Facial Feminisation Surgery
I cannot make recommendations on other FFS surgeons or comment on their abilities. During my research I found that many had their own strengths but came to the conclusion that Brian Musgrove was able to give the results that I was looking for. The onus is on you to do your own research and choose who you feel will do the best job for you.
What I will stress is, don’t be in too much of a hurry; give the hormones and electrolysis to alter your features; you will possibly need to do less than you first thought.
Do not expect too much. There can be a vast difference between the male and female face/ head shape. It many cases you have to accept a compromise. I was very lucky, being small and most of my proportions within the female range.
Go for your consultation with an idea of what you want done and what the surgeon can realistically do for you. Do not expect the surgeon to do it all for you. It is your face you have to be satisfied.
I was booked into the Alexandra Hospital, in Manchester for 08.00am on the 15th July 2005 I arrived at the Hospital at about 7.30am was booked in and taken up to my room. I was told to undress and put on an operating gown. I was booked for first on the list and told to wait for Brian Musgrove and the anaesthetist to come and see me.
The nurses took my blood pressure, temperature and blood oxygen levels. They then asked many questions on my health, tablets I was taking etc. I had to remove all my jewellery and nail varnish.
Brian arrived at 8.30am and carried out a physical examination and then took lots of photos of my face from all angles.
We sat on the bed and discussed what he was going to be doing and looked at the photos I had previously given to him showing before and paint brushed as to what I wanted. We have agreed that I will have upper and lower blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, top lip shortening and chin re-contour. There is also some fat behind the top eye lids which he will remove.
He covered the risks which include nerve damage, infection facial paralysis, etc. but the risks are small and most problems are normally easily dealt with and do not really anticipate any. He said it is a long op. in my case probably over six hour. The Anaesthetist arrived and explained her procedure, asked more questions and listened to my heart.
Brian then said that they are now going to the Theatre to prepare and I would be collected in about ten minutes.
Now it was almost time, my nerves disappeared and I was now looking forward to the outcome. If Brian was as good as his word, I would not be disappointed. All I could do, now, was to wait. I lay on top of the bed and watched the news, though none of what I was watching really sunk in.
The Anaesthetist’s assistant arrived a few minutes later to collect me.
He took me straight to the prep. Room where Brian and the Anaesthetist were waiting. I was asked to remove my slippers and dressing gown and lay on the table where I was linked up to the heart machine.
They checked the readings and said my heart was fine and prepared me for surgery. A needle was put in my wrist and they started to administer the anaesthetic.
I said I needed to pee and they got me a bedpan. I asked when are you going to start and was told that it was all over and I would be going back to my room shortly.
I do not remember much of that day. I was still under the influence of the anaesthetic. Saturday the nurse unplugged the drips, morphine, etc and allowed me to go to the bathroom to use the loo and have a wash to freshen up a bit.
I made the mistake of looking in the mirror and was shocked. It looked as though someone had been using my face as a punch bag. It was badly swollen, quite bloody and I had two really black eyes. I thought to myself “what have I done" I looked an absolute mess.
I burst out crying and the nurse came in finished cleaning me up and said it will improve over the next couple of days. I know all the girls on FFS say the same but you still are not prepared for the shock.
The staff nurse then came in and removed the plugs from my nose. That felt better. She asked if I was hurting which I said I was. Apparently I should have been using the morphine and she showed me how to use it.
Breakfast arrived, fruit juice, scrambled egg and baked beans toast and coffee. I started by dribbling fruit juice out of my mouth followed by some scrambled egg and beans down my new nightie. I do not even remember changing into it.
The rest of that day was a disaster trying to eat. My mouth was full of stitches and my lips numb and swollen.
Brian arrived at about ten that morning to examine me and asked how I felt. I said that I felt dreadful I felt weak shaky and light headed. He said that was caused by the anaesthetic morphine and the oxygen. I had, had over 7.5 hours of surgery.
He examined me and asked what I thought. I said it looked as though someone had been chopping my face up.
He said the bruising and swelling should start to clear after a few days but could take up to 6- 12 months to settle down properly and get the feeling back but felt I would be more than happy with the results. He told the nurse to start cleaning off the blood, show me how to do it myself and to put ice packs on my face until I go home tomorrow.
