Facial feminization surgery (FFS) in Toronto incorporates several treatments and surgeries to create a more feminine facial feature. The surgeries may include, brow lift, brow reduction, rhinoplasty, laryngeal shave and chin or jawline reduction.
Many individuals select the surgery to soften their existing features or to honour their gender identity. By choosing FFS, they can express on the outside what is felt inwardly.
Facial Structures
Several facial features are deemed more feminine or masculine. Many male-to-female transgender patients may want to reduce a prominent brow bone, adam’s apple, chin or nasal appearance. individuals can finally feel like themselves by
However, facial feminization surgery isn’t just for those transitioning. It can also assist women with more masculine features to appear more feminine. Female and male facial features have different aesthetic differences, as outlined below:
- Traditional feminine faces: Feminine facial features include a soft or heart-shaped jawline, brows that sit on or above the brow bone, a nasal shape that is narrow and sloped in appearance, lips that are full and plump and cheeks that can help create heart-shaped facial appearance.
- Traditional masculine faces: Generally, male faces contain a large or broad nose, sharp jawlines, prominent forehead, lower brows, chiselled cheeks, thin lips, Adam’s apple, prominent chin, and large ears.
What is involved with facial feminization surgery?
Facial feminization surgery in Toronto alters your facial features to appear more feminine. It can involve a single or multiple procedures. The surgery uses cartilage, bone, and soft tissue to soften the facial features. Individuals frequently seek such surgery to enhance their jaw, nose, hairline, and forehead.
Who is the best candidate for FFS?
Providing you are healthy enough to have the surgery, anyone can choose facial feminization surgery. However, we do not recommend FFS if:
- You do not have realistic expectations regarding your results.
- If you are under 18 years of age.
- There is an existing health condition making surgery risky (such as heart disease, allergies from general anaesthesia, or bleeding disorders).
Understanding the Procedure
Plastic surgeons specializing in facial, neck, and head surgery conduct facial feminization surgery in Toronto. The procedure begins with a thorough personal assessment, during which the surgeon will ask about your surgical goals and explain the recovery process. Your goals must be realistic and aligned with what is conceivably possible.
When assessing your physical health, the surgeon will begin by:
- Doing a lifestyle assessment, which includes a discussion of drinking and smoking habits.
- Identifying potential complications.
- Conducting a physical exam, including a lab test if needed.
- Reviewing any allergies and current medications.
Some clients may receive image scans before surgery. Computed Tomography (CT) and X-rays scan images of your soft tissues and bones in the skull and face. Your physician may also take pictures, measure your face, and assess skin quality. This information assists with planning your treatment.
Clients may have to adjust their current medications, avoid taking herbal supplements or anti-inflammatories (which can thin their blood), and cease drinking and smoking leading up to surgery.
What can you expect during the surgery?
Facial feminization surgery differs for each individual and depends on what features you want changed. Some people may wish to have a single or multiple surgeries, which include the following:
- Forehead contour: To reduce the size of your bone above the eyebrow ridge, surgeons remove part of your bone and reshape the area to provide a smoother look.
- Hairline lowering: An incision goes along the length of the hairline. A surgeon will bring your skin forward and over your forehead. Our surgical experts will preserve healthy hair follicles so the hair continues growing. They will also perform a hair transplantation procedure if necessary.
- Rhinoplasty (nose job): Rhinoplasty reshapes the nose by reducing its width. This process involves reshaping the underlying cartilage and bone.
- Cheek augmentation: Fat injections and silicone implants reshape the cheeks. Surgeons may use fat from another area of your body (such as the thighs and abdomen) for the surgery.
- Lip lift/augmentation: We raise the height of the top lip using a tiny incision placed under the nostrils. Lips can also appear fuller using fillers or fat injections.
- Jaw reduction: Surgeons create an incision in the mouth to reshape and remove the bone. This reduces the angle and size of the jawline. By implementing this procedure, we can eliminate the risk of visible scarring.
- Chin reduction: We reduce the size of the chin and reshape its look to create an oval or more pointed shape.
- Adam’s apple reduction (tracheal shave): Surgeons create an incision under the chin. Then, they remove cartilage in the neck.
- Ear Repositioning: Otoplasty pins your ears and reduces their size. It is done under anesthesia, and incisions are made behind the back of each ear. Cartilage is removed or reshaped to make the ears smaller.
- Eyelid surgery: Blepharoplasty eliminates sagging skin, tightens the skin surrounding the eyes, and reduces pockets of extra fat for a smoother look, which animates the eyes.
How long does the surgery take?
The time frame depends on whether one or several procedures are performed. The process can last 3-4 hours if the surgeon can accomplish everything in one surgery. However, some surgeons elect to split the procedure into two surgeries, separated by 7–10 days. Doing this will allow the face additional healing time.
What happens afterwards?
Clients must wear bandages or gauze over their incisions for a few days. Compression wraps may be placed around the jaw or forehead to reduce swelling and inflammation. Some patients return home with surgical drains, which involve inserting a thin plastic tube under the skin. This drain assists in draining fluid and blood to reduce swelling.
What are the benefits and risks?
FFS helps many clients feel secure and confident in the expression of their gender. It boosts their self-confidence and improves their quality of life. However, some risks may include:
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Edema (build-up of fluid) and swelling
- Numbness in various facial areas
- Hair loss after forehead contouring and hairline lowering
- Infection
- Poor incision healing
- Reactions to anaesthesia
Contact Solomon Facial Plastic for Your Facial Feminization Surgery Needs
Facial feminization surgery in Toronto is safe when choosing a board-certified, experienced cosmetic surgeon. While there are potential risks, they are minimal under our care and talent at Solomon Facial Plastic. Most of our patients experience little to no scarring, no complications, and shorter recovery times.
Book your free evaluation at 416-864-6100 (Davenport Clinic) or 855-519-2799 (Thornhill Clinic) between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Friday. You can also complete our online form to set up an appointment or to address any questions.
Sep 26th 2024