Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is a set of surgical procedures that aim to feminize the facial features of individuals assigned male at birth who are seeking a more feminine appearance. It is a commonly sought-after procedure by transgender women and individuals undergoing male-to-female (MTF) transition. The goal of FFS is to bring the facial characteristics in line with the individual’s gender identity.
FFS can involve a combination of surgical procedures tailored to the individual’s specific needs and goals. The procedures performed during FFS can vary but commonly include:
- Brow Lift: This procedure raises and reshapes the eyebrows to create a more feminine brow line.
- Forehead Contouring: Forehead contouring reduces the prominence of the brow bossing (protrusion of the forehead bone) and reshapes the forehead to give a smoother, more feminine appearance.
- Rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping surgery, can modify the shape and size of the nose to achieve a more feminine profile.
- Cheek Augmentation: Cheek augmentation involves the use of implants or fat grafting to enhance the projection and contour of the cheekbones, giving a more feminine facial structure.
- Lip Lift or Lip Augmentation: These procedures enhance the shape and fullness of the lips to achieve a more feminine appearance.
- Chin Contouring: Chin contouring can involve reshaping the chin through reduction or augmentation to achieve a more balanced and feminine facial profile.
- Tracheal Shave: Also known as Adam’s apple reduction or chondrolaryngoplasty, a tracheal shave reduces the size and prominence of the Adam’s apple.
Other procedures, such as jawline contouring, liposuction, and facelifts, may also be included in FFS, depending on individual needs and goals.
FFS is a highly individualized process, and the specific procedures recommended may vary based on facial structure, desired outcomes, and the expertise of the surgical team. It is essential to consult with a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon who specializes in FFS to discuss your specific goals and expectations and to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is a set of surgical procedures that alter typically male facial features to bring them closer in shape and size to typical female facial features. FFS can include various bony and soft tissue procedures such as brow lift, rhinoplasty, cheek implantation, and lip augmentation. Faces contain secondary sex characteristics that make male and female faces readily distinguishable, including the shape of the forehead, nose, lips, cheeks, chin, and jawline; the features in the upper third of the face seem to be the most important, and subtle changes in the lips can have a strong effect.
FFS is a complex and individualized procedure, and the specific procedures that are performed will vary depending on the individual’s needs and goals. However, some of the most common FFS procedures include:
- Brow lift: This procedure raises the eyebrows and arches them, giving the face a more feminine appearance.
- Rhinoplasty: This procedure reshapes the nose to make it smaller, narrower, and more feminine.
- Cheek augmentation: This procedure adds volume to the cheeks, giving the face a more rounded and feminine appearance.
- Lip augmentation: This procedure increases the size and fullness of the lips, giving the face a more feminine appearance.
- Chin augmentation: This procedure adds volume to the chin, giving the face a more balanced and feminine appearance.
- Tracheal shave: This procedure reduces the size of the Adam’s apple, making it less visible.
FFS is a major surgery, and it is important to have it performed by a qualified and experienced surgeon. The recovery time for FFS can vary depending on the procedures that are performed, but it typically takes several weeks to several months to fully recover.
FFS can be a very effective way to feminize the face and improve the individual’s self-confidence and quality of life. However, it is important to remember that FFS is not a magic bullet, and it will not completely change the individual’s appearance. There are still some features that will remain masculine, and the individual may still be perceived as male by some people.
If you are considering FFS, it is important to talk to a qualified surgeon to discuss your options and make sure that this is the right decision for you. You should also be prepared for the financial costs of FFS, which can be significant.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care: https://www.wpath.org/publications/soc
- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) website: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/
- The International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE) website: https://ifge.org/