Dr Z

[Kelsy]

I have a meeting with Dr. Z to get his hands on analysis of my FFS needs. He will be traveling to Boston for the First Event conference. I am excited to meet him and some of his former patients. I have recieved a two part reasonably priced proposal to get my surgeries done. I am going to take in some of the other activities and other presenting speakers. I hope to meet other TS girls so I can learn a thing or two and maybe make a friend or two!

Comments?

Kelsy

[Kaitlyn Michele]

Try to meet the other doctors, and lots of patients...Use your time as a quest to meet every ffs patient you can.

Dr Z has the most mixed reputation as the most promotional guy in the US out of the big 5 or 6..(DR O, Speigel, Meltzer, Beck, Dr Z)...They all have different approaches and gave me different advice, which drove me nuts...

Your face looks like you have an excellent chance for a very attractive FFS outcome!

[Katesback]

I agree with Katlyn. Talk to ask many doctors as you can. Also I would suggest that you get what they suggest done because I have known too many girls get some of the work done and then go back again. I GOT TO TELL you you ONLY want to go through the recovery ONCE! Ask Zenith if you dont believe me.

I should also point out that just like SRS, as long as you go to a well known surgeon that is doing the work you want on a regular basis, your likely to have a good result! I repeat you go to a well known surgeon for your surgeries your likely to be happy. That is the reason I have NEVER endorsed any doctor including the ones I have gone to.

As far as Dr. Z goes. He has one of the most car salesman personalities out there. Oh course if your reasonably intellegent you dont pick a doctor because of thier personality. You will be sleeping when he is working on ya.

Finally a couple years ago and I suspect its the same today it was a buyers market. What I mean is that if a doctor quoted ya $20,000 you could bargain.

I can tell you that the doctor I went quoted me $24,000 for what I got done but I offerted him $15,000 and we settled on $18,000 if I recall.

[Kelsy]

Kaitlyn Kate and MLD, thanks

I think all of the surgeons will layout the optimum amount of work that would produce the best result for a fee of course. If I had my way I would have the works by Dr S. He is the closest to me and it would make it easy for recovery with family in Boston. My wife is from there. I may still try to work things out with him. I am still in contact with Him in fact I have just received an email from his patient co ordinator. Dr Bart in Belgium has given me a very reasonable quote but that means travel and a extended stay. I want to send my photos and info to Dr Spuron I understand that he is very good and the hospitals are first rate. Long way from home as well. Jacqui has given me the name of Dr Chernoff in Indianapolis and swears by him . What to do?
The more I get into this the more complicated it gets but this is my face here and this choice is a biggie! I am past ready to move along with this but I need to be careful!

Kelsy

[Katesback]

Assume you will need someone with you for the recovery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a really difficult recovery and if you dont believe me ask Zenith. LOL She was on the edge of deciding on using a caregiver, I talked her into it. She was glad she had someone to help her. The recovery is worse than SRS.

The Doctor in Indy? If your talking about the person that had pics less than a week after the so called surgery sitting at home with tape on thier face I would suggest you overlook her recomendations. I am thinking she got nothing more than botox. All of us that have been through the process laughed at that post.

Katie

[Kelsy]

I didn't make that connection until now Katie,

I guess indy is off my list!!! I know it is excrutiating and I hear you when you say I should get it all done at once because the pain is so bad but I need to do mine in two parts. I will be able to swing part one (lower face) I don't know when I'll have the money for part two. My plan is to have the first surgery and then begin living full time this summer. I will struggle with what comes and if things work out then I will save. The question will then be should I go for the rest of the FFS or do my SRS? Time will tell! I just need that little extra confidence. Just once I would like someone mistake me for female for starters!

K

[Katesback]

I wish you REALLY knew how bad the recovery is. I promise you would NOT ever want to go through with it more than once. But you would not be the first to do more thank one surgery. On the other hand dont get hooked on it. I have met some girls that look like aliens because they didnt know when to stop. Guess they did what Micheal Jackson did.

Katie

[Kelsy]

Poor Micheal!!! I always thought I was a pretty level headed individual until the introduction of estrogen!!

K

[Hope]

I will echo the others. Consult with everyone. This is horrifically expensive, and you really only get one shot at it. You want the guy you think can do it right the first time, not the guy who offers to do free corrective work.

[Inna]

Hi Kelsy, just to complicate the things a bit further for ya :eek: just so you have a full picture of possibilities and actually maybe get what you want entirely, look up my own recollection of FFS with my phenomenal doctor. Just click on the banner below.

Love, Inna :)

[Aprilrain]

Maybe I heard bad information but supposedly dr Z is involved in a wrongful death law suit. Apparently someone removed one of his patents breathing tube too early and she died. Also and quite separately supposedly Dr O is suing Dr Z for defamation of character and assault. If theses stories are true I imagine DrZ will be preoccupied for awhile.

