I saw the good doctor January 6th for some work on the top end.  Type III, scalp advancement, nose and a trachea shave.  Still can't get over it; amazing is an understatement.  His work on my trachea is particularly impressive - you'd never know it was ever there.  I had no problems speaking afterwards either.

I have some anxiety about my nose (hitting it, bumping it, rolling over on it, etc) but otherwise the bruises are gone and though my scalp is drum-tight, the scar is healing nicely (any advice on how to help it along would be lovely though).

The numb factor will take some getting used to but overall the surgery is worth it. 

Regarding Dr. O: My consultation and subsequent pre-surgery appointment with Dr. Ousterhout was as fascinating as it was reassuring.  I felt comfortable talking to him; he is honest, frank, and wise when it comes to his field of expertise.  The latter observation may seem like a no-brainer to some but knowledge is not synonymous with wisdom.  He also has a sense of humor and an easygoing nature - very positive attributes that only add to the experience.  Dr. Ousterhout was the first person I remember seeing and conversing with (however briefly, for obvious reasons) after my surgery and again, his lovely bedside manner is something I will keep with me for a lifetime.

I also think he has an interesting speaking voice; I can't put my finger on what makes it so but those of you who have met him know what I'm talking about.  There is much enthusiasm in it - he could narrate children's books.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

- A.

Hi, this is me too. December 22nd, everything but the scalp advancement and the upper lip.

My scalp scar is killing me. I'm a month out and it's still blatantly obvious and not too easy to hide with my hair.  I should smear Rogaine on the spot where the scab chunked out a couple dozen follicles. D:

Don't be too worried about your nose. I've subjected it to brutality in the last month (without meaning to, of course) and it's turned out just fine.

I totally agree with you about Dr. Ousterhout.  He's a rarity when it comes to surgeons, who- according to my father the surgeon, at least- rarely, if ever, invest the kind of time with their patients that Dr. O does with his.

One question I'd like to pose to you, though. How is your voice faring? I'm a month out, but my voice is still shot. I don't know if it's the combination of residual tracheal swelling and chin swelling or what, but two octaves of my voice are just gone.

he did 3 FFS on me back in 98 and all is well

A friend of mine just had a consult with him over the weekend at First Event in Boston. $41K for FFS with another $13K for a face lift later.    And she already has a feminine face.  Some of his work is amazing, some not so.  I guess it depends on the canvas you're working with. 

One thing for certain, recovery from FFS is a very long process.  And soft tissue work causes a lot more pain than bone work.  I had FFS 6/08.  It was more like rejuvenation (face and neck lift) with some feminization (minor brow reduction, lip lift, trach shave).  I still have a slight numbness in the scalp and a bit around the ears.  For a while the numbness drove me nuts.  I was always massaging the numb areas trying to get some feeling.  Maybe it worked or maybe I no longer know what full sensation feels like.

I hate surgery.  I won't do anything else until we have those wands they had in Star Trek.  Where's Bones?

QuoteOne question I'd like to pose to you, though. How is your voice faring? I'm a month out, but my voice is still shot. I don't know if it's the combination of residual tracheal swelling and chin swelling or what, but two octaves of my voice are just gone.

It didn't affect my voice at all actually.  I was hoarse for about three days but that was more or less due to the tube they stick down your throat.  The incision is swollen but that'll go away in time.

Julie Marie - I can't say the numbness is driving me nuts (yet), I knew what I was in for.  I wouldn't mind a fast forward through the next six months however.  You can't wear glasses for a while and I must say that is making me a little crazy.

Nothing is tougher than being patient.

If FFS is $41k, what's SRS cost?! 

MTF SRS give or take $20k

Wow, I'm a bit surprised that FFS is more.

Thanks, LordKAT.

I was surprised too. and YW

I know that Dr. O is probably the top at his craft and therefore charges people a little more than most. There is also DR. Di Maggio who is also know to be as "intrusive" as Dr. O. He is around 1/2 the price and works in Argentina. 

Quote from: Shades O'Grey on January 24, 2011, 11:21:06 AM
Wow, I'm a bit surprised that FFS is more.

My FFS took 7-1/2 hours.  GRS took a little less than three hours.  FFS was about $19K, GRS about $14K.

So, FFS + GRS could be $60K - $80K.

OK, at least I'm getting a better idea of what I'm up against.

I think the chin swelling's what's getting me with the voice. The higher part of my voice box is still draped by a fair amount of swollen tissue.  It is nice to be rid of the chin masculinization, but dealing with a very low voice for a couple months is rough.

Also, if I'm not mistaken anesthesia time is really where the cost of FFS trumps SRS. FFS can be 8-10 hours while SRS is 4-5, I think?

Quote from: Rebekah with a K-A-H on January 24, 2011, 02:56:23 PM
Also, if I'm not mistaken anesthesia time is really where the cost of FFS trumps SRS. FFS can be 8-10 hours while SRS is 4-5, I think?

