WE ACCEPT ALL PRIVATE INSURANCES
Facial Feminization Salt Lake City, Utah
Finding gender-affirming care in a state where lawmakers have shown hostility towards it can be frustrating and difficult. But this does not reduce the need for what is often necessary and life-saving gender-affirming care. Surgeries like facial feminization are available in Utah in an extremely limited capacity and the options continue to dwindle. Other states such as Washington have protected the right to transgender surgery and welcome patients from out-of-state. Dr. Javad Sajan is one of the leading providers of facial feminization surgery in the United States.
What Is Facial Feminization Surgery?
Facial feminization surgery—or FFS—combines several procedures into one surgical session to create more feminine facial features. Each FFS treatment is catered to a patient’s needs, goals, and anatomy. Thus, every facial feminization surgery will look different. The procedure is most commonly performed for transgender women who experience gender dysphoria due to a more masculine appearance.
FFS takes several hours and may require an overnight stay at our surgical center. Occasionally, Dr. Sajan may recommend splitting the procedure into two or more sessions. This is generally only done if an extended surgical session is not possible or if certain health problems are present. Usually, it is safer to perform one long surgery than multiple shorter ones.
Benefits & Risks
Undergoing FFS in Salt Lake City comes with benefits and risks that patients must assess before surgery. Dr. Sajan will review these during a consultation and patients should be transparent concerning their medical history and lifestyle to ensure optimal safety. Major complications are rare.
Possible benefits of Salt Lake City FFS may include:
- An appearance that better matches the patient’s gender identity
- Reduced gender dysphoria
- More feminine appearing facial features
- Helps reduce instances of misgendering
- Improved mental health and well-being
- Enhanced quality of life
- Combined procedure addresses the entire face at once
- Results become visible quicker than if undergoing multiple sessions
- Fully customizable
- Performed by one of the foremost experts in FFS in the United States
All surgeries come with known risks. A patient’s medical history and lifestyle can also impact their risk during facial feminization surgery. Possible risks can include:
- Severe or prolonged side effects like bruising and swelling
- Infection
- Visible scarring
- Bleeding
- Loss of skin sensation
- Hair loss (usually temporary, but rarely can be permanent)
- Adverse reactions to general anesthesia
Before And After
Why Travel To Seattle From Salt Lake City For FFS?
Seattle, WA is an extremely LGBT+-friendly city. Additionally, when compared to other cities on the West Coast offering FFS, the cost of lodging and amenities tends to be lower. There are several daily flights between Salt Lake City and Seattle, many of which cost under $200 round trip. The flight is around two and a half hours.
Dr. Javad Sajan also offers several amenities that make the FFS experience more comfortable for out-of-state patients. Firstly, all preliminary appointments can be done virtually or scheduled within days of the surgery itself. Most out-of-state patients have virtual consultations on FaceTime or Skype. Secondly, Allure Esthetic can help patients understand their insurance coverage and communicate with their insurance companies during the FFS process. Finally, we do offer discount codes with local lodging nearby.
Customizing Facial Feminization Surgery Salt Lake City, UT
Consultation
The consultation appointment involves meeting with the patient, discussing their goals and reasons for seeking FFS, and determining what is possible based on the patient’s anatomy and health. These factors also contribute to candidacy consideration. If a patient is a good candidate for facial feminization, Dr. Sajan will discuss their options and help craft a personalized surgical plan. Patients will also receive financial information at this stage.
As previously mentioned many patients from Salt Lake City, UT opt for virtual consultations. This may require patients to undergo imaging or additional testing when their arrive in Seattle.
Possible Treatment Areas & Procedures
Facial feminization surgery can treat any facial feature. Thus, the variety of surgical procedures possible to perform during FFS is staggering. Some facial structures tend to have a starker difference between male and female presentations and are more frequently treated during FFS:
- Brows/brow bone
- Jaw/jawline
- Adam’s apple
- Chin
- Nose
- Hairline
The procedures that may be used to feminize the face could include:
- Hairline lowering
- Hair transplantation
- Brow bone reduction
- Brow lift
- Rhinoplasty
- Fat transfer to the face
- Lip lift
- Chin reduction
- Chin augmentation
- Jaw restructuring
- Tracheal shave
FFS Recovery
After FFS surgery, patients may be released on an outpatient basis or stay overnight following surgery. They may see some immediate difference, but the results will soon be disguised by side effects such as swelling, redness, and bruising. Patients will usually take prescription pain medication to manage discomfort during the initial stages of recovery.
Dr. Sajan prefers that patients stay in Seattle for at least two weeks post-surgery. He may clear patients for travel back to Salt Lake City before this based on their healing and progress. Patients may wear wraps or bandages for one to two weeks. Instructions will vary depending on the procedures performed, but may include:
- Do not take a shower for one to two weeks; baths are okay for washing the body but the face and hair will need to be sponge washed
- Avoid strenuous exercise during recovery
- Do not touch the area unless necessary
- Begin scar treatment early
- Do not apply makeup until cleared to do so
- Take at least two to three weeks off work
- Do not judge results too early; FFS takes several months to heal
FAQs
What Is The Success Rate Of Facial Feminization Surgery?
The success rate of FFS sits around 94% for all facial feminization surgeries performed in the United States. Most patients see a reduction in misgendering incidents and an improvement in gender dysphoria symptoms.
Can You Feminize Your Face Without Surgery?
There are many non-surgical options that patients may consider in addition to or instead of surgery. While surgery provides the best results, some procedures such as lip filler are great complements to FFS. Other non-surgical procedures frequently used during facial feminization may include:
- Face slimming Botox
- Temple filler
- Non-surgical rhinoplasty
- Cheek filler
- Lip filler
- Laser hair removal
What Insurance Covers Facial Feminization Surgery?
Most private insurance companies have some coverage for gender-affirming procedures. Patients need to review their plan or contact their insurance company to get more specific information concerning FFS insurance coverage. Dr. Sajan’s in-office insurance coordinators can also help patients understand and liaise with their insurance. Dr. Sajan accepts all private insurance.
Do You Have To Be On Hormones To Get FFS?
No, but it is important to note that if you decide to go on hormones later, this could alter the look of the face even after surgery. If you do take hormones, make sure to tell Dr. Sajan during the consultation.
The Best Facial Feminization Surgery By Dr. Javad Sajan
Dr. Javad Sajan is among the leading plastic surgeons in the United States offering facial feminization surgery. His techniques allow him to maintain a patient’s unique features while also creating a more feminine facial appearance. Dr. Sajan is one of the only surgeons in the world who can perform hair transplantation in the same session as other FFS procedures.
To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 206-990-0060. Patients can also reach out online via chat and contact form.