[LisaM]

Kelsy,
Here is a link to the lawsuit mentioned above:
http://mariakeegan.co.uk/
There are a number of issues in the lawsuit-were too many procedures performed at an outpatient center and why Dr. Z left the center while the patient was still in recovery. I am sure Dr. Z is the best person to ask.

[Kelsy]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone and thanks Lisa for the link,

I have alot to consider I met with Dr Z and I decided that because I was considering him for a very expensive and potentially risky
proposition that I thought a basis of trust is a good place to start. I asked Him about the controversy and what some of the facts were surrounding
his difficulties. He brought up the fact that there also was an issue between him and Dr O. I met some of his former patients and found the results of his work quite impressive. The only fault I would relate is that he tends promote his services in a way that, for me, is just a little less than professional. But that may be my own personal sensitivities. He was very accomidating and has given me a expanded proposal for a reduced price and a long timeline to find funding.

I also met with Dr. O He's a great old guy and is very exact with his proportional scales He took all kinds of measurements. It was wonderful to meet the surgeon
who has set the standard for facial feminization surgery. His Patient co ordinater was a hoot - Myrna is her name I believe - we talked eyeliner and browliner and then the lesser things like my proposal costs. I thought Dr O was going to be expensive but I really had no Idea!! The advice and the ideas and direction were free!

I also spoke with a Dr. Kather Rumer with Cloe Alison Prince [PINKessence. com/ ABC primetime]Cloe showed me some of the results of Dr Rs cosmetic work
and her hairline advancement scars to demonstrate how invisble they were. I liked Dr Rumers style but she basically said I did not need any jawline work just a face neck lift. Everyone else has advised getting the bone work and getting it before a f/n lift.

I met Dr Marci Bowers and we spoke briefly , she's so sweet. I sat in on her presentation that next morning. It was an affirming experience of my future.

I also met with a Hair transplant restoration specialist/ an issue that is having a growing influence on me.

Finally I had a fantastic time partying and comparing notes with some special people!!

I have gotten the names and numbers of some other doctors and folks in this feild of expertise.

Kelsy

[Stephanie-L]

Maybe I heard bad information but supposedly dr Z is involved in a wrongful death law suit. Apparently someone removed one of his patents breathing tube too early and she died.

The removal of the breathing tube is not Dr Z's responsability, it would be the call of whomever was doing the anesthesia. The question is was there an anesthesiologist there, or an anesthetist? If it was an anesthetist then depending upon the state law a physician needed to remain in the building, though not necessarily with the patient. Dr Z was probably named as part of the lawsuit because the lawyers list everyone who may have been involved, down to the janitor, on the initial filing, and then they exclude people as the case procedes. So, without knowing the specifics of the case, it is quite possible Dr Z is totally blameless, or he may be guilty as sin. We may never know. It really comes down to what you think of his work and how comfortable you feel with him............Stephanie

[Katesback]

If I recall in 2009 Dr. Z used a nurse anestistist or however it is spelled. I dont remember to much because I was drugged a lot but thats what I remember. Also he did his work on me at his ofice. He had a operating room there.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

Wow kate, I was unaware of that...

No Doctor and in an office with no hospital for a surgery where you can be under for 10+ hours????

No thanks

[Frances]

Dr. Brassard and Bensimon do FFS in Montreal. They own an actual private hospital (not a clinic) and a recovery house with round the clock nursing staff. They are never on anyone's shopping list however.

[Kelsy]

Thank you Frances,

I will look their way! The more surgeons I consult with the more some basic direction coalesces. Trust is very important to me
and if I get a gut negative from a surgeon I begin searching elsewhere. I want as many opinions and options I can get and
I need to feel good about my choice!

K

[Genifer Teal]

he tends promote his services in a way that, for me, is just a little less than professional.

Didn't we meet at his party sat nite? Since I am not looking for his work, I never really considered how it came accross to potential patients. I thought of it as giving back to the community. He is making money off a bunch of us girls. I look at his parties as a way to say thanks for the business.

[Kelsy]

Didn't we meet at his party sat nite? Since I am not looking for his work, I never really considered how it came accross to potential patients. I thought of it as giving back to the community. He is making money off a bunch of us girls. I look at his parties as a way to say thanks for the business.

Wow! was that you Genifer!?

I received Dr Z's quote today and I can tell you that what he has offered me is really quite generous! The best package of procedures at a very do-able price. I think the second part of my Quote

"But that may be my own personal sensitivities."

may have more to do with it. His approach is something I had never been exposed to! I really marveled at his work. There is no doubt that he is very talented!

