Below you can read some comments from patients that were treated by dr Bart van de Ven. If you want to get in contact with one of these patients, please send an email to us (info@facialfeminization.eu) and we will forward your information/questions to this patient. Or you can just reply to the patients testimonial (that will be public).
You can submit your own testimonial at the bottom of this page
A Swedish patient of ours (Johanna) made her own Swedish Facebook page for facial feminization surgery.
I first met Doctor Bart about 6 months prior to FFS surgery and felt very comfortable that he had the skill and understanding to carry out my surgical procedures with both my well being and aesthetic desires in mind
In Jan 2011 i underwent full facial feminisation with Dr Bart at the EMC2 clinic in Gent. the procedures i opted for were: lowering of the hairline, forehead recontouring, orbital recontouring, forehead and browlift, rhinoplasty, lower jaw and chin recontouring, trachea shave and liplift.
From start to finish I felt that Dr Bart and his team dealt with me in a very caring, honest and re-assuring way. The staff at the EMC2 were fantastic and i felt very comfortable during my recovery. The cooling maching at the EMC2 and at the lovely Borluut b&b were fantastic additions to my recovery and i would reccomend that patients take advantage of these.
I am extremely happy with the work that Dr Bart has done for me, even though i am still bruised ( 3 weeks on) people are already addressing me as Ms when i go out. Despite the bruising I already feel very feminine and attractive and cant wait for my healing to progress so that i can see more of my new face.
I would be happy to talk to anyone considering surgery with Dr Bart
Hi there!
My name is Sophia, and I am a pre-op TS living in London. I read your testimony on Dr Bart’s webiste- http://facialfeminization.eu. Although I pass as a girl on the street, this is only possible thanks to make-up. There are days when I wake up in the morning and feel like wearing any make up, but that is not possible as people would recognise me as “a man”. Please tell me about your experience now that you’ve had FFS. Do you still feel you have to wear make up? How long did it take for you to recover?
You help would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Sophia
hi there sophia
Im not really the one to ask on the make up front as dont really like not wearing make up, not because i think i look at all masculine, i have a feminised face so i know i dont look like a man, more because i was always very very image concious so i just wouldnt ever feel like not wearing make up…its part of my daily creativity.
I think if you are more natural and have ffs then you may feel very different. Life after ffs is different to life before, things become more assured and natural. Your attitude will change so that you will do what you feel, wear make up, not wear make up…Most important is that when your face is congruent with you brain you will not worry about having to wear make up to pass
Attitude and belief are 90% of the process, FFS was like a key to unlocking the confidence
I recovered really well after about 1 month i was really healed, after 3 months i looked great, but suddenly at about 6 months i became a really pretty woman. so be patient,. the initial results are great but they get much better… Dr Bart is a fantastic surgeono
feel free to drop me a a mail if you want to chat more hall.ella@yahoo.com xx
From the moment I met Dr Bart in london for a consultation i knew i would choose him for my ffs, and
I feel I have made the right choice.
My experience with Dr Bart van de Ven and all his staff was great, he is an amazing person
and they make an even better team.
During my visit to Gent dr Bart was there every step of the way to explain and to monitor
my progress, I always felt I was taken care of.
The E=MC2 clinic where the Surgery was preformed was an amazing
place, more like a hotel than a clinic except for the Futuristic Operating Room
which was more like a scene from star trek.
The staff were super helpful having lots of time to devote to me, my recovery,
my comfort, and my room had a second bed for my partner(which was great).
All meals and refreshments were provided for both of us, and the view
in the morning was unbelieveable from the window wall and balcony
this really cheered me up to see the trees when I awoke.
The day after Surgery I was bathed and had my hair cleaned / dried for me and
was driven to my apartment by Dr Bart where he set me up with a
cooling mask and a supply of ice packs and medications needed.
Every stage of the process Dr Bart was there to assure me and when ever possible
I dealt directly with him. From my arrival in Ghent until my cast/stitches
removal he was kind, helpful, gentle and professional.
I am now 13 days post op and home in my apartment in Ireland, I am eating almost
normal foods, feeling strong and very happy.
