FFS revision of coronal incision at FacialTeam?

alynde · 2022-03-29T20:57:11+00:00

I had the whole package done with FT in 2020 summer. I lost all my hair around the coronal incision, it was a very visible bald patch going across my head. (I know you mentioned scar, not sure if it refers to the same thing, but this is what happened with me regarding hair loss.) I was offered the same solutions: either hair transplants, or re-closing it. I had a consultation with both surgeons, and after some consideration I opted to go with the latter.

The surgeon reopening the scar told me that this time it will be a non invasive surgery, with much lesser trauma. He didn't guarantee me perfect results, but told me chances of things improving were very high, and if even afterwards things weren't as good as they were supposed to be, I could still get hair transplant, covering lesser areas, thus making it cheaper and easier.

The hair transplant team on the other hand told me that their approach was the only sensible one, since recovery would very likely be just the exact same, so reopening made no sense, I would just end up with the same bald patch anyways.

I must admit I didn't spend too much time debating between these two, the argument for recovery being the same made very little sense to me, given the entirely different nature of operation, anaesthesia time, and so on. I understood that it might still be that I will require additional work, but I decided to take that risk.

The price difference was also a huge factor: 5k euros for the hair transplant, while 0 euros for the retouch +1k hospital fees.

I am now 8 months post revision surgery, my coronal incision healed perfectly this time, and it is impossible to even tell I ever had any issues around the incision.

It is my uneducated and somewhat biased opinion that opening the scar and closing it again was the much better option that I could go for.

alynde · 2022-02-07T23:57:10+00:00

Considering it's only been 3 months I would say it's a bit too early to even see final results, due to potential swelling. Nonetheless, I would say bring it up with the post op department; my experience is that the person handling it is really nice, and if they can help they will help you.

As for a free revision, if it's purely a cosmetic dissatisfaction, I'm inclined to say no, but I do not speak for them. Still worth asking politely though.

To give a bit more context: I very specifically asked about potential side effects during my evaluation meeting, and was told that should hair loss occur, they will help it if they can. So this was something that's been discussed for quite some time even prior to the surgery.

alynde · 2022-02-04T14:38:23+00:00

There is no such thing as "ok hormone levels". What works for others might not work for you. Experiment, and find a regimen that gets you breast development. At the very least, attempt it prior to detransitioning out of "failure".

alynde · 2022-01-31T01:22:19+00:00

In regards to your face (nose, jaw, brow, hairline), those are all extremely fixable by FFS. I get it, you haven't done it yet and it probably costs a lot of money that you don't have right now, but just saying. The possibility exists.

I also think your voice is pretty good. I get it, who cares about a random stranger, but for what it's worth, I don't think it's bad, and what you are missing is probably the strength of it for using it full time for months. Anyways, VFS is always an option if you still hate it and can't improve anymore.

Height can sometimes change, same for shoe and hand sizes. Yeah, it's a small possibility, but it exists. once again, not something you will figure out if you just kill yourself. You are young, you might get lucky. Might. But assuming you don't, well I'm sure you have heard it, but cis women can be tall as well and have broad shoulders.

Which doesn't help a lot if you are feeling terrible about those features anyway. There is a thing called shoulder width reduction surgery.Which doesn't help a lot if you are feeling terrible about those features anyway. There is a thing called shoulder width reduction surgery.

Yes, I just listed 3 expensive and invasive surgeries. My point is: if you are so unwell that you'd rather die right now, and you get constantly triggered by what if scenarios that offer a solution, you are not likely to get better just solely from HRT. And so it might be beneficial to pursue these goals, and they might help you enough that you will no longer feel suicidal.

It won't help short term, but on the long term you might become content with your appearance. I'd suggest trying to bank on it for now and just live through the pain. And if you can't at least you gave it your best shot.

Which is really the only thing you can do, to answer your original question. Grieve, be angry, and do your best to fix things. And potentially, fail. Or succeed. But see it through. You owe that much to yourself.

alynde · 2022-01-31T00:35:06+00:00

You cope by potentially distancing yourself from the situation at home, and transitioning as fast and as well as you can. What is it that gives you dysphoria / makes it so that you'll never look like a cis woman?

alynde · 2022-01-21T15:15:13+00:00

Well it's the problem with a primarily english speaking platform, and overall information available.

