How To Choose a Facial Feminization Surgeon

A lot of research and planning goes into having Facial Feminization Surgery and it's crucial that you take your time to choose the Surgeon who is right for you. Here are some tips and guidelines for selecting a Facial Feminization Surgeon.

Identify FFS Surgeons near you.
While Surgeon location isn't the strongest determining factor in choosing a Surgeon, identifying Surgeons near you can be a good place to start. There are many benefits to working with a Surgeon who is closer to home, especially during recovery. That said, it's important to realize that Facial Feminization is a niche offering with relatively few Surgeons who practice it and you may need to travel to find the best Surgeon for you.

Look for Surgeons who specialize in Facial Feminization.
When it comes to Facial Feminization Surgery there is no substitute for experience. Procedures like Tracheal Shave and Forehead Recontouring demand FFS specialization so make sure your Surgeon is highly experienced with FFS. An inexperienced or unskilled Surgeon might suggest procedures which ultimately aren't suited to your facial features, or fail to suggest procedures that would help due to a lack of experience performing them.

Facial Feminization is a set of procedures associated with different surgical specialties: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Craniofacial Surgery, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Choosing a multidisciplinary team or a Surgeon with multidisciplinary training for your Facial Feminization Surgery provides a higher level of expertise and innovation of each of the feminizing procedures. For example, procedures that manipulate facial bone should be performed by Surgeon with craniofacial/maxillofacial training.

Look for a Surgeon who follows current research and utilizes the most up-to-date technology and FFS techniques.

Check to see what types of events they participate in and if they do any FFS presentations at transgender conferences.

Research the Surgeon's reputation online.
Conduct a search for the Surgeon's name on YouTube and in search engines and see if any videos or patient reviews come up. Keep in mind that patient reviews can be not just inconsistent and but also completely inaccurate. Privacy regulations prevent a Surgeon from responding to these kinds of reviews so take them with a grain of salt.

Questions to Ask at Your Facial Feminization Consultation

Good Facial Feminization Surgeons will answer questions until you're satisfied. They should discuss goals, measurements, recommendations, and include a price estimate (if paying out-of-pocket.) While your initial consultation could be over the phone or Skype, it's critical that you have an in-person consultation for Facial Feminization. Your consult should be comprehensive, with a detailed evaluation process that leaves you feeling confident in the proposed treatment plan. Here are some questions to ask at your consult:

• What are your board certifications? Learn more about Board Certification here.
• How long have you been performing Facial Feminization Surgery?
• How many patients have you performed Facial Feminization Surgery for?
• How many FFS procedures do you perform in a year?
  Their workload is a good indicator of the actual demand for their Facial Feminization work. The best Facial Feminization Surgeons typically do two to three full FFS cases a week, or about 100+/year.
• May I see photos of your patients before and after Facial Feminization Surgery?
  If they are unable provide you with ample photos of past patients that have gone through the procedures being proposed to you, consider this a red flag and go elsewhere.
• Can you describe how the Facial Feminization procedures I will have are done?
• Is pre-operative x-ray imaging needed?
  A full set of x-rays and precise measurements of your facial features are keys to a successful FFS outcome. Additionally, your Surgeon should use 3D imaging software to visualize results.
• What sort of recovery time should I expect after Facial Feminization Surgery?
• What kind of support is available from the Surgeon and staff while planning for surgery and especially for aftercare?
• When will bruising and swelling subside?
• Can I expect any temporary or permanent change in sensation from Facial Feminization Surgery?
• When will I be able to return to work?

After your consultation, assess the gender-affirming practices that were observed at the Surgeon's office. Did they use your preferred name and gender? Did intake forms include multiple gender options? Were you treated well by staff?

Understanding Risks & Complications

All risks and complications should be explained in full prior to making any decisions about Facial Feminization Surgery. Get the major risks and possible complications in writing. Allow yourself enough time to reflect upon the risks and extended length of recovery if there are any complications.

Get in writing surgeon's fees (clarify any last minute additions to the bill), responsibilities in the event of subsequent revisions of procedures, and the nature and quality of post-operative care.

Ask for a copy of the consent form before booking surgery. Make sure it is explained in full. If the document doesn't provide enough details, ask for further documentation.

Understand the surgeon's medical and legal responsibilities before undergoing Facial Feminization Surgery.

Be prepared to walk away from surgery, even at the very last minute, if you feel you have not received all the information necessary to be comfortable with the lasting effects of Facial Feminization Surgery.

You have the right to expect the kind of explanations that any other surgical candidate would be given. If you're not receiving the information you need, consider another Surgeon.

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Choosing a Facial Feminization Surgeon can be an overwhelming process but like any major life decision, it pays to do your research. FFS is a major, one-time life event that requires significant sacrifices to be made in terms of financing and time off for recovery. When choosing a Facial Feminization Surgeon, it's important that you cover all bases so you are 100% satisfied with your decision.

Last updated: 04/08/24