Facial Masculinisation Surgery

Gender-affirming facial surgery tailored to create stronger, more angular facial contours while preserving your individual features.

What is facial masculinisation surgery (FMS)?

Facial masculinisation surgery, or FMS, refers to a personalised combination of procedures designed to create facial features that are typically perceived as more masculine.

Treatment may involve changes to the forehead and brow, nose, cheeks, jaw, chin or other areas of the face, depending on your anatomy and goals.

FMS is not a single operation and there is no standardised masculine facial shape. Surgical planning considers your existing bone structure, soft tissues, facial proportions and the features you would like to change or preserve.

Dr Katie-Beth Webster will assess the face as a whole and develop an individualised treatment plan based on the areas most important to you.

Is facial masculinisation surgery right for me?

FMS may be considered by transgender men, transmasculine people and some non-binary individuals who would like their facial features to appear more traditionally masculine.

You may be considering FMS if you would like to address:

  • brow or forehead contour

  • nasal shape or projection

  • cheek fullness

  • jaw width or definition

  • chin width or projection

  • facial volume distribution

  • the overall relationship between different facial features

There is no single combination of procedures required for FMS. Some patients may consider treatment to one or two areas, while others may benefit from a broader surgical plan.

Suitability depends on your anatomy, general health, expectations and individual treatment goals.

What can facial masculinisation surgery include?

Forehead and brow contouring

Forehead or brow augmentation may be used to create greater prominence through the brow ridge or alter the contour of the upper face.

Jaw contouring or augmentation

The jaw may be widened or reshaped to create greater definition through the lower face and more prominent jaw angles.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty may change nasal width, shape, projection or profile while maintaining structural support and nasal function where relevant.

Chin contouring

Genioplasty may be used to increase chin width, projection or prominence and alter the balance of the lower face.

Cheek contouring

Selected patients may consider reducing cheek fullness or altering midface volume to create a flatter or more angular facial contour.

Chin contouring

Genioplasty may be used to increase chin width, projection or prominence and alter the balance of the lower face.

What you can expect

Facial masculinisation surgery is highly individual, and the number and type of procedures involved can vary considerably between patients. Understanding the consultation, surgery and recovery process can help you feel more informed and prepared.

  • Your consultation begins with a discussion about the facial features that are most important to you and what you would like surgery to achieve.

    Dr Webster will assess your forehead, brow, nose, cheeks, jaw, chin and overall facial proportions. Bone structure, soft tissues, skin characteristics and any previous facial surgery or treatments will also be considered.

    Rather than assuming every feature needs to change, the aim is to identify which areas contribute most to your concerns and which procedures may provide the most appropriate change for your anatomy.

    Your medical history, medications, smoking status and any testosterone therapy will also be reviewed. Testosterone is not required for every person considering FMS, although its effects on facial fat distribution and soft tissues may be relevant to surgical planning.

  • FMS may involve one procedure or several procedures performed during the same operation.

    The exact surgical approach, length of surgery and hospital stay depend on the procedures included. More extensive facial bone surgery may require an overnight stay or additional postoperative monitoring.

    Dr Webster will explain which procedures may be safely combined, the anticipated scars and recovery, and whether it may be preferable to stage treatment across separate operations.

  • Recovery varies depending on the procedures performed.

    Swelling, bruising, tightness and temporary numbness are expected after more extensive facial surgery. These symptoms are generally most noticeable during the first one to two weeks and improve gradually over the following weeks.

    Many patients can return to light activities within approximately two weeks, while strenuous exercise and heavier activity may need to be avoided for longer. Final facial contours continue to develop over several months as swelling resolves and the tissues settle.

Why choose Dr Katie-Beth Webster?

As a specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Katie-Beth Webster provides individualised assessment and surgical planning for facial masculinisation surgery.

FMS may involve several facial regions and requires consideration of both bone and soft-tissue anatomy. Dr Webster will assess how these structures relate to one another and explain which procedures may be appropriate for your goals.

You will receive clear information about the proposed surgery, scars, recovery, risks and limitations so that you can make an informed decision about treatment.

Her focus is on respectful, evidence-based care and developing a surgical plan tailored to your anatomy, priorities and transition journey.

Considering facial masculinisation surgery?

A consultation with Dr Katie-Beth Webster provides an opportunity to discuss the facial changes you are considering, understand which procedures may be relevant and receive advice tailored to your anatomy and goals.

Dr Katie-Beth Webster provides compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to every patient's individual journey. Dr Katie-Beth Webster offers FMS consultations in Melbourne, with appointments available in Box Hill and East Melbourne.

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Common questions about FMS

  • There is no fixed set of procedures included in FMS.

    Treatment may involve the forehead and brow, nose, cheeks, jaw, chin, facial volume or thyroid cartilage. Some patients may consider treatment to only one or two areas, while others may choose several procedures as part of a broader plan.

    The combination depends on your anatomy and which facial features are most important to you.

  • No. Testosterone therapy is not a requirement for every person considering facial masculinisation surgery.

    Testosterone can influence facial fat distribution, skin and muscle development over time, but it does not substantially alter mature facial bone structure.

    If you are using testosterone, these soft-tissue changes can be considered as part of surgical planning. If testosterone is not part of your transition, FMS can still be discussed based on your anatomy and goals.

  • Sometimes.

    Several procedures may be combined where this is considered appropriate and safe. More extensive surgery can increase operative time, swelling and recovery, so in some cases Dr Webster may recommend staging procedures across more than one operation.

    The decision depends on the number and complexity of procedures involved, your health and the overall treatment plan.

  • Yes. Rhinoplasty may be included where the shape, width or projection of the nose forms part of your treatment goals.

    Planning considers how the nose relates to the forehead, cheeks, lips, jaw and chin, rather than treating it in isolation.

    Where breathing concerns are also present, nasal function can be assessed as part of the surgical plan.

  • Recovery depends on which procedures are performed.

    Swelling and bruising are generally most noticeable during the first one to two weeks. Bone contouring and more extensive procedures can result in swelling, tightness or numbness that persists for longer.

    Many patients return to light activities within around two weeks, while strenuous activity may need to be avoided for several weeks.

    Final contours develop gradually over several months.

  • Scar placement depends on the procedures performed.

    Incisions may be positioned within the hairline, natural facial creases, inside the mouth or beneath the chin. Rhinoplasty and other procedures may involve their own specific incision patterns.

    Scars are permanent, but they are positioned as discreetly as possible and generally become less noticeable as they mature.

  • Yes. Jaw and chin contouring can play an important role in facial masculinisation where greater width, projection or lower-face definition is desired.

    Treatment may involve reshaping or augmenting the jaw, changing chin width or projection, or combining these approaches to alter the overall lower-face contour.

    The appropriate approach depends on your existing bone structure and goals.

  • Potential risks may include bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, visible scarring, asymmetry, contour irregularity, prolonged swelling and temporary or permanent changes in sensation.

    Procedures involving the facial bones may also carry risks of nerve injury or changes in bone contour. Implants or grafts, where used, have additional potential risks such as movement, infection or the need for further surgery.

    Dr Webster will discuss the risks specific to each procedure included in your treatment plan.

Dr Katie-Beth Webster offers Facial Masculinisation Surgery consultations in Melbourne, with appointments available in Box Hill and East Melbourne.

Book a consultation