My friends are amazed at how I look more feminine yet still retain my character,
(they were quite worried I’d come back with an off the rack barbie doll face,
but Dr Bart was very careful to avoid removing any more than was necessary), I
am still quite swollen and numb in places but things are quickly returning to
normal.
I would not hesitate to recommend Dr Bart van de Van to anyone considering FFS.
He is a very caring person, and his staff are extremely helpful and attentive and over all the
experience while being a serious operation was positive and has transformed my life for the better.
within a few days of the surgery I was out and about shopping and being a tourist, and already the
Mr and Sir, had turned into Miss, and Ma’am.
That kind of result speaks for its self….
Thank you Dr Bart
Lavie Tuohy
Hi I am Kim, from the UK. I had my surgery in early August 2010 and was one of the first Dr Bart’s “ Ghent girls” after he moved to his lovely Ghent Medical Centre. To race to a happy ending, my FSS turned out very, very well. In my opinion Bart Van Der Ven is one of the leading FSS surgeons on the planet! But is he the right choice for you..? Well, only you can decide that one girls! I did extensive, and I mean REALLY extensive research on who to choose. I strongly you suggest you do the same.
Now using a European surgeon is not a cheap option, its twice as much as the Far East option by my calculations. Personally, I don’t think Thai surgeons, and European faces work that that well. But it all depends on who you chose. So, my view was I wanted a European Maxillo-Facial guy who specialised in FSS. Someone who really understood what a transsexual woman wants to achieve. Not cosmetic beauty…but a female appearance. To blend in..not stand out.. I picked Dr Bart because of his huge depth of experience and I found he REALLY knows how to “feminise” a male face. Another great thing about him is that he encourages his patients to get the right set of procedures. Procedures that will literally transform your face. What I wanted, and what he suggested was pretty close anyways, but I was assured by his views on keeping facial symmetry and proportion.
Now, you will have seen the facilities and such, and they are “Top Notch” the Operating Theatre itself is one of the most advanced, and well equipped I have seen. I suffered no post Op-infections, and all my wounds healed remarkably well. I have to tell you I hated the whole operation process as I am scared of operations. But Dr Bart’s nursing and theatre team where lovely, and all highly professional. They looked after me very well. By far the worst part for me was the 24 hours after the Op. I felt SO bad, but they got me going, and I moved to my hotel with Dr Bart driving me there, and settling me in. He was great. In a nutshell, he is a good guy and kind man. He does care about his girls. I had two days alone in the hotel, and would not recommend that to anyone! Now Dr Bart came to visit each day, and stayed a while, but if you have a friend who can accompany you that’s the best thing. Luckily, I had a friend who came out to support on Day 4 and she was proper tonic, and an angel for me.
Now in terms of the outcome..? You need to give it 6 months in my experience…But am I happy?…Yes I am very, very happy! I am very grateful to Dr Bart. People often said to me I looked womanly, and passable, but I never felt I did, nor did I believe them. I could always see “him”. Now, I feel I look female, I feel I look like a female version of me old self, and I see “her” not “him”.
All the work Dr Bart did for me has blended together to subtly feminise my face. I feel I look like the woman I should have be born as! One thing I would say is be very clear about what you want…and ask lots of questions! Dr Bart will have the answers, also show him pics of what you want..I used woman’s mags to demonstrate things! Now it’s not all “out of this world” news. If I look hard enough I can see some area where I could do with a tweak or two. That might well be more about my expectations! I had also opted for a mid-face lift that was undertaken by another surgeon supporting Dr Bart, and I am less happy with that outcome. I shoulda had Bart do it! But the overall effect of the surgery has been what I wanted.
The bottom line…with Dr Bart you get a great FFS surgeon, with a terrific track record, and professional and trustworthy nursing and operating team. These are people who know what you want, they know you are looking to become the woman you are, and they will help you get there!
Dr Bart was recommended to me by a friend of mine Bianca (she is in the before and after pictures).
This was always going to be the most important part of my transition. As someone that works with new people on a daily basis it was important for me to be judged on my ability and not my Transexuality.
But lets face it, it’s not cheap!
My main concerns were that i would not get results. Secondary was that i would end up as a hideous mess.
I went through the whole thing from consultation to the trip to Gent with my Mother who criticizes everything from my hair colour to my socks but is always right.
