Okie doke, well it's come around to my turn for FFS and it seems like a dream!

BRIEF background...I have been "out" for 2 years 9months, on HRT for 1 year 7 months, and have been full time for 14 months.

The obstacles I've faced being out have been tough, but it's been wonderful to trudge forward and face some real obstacles rather than the terrible lifetime of internalised depression, anxiety, and pain I had faced. Put simply, coming out and living as a transwoman has been by far the best decision I've ever made! I feel my life has just really begun!

It was a tough call to choose FFS over GRS, but the more I progressed the more I realised that, truly, genitals are much less relevant to who I am than I ever expected. Besides, with hormones some mental things have happened that I never foresaw, and I've found a rather lovely state of mind. I am so much more clear in thought and resolve than I was formerly.

So on with FFS: I'm sheduled with Doc Z in two months time. I am undergoing full FFS...forehead, nose, chin, jaw, trach, and some injections, totaling $22,000 USD.

I had heard things about Dr. Z being a car salesman and such, but I truly couldn't have been more impressed after speaking with him. He is clearly educated, well-spoken and confident. He never used any iffy tactics, and we were on the same page from the get go. I am in the medical field, and I've known many physicians  who don't convey the professionalism and knowledge he did during the consult. He did use some terms that a non-medical professional would have been left questioning, but that's why it is so important to educate one's self before going under the knife.

For example I don't have a clue how to climb a cliff, and so you wont catch me putting my life on the line until:  1)I am comfortable listening and speaking with the experienced climbers, and 2) I know what to expect, and come to peace with things that may go wrong, right up to death.

I wasn't going to post my experience, but a forum member posted her story recently despite the fear of publicity, and I'd not be right if I didn't do for others what so many have done for me.

I will post itemised prices, procedures and yes even some pics, so yea...watch this space if ya like!

As a medical doctor I can tell you that you are right about the knowledge and the professionalism of Dr Z. I am a former patient of his and I never regretted my decision.

Quote from: swan on April 22, 2012, 06:26:13 PM
As a medical doctor I can tell you that you are right about the knowledge and the professionalism of Dr Z. I am a former patient of his and I never regretted my decision.

keep me posted becuase ive narrowed my choices down to Dr z and dr Di maggio  and i have to decide befoe april next year becuase dr zs quote to me is only good till then

I believe that they are both very good doctors and you will have to make your own judgment.

Quote from: swan on April 22, 2012, 06:36:04 PM
I believe that they are both very good doctors and you will have to make your own judgment.

yea thats why its a hard decision they both have really good things about them , i have contacted dr di maggio for a quote/ consult yet i guess ill do that then get more perspective to make a decision , the only thing im worried about with picking zukowski is that  i wouldnt be able to stay in hopsital for a couple of days afterwards / or overnight

have not *

Quote from: mementomori on April 22, 2012, 06:39:06 PM
yea thats why its a hard decision they both have really good things about them , i have contacted dr di maggio for a quote/ consult yet i guess ill do that then get more perspective to make a decision , the only thing im worried about with picking zukowski is that  i wouldnt be able to stay in hopsital for a couple of days afterwards / or overnight

Don't worry about it. You will do fine. I was scared about the same thing but I did just fine.

Quote from: MiaOhMya! on April 22, 2012, 03:31:57 PM
Okie doke, well it's come around to my turn for FFS and it seems like a dream!

BRIEF background...I have been "out" for 2 years 9months, on HRT for 1 year 7months, and have been full time for 14 months.

The obstacles I've faced being out have been tough, but it's been wonderful to trudge forward and face some real obstacles rather than the terrible lifetime of internalised depression, anxiety, and pain I had faced. Put simply living as a transwoman has been by far the best decision I've ever made!

It was a tough call to choose FFS over GRS, but the more I progressed the more I realised that, truly, genitals are much less relevant to who I am than I ever expected. Besides, with hormones some mental things have happened that I never foresaw, and I've found a rather lovely state of mind. I am so much more clear in thought and resolve than I was formerly.

