Patient 3
Cosmetic Surgery is a huge decision for anyone, but for the Transsexual, FFS is additionally fraught with tremendous emotional pressure to fit into society.
This is further complicated with a generally more extensive set of surgical procedures and limited budget, making it imperative that the subject do their research and carefully consider their options.
In my experience, I of course asked for referrals and was led to some of the surgeons who have been performing FFS for a long time. I saw a Dr in San Francisco, a Dr out of Scottsdale and a noted surgeon in Beverly Hills. I remember how excited I was to be getting underway with my gender change and how I initially took in everything I heard with great delight and gullibility. The concern I had, once I let all of the advice sink in, was that I didn't agree with it. The recommendations included bony surgery to reconstruct my jaw and my sinus cavity. These are highly invasive procedures with lengthy recovery periods. My discomfort was in my own observations that the overall shape of my face and jawline were similar to what I saw in other woman and if true a surgical necessary. I had been studying my facial structure and started going to a local mall to observe woman faces. I searched the internet and found pictures of movie stars who I felt I resembled and came up with Ingrid Bergman. I purchased one of her movies, Casablanca so I could observe her from every angle.
This research led me to produce a matrix as follows:
| Importance FFS | Surgical Order | Procedures | Notes | Discussion |
| Age Defying | 1 | Face Lift | Reduce sag and lines (face and neck) Improve upper eyelid exposure Hair Line reduction |
Sty on right eye - remove Discoloration at right eye - remove |
| Feminizing | 1 | Upper Lip Reduction | Shorten Nose to Lip proportion Enlarge/define upper lip |
|
| Feminizing | 1 | Brow Lift | Create a more feminine arch to brow and raise | |
| Feminizing | 1 | Brow Line Shave | Create softening to the forehead Eyes appear to be not so deep set |
|
| Age Defying | 1 | Lower Eyelid | Remove sag and smooth | |
| Beauty | 1 | Cheek Implant | Accent Cheek Bones | |
| Beauty | 1 | Chin Implant |
Add symmetry to profile Remove Indentation at mid jawline Remove crease at chin Any neck definition would be a plus |
I broke desired surgical procedures into those relating to Feminization, Age, and Beauty Since I am 58 years old, age is a wildcard factor which needs to be considered. I have lost collagen in my lower face due to effects of sun over the years. This has eroded my elasticity and I am currently trying to replenish my skin with mega doses of vitamin B and C. I will ultimately have to do an alternate CO2 laser to achieve the desired smoothness and sun damage correction.
I feel that all of this lead up educated and prepared me for to make a better surgical decision. I realized that what I needed in a surgeon was someone who was more than technically competent to perform the surgery, but one with equal amounts of artistic talent and compassion. A combination that is truly rare.
I started talking with other surgeons and probably interviewed 4 or 5 before I found Dr Beck. I arrived for my appointment with a folder of information, my movie star pictures and my matrix and my research on hair line reduction using the Mayer Flap. Dr Beck didn't make me feel like I was another uninformed, wild-eyed patient. He didn't make me feel rushed or foolish. After an initial exam, we actually had a conversation where most of my questions were answered. He set realistic expectations which I appreciated so I could make the right decision given a half-dozen or so procedures. We communicated after this meeting via email, addressing the hair line reduction techniques he used.
Dr Beck's demeanor as well as his entire office and surgical team, was that of delivering technical information in the most compassionate and respectful way. Going into the surgery, I was quite relaxed giving to the confidence I had in Dr. Beck and his team. I was told by a recovery room nurse that after 13 hours of surgery, Dr Beck hand washed my hair, saying "we're not letting her leave like this". To me, this says it all.
For me this initial facial feminization surgery marked the beginning of my full-time life requirement. I had reserved two weeks for recovery before I returned to work in my preferred gender role. I spent two days at the recovery center before I returned home. I required no pain medication post surgery and was back to normal within a week.
Dr. Beck, you are responsible for giving me a jumpstart on my new life in ways which I words fall short. I am now accepted and validated, mind, body and spirit.
Thank you with all my heart
MDD - Surgery 3/07