She and I were very very very impressed. The whole place is brand new and the staff there are caring,sweet and professional.
I always felt cared for, with the surgeon on the end of a phone at all times,
Now don’t go into this thinking it’s a walk in the park! You will have massive swelling and look terrible for a short time after.
You will feel this short time is not very short at all!
But I can tell you, it’s a very worth while thing to do.
I now (after 3 months) feel so much better about myself. I was confident before but i feel now that i have truly become myself.
It is tough. Very tough but (not wanting to be over dramatic) it’s a little like a re birth.
Dr Bart and his team are the best and it really is the sort of thing you don’t want to trust to just anyone!!
Big Love to you all!
Paula
I had Facial Feminisation Surgery done by Dr Bart van de Ven at the beginning of October 2010. There were two pre-op consulations. At the first we discussed the surgery and the likely results and possible problems. The second was in Belgium the day before the surgery.
The surgery itself was done in the E:MC2 medical centre on the outskirts of Ghent. This is a small but very modern and very clean clinic. I stayed one night in E:MC2 after the surgery. I was kept as comfortable as possible after the long operation. The nurses were friendly and efficient.
The first few days were difficult because of swelling and bruising, and I had some complications with a facial palsy which resolved itself over a period of a few months, and some problems relating to my skin, which is very thin and stretchy. This necessitated further surgery which has been successful. This was paid for by Dr Bart.
I found Dr Bart to be realistic about what could be achieved and also what I wanted and what would work for me as a person. One of the reasons I chose him to do the surgery was that I felt he makes faces that suit the diverse characters of his patients, taking into account ethnicity, personality and what he has to work with, and I think that he has done this for me. I have found Dr Bart to be a very professional doctor who cares about the welfare of his patients.
I am very happy with the results of the surgery. It has improved my day to day life and my confidence hugely. I live in a rough part of my country, and I now experience less harassment. People respond more positively to me and for the first time in my life I feel attractive as a woman.
Due to an endoscopic eyebrowlift i had in february of 2011 somewhere in Antwerp my hairline was suddenly much higher after the operation and for me not acceptable at all. I was very dissapointed because now i felt i had a new problem to solve. I had thoughts of having a hair transplant to fix this but i understood this is a procedure that takes at least 1 year before you see any result and it’s uncertain if the natural hairline as it was can be restored again.
I search the internet and after some evenings of searching i discovered the website of Dr. Bart. I’am a male person and not interested in having feminization but i was very interested in one of the procedures which is part of the feminization process and which was described on Dr. Barts website, the hairline lowering.
I contacted Dr Bart the next day and send him a couple of pictures to see if he could do something for me and he wrote me back saying that some significant result could be reached. In March 2011 i went to Gent for my first consultation and we spoke about the procedure and what could be reached by drawing a line on my forehead.
It sounded all to good to be true and i made the appointment for my hairline lowering operation on april the 7th. The operation went smoothly and there was no pain during and after the operation. The result is awesome. I’am so glad Dr. Bart did this for me. He lowered my hairline with 1.5 cm in the middle and in the left corner (which was really bad) with almost 2cm. It’s now all in symmetry
Last week the stitches where removed. and my hairline is restored back as it was before. i’am very thankful. Dr Bart is a very nice and skilled person you can trust. You are in really good hands with him.
Again, thanks and a lot of succes in helping other people.
Dear mr. Herberts,
How long did it take for you to feel comfortable out in public? And did the scar recover well? Is it almost not noticeable? Does it fade in time?
I’m glad you were/are so happy with the results!
With kinds regards,
Michel
Hi Michael,
I felt right away comfortable after the operation to go in the public. After the operation the scar is hard to see because it’s hidden in the hairline itself as a zigzag pattern. For me it’s now almost a year ago and if you look very well you can see a thin line of scar but it’s hard to see because after 6 to seven months there is also hair growing trough the scar itself.
Ofcourse right after the operiation it’s a litte bit swollen but if you have longer hair in front ( a fringe=hair cut to hang over the forehead) you can hide it well and nobody will notice. My hairline was restored with 1,5 cm. It’s possible to do a second operation a year later to bring it another 1 cm to the front. It depends all on how much the head skin can be moved back and forward. If you have any further questions please call me on +31(0)652662466 We can discuss all further questions you have. I’am available right now.
