a hill in that heat. Jennys prices for nonsurgical guests seem to be similar to what is paid for a private rented apartment and they have a pool and good tips what to do, I understand.... Private single rooms in the appartement of someone else are cheaper though, but I do not like that. Also I am not convinced of AirBNB - they seem to be a hit or miss thing with some people having horrible experiences and others great ones.

I started with a Skype consultation with FT after purchasing a virtual FFS from Alexandra Hamer.  Based on her analysis and the FT consultation, I sent in my deposit and locked in a surgery date.  When I arrived in Marbella, I had a face-to-face consultation with Drs. Simon and Capitan to finalize the decision on what surgeries would be performed.  There were no changes from the initial consultation (forehead reconstruction, rhinoplasty, lip lift, and trachea shave). 

The VFFS was very helpful for me in making a decision on which surgeries to pursue.  Other surgeons recommended things that might have made minor improvements, but were not deemed necessary by Ms. Hamer or FT.  I'm very satisfied with their recommendations. 

I must say, however, that you should not to take the VFFS simulations too literally.  There's no way Ms. Hamer can anticipate some anatomical factors which can influence what can be actually be accomplished by the surgeon.  In my case, the thickness of my skin limited how much my nose could be narrowed.  If you compare the VFFS images with my actually results 3 months post-op, you can see the differences.  Having said that, I'm glad that I had the VFFS done.  It helped resolve the uncertainty that I was feeling about what to do.

BTW, several of the other surgeons that I consulted with barely looked at the VFFS images, and dismissed my concerns about doing forehead recontouring without a CT scan to determine the thickness of the bone covering the frontal sinus cavity.  I did not want to risk perforation of the anterior wall of the sinus cavity, or have bone filler used to shape my forehead.  That was a huge factor in my decision to choose FT over several surgeons here in the US.