What is included in facial feminization surgery?
Because traditionally masculine facial features tend to be square and sharp, facial feminization surgery in Kirkland softens these features to create a face that is more oval-shaped. The forehead and brow ridge are also reshaped to create a softer contour with feminine highlights.
Some of the most common surgical procedures included in facial feminization surgery include the following:
Hairline lowering
The male hairline has an M-shape and generally recedes at the temples on both sides. Women typically have an oval-shaped hairline. An incision is made along the hairline, and the skin section is removed from the forehead. Dr. Tseng pulls down the scalp to its new position and staples it into the rest of the forehead.
Brow lift
A heavy, sagging, or creased forehead can appear more traditionally masculine. A custom brow lift will:
- Smooth the skin and tissues of the forehead
- Subtly lift the eyelids
- Restore the eyebrows to a more youthful position if they have descended lower with age.
Forehead contouring
Men have a pronounced bone just above the eyebrow ridge. For facial feminization, Dr. Tseng may surgically remove part of this bone and reshape it to give a smoother appearance.
Eyelid surgery
If your eyelids droop and sag, it significantly ages your overall facial appearance, leaving you looking tired and unhappy. In facial feminization, drooping or sagging eyelids can appear more masculine, while more open eyes are generally associated with feminine features. An eyelid lift procedure can rejuvenate the upper or lower lids or both.
Chin and jaw modification
Men tend to have more prominent and wide square chins and jaws. Dr. Tseng can reduce the size of your chin and reshape it for a more pointed or oval shape, and shave away layers of bone to reduce the size and sharp angles of your jaw.
Cheek augmentation
Women have higher cheekbones and more fat in their cheeks, so when a more traditionally feminine appearance is the goal, Dr. Tseng may suggest cheek augmentation. Augmentation may be done with silicone implants or fat injections, such as facial fat transfer. Facial fat transfer uses your natural fat cells that are harvested, cleansed, and injected for long-lasting, entirely natural results. The injected fat cells become part of your natural facial structure, integrating into the tissues to restore or add volume.
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is a crucial procedure in facial feminization surgery. Men’s noses are longer, wider, and more prominent than women’s, which are generally narrower, shorter, and slightly concave. A rhinoplasty, or “nose job,” in Auburn, WA, will help you achieve a more feminine nose to provide overall facial balance and aesthetic appeal.
Lip lift and augmentation
Women’s top lips tend to be larger and closer to their noses than men’s. Dr. Tseng can raise the height of your top lip with a small incision under your nostrils and create fuller lips with fat injections or fillers.
Lip augmentation involves injecting the lips with hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers to give you a more youthful, attractive, and feminine smile.
Tracheal shave
Men tend to have larger Adam’s apples, which refers to when the cartilage of the trachea protrudes at the front of your throat. During a tracheal shave, Dr. Tseng makes an incision under your chin and shaves away some of the cartilage for a more traditionally feminine appearance.