Ahh, I hadn't considered that.

My SRS was around $16,000 when I had it.  My FFS was in the ballpark of $30,000.  Add years of therapy and other bee ess and you have K-I-N-G C-A-S-H. 

Both surgeries were worth it but surgery still sucks and the doctors can only do their best.  Everything else is up to you.

- A.

I had the works by Dr Ousterhout last may (everything safe the tracheal shave, which I didn't need), and I'm still recovering, although it's mostly done done. Give or take a full year for 95% of the recovery. I've been taking photos of my face every day since then and I'm amazed at seeing my face still changing after months, by comparing with earlier photos.

By the way I'm now living my everyday life as a normal woman, without anybody thinking of anything weird about me, apart from the fact that lots of people tell me I'm beautiful. 

The FFS was 43k, if I remember, but it was worth every penny.

And oh, by the way, the immediate recovery, a few days at the cocoon house, are one of my fondest memories. Tricia and Mary Lou are truly angels. Of course, I won't forget to mention the kindness of Mira and Dr Ousterhout himself. 

*I hate surgery.  I won't do anything else until we have those wands they had in Star Trek.  Where's Bones*

Great comment JM...!!

My doc here in Boston knows all the gurus... Dr O, Meltzer et al....they all meet at the usual suspects int circuit dr speaker/conferences...

My choice is 'only' a face expert - tis all he ever does, and not many TG cases for that reason.... this week its all been men, bankers from London, academics from Norway, and he flies to Russia to work there today...

The 'known TG circuit names' seasoned vets at this are charging top-whack scale now in my case one quote topped $59k....

This is not necessary, in my book.... i maxed a budget of $30k tops as sufficient...

And that's the ballpark many normal excellent craniofacial & maxillofacialdo dr's will work too...

Seek and though shall find....

Dr. O. alum here, I had FFS with him in 2004, and it's one of the best things i've ever done. Honestly, i think it was better than my SRS which i'd had 9 years earlier. Before his FFS, i was passing maybe 80%, but afterwards i'd say I pass 100% (facially at least; body-wise, that's another issue). My entire experience with him, his office, and Cocoon House was just amazing and perfect too, couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Before his surgery, i'd previously had a couple of nose jobs, my ears pinned, and an adams apple reduction, so Dr. O. didn't have to do alot, but he actually tackled the most important aspects; my forehead and my jaw. He did my forehead (type II), orbital rims, and made my jaw, chin, and masseter muscle all much smaller, I love it. One thing i will say though, you can't go by his results immediately. Seriously, it took me like 4-5 years until my face completely settled, as crazy as that sounds, so don't get discouraged if you're not completely pleased right afterwards.

My entire surgery cost around $24 (since I didn't really have "the works"), and it was totally worth it.

Well I've been going back and forth on the surgery and Dr. Ousterhout was the one I was likely going to go with if I decided FFS was for me.

Don't think so anymore... I knew it was expensive, but Good God... either you are make a heck of a lot more than little ole me.... you are masters as saving money or something.

I couldn't come close to affording some of those figures, time to go back to school maybe... yikes!

Seriously I live in an area with one of the lowest costs of living in the entire Country (thankfully) but anything over 30,000 right now is an entire year's salary.

I think I've officially made my mind up, not to seek FFS.. unless I win the lottery at some point. Good for you that can afford it... I certainly can't come close if it's anywhere near these figures.

Did DR. O  have any issues with the nose job?  Someone had told me that if you get a nose job it might affect the forehead surgery in respects to symmetry.  In other words, he preferred to do it all so that it would have more of a flow.  Honestly, I'd rather get my nose done and tracheal shave first and THEN do the rest and save a few thousand.

Your thoughts?
 

Quote from: AnitaLife on February 25, 2011, 09:26:57 AM
Dr. O. alum here, I had FFS with him in 2004, and it's one of the best things i've ever done. Honestly, i think it was better than my SRS which i'd had 9 years earlier. Before his FFS, i was passing maybe 80%, but afterwards i'd say I pass 100% (facially at least; body-wise, that's another issue). My entire experience with him, his office, and Cocoon House was just amazing and perfect too, couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Before his surgery, i'd previously had a couple of nose jobs, my ears pinned, and an adams apple reduction, so Dr. O. didn't have to do alot, but he actually tackled the most important aspects; my forehead and my jaw. He did my forehead (type II), orbital rims, and made my jaw, chin, and masseter muscle all much smaller, I love it. One thing i will say though, you can't go by his results immediately. Seriously, it took me like 4-5 years until my face completely settled, as crazy as that sounds, so don't get discouraged if you're not completely pleased right afterwards.

My entire surgery cost around $24 (since I didn't really have "the works"), and it was totally worth it.