I've found it's a lot harder to find information on surgeons who do facial feminization surgery than it is to find those who do sexual reassignment. Not that I haven't found a bunch (the surgeon guide on this site has been useful), but I still would like to hear from some people who have had this done and who they recommend. I'd like to stay in the United States if at all possible. It'll just set me at ease if anything gets too complicated. My big question is: Is it too much to try to keep costs under $20,000? Dr. Spiegel in Boston estimated $28,000 for chin contouring, brow bossing, a tracheal shave, an upper lip lift, and a slight cheek touch up.  Dr. Tuan Nguyen in Oregon said $15,800, but said I didn't need the latter two surgeries. I'm also moving to Portland, so he seems like a good idea, but it's also relatively hard to find information on him. The MtF surgeons section here gave him an excellent rating, but they lacked information and so did his website. This elusive doctor seems great, I just wanna get to know him!

So does anyone know much about these two surgeons, or any other surgeons that they recommend? I'm ready to get moving with this, so I would be GREATLY appreciative for some words of advice. Thank you.

I have met Dr. Nguyen and he will be my Orchie surgeon.  He is a very nice man and he has my trust.  As far as his skills I can not vouch for then but his secretary is quick to get back to you.

He is also on my short list for SRS surgeons.  Cost is important to me.

And you will like Portland.  I live not far from there in a small town called Fairview, near Troutdale.


Janet

Quote from: Sippin my tea on October 03, 2009, 07:29:20 PM
Dr. Spiegel in Boston estimated $28,000 for chin contouring, brow bossing, a tracheal shave, an upper lip lift, and a slight cheek touch up. 

I used Dr Spiegel, and that quote sounds high for those procedures, but perhaps his pricing has changed within the last year or so.   Feel free to email me if you are considering Dr Spiegel and would like to talk about my experience. 

You might also consider joining the Yahoo FFS group.. LOTS of information is shared there about the various surgeons and procedures.

*huggs*,
Melan

Cost is definitely important to me, too. I'm essentially an art student, so yeahh...*rubs head* I can't say it'll be easy to pay this off. But whether the price is lower or higher, it's worth it. I'm also already in love with Portland. I've been dreaming of moving there for some time, now. In combination with FFS, this should be a wonderful chapter of my life.

Dr. Spiegel actually estimated $24k for the basic procedures, but tacked on the extra for anesthesia, the operating room, and the like. Anyway, I might take you up on that e-mail offer. How do I go about joining the Yahoo group?

*double-hug*
~Ashe

I just met Dr. Zukowski, out of Chicago about a week ago at the Southern Comfort Conference that took place here in Atlanta. I sat in on his seminar and met several of his former patients. I was overwhelmed with the resulting case studies that he was showing and the results that I had seen.

From what I had seen and heard, the  pricing goal you are aiming for would be quite below the estimates I have heard. I know a few of the ladies on this forum have become "Z-Girls" and could offer far better advice on his service and pricing. I will say that from the short conversation I had with the Dr. he seems very nice and extremely passionate about his art and extremely confident in his skills.

Just my couple pennies.

Deanna

Wow, that must have been some conference to visit!

Well, if I have to go higher then I'll go higher. I'm just doubtful I'll go 'Osterhout or Zukowski' high with my budget. Still, I'm changing my face for the rest of my life, so I know it's worth it!

Quote from: Sippin my tea on October 03, 2009, 09:22:47 PM
How do I go about joining the Yahoo group?

I've never figured out if I'm allowed to post external links in this forum,  lol, but you can find links in this thread

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,59372.0.html

I second Melan's suggestion to join the FFS yahoo group, it's got tons of useful information. Just realize that a lot of what you hear is opinion. You are right, it's your face, you only have one, make the right decision and don't cut corners Meghan

You might want to check out Dr. Leis in Philly.  I should state, I would avoid Dr. Z and Dr. O if costs are a concern, both can get out of hand in terms of pricing, and considering how common the proceedures are neither offers anything unique anymore. 

Also, honestly, if that is your picture, you don't need that much done. 

Quote from: Deanna_Renee on October 03, 2009, 09:56:41 PM
I just met Dr. Zukowski, out of Chicago about a week ago at the Southern Comfort Conference that took place here in Atlanta. I sat in on his seminar and met several of his former patients. I was overwhelmed with the resulting case studies that he was showing and the results that I had seen.

From what I had seen and heard, the  pricing goal you are aiming for would be quite below the estimates I have heard. I know a few of the ladies on this forum have become "Z-Girls" and could offer far better advice on his service and pricing. I will say that from the short conversation I had with the Dr. he seems very nice and extremely passionate about his art and extremely confident in his skills.

