Facial Feminization Surgery: Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis & Recovery

There are a variety of small variances between masculinized and non-masculinized faces that, when combined, tip the scales toward a face being regarded as male or female. Each part of the face is treated separately in the following procedures:

• Procedures for the forehead

The forehead is contoured by shaving down hard angles and lowering the prominence of the brow bone in forehead operations. When the brow protrusion is minor and the brow bone is thick, the brow can sometimes be simply shaved down. Shaving the brow bone too much can cause a hole in the sinus cavity. People with a bigger brow protrusion, then, require a more thorough surgery. The front of the brow bone is completely removed in these procedures, revealing the sinus chamber behind it. The removed bone is then shaped and restored separately, resulting in a level surface.

• Changes in the hairline

To combat the effects of receding hairlines or male pattern baldness, forehead work is frequently combined with procedures to change the hairline.

An incision in the scalp is used to gain access to the forehead. Cutting along the hairline is the most frequent method, as it allows the scalp and hairline to be physically pulled forward, decreasing the entire hairline. For many years, this was the only technique accessible. Despite sometimes having a masculinizing impact, hairline advancement became the standard.

• Procedures for the nose

Rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, is a procedure that shapes the nose to fit into demasculinized norms while retaining natural proportions with the rest of the face.

Transgender rhinoplasty is identical to traditional cosmetic rhinoplasty. However, when numerous facets of the face are being transformed at the same time, a surgeon who is familiar with FFS can occasionally produce better results.

When only minor adjustments are required, rhinoplasty can be performed without the need for visible scarring. 

• Augmentation of the cheeks

Cheek augmentation is a treatment that isn't as common as it once was. Only a few surgeons prescribe use in specific circumstances.

Cheeks can be augmented through cheek implants or fat grafting. When synthetic hormones start to redistribute body fat, many people's cheeks become adequately fuller on their own. A surgical procedure isn't required because of this.

• Lifting the lips

Skin proportions above the lips (up to the base of the nose) and below the lips differ between masculinized and non-masculinized faces (down to the tip of the chin).

The gap between the top lip and the base of the nose is usually shorter in unmasculinized faces. The upper lip rolls upward more frequently. A lip lift can be used to raise a masculinized face. This alters the lip orientation and shortens the distance above the lip.

• Genioplasty

The chin is altered using genioplasty. Typically, surgeons reach the chin and jaw by incisions made along the gum line within the mouth. Some chins necessitate chin reduction surgery. Bone and protrusions are shaved away and smoothed out during this operation.

A chin augmentation may be recommended at other occasions. In this case, surgeons cut a wedge off of the bottom of the chin bone. They then slide it forward and reattach it in the advanced position, away from the jaw. When necessary, a chin implant can be used instead.

• Surgery on the jaw

The back corners of the jaw, where the bone rises toward the ears, are the focus of jaw surgery. Strong protrusions can be smoothed by a surgeon. The reductions, however, have a limit. A vital nerve is found in the jaw bone. Reductions that are too aggressive risk exposing or severing the nerve.

• Shaved trachea

Adam's apple is less noticeable after a tracheal shave. The incision is sometimes performed right at Adam's apple. If at all possible, the surgeon will make the incision right below the chin to minimise scars.

The amount of time it takes to recover depends on the operations undertaken. In general, you should be able to return home following surgery. You'll probably require two weeks of complete rest. For the next six weeks, you should avoid returning to work or lifting heavy objects.

If you have forehead surgery, the surgeon will secure your brows. As a result, for a few weeks while the anchors set and the tissue recovers, you must refrain from plucking your brows.

Rhinoplasty is a delicate procedure. For several weeks after surgery, extra caution should be used to avoid impacting the nose.