FacialMasculinization Surgery
Facial Masculinization Surgery (FMS)
Facial Masculinization Surgery, or FMS, is a gender-affirming surgery designed to modify facial features to create a more masculine appearance of the face—helping to strengthen the jawline, give more definition to the chin, fortify the nasal contours, and reshape the cheeks and the forehead. Often performed for transgender individuals transitioning from female to male, nonbinary individuals, and gender diverse patients, facial masculinization surgery—along with hormone therapy and other surgical procedures—is a transformational step in the process.
Golden State Plastic Surgery is proud of our role in this gender-affirming surgery, helping to create an outward appearance that better aligns with the inner self, to enhance your self-confidence and quality of life, and to achieve natural looking results .
Dr. Seth is a nationally recognized expert in gender-affirming facial surgery (GFS) and will help create an outward facial appearance that aligns with your inner self. Dr. Seth is dedicated to giving you the confidence to be your best.
Details
Each facial masculinization surgery is customized following a thorough examination and discussion with Dr. Rahul Seth. A detailed evaluation, combined with consideration of patient goals, will help inform which elements of the surgery are best suited for each patient. In the office, Dr. Seth uses 3D imaging to help understand your facial features and how surgery may be able to masculinize your features per your desires.
Facial masculinization surgery may include a combination of forehead contouring with brow bone enhancement, cheek contouring (using implants, grafting, or fat removal), face and neck liposuction, rhinoplasty, chin and jaw modification, and/or thyroid cartilage enhancement (creating an Adam’s apple). When performed in combination, facial harmony can be created and the overall effect can be transformational.
Frontal Cranioplasty (Brow Augmentation)
The contour of the brow and glabella is one of the most gender determinative features of the face. In addition to the bony contour of the forehead, the position of the eyebrows in a masculine face are low and flat across the superior orbital rim. Dr. Seth recommends a technique that he developed of a minimally invasive endoscopic approach to insert an implant across the brow and lower forehead. For this surgery, a custom patient-specific porous polyethylene implant is created using the CT scan of your face. The brows are also released so that the arc of the brow becomes more masculine.
Masculinizing Rhinoplasty
The masculine nose tends to be larger, more projected, less upward rotated / less nostril show, and the tip tends to be broader compared to the female nose. To address these differences, Dr. Seth performs a masculinizing rhinoplasty. This procedure contains rhinoplasty elements of dorsal (nasal bridge) augmentation, tip counter rotation, and various maneuvers for greater tip projection, and overall dorsal and tip broadening. The specific nose shape and size is determined with your input. Dr. Seth is able to show you these changes in a 3D image of your face so that you can both together choose the new dimensions of your nose.
Midface And Cheek Contouring
Masculine faces tend to have flat to slightly hollowed cheeks, whereas feminine faces tend to have larger, rounder cheeks. To achieve masculinization of the midface contour, the buccal fat pad can be removed from a small incision on the inside of the mouth. Depending on the contours of the face, some fat grafting or cheek bone implants can be used sparingly to enhance the cheek bone structure. As each face is unique, Dr. Seth thoroughly discusses the options with you to then decide the optimum procedures to masculinize your face.
Mandible Augmentation Implants / Jaw Enlargement
Enlarging and defining the jaw’s angle, body, and chin are critical in facial masculinization surgery. A masculine jaw contour is also able to widen and/or elongate the face, which further contribute to masculinity. Dr. Seth uses custom jaw implants that are created based on a CT scan of your face. These implants help to create the ideal, masculinized chin and jaw shape and size.
Thyroid Cartilage Augmentation
Colloquially termed the “Adam’s apple,” the male thyroid cartilage is a defining masculine feature. In the masculine neck, the thyroid cartilage is more pronounced and has a narrow thyroid notch. Dr. Seth carefully crafts a segment of rib cartilage in the shape of an Adam’s apple. From a small incision in the neck, this construct is placed onto the thyroid cartilage to create a masculine appearance of the thyroid cartilage and neck.
Candidates
You may be a good candidate for gender-affirming facial surgery / facial masculinization surgery (FMS) if:
- have been diagnosed with persistent gender dysphoria
- have an established gender identity and lived experience living as a member of your desired sex
- are of the age to provide surgery consent
- are physically and mentally healthy
- are a non-smoker
- have a positive outlook and realistic expectations
Procedure
Depending on the number and type of procedures selected, you may elect to break your surgery into multiple phases, focusing on different areas of the face for each procedure. You may also choose to do most of the procedures together. Dr. Seth works with you to create a surgery plan to best achieve your desired results.
Surgery is performed at a credentialed surgery center or hospital. Depending on the length of the surgery, you may stay overnight at the center.
Recovery
Many patients will likely require an overnight stay at the surgery center or hospital. You will be provided with a detailed aftercare plan prior to your surgery.
Patients may experience swelling, bruising, numbness, and a feeling of tightness or tension in the face and neck. Most of these issues usually resolve within two to four weeks. Recovery is different for each patient, but usually takes two to six weeks, depending on the number and type of procedures performed.
Pain medication is prescribed for pain relief, but most patients wean themselves off in several days, taking Tylenol only as needed.
How To Get Started
If you’re interested in a Facial Masculinization Surgery or want to learn more about your options with Dr. Rahul Seth, please request a consultation online or by phone at (925) 357-9050.
During your consultation, you will have time to discuss your goals and treatment options. During this process, you will get to know Dr. Seth and the Golden State Plastics team that will be with you every step of your journey. Once your consultation is complete and your unique treatment plan is created you will work with the Golden State Plastics team to schedule surgery. Once your surgery is scheduled, you will receive a pre-operative appointment to review your procedure, post-operative instructions, and expectations on your road to recovery.
Before & After
