WHAT IS FACIAL FEMINIZATION SURGERY?
Facial feminization surgery (FFS) encompasses a broad range of procedures to alter typically masculine facial features to bring them closer in shape, size, and aesthetics to typically feminine facial features.
These surgeries can reduce the size of the forehead and shape of the brow bone, alter and refine the nose, make the lips fuller and the cheeks rounder, decrease the size of the chin, contour the jawline, and shave the Adam’s apple, among various other effects.
WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR FFS?
Good candidates for facial feminization simply want a masculine feature or features about their face to soften and become more feminine. Patients can be cis-gendered women that want more feminine features or transwomen. These are individualized procedures unique to each person, as are the criteria for who would be a good candidate.
The most important aspect about candidacy is that the patient wants facial feminization for themselves, not for a partner, spouse, or friend, and certainly not to fit into some sort of societal ideal.
You could be a good candidate for facial feminization if:
- You have masculine features (high hairline, prominent brow bone, more rectangular jaw, etc) and desire more feminine facial features
- You are of the age to make consent
- You have a positive outlook with realistic expectations
During your consultation, Dr. Nagy and you will discuss all the aspects of the procedure or procedures you’re seeking. Your session should provide answers to any questions you have, preparing you to move forward with your plans.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON FACIAL FEMINIZATION PROCEDURES?
These are the most common surgeries and treatments Dr. Nagy may perform for facial feminization:
- Hairline lowering or scalp advancement
- Forehead and brow bone shaping or reduction
- Brow lift
- Rhinoplasty
- Cheek enhancement with implants or fat grafting
- Earlobe reduction
- Lip lift
- Lip augmentation
- Chin recontouring or genioplasty
- Jaw contouring or V-line Surgery
- Adam’s Apple reduction (chondrolarynogplasty)
- Facelifts
- Eyelid lifts
- Ethno-specific facial feminization
HOW LONG DOES THE FFS PROCESS AND RECOVERY TAKE?
There isn’t a set menu of procedures and treatments with our facial feminization process. One patient may want to focus on the nose and cheek areas. Another may want to focus on the chin, jaw, and Adam’s apple. Yet another may seek to address the entire face.
Time frames for these three patients would all vary.
When you come in for your consultation with Dr. Nagy, she’ll get a great idea of the goals you have and what you’d like to achieve with your facial feminization. She’ll walk you through the procedures she feels can achieve those goals. At that point, she can give you an idea of how long the process may take.
Recovery after surgery is also based on which combination of procedures you undergo. Doing “full facial feminization” will have a longer recovery period for swelling to resolve. This will be discussed during your consultation. Additionally, some procedures are done in two stages. For example, if your jawline is contoured and made smaller, leading to more skin laxity, then a neck lift may be done 6-12 months after the swelling has resolved to get the most optimal results.
IS FACIAL FEMINIZATION SURGERY COVERED BY INSURANCE FOR TRANSGENDER PATIENTS?
At BFPS, Dr. Nagy is out of network and does not directly accept insurance for surgical costs. However, certain insurance companies will cover the cost of operative time and anesthesia as well as reimburse the patient for gender affirmation surgeries. Our team can work with you to get insurance reimbursement and coverage for OR and anesthesia fees in order to make this as financially feasible as possible.
WHAT MEDICATIONS WILL I NEED TO STOP PRIOR TO FFS?
These are major surgeries with Dr. Nagy. As such, you’ll need to stop taking the same medications that we require for any surgery — blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, and most herbal supplements. All of these can cause excessive bleeding and subsequent bruising.
We’ll discuss any other medications you’re taking, such as hormones, during your consultation and whether you’ll need to adjust them.
