FFS with Dr. Spiegel Was an Excellent Experience (And the Most Amazing Life Choice for Me)

I have nothing but positive things to say about Dr. Spiegel, Eleanor, and the entire staff at The Spiegel Center. If you are fortunate enough to be in a position where you are even able to consider it, and sure that you are doing it for YOU, then don’t hesitate. I had the following facial feminization (FFS) procedures: (1) forehead contouring with scalp advancement and browlift; (2) mandible contouring/shaping; (3) lip augmentation; (4) cheek implant; (5) trachea shave; (6) hair transplant. I believe I first contacted Dr. Spiegel through the website in September of 2020, and in less than 24 hours I had a call from Eleanor, who was so incredibly sweet and comforting from her first greet. I was still very early on in my transition and I’m sure I fumbled through basic communication but I was immediately put at ease. This is true for the entire staff at The Spiegel Center – from those at the front desk, those in the hall, and those there the following week for my hair transplant. I had a video consult with Dr. Spiegel the next week (I was shocked as I expected it to take several months). Eleanor followed up both before and after the consult. Dr. Spiegel was not critical or judgmental – he discussed various options but never pushed them on me (and I even felt comfortable turning them down, which was nice). When I asked for a potential timeline expecting 1-2 years, I was elated to hear it could be as early as months. I ended up having surgery in November of 2020. I’m sure that timeline isn’t always feasible for so many reasons (covid, luck, privilege, etc.), but at the height of COVID when there were few public options for my transition, it was such a necessary and welcome experience. The Spiegel Center handled COVID precautions perfectly. My hope is that this one day isn’t a consideration, but at least you know that they responded accordingly and exceeded all expectations. The results of the surgery have been amazing for me. Especially my own perception of myself/outlook, which really should be everything (though, sadly often times isn’t). If you’re considering FFS you know that Dr. Spiegel is capable of achieving a very natural look. I’m fortunate in that I have a beautiful twin sister (and little sister, unrelatedly ? ), and although we look different it’s amazing how similar we now appear. It’s a very natural look – which is exactly what I wanted. I’m now about 5 months out and I’m still very much noticing positive changes month-to-month (i.e., my chin getting smaller and smaller, my bottom lip plumping, and more feeling/movement). I couldn’t be happier, until I look in the mirror each time and see it healing more and more. I won’t touch too much on recovery as it varies per person. FFS is brutal recovery. Even though it’s a privilege, you’ll fee down afterwards. Mentally and physically. I’m lucky in that I haven’t had any real complications. I still am regaining feeling in my lips and scalp so chewing is a little weird and I have weird a “internal itch” in my scalp that I’d imagine has to do with the nerves regenerating (so probably a good sign). But I do feel it getting better and better every day. Dr. Spiegel, Eleanor and everyone at The Speigel Center really take individual and personal care of you – because they do care. They were very open and warm, and as a person of trans experience I felt totally comfortable from the very first call with Eleanor. I didn’t touch on a lot of things, but feel as if I’m rambling anyway, but always happy to discuss more.