SURGICAL

Transgender Surgery

Name: Dr Zacharia
Address: Level 1 /424 New South Head Road, Double Bay, NSW, 2028, Australia
Telephone: (02) 9192 1600

Facial feminisation or masculinisation surgery aims to alter certain features in order to achieve an appearance that’s more appealing, natural and comfortable to the patient. Transgender surgery is completely customisable and will be based on your personal aesthetic goals.

Transgender Surgery Explained

There are a number of procedures that fall under the category of transgender surgery, but overall, each procedure is designed to soften male features or transform female features to achieve a more feminine or masculine appearance respectively. Every patient has different needs, which means that not all of the procedures mentioned below will be necessary. Transgender surgery is a very personal journey and one that can be made more relaxed and positive with the help of a qualified surgeon such as Dr Zacharia.

Facial Feminisation Procedures

The following feminisation surgery options are available at our clinic:

Tracheal Shave. A tracheal shave reduces the size of the Adam?s apple in order to achieve a longer, more feminine neck. To complete this procedure, a small incision is made on the anterior neck, through which Dr Zacharia can access the tracheal cartilage. This is a very simple procedure that only requires a local anaesthetic.
Rhinoplasty. The male nose is often longer, larger and wider than the female nose. To achieve a more feminine appearance, the nose is narrowed and made smaller and shorter if necessary. The nasal tip is also generally given a slightly upward appearance to complete this look.
Brow Lift. A brow lift aims to raise the brows to a higher position on the forehead, which gives the face a softer, more awake appearance. The results of this procedure are dramatic and make a significant difference to the patient?s appearance.
Cheek Augmentation. Defined cheekbones are an eye-catching and feminine feature that can be achieved with cheek implants or fat grafting. To complete this procedure, small incisions are made on the inside of the mouth, which keeps any scars hidden.

Lip Lift or Augmentation. Most patients that undergo rhinoplasty will include a lip lift in their procedure since the same incision is required. Filler can also be used to non-surgically augment the lips and shorten the distance between the nose and upper lip.
Forehead Contouring. Males generally have a more pronounced forehead and a more prominent ridge above the eyes. To soften the features and create a more feminine appearance, the frontal bone is shaved down.
Scalp Advancement. Another way that the face can be altered to look more feminine is to move the hairline forward, which decreases the distance between the eyebrows and hairline.

Facial Masculinisation Procedures

While hormone therapy will be required to achieve a more masculine facial appearance and change sex characteristics, there are several surgical procedures that can help change the structure of the face:

Cheek Augmentation. By giving the cheeks a more prominent angle, a more masculine appearance can be achieved. Cheek implants can also be used to enhance the structure of the face.
Rhinoplasty. The female nose is usually smaller and narrower, while the male nose tends to be larger and wider. Rhinoplasty can be used to alter the appearance of the nose and since it is a prominent feature, it can make a big difference to the patient?s overall appearance.

Chin Augmentation. The chin is another area that when more defined, can masculinise the face. Chin implants, fat grafting and cutting and shaping the bone of the chin can all be used to alter this facial feature. The jaw can also be contoured at the same time to achieve a sharper, more defined profile.
Forehead Lengthening. To achieve a wider, longer forehead that?s more common in men, the distance between the brow ridge and hairline is increased. Tissue expansion will be required to achieve this result.

What to Expect after Transgender Surgery

Even though transgender surgery is a combination procedure, the average patient will require around 2 ? 4 weeks of downtime. The aftercare instructions that need to be followed and the side effects that will be experienced will depend on the specific procedures that were undertaken.

Dr Zacharia will take you through all of these requirements before your surgery, so that you know exactly what to expect and can prepare accordingly.