I researched and narrowed my decision down to two FFS surgeons.  The other solution I'm considering is FacialTeam in Spain.  My short-list might not fit anyone else - we all have unique situations, resources, goals. 

I initially contacted Dr. Spiegel's office using their site's online form, didn't see a reply within a half week so I called.  These days a lot of stuff on initial contact gets lost with spam filters so I rely more on phone to initiate as I did in this case.  On the phone his office was very fast, we exchanged email addresses and I completed a medical questionnaire online (much easier than filling out paper forms in a waiting room).  They charge $200 for an in-person FFS consultation which can be applied to surgery with 6 months, I think that's reasonable considering the value of a surgeon's time.  They had a cancelation two weeks out so I grabbed it and booked a quick trip from Seattle to Boston.  Fly out, stay one night, evaluation at noon, return to airport.

I considered Skype but read from others saying nothing compares to an in-person consultation, and having done this now I totally agree.  Considering someone will be taking my skull apart and putting it back together, maybe now isn't the time to cut corners.

I arrived in Boston yesterday evening.  Zero issues with TSA or anyone else.  Everyone was polite and professional even though my current ID shows my original birth gender.  I'm getting all that updated right now - received email yesterday my new passport has been approved and being mailed.  I haven't been misgendered by anyone this trip.  I'm learning my correct gender and I gotta say it feels good.



Arriving in Boston I just had to hunt down Devlyn - although I took the easy route and didn't drive cross country like Laurie.  We had a nice dinner.  I was tempted to only speak in Haiku but was afraid Devlyn would reply with Limericks so we called a truce and just talked and enjoyed some food I really enjoyed (sorry Devlyn - I know you're usually not into free-range tofu).



This morning, although I hadn't thought about it in advance I realized makeup might get in the way of an FFS eval - so I didn't wear any.  I felt oddly naked going into the hotel lobby for breakfast, this was literally my first time wandering around in public as myself (Kendra) with zero makeup.  After a few minutes I forgot about it and enjoyed breakfast, went online a bit and then headed over to Dr. Spiegel's.  They just moved into this nicer space so the sign still says "Future home of".  And look ma, no makeup!



My visit took exactly 90 minutes.  Everyone was courteous and professional, the place is quite stylin'.  I know that's not the surgical room but the place has very nice atmosphere (and should be, considering what this surgery costs per hour).  .  Filled out a brief form, ID and credit card, and met with his Patient Coordinator.  I was paying close attention for signs of too much sales pitch and I didn't sense that from the conversations I had.  There is some marketing involved with various screens and brochures but nothing too pushy in my opinion.



After getting all the basics and intermediates outta the way, time to meet The Doc.  I could tell he had been briefed on what I'd already gone over (to save time), he asked some additional questions and closely examined areas for potential work.  I found Dr. Spiegel quite easy to understand - I felt comfortable and what he described makes sense to me.  I was surprised how long we talked, I didn't feel rushed.  I told him I'm going to Marbella for an eval and will make a decision right after that, he didn't say anything negative at all about the other place.  I told him I'll make a decision right after my other eval.

I'm on the return flight now.  Very glad I did this in person instead of Skype - well worth the trip.  Even if Devlyn had to eat a vegetarian dinner.

Hi Kendra,
You already look very feminine and I think you pass. FFS would really make you even more feminine, beautiful and will boost your confidence. I guess you are planning on getting forehead type3, nose job and chin jaw work. The thing about your lower face is that you really need VERY aggressive chin/ jaw work, and that is not something many doctors can offer you. I think you should try to find somebody with consistent aggressive chin/ jaw work. I think that most of the doctors doing type 3 foreheads can get your forehead/ nose right.

Thank you so much.  I feel lucky in many ways but find myself hiding my forehead, considered bangs but I really just want to fix the underlying issue.  I was pleasantly surprised to get ma'amed without makeup yesterday, and did better with my voice this trip than before (I'm self-conscious of my voice and have been since puberty, been working with a speech therapist).

Dr. Spiegel's recommendations came close to what I thought of before visiting: Type 3 forehead reconstruction with slight reduction in orbital rims, more feminine nose with a mild lip lift, and jaw line work.  No cheek implants.  I am surprised he didn't recommend a tracheal shave - I was convinced that's almost routine for MTF but he said mine didn't seem necessary to change.

I asked about just knocking the back corners off my jaw and he suggested more than that.  He described it as narrowing my jaw, but would still involve just the sides/back without an external incision.  I don't want any chin work and he didn't suggest any - no sliding genioplasty or chin implants.  A year ago I hated my square jaw line but calmed down after realizing a few actresses have a fairly prominent jaw.  My goal is to look like my sister would look if I had one.  If I wanted a more radical change I would have headed to the doc in San Francisco.