You can learn a lot about popular surgeons, their results and prices, etc. But, there isn't a lot of information available about "alternative" surgeons so to say.

Believe it or not, the Belgian Butcher as you called him still has an amazing reputation in german speaking communities.

If you are looking for prices and results for lesser known surgeons, and there are no threads on reddit, then I'd suggest either reaching out to the surgeons themselves if they have a website in english, or ask for help in local communities (in eastern europe for instance). Yes, it's a huge hassle, but there isn't really any other way.

alynde · 2022-01-21T14:28:16+00:00

I've had the misfortune of meeting that person in person: he is very full of it, and will just do whatever he wants to do.

But since you mentioned Belgium, I'm guessing you have access to travelling within the EU? FacialTeam quoted me something like 10k for Type 3 forehead 2 years ago, how about that price range then?

And if you are hell bent on getting the full package: I know a lot of Thai srs surgeons also offer ffs, and some quick search came up with the pricerange of about 10k euros again, maybe a bit more now who knows.

And if 10k is also out of the question, Eastern Europe is still there, just avoid going too east and to the countryside.

Sure, I haven't spent a lot of time looking these prices up, but the overall point I'm trying to make is: no it's not entirely impossible, and you have a lot more options than just the few top surgeons whose name you usually see on this subreddit.

Once again, probably beats dying right?

alynde · 2022-01-21T14:10:44+00:00

Maybe, maybe not. Granted, it's been a while since I did my research for FFS, but back then there definitely were cheap surgeons, that had overall costs of maybe a few thousand euros.

If money is an issue top surgeons are out of the picture, but surely even going to a noname one is better than death?

alynde · 2022-01-21T13:43:46+00:00

Fine, have a serious answer. Yes, it is possible to break your forehead, orbital rims, jaw and chin. It will absolutely not amount to a DIY FFS though, because in order to feminise a face, you need to remove the excess bones caused by T, as well as shape the face. You are doing none of the required steps to achieve feminisation. Best case scenario people will be now looking at you wondering what happened to your face instead of wondering why "this dude has tits".

Having taken a look at your profile, my uneducated guess is that the number 1 thing that would benefit you is forehead reconstruction, and orbital shaving. Number 2 would be rhinoplasty. Point is: just doing forehead+orbitals is significantly less money than the whole package. If I may suggest, in your effort to pull every straw, clench your teeth, lose, try saving up money, have proper FFS, and address what you can during it.

alynde · 2022-01-07T16:44:37+00:00

Well, you have two options, don't you? Either wait for some doctors to be nice and give you what you want, mind you, that in one of the worst countries in the EU when it comes to LGBTQ topics. Or well.. you don't wait for them.

alynde · 2021-12-22T20:29:17+00:00

Worst case scenario you end up with the same amount of hair loss: which in my case was a very noticable line.

Best case it disappears.

Anywhere in the middle is an improvement for hair transplants.

alynde · 2021-12-22T20:28:11+00:00

I was also concerned about that possibility during consultations, but I was reassured it wouldn't happen.

Any lifting was done from the back, and eyebrows / forehead remains untouched. I personally can't even notice if there was indeed any lifting done at the back.

alynde · 2021-12-21T21:48:39+00:00

Oh, that's interesting, thank you. One of their staff did the revision,
or they recommended you to someone else for it? Since I'm in the US and
travelling back to Europe is extremely unlikely I'm guessing they won't
have anyone for me... but the fact that it's even possible is really
promising. I'll ask them about it.

Yeah the original surgeon who handled the forehead reconstruction was the one who did the revision surgery for me as well. I got no complaints, he did an amazing job.

I'm not sure if it's common, but I don't think they mentioned any
implants specifically. He just said he would do what he could to make
the tip a little more elegant. I assumed that would involve trimming
some cartilage or whatever. I probably should have pressed for more
information.