Regards,
Dick
My daily job includes helping organisations en companies to improve the way they treat their (new) customers. Dr. Bart van de Ven belongs to the exceptional kind of people who understand the true value of a happy customer.
I have been searching for an FSS specialist for over 10 years. During that time I have been consulting several specialist in my own country. I found out Dr. Bart is probably the only skilled specialist in FSS in Europe. None of the other specialists in my own country were able to help me with a specific type of surgery. Very few made me feel welcome or respected either to be honest. I always try to approach people with an open mind and heart. When I paid a visit to dr. Bart yesterday, I did not expect anything. The surprise/ irony! Never have I been treated better by a specialist in my life. In a subtle way I told him that I was very content with his approach. Not once did he bash his other colleagues. (None of them has ever forwarded any of their clients they themselves were not able to help, to him.) This was not even the best part. Dr. Bart actually performs the kind of surgery I was looking for, regularly. With awesome results, keeping the risks at a minimum.
I am looking forward to undergo surgery. If that turns out to be a succes, I will be posting an additional testemonial with great joy.
Keep up the good work dr. Bart! And thank you again.
I had my forehead surgery with Dr van de Ven in June 2011 at his clinic MC2 clinic in Ghent. I had been looking at several alternative FFS surgeons but what actually caught my attention was the technical details in which he described his technique (can be found elsewhere on this site). The use of endotines, an irregular cut made at an angle to allow hair growback and so on made me understand that this was not only a standardized procedure passed down from some other FFS-surgeon but something unique that he had put a lot of thought into.
I was right in my assumption, and looking back and having gone through the usual post-FFS comparing of results and scars and experiences with other transgendered aquaintances I now know I made the right choice. Not only is Dr van de Ven involved in other humanitarian work besides treating transgendered persons which I think speaks for itself concerning his attitude towards people in general, but he acctually made me forget that I was the least bit scared and was very honest about expected results and what can I say? There was a positive energy vibe all the way through from the first consultation to post-op swelling and stich removal.
The MC2 clinic is a really cool place, modern and tidy and the staff is very kind, the. All needs are taken care of and I had the most amazing postop croissant breakfast there. There was a lot of blood and swelling as can be expected but having taken a couple of showers I was up walking and after spending countless moments staring at my new forehead going “wow!” I checked out of the clinic and went touristing in Ghent for a week. I stayed at Etienne Dewulfs studio apartment which is really quiet and nice and a perfect place to heal up, amazing fruitmarket and groceries next door which was just right since I’m a vegetarian.
As for the result I am still going “wow!” 4 months later, my bruises gone and my scar is slowly fading. I am really happy. My preop/postop pictures show a subtle yet quite dramatic change, but more important the psychological impact is massive. I feel hopeful about my transition. My new face is not forced, Dr van de Ven made it look natural and looking through the family album, I actually look a lot like my mother when she was younger. I think that kind of deep understanding of the natural male/female divide in facial features takes a lot of skill from a surgeon.
I am very pleased to recommend Dr van de Ven to anyone seeking FFS.
Hi there!
I´m Johanna, from Sweden.
In the middle of October 2011, I went through a full FFS with Dr Bart. Before, I visited him in Ghent, and after that visit, I knew that I had found “my surgeon”.
Not only is Dr Bart a skilled surgeon, he is a very warm and caring person. Before I meet him, I thought persons like him, just like the dinosaurs, didn’t exist anymore….
From day one, arriving in Ghent, to leaving, everything has been perfect. Not only Dr Bart, but also Dr Ellen and everyone else have been very nice and caring.
The clinic EMC2 must be the perfect place to do a surgery in. It’s new and very fresh with well educated, good experienced personal.
Right now, I’m still recovering from my FFS, so it’s to early to see my final results, but the details I can see, I’m very pleased and happy with. Also Dr Bart was pleased with the surgery of mine, and since I can trust him 110%, I’m not a bit worried!
I can tell you this; -If I could have my FFS undone, I would choose Dr Bart over and over again!
-Thanks Dr Bart & Dr Ellen with friends for everything you have done for me! You will always stay in my heart!
