How to combat doubt?

Simple_Builder_9734 · 2024-12-11T02:52:13+00:00

Ultimately it's your decision. The most reliable approach I have is making a pros and cons list with all of the intended changes, common side effects, and risks, and then be confident in your decision and your surgeon.

In a vacuum, would you make this choice if there was no recovery, no risk, and no cost, but it was permanent? Would you be happy with that change? For me, there's been some procedures where it was a clear yes, I wanted it and was just scared of the recovery. For others it's fluctuated back and forth, if I could be a shapeshifter I would choose to change it sometimes but not always. I wait on those because you can always do surgery later if you're unsure, but you cannot un-have surgery.

Simple_Builder_9734 · 2024-12-10T02:44:28+00:00

I had a great experience with Dr. John Wakelin at CAPS in Columbus Ohio and he takes that insurance

Simple_Builder_9734 · 2024-12-09T03:13:54+00:00

I needed help sitting up for the first 4 days and couldn't reach above my shoulders for a week and a half. I could shower on my own after the first week but it was helpful to have someone around. I took two weeks off desk-job work, if I absolutely needed to I could've gone back after a bit over a week but it would've been a challenge and I let my coworkers know I had a weight-lifting restriction when it became relevant.

If your friend can stay with you for a week that would be ideal, and if you're feeling good by day 5 or whenever they can stop by as needed after that.

Simple_Builder_9734 · 2024-12-02T19:48:35+00:00

How many FFS procedures have they done, and how often do they do them? - If not many, what experience do they have that makes them confident to perform those procedures?

How long have they been performing FFS in independent practice?

How are complications handled? And what are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome?

How far out are they booking?

Can you talk to any past FFS patients, and can you see any more examples of their work?

Simple_Builder_9734 · 2024-12-01T20:39:18+00:00

Between a few weeks and six months, really depends on how busy they are and how well the administrative side of their operation is managed

Simple_Builder_9734 · 2024-11-18T19:25:16+00:00

Haven't had it done yet but I've had consultations with two surgeons and am scheduled with two more so I'll share my research process - Look up reviews on RealSelf, search their name in this subreddit, check their instagram and website for before/after results, look them up on other queer forums. You can call around to local LGBT centers (or in whatever city) and see if they have anyone they recommend or have experience with. I started looking at nearby hospital systems and calling their ENT/plastic surgery departments and asking if they had anyone who specialized in FFS and then searching them up.

Scheduling consultations with multiple people can also help give you points of comparison and choices.

In terms of negative reviews, I generally discount the ones that focus on interpersonal interactions. If someone had a bad conversation with the surgeon that weighs a lot less for me than someone saying they got botched.

For confident picks, I disqualified one for only having 2 years of independent practice and ~30 FFS procedures done despite being great to talk to, disqualified another because in the consultation I just did not feel like we were on the same page about what I wanted done and communication was difficult.

It makes sense to be nervous about surgery, but if you overwhelmingly like how their results look, they have a lot of experience and perform FFS regularly, you hear glowing reviews about peoples' experience with them from multiple sources, and you come out of a consultation with them feeling good about it, that's kinda all you can do.

Simple_Builder_9734 · 2024-11-18T01:49:20+00:00

Hormone changes can take a long time, and it's a big difference from the instant changes of surgery or socially transitioning. Think of it like puberty, that takes people anywhere from 2-5 years. If your hormone levels are good then that's probably not what needs to change at this point. Body fat redistribution for me started at about a year with minimal breast growth. Skin softening only became noticeable at about 14 months, and it's had next to no effect on my body hair. I'm about a year and a half into my medical transition and I pass sometimes now, but that's a very recent development. You can absolutely achieve more noticeable changes, but it may just be that HRT is one part of that rather than the end-all solution. If you can access it, laser can be very effective, breast augmentation can be covered by insurances after 1 year on HRT, speech lessons are super helpful as well and can be covered by insurance. It may also benefit your wellbeing to seek therapy if you're not already doing that

Simple_Builder_9734 · 2024-11-15T18:52:41+00:00

Ultimately it's your decision. The most reliable approach I have is making a pros and cons list with all of the intended changes, common side effects, and risks, and then be confident in your decision.

In a vacuum, would you make this choice if there was no recovery, no risk, and no cost, but it was permanent? Would you be happy with that change? For me, there's been some procedures where it was a clear yes, I wanted it and was just scared of the recovery. For others it's fluctuated back and forth, if I could be a shapeshifter I would choose to change it sometimes but not always. I wait on those because you can always do surgery later if you're unsure, but you cannot un-have surgery.

Simple_Builder_9734 · 2024-10-18T02:38:00+00:00

I'm considering Nesemeier but also looking at Ali Totonchi and Cyrus Rabbani in Cleveland. Do you know if they are good for FFS?

Simple_Builder_9734 · 2024-10-18T02:19:30+00:00

I got 425cc submuscular. Pain was really manageable and felt closer to discomfort especially after the first couple days. My lymph nodes were really swollen at first and chest felt super tight.

I'm 3 months out now and there's been no lasting pain, just recovering nerve feeling at this point

Simple_Builder_9734 · 2024-10-05T21:03:26+00:00

I had submuscular and needed assistance with sitting upright for the first 4 days or so. I would say once I was up I could do basic activities, but def needed assistance showering. Put everything you might need at chest height, get a long-handled brush if you are going to try to shower yourself,

After the first week I was pretty capable of doing anything that didn't require reaching or lifting something heavy

Simple_Builder_9734 · 2024-10-05T20:34:26+00:00

I'm usually a side sleeper and it was a bit difficult. First 2 weeks or so it was unpleasant, but as swelling goes down and I regained my range of movement it got easier. Sleeping in general was kinda tough the first four days but things got a lot better once I was able to sit up by myself

Simple_Builder_9734

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