Facial Feminisation Surgery (FFS)

Overview
Facial feminisation surgery modifies masculine facial features to create a softer, more traditionally feminine appearance while maintaining individuality. It is a gender-affirming surgical suite tailored to bone structure, soft tissue, and aesthetic goals. FFS can include procedures addressing the forehead, nose, jaw, chin, and overall facial proportions.

Who It’s For

  • Transgender women and non-binary individuals seeking facial features aligned with feminine identity

  • Patients with stable physical and mental health

  • Those with realistic expectations and stable hormone therapy (optional but recommended before surgery for optimal tissue adaptation)

Procedures (Customised Combination)
FFS is highly individualised. Common components include:

  • Forehead and Brow Contouring: Reduction of brow ridge prominence and reshaping of orbital rims. Often includes frontal sinus setback and brow lift for a softer upper facial profile.

  • Hairline Advancement: Lowers the hairline and reduces forehead height for feminine proportion.

  • Rhinoplasty: Refines nasal width, dorsum, and tip projection to complement feminine facial balance.

  • Cheek Augmentation: Implants or fat grafting to enhance midface volume and roundness.

  • Lip Lift and Augmentation: Shortens the upper lip and increases vermilion show, contributing to a softer, youthful expression.

  • Jaw Contouring (Mandibular Reduction): Reduces the width and angle of the jaw for a narrower, more oval shape.

  • Chin Contouring (Genioplasty): Refines projection and narrows the chin to achieve delicate proportions.

  • Tracheal Shave (Chondrolaryngoplasty): Reduces prominence of the Adam’s apple through a small incision beneath the chin.

Recovery

  • Operative duration and hospital stay depend on scope (typically 1–2 nights for full FFS).

  • Swelling and bruising peak in the first week, improving significantly by 3–4 weeks.

  • Return to light activity within 2 weeks; full recovery 6–8 weeks.

  • Numbness, tightness, or mild asymmetry may persist temporarily.

Results and Scarring

  • Immediate softening of facial features; final refinement over several months as swelling subsides.

  • Scars are typically hidden in natural creases, hairline, or oral mucosa.

  • Results are permanent and harmonised with each individual’s natural anatomy and expression.

Risks

  • Bleeding, infection, delayed healing

  • Nerve injury leading to temporary or permanent sensory changes

  • Asymmetry or irregular bone contour

  • Implant or graft movement (rare)

  • Prolonged swelling or scarring

Long-Term Considerations
Results are durable and stable once healing completes. Hormone therapy can further enhance tissue softness and complement surgical outcomes. Most patients experience substantial improvements in self-perception, gender congruence, and social confidence following FFS.