In addition to chest (top) surgery, there are several facial surgeries that can help enhance your transgender surgery results. The Transgender Surgery Institute of Southern California offers Brow Reshaping, Facelifts, Rhinoplasty, Upper Blepharoplasty, Laser Resurfacing, Lip Enlargement, Adam’s Apple Surgery, Facial Implants, Liposuction, Brazilian Butt Lift and more.
MALE TO FEMALE BROW RESHAPING
In the genetic male, the eyebrows are usually positioned lower and the brow bone is more prominent. An eyebrow lift and contouring of the forehead bone give a more feminine and softer appearance.
Our transgender institute specializes in many types of minimally invasive brow lifts. The most common type is the endoscopic brow lift that uses small incisions above the hairline. A small camera is used to reposition the brow with small surgical instruments.
The brow bones and forehead bone can also be surgically contoured to soften the look of the upper face.
MALE TO FEMALE FACELIFTS
There are many types of lower face and neck lifts that can help contour and reshape the neck and jawline to give a more feminine look. These procedures are usually performed through incisions around the ears and a small incision just below the chin. This allows us to elevate the deeper tissue in the lower face, which gives a more “heart” shaped face with a slimmer and more feminine jawline. Recovery time is typically 2-3 weeks.
MALE TO FEMALE RHINOPLASTY (NOSE RESHAPING)
A feminine nose tends to be slightly smaller with a little curvature along the profile of the nose. This look can be easily achieved with many of our rhinoplasty surgical techniques. We can reshape bones, soften bumps along the bridge of the nose and soften the angles around the tip of the nose to give it that feminine look. Recovery time is typically 1-2 weeks.
MALE TO FEMALE UPPER BLEPHAROPLASTY (EYELID SURGERY)
Upper blepharoplasty (upper eyelid surgery) can be used to feminize the eye area. A feminine eyelid tends to have less heaviness. We can make an incision along the crease of the upper eyelid to remove a crescent moon shaped section of skin. Through this incision, we can also remove any excess fat and tighten muscles in the eyelid to give a more open and feminine look to the eyelid. This will allow more of the eyelid skin to show above the eyelashes and give room for application of eyeliner or mascara, etc.
LASER RESURFACING (SKIN TEXTURE IMPROVEMENT)
Fractional laser resurfacing is a newer technology that allows us to dramatically improve the quality and texture of the skin. We use a computer-guided software to deliver small columns of energy into the skin, which forces a new layer of skin to grow with brand new collagen and elastin fibers.
This treatment can soften wrinkles, firm the skin, brighten the complexion, diminish pore size and remove sun damage. Downtime is usually 1-2 weeks.
MALE TO FEMALE LIP ENLARGEMENT
The female lip tends to have more volume and definition than a thinner male lip. We have several dermal fillers that can enhance, augment and reshape the lips to give them a softer look. These fillers have a longevity of approximately 10-12 months.
MALE TO FEMALE CHONDROLARYNGOPLASTY OR TRACHEAL CARTILAGE SHAVE (ADAM’S APPLE SURGERY)
The male neck tends to have a prominent protrusion of the tracheal cartilage. Chondrolaryngoplasty (commonly called tracheal shave) is a surgical procedure in which the thyroid cartilage is reduced in size by shaving down the cartilage through an incision in the throat, generally to aid those who are uncomfortable with the girth of their Adam’s apple. A small incision along the natural crease lines in the neck can be made to access and reshape this cartilage to give it a more feminine appearance. This is a short outpatient procedure that has about 1-2 weeks recovery time and tends to be one of the most common cosmetic transgender surgeries performed.
MALE TO FEMALE FACIAL IMPLANTS
The female face tends to have more lateral (outer) cheek prominence verses the central prominence of the male cheek. Cheek implants placed in the outer portion of the cheek through small incisions inside the mouth can give improved feminization.
MALE TO FEMALE LIPOSUCTION
We can use newer liposuction techniques to reshape and tighten stubborn fat bulges and loose skin. Females tend to have an hourglass shape versus the square masculine waistline. Our liposuction and laser liposuction techniques can bring in the waistline to give that curvy hourglass appearance. The laser liposuction has the added benefit of heating and contracting the skin along the inner surface to improve the skin laxity and give the liposuction results a smoother appearance. Compression garments are worn for 6-8 weeks for best results and the majority of patients can resume work or light physical activity after one week.