He told me to ring his secretary to arrange to call back in a month or so. He said my GP should remove the stitches and the splint on Friday.
Sunday morning I was brought my discharge papers, instructions, pain killers and antibiotics.
I went down to reception at about 11.30.
I was not going to mention the train journey, as I expected it to be mundane; however, I have never felt so stressed or unwell before. Even through the deep depressions before transitioning.
The Hospital arranged for a cab to take me to Manchester Piccadilly, at which I arrived at 11.55hrs. The driver was excellent. He carried my bag into the station and said to have a good journey, calling me dear.
I bought a bottle of ice cold diet coke and took a seat near the departures screen and waited for my Euston train to be announced, and waited and waited.
After waiting for nearly an hour for it to come up on the departure board I went to look for the Virgin train’s info. only to be told that passengers are being bussed to Stockport and the next one leaves in five minutes. For some reason known only to themselves there was no notice in the station nor was it announced on the public address system.
By the time I reached Stockport the next Euston train was not due for nearly an hour and a half.
When I eventually reached home at nearly 19.00hrs I was very tired and feeling very unwell and very stressed. Soon after going in doors I was violently sick and felt really dreadful. This was due to the anaesthetic still in my system and the stress of the long hot journey home.
My son who had picked me up from Euston was quite worried about me and said that if I need anything at all, ring him, no matter what time and don’t put the chain on the front door.
My advice to anyone who is travelling for surgery should not go on their own but to have a companion with them. You are in no fit state to take the stress and need someone to take it for you.
Monday morning, day 3 after surgery I am now feeling a lot better. The bruising is going down but the swelling around the chin is about the same. Eating is still as messy.
I started cleaning the eyes and nose and getting the dried blood off. It makes it look a lot better.
Day 7. Today the stitches come out and the splint removed I went to my GP’s clinic where I was called into one of the nurses stations. She asked me to lie on the couch and got ready. She asked if the Hospital had told me how the splint should be removed. I said yes; go to your GP they would know. She called in a colleague who showed her how to do it. It was lovely to lose it. I could actually breath. She then proceeded to remove the stitches from around the eyes. She left the stitches under and in the nose as they were still embedded in dried blood and could not be removed. They are soluble and she gave me some solution to clean them up.
Three and a half weeks after the surgery the bruising is mostly gone and the swelling is going from my chin. My face is now starting to look like I pictured it and my nose is now quite petite. So far I am very happy with the work. I can now see a new me when I look in the mirror and think I look at least ten years younger. Even the nurse at my GP’s clinic thought I looked much younger than my years.
I have an appointment to see Brian Musgrove for a review on the 23rd August 2005. I will give an update after that review.
I saw Brian for his review. He examined all the surgical areas and said that the swelling is going down to the eyes and nose. The chin and upper lip area will take longer and if the scar under the nose does not fade sufficiently, he will see to that.
I told him that the stitches in my mouth to the right hand side had torn out and at one point I could feel the bone. He said that it does happen occasionally but would heal over, which it had already done.
He said that the next thing I should have done is a neck/ face lift and lipo. He says he has given me a very feminine chin which is being hidden where gravity has taken effect. When I decide he will have me back for a consultation. I said I had already decided so we spoke about it. He will make an incision around both ears and tighten the skin. First he will tighten the facial muscles that will have also stretched.
There is also fat on the cheeks that he will reposition. He also covered all the risks such as numbness paralysis, bleeding, etc.
I said that my SRS in December is a priority but how soon after could I have it. He told me normally a month but I should wait until Tim Terry discharges me which will be six weeks.
He said to ring Carol and get her to send me a price and make a provisional booking.
Brian then took a series of after photos and has promised to e-mail a set of before and after.
I rang Carol on arriving home and have booked for mid- February, subject to me clearing it with Tim Terry.
After my SRS on 10th December, Tim Terry, my Surgeon told me that I should leave my face lift for 3 months, so it is now scheduled for 17th March 2006.
I returned in the March for my facelift and again in September for a tracheal shave.
