So I'm having FFS with Dr. Zukowski on March 3rd. He quoted me $13,000 and recommended two procedures: a rhinoplasty and orbital rim contouring.

Here's the problem. He bundled the brow contouring in with scalp advancement and a brow lift, though he agreed I didn't need either procedure. He quoted $5,000 for the whole kit and kaboodle, which really isn't bad.

My question is, if I'm only having 1/3 of those procedures where someone else would typically have all three, is there any way I can negotiate that price? Or should I just not even try.

I've already given him enough to cover my rhino, so about $8,000 including anesthesia and facility fees. But the whole thing is quite expensive and I'm only 22, so managing costs is pretty important.

Quote from: yayo on February 02, 2018, 11:34:02 PM
So I'm having FFS with Dr. Zukowski on March 3rd. He quoted me $13,000 and recommended two procedures: a rhinoplasty and orbital rim contouring.

Here's the problem. He bundled the brow contouring in with scalp advancement and a brow lift, though he agreed I didn't need either procedure. He quoted $5,000 for the whole kit and kaboodle, which really isn't bad.

My question is, if I'm only having 1/3 of those procedures where someone else would typically have all three, is there any way I can negotiate that price? Or should I just not even try.

I've already given him enough to cover my rhino, so about $8,000 including anesthesia and facility fees. But the whole thing is quite expensive and I'm only 22, so managing costs is pretty important.

My personal feelings for ffs.. is err on the side of aggressiveness.  What I mean by this is .. while some people can afford to go back & get multiple procedures done, I can't.  I know many others can't too... get what you can get done while you can, because you may not ever get a second chance!

FFS can be a life changer for many.   I was 'gifted' with naturally androgynous, almost elfin features.  I'd rather have female features, so I fixed it... with Dr. Cardenas.   Now I don't get that quizzical look from others, or snickers that suddenly cease when you look at them in the eye.   People are incredibly judgmental and lets face it... jobs, chances for advancement, spouses.. especially on the female side its incredibly geared towards how you look.  If you can improve your femininity.. ffs is one incredibly powerful tool in our arsenal to use, for those willing to go that route.

Just my 2 cents  

Quote from: Doreen on February 03, 2018, 05:36:28 AM
My personal feelings for ffs.. is err on the side of aggressiveness.  What I mean by this is .. while some people can afford to go back & get multiple procedures done, I can't.  I know many others can't too... get what you can get done while you can, because you may not ever get a second chance!

FFS can be a life changer for many.   I was 'gifted' with naturally androgynous, almost elfin features.  I'd rather have female features, so I fixed it... with Dr. Cardenas.   Now I don't get that quizzical look from others, or snickers that suddenly cease when you look at them in the eye.   People are incredibly judgmental and lets face it... jobs, chances for advancement, spouses.. especially on the female side its incredibly geared towards how you look.  If you can improve your femininity.. ffs is one incredibly powerful tool in our arsenal to use, for those willing to go that route.

Just my 2 cents

This is me currently:



Dr. Zukowski said during our consultation that I only needed the two procedures...rhinoplasty for a bump on my nose and orbital rim remodeling. We discussed the hairline/browlift and agreed I didn't need it.

I agree that it's important to be aggressive, but I think those procedures would make me look LESS feminine.

Quote from: yayo on February 03, 2018, 05:53:11 AM
This is me currently:



Dr. Zukowski said during our consultation that I only needed the two procedures...rhinoplasty for a bump on my nose and orbital rim remodeling. We discussed the hairline/browlift and agreed I didn't need it.

I agree that it's important to be aggressive, but I think those procedures would make me look LESS feminine.

Well just looking at that pic alone you look great.. I agree with Dr. Z.  I've seen some docs (*cough* Dr. O)  that wanted 'the works' when you don't NEED the whole kit & kaboodle.  Many I think are in it for the business, and not to help the client.  If that's what he thinks you only need, then just go with that.  I wanted type 3 forehead recountouring, Dr. Cardenas  insisted I only needed type 1, so that's what I did.   If you don't need something in the end, don't do it. 