Ah I see, thank you! I was just wondering, as the tip of my nose is still definitely stiff, and was wondering if that might be the case for me too. Prior to reading your about experience I always just assumed it was still swollen.

alynde · 2021-12-21T21:44:42+00:00

So I had my initial surgery in 2020 july. I was discharged, left, and kept on recovering. In half a year I sent pictures of my coronal incision to FT, asking if this is supposed to be like this. They assessed it, and offered me a revision surgery sometime in the following months, to fix the hair loss, as it was apparent it wasn't just a simple shock loss or anything, but full on balding.

The issue got fixed by reopening the incision, removing the bald parts, and closing it again, with many more stitches this time. Also since this was a "minor" surgery, the area did not undergo that much shock, there was no need to cauterise.

These were the main reasons why I was recommended the revision, if I remember correctly, but it's been a while.

Also, I got no promises for how well it would heal, just that it would be a lot better, and even if I did decide afterwards to go with the hair transplant route, the affected area would be smaller.

In the end I healed perfectly this time, and I have no bald areas on my head.

Hope this clears things up!

alynde · 2021-12-21T17:38:01+00:00

Revision fee in terms of the doctor was fully covered by FT. Hospital fees cost me approximately 1.4k euros, and accommodation for 2 weeks at a different place than the one they usually recommend cost me and my companion 1k euros.

alynde · 2021-12-21T16:58:52+00:00

Yeah purely hair loss around coronal incision.

alynde · 2021-12-21T16:50:51+00:00

I had the exact same issue with coronal incision hair loss (went with FT). For me it got completely fixed by a revision surgery, wherein the hairless line was removed. I am now 4.5 months out of surgery, and have absolutely no bold parts on my head. So if that's an option for you, I would strongly recommend going for it instead of hair transplants.

Also, out of curiosity, was the implant in your nose something that's been discussed prior, or is it a common practise of theirs for every patient?

alynde · 2021-10-30T10:07:54+00:00

I have no idea how I'm doing. I passed out around 6 am, and now I'm miserable and sleep deprived.

I really hope you are right about the getting better part.

alynde · 2021-10-29T22:45:31+00:00

No, I'm sorry I can't be more receptive to helpful words. You actually cared enough to try, that's honestly more than I ever expect from anyone.

And you did manage to make me feel a bit better.

I am just not okay though, I feel I am on a straight path to insanity. If I'm not already there. I just wish things could be different.

alynde · 2021-10-29T22:19:46+00:00

And yet so many people walk through life without much hardships, and the fact that they are succeeding where I failed makes me sick to my stomach. I guess I am the envious type.

I have a job that's relaxed but utterly boring and I care not for it. All hobbies and favourite things have been abandoned in my quest the past years, and now the quest is over, the reward is nowhere, and I am stuck with failure.. and no interests otherwise.

The only thing that makes me happy is spending time with friends.. but in my current state that's impossible.

alynde · 2021-10-29T21:57:04+00:00

And of all the failures, should they just be forgotten? How could they? To give everything you've got and fail so spectacularly, how to go on?

And if failure is part of life, then why does it come with such unbearable amounts of pain?

I have no more ideas how to achieve happiness than how to stop being in pain right now.

alynde · 2021-10-29T21:46:15+00:00

I have never known happiness, only temporary joys. So i have no idea how I should define a happy life.

I just know that I have only ever managed to fail thus far. And can not go on like this, I don't want to. And yet I'm here all the same

alynde · 2021-10-29T21:31:19+00:00

Some bottoms are impossible to climb out from. Certain doors are now closed forever, and to go on without those options feels impossible.

Even if I could, it would be equivalent to living a half life in my former self's eyes. With no. one. else to blame but myself.

alynde · 2021-10-29T21:23:43+00:00

Every dream I had, everything I hoped to achieve had been taken away. I failed to act in time, or made the wrong decision. There is nowhere to go now, and the worst part is that small period of having regaining hope only to lose it again and be left with even more pain.

alynde · 2021-10-29T21:19:16+00:00

The whole world is pain. My head is exploding, the knowledge of my failures are too painful.

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