For many people in the trans community, the mirror can feel like a complicated space. There’s a profound difference between seeing yourself and recognizing yourself. That desire for your external appearance to reflect your internal truth isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about alignment, comfort, and authenticity.
Choosing a surgeon for Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make on this journey. It’s not just about technical skill, it’s about finding an artist and a partner who understands the gravity of this transformation.
To help you in your search, we’ve focused on surgeons who are not only highly qualified but also recognized for their specialized expertise in FFS. Here are four leading surgeons in the United States. We looked for experience, consistent results, and real facility standards.
Dr. Javad Sajan – Allure Esthetic (Seattle, WA)
Dr. Javad Sajan has become one of the most recognized names in gender-affirming surgery, particularly for his ability to perform comprehensive FFS in a single operative session. His practice reports 1,000+ gender-affirming surgeries performed, with patients traveling nationwide for care.
Allure Esthetic is one of the few centers that bill most major insurances for FFS and also provides affordable out-of-pocket options for patients without coverage. For those coming from out of town, the team helps arrange travel and accommodation support, making surgery in Seattle more accessible.
The clinic offers a full menu of FFS procedures, brow and hairline feminization, jawline/chin contouring, rhinoplasty, and revision work alongside top surgery and body feminization.
Dr. Craig Jonov – The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery (Lynnwood, WA)
Based just north of Seattle in Lynnwood, Dr. Craig Jonov offers FFS at a JCAHO-accredited surgery center, one of the highest safety benchmarks for outpatient surgery. His practice lays out a clear, step-by-step breakdown of core FFS components, including forehead and brow contouring, rhinoplasty, jaw tapering, cheek augmentation, and lip reshaping, making it easier for patients to visualize and plan their procedures.
Dr. Jonov is board-certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and completed general surgery residency training before pursuing cosmetic fellowships. He also holds privileges at local hospitals.
His patients benefit from an on-site surgical facility, extended operating hours, and a staff experienced in gender-affirming care.
Dr. Philip Young – Northwest Face & Body (Kirkland, WA)
Dr. Philip Young, a double board-certified surgeon in Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery and Laser Surgery, has built his career around facial procedures. At Northwest Face & Body, he regularly performs procedures central to FFS, including hairline lowering, jaw and chin contouring, rhinoplasty, and soft-tissue reshaping.
With a case history of 1,400+ face and neck lifts, Dr. Young brings deep experience in both structural and soft-tissue techniques that are often combined in gender-affirming surgery plans.
His procedures are performed in Medicare-certified operating rooms with a dedicated anesthesia and recovery team, ensuring strong safety standards. Patients also benefit from the practice’s integrated Carillon Point campus, which offers both surgical and aesthetic services in one location.
Dr. Ludwig A. Allegra – Northwest Face & Body (Kirkland, WA)
Dr. Ludwig Allegra, founder of Northwest Face & Body, is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and an early adopter of endoscopic upper-face techniques that are widely used in facial feminization surgery today.
His work often includes brow lifts, hairline procedures, scalp reductions, lip lifts, and perioral feminization, all central to achieving softer, more traditionally feminine features. With decades of surgical experience, Dr. Allegra remains closely involved in the clinic’s gender-affirming services, offering patients a combination of seasoned expertise and modern techniques.
Like Dr. Young, he operates in the practice’s Medicare-certified surgical center, supported by a whole peri-operative team. The facility’s focus on facial surgery makes it a consistent option for patients planning multi-stage or combined FFS procedures.
Final Word
Every face and transition path is different. Use this list to short‑circuit the research and get to consultations faster. Take screenshots of your goals, bring old photos, and ask direct questions about your priorities (hairline shape, frontal sinus/brow approach, chin/jaw plan, staging vs. single session, scar placement, expected downtime, and revision policy). You deserve a surgical team that listens, respects, and delivers results that align with your truth.
