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.