So on with FFS: I'm sheduled with Doc Z in two months time. I am undergoing full FFS...forehead, nose, chin, jaw, trach, and some injections, totaling $22,000 USD.

I had heard things about Dr. Z being a car salesman and such, but I truly couldn't have been more impressed after speaking with him. He is clearly educated, well-spoken and confident. He never used any iffy tactics, and we were on the same page from the get go. I am in the medical field, and I've known many physicians  who don't convey the professionalism and knowledge he did during the consult. He did use some terms that a non-medical professional would have been left questioning, but that's why it is so important to educate one's self before going under the knife.

For example I don't have a clue how to climb a cliff, and so you wont catch me putting my life on the line until:  1)I am comfortable listening and speaking with the experienced climbers, and 2) I know what to expect, and come to peace with things that may go wrong, right up to death.

I wasn't going to post my experience, but a forum member posted her story recently despite the fear of publicity, and I'd not be right if I didn't do for others what so many have done for me.

I will post itemised prices, procedures and yes even some pics, so yea...watch this space if ya like!

Hi Mia, interesting prices you got from Dr Z, my estimate came up to $34,000. Can you tell me in details what is the quotes for every surgery, I would like to compare.

Thanks a million

good luck and well wishes to you!!!

Quote from: shedevilcanada on April 22, 2012, 08:14:19 PM

Hi Mia, interesting prices you got from Dr Z, my estimate came up to $34,000. Can you tell me in details what is the quotes for every surgery, I would like to compare.

Thanks a million

is this a quote for a revision ? becuase that usually costs more

1. Feminizing orbital rim burring -- $5000.00
2. Feminizing rhinoplasty-- $2500.00
3. Chin bone burring with soft tissue reshaping-- $5000.00
4. Jaw angle bone reduction with masseter muscle excision -- $4000.00
5. Fat grafting to the lips and cheeks -- $500.00

ANESTHESIA  -- $2250.00
FACILITY FEE -- $2750.00 (I will not be in Hospital, but rather in his clinic)


= $22,000

I did receive a discount for being a Navy veteran...and I am paying cold hard cash up front. One of the primary reasons I chose Zukowski is his confidence in backing up his work. Hope the info helps!

Okay I finally got a current "pre-ffs" photo of myself uploaded when I realised it looks much worse than it did on my phone...apologies for that. No profile shots yet...I need to either find one or take one.

Well anyhow yess'am thats me! 

Edit: found another, though quite similar. I am limited to choosing photos on my phone for the time being. :/

You asked about the hotels on a different thread so here it is. Both the extended say and the staybridge are hotels he will visit so you only have to worry about a maybe two trips.

Extended Stays aren't bad. I used to use them all the time when I did week long classes. I always had to quote inclusive and they were clean enough and let me cook a few nights so I made more money for the week. But they are very basic.

The staybridge is the same type of full kitchenette but it is MUCH nicer. They have an excellent breakfast buffet and they also have food several evenings. You aren't going to be able to eat out really so the free meals are awesome. I also felt the rooms were bigger than Extended Stays I've used in the past. If you use compassionate care then it is a better place to stay because Lisa stores some of her gear there. It also has a nicer couch that your career can use to sleep unless you bring a SO. Finally ignore the pricing for t on the Internet. They gave me the pricing in his info even though it was 3-4 years old. That meant it wasn't much more.

The Staybridge is dr Z's preferred place for you to stay, but the Extended Stay is a good second

Quote from: MiaOhMya! on April 23, 2012, 02:41:42 AM


Okay I finally got a current "pre-ffs" photo of myself uploaded when I realised it looks much worse than it did on my phone...apologies for that. No profile shots yet...I need to either find one or take one.

Well anyhow yess'am thats me! 

You sort of look like a girl who lives up my street from what I can make out of the photos.