Huuuugz!
/Johanna
Was soll ich sagen, denn das Ergebnis spricht für sich.
Nicht alles war perfekt bei der ersten Opration. Aber Bart hielt Wort und machte die zweite Operation ohne Honorar. Nach nunmehr über einem Jahr, bin ich mit dem Ergebnis sehr sehr zufrieden.
Ich habe Bart vor nunmehr 2 Jahren kennen und schätzen gelernt. Ich suchte damals in Europa einen Arzt den ich vertrauen kann, der deutschsprachig ist und den ich nicht zu vergessen auch bezahlen kann. Belgien ist nicht so weit von Deutschland entfernt und zu jeder Zeit für mich zu erreichen. Damals sprach ich sehr schlecht English und konnte mir nicht vorstellen, mich in Asien oder Amerika operieren zu lassen ohne mich richtig ausdrücken zu können. So war ich wirklich sehr froh als ich Bart in Europa fand. Er kam damals gerade aus Spanien Marbella zurück nach Belgien
Er denkt nicht in erster Linie an sich, sondern an seine Patienten. Er verspricht nicht das “Blaue” vom Himmel, sondern ist Realistisch mit dem was möglich und was Notwendig ist. Aus Erfahrungen seiner vielen Operationen kann er sehr realistisch einschøtzen was vertretbar ist und was nicht.
Ich kann Bart als Arzt und “Freund” empfehlen aus den Erfahrungen die ich gemacht habe.
Lena
Testimonial – Dr Bart van de Ven
Liberation is a word that has great significance to me. It is a word that helps to sum up the huge sense of well being that I have experienced since my FFS with Dr Bat van de Ven.
Like many who transition, I realised that to really live my life I needed to feel comfortable with myself physically and although I did not seem to have many problems in the real world, I could not truly relax having facial features that did not match my true self.
Having researched many surgeons I went to visit Dr Bart in London. He is a lovely unassuming man who did not try and ‘sell’ to me. I got the sense he was a man who genuinely cared for his patients and his work. We discussed all the possible ways to improve my look and discounted those that would have no benefit – all I required was to look appropriate for my age and gender. He gave me the confidence that he would be able to achieve this without complication. A few months later when I arrived at the clinic in Ghent for the pre-operative consultation we spent sometime re-discussing what he could do and all the options – he even used a great graphics program to model my new nose (which he projected on the screen whilst operating on me). This showed me he had a great eye for detail and skill as a surgeon. He really wants his patients to be happy and will not push them down any particular route, he will listen to you carefully so if you want something or have concerns then just say – I did and he proposed a few small changes that have since worked extremely well.
I had a lot of work done – Forehead re-contouring / Brow lift, Upper and Lower eyelids, Nose, Lip lift, Lower Jaw + Chin re-contour, Earlobe reduction, Trachea shave, Facelift and Lipofilling. The operation was over 11 hours – Dr Bart stayed to make sure my recovery went well and the staff at the EMC2 centre are excellent and very caring. I can say their care was first class and they are especially considerate of our needs and I was made to feel welcome and respected. The nurses were especially good at lifting the spirits when not necessarily feeling at ones best.
I stayed at Borluut where Patricia is a lovely host well used to Dr Bart’s patients and makes you welcome during your visit – I would thoroughly recommend staying there, it made my recovery much more comfortable. I used the cooling machine extensively – I bruise easily so it made a big difference to me and something I am really glad the clinic have invested in. One of the benefits of Borluut is that others going through the same or similar may also be staying – we made some good friends and it helps to be able to talk without worry when looking like a car crash victim
The first few weeks were a bit strange – being so swollen (I did say I had a lot done and bruise easily). However it soon passes and the new you starts to emerge – I am now now fours months on and feel extremely comfortable and am really starting to enjoy my life again. The work he did for me is truly exceptional – his surgical skill has minimised all my scaring to the point where only close inspection of my hairline which suffered from severe recession can be seen. I intend to follow up with hair implants – but at least I can now wear my own hair and live life as it should be lived.