I agree you already look feminine and passable. Thank you for posting and keeping us in the loop on your journey! It's so exciting isn't it?! I'm considering Dr. Spiegel and Dr. Deschamps Braly.  I think my jaw is similar to yours but my chin is longer sadly

If you don't mind me asking what was your quote? I would imagine mine might be similar or maybe a little more (chin, ugh).

I wouldn't change a single thing about you, honey. 

Hugs, Devlyn

You already know how I feel about it. You look great as you are. Besides, you've got a wonderful personality (ducking).

Besides, the more beauteous the rest of you become, the worse I look in comparison. Cut it out, will ya?

Steph

Hi Kendra,

I made a long reply and it was lost in computer land.

I went to Dr. Spiegel. He did a very good job and he and his staff were very professional. I had:

Type 3 forehead,
Forehead lowering,
fat grafts in the temples and lips,
upper lip lift ,
lower blethoplasty,
lower and mid face lift
jaw and chin reduction.

I would buy an extra day in the hospital and have antacids for the oxi when in the hotel.

I was told here that after bone work a face lift will only be 70 to 80 percent effective. The recommendation was to wait a year or do it twice. I will be doing the mid facelift twice. My forehead lowering did not open my eyes up enough (1 year later) and I will need a brow lift. My fat graphs did not last.

I had a consult with Dr. McGinn and later had GCS and a BA with her. I asked her to critique my face. She is very honest and critical. She said my upper eye is not open enough (I need a brow lift) and my mid face skin needs tightening (agreed). She said she would not do face work on me till 2018 (that was 5 months ago). She loved my lower blethoplasty and upper lip lift.

Choosing a surgeon is a tough decision. You can do it in stages. I will be doing some soft tissue work in 2018. Where I do not know yet.

Thank you all - you're too nice (makin' me blush). 

Quote from: dist123 on October 27, 2017, 08:37:42 AM
> If you don't mind me asking what was your quote?

I'll send numbers by PM with the standard disclaimer of course, every quote and surgery plan is custom. 

Rachel, thanks for the information.  Dr. Spiegel mentioned I might potentially need the skin lifted around my jaw a year after surgery.  Depends on skin elasticity which can't be precisely predicted.  For my case, if a lift is needed later the incision would be behind the ears. 

Or maybe I'll see if a tight ponytail gets the job done. 

$50,000.

I had the mid and lower face lift and need the mid face lift redone. He hid a great facelift but due the age and bone removal I need a revision. If I want had waited it would have been about 40% of the cost to travel and put the dog in a hotel. The plus side is my face is much better than it was as far a loose skin now.

Kendra you are in a great starting point, and your smile is so warm. I'm sure your FFS results will be amazing. <3

I encourage everyone considering FFS with any surgeon to exhaust all avenues possible to look at reviews. RealSelf.com can be great, and often includes photo evidence. Doing this has helped me feel more confident when it comes to researching FFS.

Awwww, thank you!

Quote from: Kendra on October 27, 2017, 08:23:57 AM
... If I wanted a more radical change I would have headed to the doc in San Francisco.

If I may ask, who would that be? 

Dr. Deschamps-Braly in San Francisco.  Dr. Deschamps-Braly was trained by the inventor of FFS, Dr. Ousterhout and took on the business when Dr. Ousterhout retired. 

Dr. Ousterhout wrote a book which I think is definitely worth purchasing by anyone considering FFS. 

Thanks for the info!!

Kendra what do you think about Dr. Bart van der Ven? I made a topic and no one responded so I guess I'll try another way

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Dr Bart is on the site, shoot him a PM.

Hugs, Devlyn

I will! I just gotta find him! I might just do a consult one of these days. I really liked the results I saw on his website

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Sarah.VanDistel has a career in the medical field, she is having FFS with Dr. Bart van der Ven in a few weeks.  Several patients have reported great results here. 

I definitely think it's important to have an in person consult prior to booking. I originally did a skype session with him which I think at the time was 100-150 dollars. Then I had an opportunity to meet him free of charge at a convention that he was at and I got to have a 15 min mini consult with him which made me feel much better and then of course the consult the day before surgery. feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

I did a Skype consult with him yesterday and I thought it was good and I don't feel I was shortchanged any from an in-person, save for him getting his hands on my face/head.  He took copious notes, asked many questions, answered my questions, and was very attentive.  As Kendra said, I did not feel as though he was selling services, but, rather, identifying what my FFS needs were.  He also reassured me about the rigmarole I will go through with insurance (since mine covers FFS) and indicated it is just part of the process and his staff would help me with it.

Just thought I would throw that into this thread.