Sometimes people have masculine features that they wish to make more feminine. Transgender individuals, in particular, are interested in getting their features transformed to look softer. Hence, they opt for the Facial Feminization Surgery. This surgery involves multiple surgical procedures to change the features, as well as one’s face shape, and make them look conventionally feminine. If you are interested in knowing more about the Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS), stay tuned, as we will break down what this surgery entails and what results you can expect from it.
So, What is Facial Feminization Surgery?
Facial feminization surgery is not a single procedure; it is a group of surgeries that aim to bring a soft aesthetic to the facial features, typically associated with females. The procedures in facial feminization are specific to the features of specific patients and are highly customizable.
During the procedure, the bone structure and soft tissue of the face are manipulated to achieve a feminine aesthetic. Some of the common areas the procedure focuses on include:
- Forehead – Contouring to decrease bossing
- Eyebrows – Browlift surgery, Arch reshaping, Blepharoplasty (Upper lid)
- Hairline – Bringing the hairline lower and rounding it off
- Nose – Rhinoplasty (Nose job)
- Cheeks – Inserting implants for better mid-face projection
- Lips – Lip lift, Lip Augmentation, Dermal Fillers
- Jaw/Chin – Reshaping and contouring
- Adam’s Apple – Tracheal shave
The prerequisites for FFS include complete bone maturity, realistic expectations of the surgical outcome, and a clear understanding of the scope and nature of the various surgical procedures. A suitable candidate for a facial feminization procedure is someone in good health and no secondary health-related issues. Smokers, people who abuse alcohol, or have drug addictions may suffer from delayed healing during the recovery phase. For facial feminization surgery, hormone therapy is not a requirement. However, it is preferable to wait till the hormone levels in the body stabilize before attempting the surgery.
What to Expect From the Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS)?
The point to remember about facial feminization surgery is that most of the procedures involved have permanent or near-permanent outcomes. Therefore, the following considerations are essential before committing to undergoing an FFS:
Patient-Specific Plan
The surgical plan for an FFS surgery is not one size fits all. It is specific to the facial anatomy and soft tissues of specific patients. This emphasizes the need for meticulous pre-surgical planning to avoid any post-surgical surprises and outcome dissatisfaction.
Maturity of Facial Bones
Significant changes to the facial bone structure should be avoided until bone maturity is achieved. Surgeries performed before full skeletal maturity may lead to aesthetic imbalances and disturbed facial proportions.
Psychological Profile
A psychological assessment of the patient is necessary to evaluate that they understand the overall scope of all the surgical procedures that are a part of facial feminization.
Surgeon Experience
The surgeon’s experience with this transformation surgery cannot be overstated, as it is particular to the facial anatomy of individual patients. To formulate an individualized plan, the operating surgeon needs to be well-versed in the craniofacial anatomy of various ethnicities and demographics.
Here are Some Pros and Cons of the Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS)
Like any surgical procedure, Facial Feminization Surgery also has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the patients need to understand what the surgery entails and all its possible outcomes.
Pros
- Decrease in gender dysphoria
- Improving self-esteem
- Permanent or highly durable surgical outcomes
- Highly customizable surgical plan and outcomes
- Restoring facial harmony and balance
- Comprehensive surgeries
- May bring functional improvements as well
Cons
- Multiple surgeries in one sitting
- Longer recovery period
- Costs more than a standalone surgery
- Risks related to general anesthesia
- Emotional adjustment post-surgery
- Irreversible changes to the facial bones
- Dependent on the availability of an experienced surgeon with the right skills
- Post-procedure outcome dissatisfaction occurs if the patient has unrealistic expectations.
🔴 It is necessary to have stable mental and physical health for a successful facial feminization surgery. Due to the long-lasting nature of many of the alterations during the surgery, prospective patients must understand the full surgical scope and be emotionally ready as well.
FFS Recovery: What You Should Expect
Since the FFS procedures constitute multiple surgeries, the recovery period for each one is different. Pain and discomfort are a given when you recover from any surgery. However, this will subside with time. Moreover, you can expect bruising and swelling after your procedures as this is very common with plastic surgery. This will be reduced in a few weeks.
🔴 After the surgery, you should monitor your recovery progress. If you notice any unusual pain, fever, or anything other than what your healthcare provider informed you about, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Get lots of rest and take things slow in the weeks following your procedures. Your doctor will guide you on when you can return to your routine post-surgery.
Lastly, make sure to attend your follow-up appointments with your doctor. ✨ Book your consultation with Dr. Mehmet Yildiran today!