FFS with Dr Bart has been a liberation and has made real and tangible improvement to my life. Being able to be oneself is something to be treasured and I owe Dr Bart and his partner Ellen my sincere thanks and appreciation. I wholeheartedly recommend him and his team 100%
Sophie xx
I researched various surgeons who specialise in Facial Feminisation and I am glad that, in the end, I chose Dr Bart van de Ven and his team for my surgery.
I sent Dr Bart my pictures via email in June 2011 and he suggested procedures that might help me. I had a face to face consultation with him and his assistant Dr Ellen Defrancq in Manchester, UK during the Sparkle festival in July 2011. I found Dr Bart to be a warm and friendly guy with a great sense of humour. During this meeting, he described how he would alter my facial features to make me look womanly. He used two key words that swung it for me. They were; Natural and Subtle. I agreed to take up a vacant surgery slot in early Sept.
I traveled on my own to Ghent. The recommended Borluut guest house had no vacancies at the time, so I stayed at the NH Gent Sint Pieters hotel. It was a handy 10 min walk to the Coupre Centre. But, the hotel served breakfast only, so for lunch and evening meals, it was necessary to find local restaurants etc. Not a pleasant experience when bruised, swollen and having lips that don’t work like they used to – I think I might frightened the natives a bit, I’m sure I put a few people off their food!
The surgical procedures I had were: Forehead recontouring with orbital recontouring + Hairline correction + Browlift, Blepharoplasty lowerlid, Rhinoplasty (Nose reduction), Earlobe reduction, Lipfift, Trachea shave, MACS facelift, Lipo filling face: cheeks, nasolabial folds, vermillion upper lip, mental fold.. In total about 8 hours of surgery.
The ECM2 centre is a small, modern, fully equipped private hospital. Unfortunately, There was a 2 hour delay in the start of my operation due to the anesthetist not turning up. I was worried this might lead to a rushed job, Dr Bart assured me that everything would be fine. The last thing I remember was lying on the operating table, looking at the patient monitoring equipment and saying: “I used to repair those”. Next thing, I woke up in recovery. It was early evening. The only pain I had was from a bed sore on my backside and a pain in my elbow where I’d lain in a funny position for 8 hours. Surprisingly, there was hardly any pain from the facial surgery itself, just mild discomfort. I was wheeled to my room, put into an upright bed and had a cooling mask put on my face. A nurse popped in to check on me every hour or so. In the morning the nurse (she was lovely), carefully pulled the drains out of the top f my ears, bathed me and washed and dried my hair. I dressed, had breakfast and at about 1100 Dr Bart checked me over and ordered me a taxi that took me back to my hotel.
I had ice packs at the hotel and a fridge with an icebox in my room. I soon got in a routine of rotating these packs. I found that I didn’t need the painkillers or the sleeping pills that Dr Bart supplied in the post-op medicines pack. I saw Dr Bart at the Coupre Centre four days later. I had a head like a melon that was all shades of blue and yellow. He noticed that my trachea shave procedure had resulted in a large swelling (Haematoma) and that we should keep our eye on it. Everything else was deemed to be progressing normally. I saw Dr Bart a week later for stitches and staple removal and final check before going home. Thankfully the swelling on my neck was not getting any bigger and Dr Bart assured me it would gradually be absorbed by the body. I hoped so, as it was twice as big as my adams apple ever was!
I flew back home the day after. To be honest I was “sirred” all the way home. I was worried I might have wasted my money. Admittedly, I was dressed androgynously, in leather biker jacket and jeans and was still blacked eyed and bruised – people probably thought I’d had a motorbike accent!
Slowly, as the swelling has subsided, over the last four Months, the skill of Dr Bart began to emerge. I really pleased with result of the forehead, nose and earlobe procedures. The swelling around my Adams apple is still being absorbed slowly. The results can be seen on the before and after page (Lana).
I saw Dr Bart in Ghent in Jan 2012 for a four Month follow up. There are a few niggles that we have discussed. I do some facial palsy and swelling that will require some more time to resolve. I also have a bit of sagging in the LH side jowl area and my upper lip will require lipo top up.
I will be seeing Dr Bart again in June so that he can monitor how my recovery is progressing and discuss any revisions that may be required. It’s nice to know that Dr Bart offers continued support to his girls and that he has their best interests at heart.
Having FFS surgery has set me free. I would highly recommend Dr Bart and his team.