I am scheduled for FFS and an oriectomy with Dr. Cardenas down in Guadalajara for August 1st. I just can't believe this HUGE step is happening. My wife is accompanying me and we will be staying in a rest and recovery hotel that takes care of EVERYTHING. So no extra stress.

For FFS I wanted to look as natural as possible. I used Virtual FFS and felt the money was worth it. She guided me away from surgeries that she showed would not help or look too unrealistic. It was nice to send Dr. Cardenas my pictures and hear him recommend the same procedures.

So I am planning:
1. A scalp advance with hair implants 3-4 months after surgery to get that wonderful hairline
2. Brow lift with bossing, which is great because I need some of skin lifted off of my eyes, though the bossing was not necessary. It is however, in the cost of the brow lift so why not?
3. Rhinoplasty to get a deviated septum taken care of as well as get that nice slopped nose
4. Chin reduction and shaping, which is probably the one feature on my face that I have never really liked
5. Liposuction and a little body contouring around the love handles. These will not go away. I lived in the Outback of Australia and dropped down to 128 lbs, had a 28" waist (I am 5'10") and still had that damnable love handle
6. Oriectomy

It is a lot but I want to get the pain out of the way. I have gone through 4 psychology readiness evaluations and they have all cleared me for this. It was encouraging  to hear from my last doctor say, "Yeah, that sounds like a good thing for you at this point. A letter is no problem". Especially considering how many disappointments be transgendered can be.

The physical changes are important, don't get me wrong, but for me, and like HRT, it is a physical, concrete way of saying goodbye to a life I never wanted.

BTW, anyone who has worked with Dr. Cardenas, can you PM me?

P.S. My dad, who scared me as a child and kept me from ever coming out to my family for years, cried when I told him. He cried because he was so sad that his "daughter" had suffered so much. All my life I dreamt about having my dad love me like that. He was so supportive that he said that whatever money I need I can have for surgery and that he was proud of his daughter.

That's really great to hear, hon.

I wish you a speedy recovery and all the happiness in the world. *huggles*

Great news and I'm so glad your Dad has accepted you.

Good luck and I hope it all goes well

Best wishes and good luck  !

I hope the end result exceeds your expectations!

Good luck and may you heal quickly and well.

Thank you so much everyone!

Your going to love it. Results from him are good. The others I went with all had good results. Let me known if you have any questions

WOW that's a huge step indeed!

Firstly isn't that amazing how your dad has come round!? It's those moments that, to me, make transition really worth it. It has brought you closer to your father than you'd likely have otherwise become, but whats so neat is that he has become a better man and faced his own fears as a result of you facing yours. It's just beautiful!

FFS and orchi are certainly big ones...and I've very much considered an orchi until SRS becomes a real possibility (read $$) . I know today that what makes a man or a woman isn't whats between the legs anyway. Only if you don't mind the private nature...but why are you choosing orchi?

Also what on Earth were ya doin starvin yerself?! Ya truly gone bush for a while luv?

Quote from: MiaOhMya! on April 22, 2012, 01:44:02 PM
WOW that's a huge step indeed!

Firstly isn't that amazing how your dad has come round!? It's those moments that, to me, make transition really worth it. It has brought you closer to your father than you'd likely have otherwise become, but whats so neat is that he has become a better man and faced his own fears as a result of you facing yours. It's just beautiful!

FFS and orchi are certainly big ones...and I've very much considered an orchi until SRS becomes a real possibility (read $$) . I know today that what makes a man or a woman isn't whats between the legs anyway. Only if you don't mind the private nature...but why are you choosing orchi?

Also what on Earth were ya doin starvin yerself?! Ya truly gone bush for a while luv?

Deciding on the orchi was an interesting decision. It came after a lot of time deciding who I am (I have a great therapist) and talking with my wife about it. I weighed the pros and cons and realized that I had no real positive attachment to my testes. It was weird to think about. But honestly, I don't hate them (all the time but there is no psychological connection. The orchi allows me to reduce medication and I have talked with a few doctors and the reality is that orchis rarely interfere with SRS.

And yes, I was walkabout in Oz during that time. Spent my time on the Nullabor between Perth and Alice in the summer. 128 degrees didn't give me much of an appetite and I ran every morning to boot. Wow, I miss Oz.

good luck

Hi Tara,

I just scheduled my FFS surgery with Dr. Cardenas this week.  I'm having mine on October 2nd so I will be there a couple of months after you.  I checked with some other women who had been there and they are all happy with the results.

I hope yours brings you everything you hope for.

Pam

Quote from: Pamela Kay on May 05, 2012, 09:23:03 PM
Hi Tara,

I just scheduled my FFS surgery with Dr. Cardenas this week.  I'm having mine on October 2nd so I will be there a couple of months after you.  I checked with some other women who had been there and they are all happy with the results.

I hope yours brings you everything you hope for.

Pam

Awesome to hear that! Yeah, one of the selling points for me was when he emphasized "natural looks". I don't want to look like I had surgery, I just want to look like puberty didn't hit me as hard. Good luck and I will keep you posted.

That is a fantastic news.
The expander implants in the back of your scalp will demand many visits to doctor's office and a subsequent surgery. Are you staying for four months in Mexico?
What kind of liposuction are you getting for the love handles?
I am sorry for asking all those questions but maybe i can give you an advice.

Yeah they are awesome down their. I went in February and the results are great. My treacha have scared a little much but a few laser treatments will cure that. He does a really good job his team
Its him his wife and a few other doctors. I love the results and care. Let me know if you have any questions or need before and after pics. Mine are coming in exactly 30 days

Well, I leave for Mexico tomorrow (Sunday). It's weird saying goodbye to people. In some ways they will never "see" me again.

Good luck, and yes... you surely will still be recognised

Axélle

Good luck and congrats on the big step forward

Good luck for you in Mexico! So far, I read only positive things about Dr. Cardenas.

I would be a little afraid to travel to Mexico because of the upheaval from fighting the drug cartels...but I guess that the Guadalajara region isn't affect from this. I remember hearing this in a Youtube video from a patient or from the doctor himself.

Good to hear that you don't have to travel alone!

Take care!