Oh sweetie, you are already quite lovely so just be careful.

If I had looked like that prior to FFS I wouldn't have done anything

I can't see a bump on your nose so I cant speak on behalf of that but Dr. Z is VERY aggressive in his work, I would not want to see someone who doesn't even "need" anything go to someone that is super aggressive, you may end up unhappy with your look.

Do you like the super plastic-y beverly hills trans looks?

Quote from: sfbarbie on February 03, 2018, 10:37:38 AM
If I had looked like that prior to FFS I wouldn't have done anything

I can't see a bump on your nose so I cant speak on behalf of that but Dr. Z is VERY aggressive in his work, I would not want to see someone who doesn't even "need" anything go to someone that is super aggressive, you may end up unhappy with your look.

Do you like the super plastic-y beverly hills trans looks?

No, but I definitely need the surgeries he recommended. I knew they were problem areas before I had a consultation with anyone. In all my consultations, everyone recommended at least a rhinoplasty.

I'm definitely hoping for a natural result, though.

The surgeon still needs to make the incision along your hairline in order to do the orbital rim contouring, regardless of the additional procedures he does once he opens you up there. So the cost couldn't be broken up into thirds, because a lot of the work is getting into that space and later closing it up.

Zukowski already has low prices to begin with, especially considering his experience and relative to other FFS surgeons in the USA. But I also think it's reasonable to negotiate a bit on the price if you're only getting partial work done.  Maybe you wouldn't pay 1/3 of the price, but maybe 2/3 or 3/4 or something. It won't hurt to contact Cole and ask about it.

Quote from: echo7 on February 03, 2018, 08:29:04 PM
The surgeon still needs to make the incision along your hairline in order to do the orbital rim contouring, regardless of the additional procedures he does once he opens you up there. So the cost couldn't be broken up into thirds, because a lot of the work is getting into that space and later closing it up.

Zukowski already has low prices to begin with, especially considering his experience and relative to other FFS surgeons in the USA. But I also think it's reasonable to negotiate a bit on the price if you're only getting partial work done.  Maybe you wouldn't pay 1/3 of the price, but maybe 2/3 or 3/4 or something. It won't hurt to contact Cole and ask about it.

Honestly, I don't even mind paying 4/5. It's just that last $1000 that's a bit of a stretch right now. Like you said, his prices are very competitive as is. So if I have to pay it it's not a huge deal.

Quote from: clawdeenwolf on February 03, 2018, 06:55:25 AM
Oh sweetie, you are already quite lovely so just be careful.

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Personally I don't think you need FFS.  If I looked like that I would not have gotten the surgery.  As it is now I have had FFS and still don't look as good as you.  I wish you the best of luck even though this is kind of discouraging to me.

Danielle M please don't feel discouraged... although it's not always easy and FFS can be an important detail.  But it's just a detail and there are many details that contribute to who we are.  I am still learning but one thing I figured out is the most important accomplishments are from within - setting goals and enjoying the best possible life.  We each should define and own our future.  If a barrier seems immovable, find a way to go around it... sometimes there are surprising ways to compensate.  Make good long term decisions and do everything possible to seek and accomplish long term happiness. 

Quote from: Kendra on March 16, 2018, 01:48:07 PM
Danielle M please don't feel discouraged... although it's not always easy and FFS can be an important detail.  But it's just a detail and there are many details that contribute to who we are.  I am still learning but one thing I figured out is the most important accomplishments are from within - setting goals and enjoying the best possible life.  We each should define and own our future.  If a barrier seems immovable, find a way to go around it... sometimes there are surprising ways to compensate.  Make good long term decisions and do everything possible to seek and accomplish long term happiness.

To add to this, pictures can hide a lot. I definitely needed work on the areas where I had work done. Enough that it caused me crippling anxiety in some situations. I am lucky in a lot of ways, but there are many much more fortunate than me, too. You have to focus on your individual journey. Comparisons will only cause unneeded stress.