Just my couple pennies.

Deanna

Just curious, did you see me in the presentation?  I am curious.  I don't know if he is using the subsequent photos I have sent.  Let me know!  When I saw his presentation 2 months after my surgery, he had maybe 10-15 pictures of my surgery in there.

I will be seeing him again in January for his conference in NY again.



Back to original topic, you might consider Dr. Zukowski.  For what you are getting, you might be able to keep it under $20,000.  I am not sure though.

Quote from: Valerie Elizabeth on October 05, 2009, 06:44:28 PM
Just curious, did you see me in the presentation?  I am curious.  I don't know if he is using the subsequent photos I have sent.  Let me know!  When I saw his presentation 2 months after my surgery, he had maybe 10-15 pictures of my surgery in there.

Valerie Elizabeth,

Yes, I believe he was showing your beautiful face. There were a lot of pictures of a lot of patients, but the face in your avatar looks familiar. I would hope in the next year or two I will be able to see him to demasculinize this face.

Deanna

I am excited to see his presentation again in January.  I do like visiting him (and I like seeing myself :-) )!

So I've joined a yahoo FFS group and it's been a bit helpful. I'll shoot Dr. Leis and Zucowsky an e-mail tonight to see what they have to say, too. Thank you! I'm also considering Dr. Raymond Konior in Illinois. I'm rather impressed by what I've heard, and was wondering if anyone here knew much about him. Particularly pictures of his work would be great, too. Thanks!

I also still have my ears open for quality, yet affordable Western U.S. doctors. It's just that Ousterhout is probably out of my fiscal umbrella :/

FYI, I had a consultation earlier this month with Dr. Leis re: FFS, and was impressed. He doesn't try to sell you any procedure he doesn't think you need, and spends a good amount of time with you in his office.

Quote from: Sippin my tea on October 07, 2009, 02:06:28 PMI'm also considering Dr. Raymond Konior in Illinois. I'm rather impressed by what I've heard, and was wondering if anyone here knew much about him. Particularly pictures of his work would be great, too. Thanks!

There's at least three of us here.  I had FFS with him in June of 2008 but it was as much revitalization as feminization, leaning more toward the former.

Here's another story:  https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=38542.0

Julie

Mmmm, interesting, I'm just following this thread as I really have no info and I haven't had FFS -- but interested in getting it if I by chance come across loads of money. Flat broke and on disability at the moment... blows. o_0 hopefully that'll change sometime.

and wow, Sippin my tea, you're cute! But, yeah, you probably hear that all of the time. PPL say that to me, or that I don't need FFS -- my last gf thought I was insane, so do my roommates, and everyone else around here. Um, but it's not about doing it for others, or even if you're "passable" or not, but it's just something for yourself. No idea how to explain it.

but, yeah, good luck. I should see if I can find this FFS group on yahoo... link somewhere?

You might also want to talk to Dr. Joel Beck in the SF area. I too was also at SCC this year and sat in most of the FFS surgeons seminars not only this year but last year as well. Dr. Beck impressed me very much since he was the first one to ask me, right off the bat, what I thought I needed. Also I have seen some of his work first hand and it seems very top notched.

But he isn't my final decision, I am also getting in touch with Dr. Konior based on recommendations.

Best advice I can give, talk to as many as you can. Talk to people and just make an informed decision and use who you are comfortable with.

I went to Dr. Ousterhout a few years ago & paid twice the amount you plan to spend.  But you're already very attractive & shouldn't need too many procedures.  Good luck!

Closest to me is Dr. Yarish...

http://www.transformingyou.net/

I don't know how expensive he is but I've heard it's not as expensive as some others. One of his patients was on a Discovery Channel show. I should have contacted his office a long time ago. 

I am a Z Girl and can thoroughly recommend his work. I have been stealth more or less since I transitioned but upon reaching middle age I realised my looks weren't as good as in my 20's when I transitioned. This is natural of course as we get older, so after extensive research I chose Dr Zukowski, in Chicago. I had mine done earlier this year I'm delighted with his work and care. I let him do more or less everything he suggested as it made sense and had my breast implants changed as one side had ruptured. The cost of surgery was around 30K Dollars not included in this was the cost of the hotel and flights from Europe.
Not only has he not only done a fantastic job on my face, and breasts etc, but I look 15 years younger than my actual age. He may not be the cheapest about but his prices are fair and his work exceptional