The lighting is kind of dark making the photos at little bit poor quality, as you mentioned, but it doesn't seem to me that you have too many overtly masculine features, which is good.
:]

Quote from: MiaOhMya! on April 23, 2012, 02:10:36 AM
1. Feminizing orbital rim burring -- $5000.00
2. Feminizing rhinoplasty-- $2500.00
3. Chin bone burring with soft tissue reshaping-- $5000.00
4. Jaw angle bone reduction with masseter muscle excision -- $4000.00
5. Fat grafting to the lips and cheeks -- $500.00

ANESTHESIA  -- $2250.00
FACILITY FEE -- $2750.00 (I will not be in Hospital, but rather in his clinic)


= $22,000

I did receive a discount for being a Navy veteran...and I am paying cold hard cash up front. One of the primary reasons I chose Zukowski is his confidence in backing up his work. Hope the info helps!

Thanks MIa...that's about right, I have a few other things added on that's why the difference

Quote from: MiaOhMya! on April 23, 2012, 02:41:42 AM


Okay I finally got a current "pre-ffs" photo of myself uploaded when I realised it looks much worse than it did on my phone...apologies for that. No profile shots yet...I need to either find one or take one.

Well anyhow yess'am thats me! 

Edit: found another, though quite similar. I am limited to choosing photos on my phone for the time being. :/

You're very good looking in the first place but what on earth do you need fatgrafts to your cheeks and lips for??

Aren't you afraid that your already nicely rounded face is gonna wind up looking like an overstuffed pillowface and your nicely shaped lips sausage like?

Thanks for the compliment! 

Well my issue is that today I'm at least 20 pounds heavier than when I started estrogen, and nearly 40 pounds off the ideal weight where I'd like to be (and I don't mean a twig).

I feel fat injections, from everything I've read, are not so dramatic. He specifically said my cheeks do not need implants... which is opposite what I've heard others say (most say he recommends implants).

My other issue is that fat injections dissipate over time, to a much less exaggerated result. I will take your advice to heart, however, and enquire as to my weight loss effecting my facial fat, and fat injections possibly being too much.

I've had a few calls from his office staff since I created this thread, and he is going to call me in about one week to discuss and check-in on some generalities.

I've successfully quit smoking for the time being, except perhaps a puff of a friends ciggy every other day. Losing my e-cigarette was a blessing as ot forced me to either buy more nicotine products, drag this out...or go cold-turkey time. Now I''ve heard that smoking reduces estrogen levels...and I could swear I've noticed a change...but It could be a number of factors including an increase in blood oxygen levels.

So far my travel arrangements are mostly booked. I have nine nights at the Staybridge Suites, at an estimated cost of around $900 USD. I chose to take Jeneva's advice on a hotel after the Extended Stay refused to honour the "Zukowski rate". Airfare is all booked aswell and surgery depositof $1000 USD is paid. Now there is the 50% of total fee due 30 days prior to surgery and 50% due day-of.

Oh for those interested here is a photo from the other night...about to go to a bachelorette party actually ( It was very fun!). So this is uh lets see...well roughly 1 year 7 months since starting hormones and around 14 1/2 months since going full time. Loads has happened in such a short time!!



Yesterday evening:

Girl, you look great as you are now! And here you were complementing me on my looks. I've got nothing on you. *hugs* I hope everything goes well for you. ^_^

Aww keaira! I think you're gorgeous...truly!

It is strange to not be able to get past my personal issues with seeing my face as being "male." Others, well those who never seen me prior to transition...they see something different apparently as I still see my old self in there.

My goal with FFS is to approximate how I would have looked, and to give myself a break at last from this strange ...well facial dysohoria. Getting sorted in the head is the toughest part of transition so far for me.

Found some pics of myself about 2 years ago (aged 27) pre transtion...and thinner too. Second photo is a bit weird but I was trying to show my facial hair back then which was maybe the single largest factor in not passing. Its so important to get that removed!

Girl your gorgeous save the 22k IMHO......