i'm starting to do research on FFS for near the end of this year or early next year.  I've moved to the DC Metro area and would like to look into surgeons on the East Coast. 

Anybody have suggestions?  Which surgeons/clinics are there on the East Coast that I should be looking into? 

I only know of two, Dr. Spiegel in Boston and Dr. Mardirosian in Florida.

Dr.McGinn in Philly/New Hope
Dr. Sherman Leis, Philly
Dr. Kathy Rumer, Philly
Dr.Jess Ting NYC (mt.Sinai has an impressive lgbt team)
Dr. Speigel, Boston
Dr. zukowski, Chicago
Dr.Keelee McPhee in NC,
Dr. Cap Lesene, NYC (not specifically a tranz dr. But has worked on some)

I went to Dr. McGinn for GCS and a BA and she stands behind her work. She evaluated me for FFS and could not do a type 3 forehead so I went to Dr. Spiegel. I went to Dr. Spiegel and did everything he recommended. He did a good job and it does not look like I had ffs. I wonder if I went to Dr. Z what I would look like. I think I would have gone for a more aggressive doctor in hind site. I should have considered Spain and PAI in hind site.

I would check with people that went to Rumor and Leis to make sure you keep them on your list.

I'm scheduling a consult with Speigel. 

I'm going to also contact Zukowski. 


I need hair line restoration, so that is one concern of mine.  I'm also considering whether I should do top surgery at the same time.  I've heard conflicing opinions.  It seems like a LOT of surgery, but I am limited taking time off from work and don't want to go through a long recovery (FFS) only to schedule another (top) surgery later.

You're about where I was in the research process a couple months ago. I was looking local (NYC) and quickly realized there weren't many options. Second bet was regional. Spiegel looked like the only viable option for me but I think it would be cost prohibitive. Zukowski was also a thought because he seems like a master skull artist/sculptor but I need significant forehead setback, which meant I needed a Type 3 forehead doctor. Eventually I had a consult with Dr. Keojampa in L.A. about 10 days ago. It went really well and am currently waiting for a quote. The 3D CT scan he has is impressive and he was able to quickly show me what changes he could make to my forehead and jawline.

The trip with airfare and hotel was about $500. I only took two days off from work and got a nice break from the cold weather in the northeast. So you might find out soon that other options outside of the east coast might be more appealing if you're ok with flying.

Hello viperthrash, welcome to Susan's.

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Thanks,

Kendra

I don't know that FFS & BA are good surgeries to get together.  I say this because I found the breast aug pretty tough recovery in its own right.  Most trans go under the muscle and that is a lot of tissue to get through.   The FFS didn't hurt so much as it was being wacked out on drugs, and discomfort.  I needed my husband for ffs recovery.   Just my opinion.

Ok, will do Kendra!

Quote from: Kendra on February 20, 2018, 02:51:51 PM
Hello viperthrash, welcome to Susan's.

Since this was your first post I'll add information to help with navigation and site guidelines.

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	Cautionary Note	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

We have an Introductions Forum - if you get a chance, would be great if you can post an intro.  We would all like to meet you!

Thanks,

Kendra

I went to Spiegel in Boston too. What all are you hoping to have done with FFS, that may play a part in if it's wise or not to do BA and FFS.  I think it's doable if you're going to have someone off of work with you to help you out. I don't think either was really any astronomical amount of pain... however, what I'm thinking is that if you're alone it's going to be hard for you to wash your hair and take care of your forehead sutures/wound care if you're hurting from BA and unable to lift your arms up high.

Quote from: sfbarbie on February 28, 2018, 06:08:31 PM
I went to Spiegel in Boston too. What all are you hoping to have done with FFS, that may play a part in if it's wise or not to do BA and FFS.  I think it's doable if you're going to have someone off of work with you to help you out. I don't think either was really any astronomical amount of pain... however, what I'm thinking is that if you're alone it's going to be hard for you to wash your hair and take care of your forehead sutures/wound care if you're hurting from BA and unable to lift your arms up high.

i'm not doing top surgery and ffs together.  definately not.  don't know what i was thinking

one of my biggest concerns with FFS is fixing my receding hairline.  I don't want to have to wear a wig the rest of my life.  beyond that it's typical mtf facial work.  brow reduction, forehead contouring, nose job, upper lip, trachea shave...

Have you considered HT? Some women opt for the hairline advancement but I've seen that it leaves a visible scar, even if it's covered with a HT.

I opted for and FUT HT on my corners and they are blending nicely and growing out. A feminine hairline does wonders as it frames the face nicely and can soften features.

Quote from: Nina_NYC on March 06, 2018, 09:47:15 PM
Have you considered HT? Some women opt for the hairline advancement but I've seen that it leaves a visible scar, even if it's covered with a HT.

I opted for and FUT HT on my corners and they are blending nicely and growing out. A feminine hairline does wonders as it frames the face nicely and can soften features.

I will probably need both. I'm going to end up with a scar anyway, from the forehead work. I have a receded hairline and thinning on the top. I'll see what the doctors suggest

harrison lee does surgeries in NYC

I went to Spiegel for ffs and Dr.Cooley for hair transplants. I had two sessions 4 months apart for 6000 transplants . You can not see my scar and my hairline now is 2 inches below the scar.

Quote from: Rachel on March 09, 2018, 09:03:01 PM
I went to Spiegel for ffs and Dr.Cooley for hair transplants. I had two sessions 4 months apart for 6000 transplants . You can not see my scar and my hairline now is 2 inches below the scar.

what was the transplant process like?  one session?  how long before your hair started growing?

I had 2 treatments. One March 2017 (3500 graphs, 12 hours 2 doctors implanting and 6 or 7 making the grafts) and one in September 2017 (2500 grafts, I think 9 hours, 2 doctors and 6 or 7 making the grafts). There was no pain. After the procedure when the numbing wears off there is some very mild pain but very manageable pain, I would rate it a 0.25 on a scale of 10. They give you some narcotics to eliminate the pain. Unfortunately I am an addict and while staring at the two containers in the 9 hour wait in the airport I had 10 pills. I had no pain and slept on the jet ride home. It took every ounce of willpower to not take the other 10 pills in the airport parking lot.

Anyhow, the hotel is included in the cost of the implants and I flew round trip for $125 Trenton to Charlotte NC.

Growing is an issue. The hair falls out about 5 weeks after the transplants. It goes dormant for a month or so then it starts to grow.  My hair grows about 6 inches a year. I guess I have about 3 to 4 inch hair strands form transplants from last year. I take collagen, 1 scoop a day in warm water plus biotin and lots of other supplements. Collagen really helps. I have bone broth powder on order and will be taking a scoop of that a day too soon. Collagen helps with hair, skin and nails. I can not suggest that strong enough. 

I did the front half of my head first then the back half. Next, in the late summer or fall I will do my last transplants of 1500 transplants. I need to wait to decide where to best put them. 400 will be for my brows .

Thanks for sharing.  Can I ask what 7000 grafts is costing you?

I went to Dr. Spiegel... or the Speegs as we call him.  I will say that I'm very very happy with the results and have had a ton of work done by him and he's the only surgeon I want working on my face.  I posted about it somewhere in the forums (I think you can find my lengthy post if you click on my profile and then click on my posts) and I posted my pictures in the gallery under the "Before and After" subsection (on my computer I have to scroll down to find that section).  Also, I live 5 miles from his office, and about 10 miles or less from the hospitals he operates in so if you need any help (other than money) let me know.  We could meet and I could help with post op travel and maybe accommodations if you're on a budget... if you're not a crazy person

Quote from: WishnHopeN on December 28, 2018, 01:58:11 PM
I went to Dr. Spiegel... or the Speegs as we call him.  I will say that I'm very very happy with the results and have had a ton of work done by him and he's the only surgeon I want working on my face.  I posted about it somewhere in the forums (I think you can find my lengthy post if you click on my profile and then click on my posts) and I posted my pictures in the gallery under the "Before and After" subsection (on my computer I have to scroll down to find that section).  Also, I live 5 miles from his office, and about 10 miles or less from the hospitals he operates in so if you need any help (other than money) let me know.  We could meet and I could help with post op travel and maybe accommodations if you're on a budget... if you're not a crazy person

thanks for the comment.  I actually did a consult with Spiegle last winter/spring.  I decided to go with Dr Z and i"m very glad i did.  Spiegle would have cost twice as much for fewer procedures and I wouldn't have gotten the result i wanted.  Dr Z was more aggressive with soft tissue and jaw work.  I"m very happy with my results.

I make a thread about it.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,240907.0.html