Kelsy

[Katesback]

just like srs doctors I really believe as long as you go to one of the well known doctors you are very likely going to be happy with the results. That my dear is why I do not endorse any doctors.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

all the big guns in the US have similar views...it's a huge advantage of NOT doing this in thailand...but its a very expensive advantage...dr meltzer has done steroids for me twice, and we are talking about some tightness and pain in my cheek and he's glad to help me with that too..

i have a pal that has had multiple cysts post srs, nothing to do with srs at all..just a result of having a vagina cavity and dr meltzer has removed it multiple times...

[Kelsy]

Dr Zukowski had the most generous post-FFS revision policy. His patients paid travel costs only. Is that still Dr Zukowski's policy?

MLD

MLD It is my understanding that he stands behind his work and His patients satisfaction 100 percent!

K

[GirlieAmanda]

My housemates tell me that you have to watch out for Dr. Z because he will make you into a "Z girl". They tell me that he makes everyone look like HE thinks a girl should look like instead of what is natural to the patient. Like a template for a woman's face. I am sure you saw his results. Just a warning.

[Kelsy]

Hi Amanda


I did meet a few of his former patients and they all looked like individual women to me beautiful women in fact. I wouldn't want to look like another doll factory unit. If I can look as good as his former patients I would be happy! I think you have to be very careful to find someone you can trust putting a scalpel to your face you know?
What other surgeons would you suggest?
K

[GirlieAmanda]

Thats good. My partner suggested Dr. George Westin with the Austin/Westin Clinic in Reston VA. He has worked on many trans patients. Good with skin. My partner got quotes from the bigs plus more and the cost of FFS and augmentation was $30000 at Dr. Westin. At the time that was less than everyone else. Looks like you hit all of the big names.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

For Dr Z it's more about his recent safety issues and you need to understand his unique views on brow surgery..

Plus the criticism of his aesthetic ideal is well known...
Dr O has a similar reputation as Dr Z in this regard

The thing is this...both of them almost always end up making you look undeniably female. The "samey" look they create will not be something people will notice day to day, they will just notice you are female...they won't say "gosh Kelsy looks alot like Lynn Conway..."


Dr Westin may work on trans patients, but there is no evidence of any ffs on his webpage.. you are better off dealing with surgeons that very focused on transwomen's needs..
I'd be real careful unless you are just looking for a face lift or botox type procedure...

[Katesback]

I think you mean Dr. O. You go to a trans conference and you can pick out most of the Dr. O girls. They just often have a similar look. Not that its bad.

[Misskelly]

I can not offer to much advice here but as someone said be sure either you have a caregiver or someone to care for you after surgery even minor surgery we need someone to help us during this time add major surgery and you really need to have someone who can be with you during this . Good Luck and I hope find someone who will give you the look you want .

[luvSophia]

...but as someone said be sure either you have a caregiver or someone to care for you after surgery even minor surgery we need someone to help us during this time add major surgery and you really need to have someone who can be with you during this...

I personally have not found this necessary. I am currently in Peru recovering from full FFS by myself and I spent five weeks in Thailand by myself when I had SRS. For me a companion would have been nice to have for the company but not necessary to have for recovery. YMMV

[Aprilrain]

im so happy i had someone with me the whole time but that has more to do with my personality than actually needing help. I did need help in the hospital and my ex was there for that and then the fist few days at the hotel would have been pretty rough without a helper but the rest of the time it was just nice to have someone there to spend the time with otherwise it would have been incredibly boring.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

My parents came to help me and they were invaluable...FFS is so incredibly brutal and they don't keep you in the hospital very long...SRS you need to stay until they know you can pee and poop...heh

Anything is possible and sophia your story is a good example of how so many of us DO ANYTHING to get what we need..

A funny story is that my parents came and we stayed at a hotel with two double beds in the bedroom , and front room with a couch...

The first night i'm lying there with my face wrapped up like a sausage, throbbing achy pain from my neck up...stabbing pain in my mouth...and they both snored so much that i had to get up and sleep on the couch!!! LOL...what a life..

[Aprilrain]

The first night i'm lying there with my face wrapped up like a sausage, throbbing achy pain from my neck up...stabbing pain in my mouth...and they both snored so much that i had to get up and sleep on the couch!!! LOL...what a life..

HA! thats funny! my friend who stayed with me at the hotel after my FFS snored. Vicodin has a way of making things like that seem unimportant LOL

[GirlieAmanda]

Amanda,

How was your partner's experience with FFS and BA with Dr Westin? Is she pleased with the results? What procedures did she have Dr Westin perform?

MLD

So far only a quote from Westin. But she had full skin surgery after her gastric bypass. At that time Dr. Westin had worked on about 25-30 trans patients doing FFS but is a well qualified plastic surgeon. It has been about a year since the quote. You definitely won't look like Z OR O clone.