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Jawline
Feminization

What are the risks in Jawline Reduction Surgery?

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When considering a male-to-female transition, a patient may consider several surgical or medical procedures that a patient may consider. The most obvious of these include the enhancement of the breasts and changing the genitals to match the patient’s gender. Dr. Javad Sajan at Allure Esthetic focuses on gender-affirming top and facial surgeries such as MTF breast augmentation and facial feminization. Facial feminization can include several different procedures, including jawline feminization. Allure Esthetic provides the best jawline feminization surgery.

Overview:

Gender Differences
Seen In The Jaw

The jawline—as one of the primary facial features of the bottom third of the face—does differ significantly between a person assigned male at birth and a person assigned female at birth. While often subtle and not always adhering to these standards, the jawline can make a person’s face look more feminine or masculine.

A male jaw tends to take on a square shape and be straighter. For example, the male jaw is straight from the earlobe down before turning at roughly ninety degrees and continuing down to the chin. This stark angle creates a square and sharp appearance. Additionally, male jaws tend to be larger because the male masseter muscle is bigger.

A female jaw takes on a much more subtle, sloped appearance. While it can still include a sharp, straight jawline, it is usually not as pronounced and involves a softer line or curve indicative of the female facial appearance. It is also typically smaller than a male jaw in projection and overall size.

Procedures Involved In Feminizing The Jaw

The procedures used to feminize the jaw will differ based on the patient’s needs, goals, and anatomy. During your consultation with Dr. Sajan at Allure Esthetic, he will discuss the procedures he thinks would be best to feminize your jaw. Some of the jaw procedures performed during jawline feminization or facial feminization include:

  • Jaw Reduction: A jaw reduction addresses a jaw with more projection at the back of the jawline, making it appear wide from the front view. It usually reduces projection by shaving down or removing small portions of bone. Occasionally, the procedure may also address the masseter muscle, but this is often handled with non-surgical treatments afterward. The entire surgery is generally performed through incisions inside the mouth.
  • Jaw Implants: It is not common for jaw feminization patients to have jaw implants placed. Typically, permanent screws or similar structures serve the purpose of an implant while maintaining a natural look. However, in some cases, there are circumstances where Dr. Sajan may recommend a jaw implant.
  • Chin Reduction: The projection and structure of the chin have a lot to do with the contour of the jawline. Therefore, often if the jaw is reduced, the chin is also reduced. This helps maintain facial balance, rounding the chin to achieve a more feminine shape.
  • Chin Augmentation: Sometimes, a patient may have a recessed chin, a condition in which the chin does not project in accordance with the rest of the facial structure. This can affect the look of the jawline. Placing a chin implant can help balance the features and create a more feminine facial appearance.
  • Masseter Botox: One of the most effective ways to reduce the masseter muscle size is through Botox injections. It is less traumatic than surgery and can thin the muscle over time for permanent results. Botox weakens and thins the muscle, which can help create a slimmer and more feminine contour to the jaw.
  • Jawline feminization is a highly personalized procedure. While some patients may undergo the same set of procedures, their feminization may involve different parts of the jaw, be more or less extensive, or create completely different results. Dr. Sajan may also advocate for procedures not listed above if he feels they will help you achieve your goals. Other procedures that may be part of jaw feminization surgery include liposuction, jaw filler, and a facelift.

Benefits & Risks

Undergoing jawline feminization comes with many benefits and risks. It is essential to know and understand both before proceeding with the surgery. Some of the benefits of jaw feminization include:

  • Reduction in gender dysphoria.
  • More feminine facial appearance.
  • Softening of the jaw.
  • Balances facial features.
  • More feminine facial profile.
  • May help contribute to a younger appearance.
  • Scars are hidden in the mouth.
  • Jawline better aligns with gender identity.
  • Can be combined with other procedures as part of FFS.
  • May help correct an uneven bite or excess pressure on the teeth.
  • Can make chewing easier for some patients.
  • Performed by a plastic surgeon experienced in jawline feminization.
  • Staff and surgeons work closely with the trans community to offer high-quality gender-affirming care.

For many patients, the benefits outweigh the risks, and the risks are not particularly major for most patients. Dr. Sajan will discuss your personalized risks with you during your consultation. Some of the risks of gender-affirming jaw surgery include:

  • Infection.
  • Complications or adverse effects associated with general anesthesia.
  • Long-lasting or permanent numbness (rare, temporary numbness is normal).
  • Asymmetrical results.
  • Extra skin left behind, creating the need for a facelift.
  • Poor healing.

FAQ

Will My Skin Retract To Match My New Jawline?

Yes, for patients under the age of thirty-five, there are generally not many concerns about skin retraction. It may take time as swelling goes down for your skin to match your new jaw contour, but it should eventually match. For older patients, a facelift may be needed in addition to a jaw reduction to remove extra skin. