NOTE to mods: please don't move this to the FFS board, it's less about FFS than just ramblings.

So, I posted a freaked out thread in the FFS board a couple weeks ago after my surgery with Zukowski. I am now officially two weeks out and feeling so much better...and silly for worrying so much.





I would post before pictures, but most pictures I took before were carefully manipulated, due to my nose being VERY wonky. For the sake of being helpful and educational, here is a photo of my nose taken pre-surgery:



It was the feature that *I* felt made me clockable.. Not only was it very prominent, but it was very masculine from most angles due to intense angularity and crookedness.  Dr. Z said not to touch my jaw/chin area, but did say my brow could be improved—though also said due to my youth, I should change as little as possible.

I only had a rhinoplasty and fat transfer, but I MAY go back for some brow work one day. As it is, it feels like a small concern. And I don't want to have too much work done. For reference, this is my voice:

https://vocaroo.com/i/s16lGm5W5W80

All in all, I was initially horrified after seeing the swelling but am slowly starting to fall in love with my new nose! It's still very swollen...my lips and cheeks are, too. And I still have from bruising. But I already feel more confident than before.

It's all still a bit crazy for me. I started transitioning at 17-18 and now, at 23, have been living as a woman for 5 crazy, wonderful years. But even in all that time, I still looked in the mirror and saw someone I didn't altogether like. Now, the flaws I used to nitpick in myself are mostly gone and it feels...strange (in a good way).

When I was only four years old and wanting to be a girl, I didn't know if I'd ever see this day when I look in the mirror and feel like I really do see a woman. And I'm so blessed with wonderful, supportive friends and family. My entire support network is amazing. And I've had so many rewarding relationships with great guys.

It has definitely been a journey. My life is far from perfect, but I feel like I'm slowly putting trans stuff in the rear view mirror. I can focus on taxes and credit and speeding tickets and college like everyone else now.

I hope that after 5 years, I can call my transition a success. I still have flaws and always will, but feel so blessed to be in the skin I'm in. Just thought I'd share something positive with everyone on here

Your nose looks very good!  We all have flaws, and the persuit of perfection is like chasing a carrot on the end of a stick! Our individual imperfections are part of what makes us uniquely who we are, and if we erase too much we become too cookie cutter in appearance, so it's best to be satisfied with taking care of the big stuff.

Quote from: kitchentablepotpourri on March 17, 2018, 12:30:35 PM
Your nose looks very good!  We all have flaws, and the persuit of perfection is like chasing a carrot on the end of a stick! Our individual imperfections are part of what makes us uniquely who we are, and if we erase too much we become too cookie cutter in appearance, so it's best to be satisfied with taking care of the big stuff.

My thoughts exactly. There's such a thing as too much of a good thing or trying to look too standard. Minus the swelling that'll continue to go down, when I look in the mirror, I like what I see

Congratulations on a wonderful surgery result!  Dr Zukowski is truly a master FFS surgeon, especially when it comes to rhinoplasty.  Very glad to hear of your happy outcome.

Quote from: echo7 on March 17, 2018, 08:17:15 PM
Congratulations on a wonderful surgery result!  Dr Zukowski is truly a master FFS surgeon, especially when it comes to rhinoplasty.  Very glad to hear of your happy outcome.

How big of you not to say "I told you so"

I so know what you mean the part you said about not seeing someone you like! That's how I feel because of my big nose and just starting hrt... I want surgery so bad!!

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

I am so happy for you. You are so beautiful. I hope I can look as good as you one day.

Quote from: amandam on March 17, 2018, 11:34:29 PM
I am so happy for you. You are so beautiful. I hope I can look as good as you one day.

Thank you!!

Quote from: Allison S on March 17, 2018, 11:28:40 PM
I so know what you mean the part you said about not seeing someone you like! That's how I feel because of my big nose and just starting hrt... I want surgery so bad!!

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Transition is all about patience. It took 5 years from starting HRT for me to get here. You have to be happy with where you are wherever you are and do your best/work your hardest to realize the changes you want to see