Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS)
Facial feminization surgery, is the term given to a constellation of surgical
procedure that are designed to alter a masculine face to create a feminine
face. Facial feminization surgery is also known as FFS. While occasionally
desired by women to reduce masculine facial characteristics, these procedures
are often sought by those undergoing transition from male to female. Transgendered
individuals and male to female (MTF) transsexuals may desire facial feminization
surgery to transform the face and facilitate passing in public as a woman.
Transsexuals ready to go through the entire transformation process from
man to woman may, in addition to hormone therapy, undergo sex reassignment
surgery (SRS). SRS can involve breast enahancement, hip curveture procedures
and a vaginaioplasy and labiaplasty, creating a vagina and labia, sometimes
from the skin and muscles of the penis and scrotum. Facial feminization
surgery has become a vital part of SRS.
Facial feminization surgery is important because the face commonly provides
the first visual clues and impression people have regarding the sex of an
individual. While other body parts can be hidden or exagerated to appear
more feminine, for the most part it’s difficult to create feminine
face features without facial feminization surgery.
Facial feminization surgery involves bony and soft tissue surgery of the
face, neck, and thyroid cartilage. Some doctors include facial hair removal
and hair transplants as part of facial feminization surgery.
Facial feminization surgery involves facial plastic surgery, maxillofacial
surgery and reconstructive surgery. Though the skills required for facial
feminization surgery are better known than those for male-female genital
sex reassignment surgery, a surprisingly few highly experienced and skilled
surgeons for facial feminization surgery exist.
Doctors skilled in facial femnization surgery have become increasingly
sought out by the international transgender community. In addition, those
exploring facial feminization surgery now have many support groups worldwide.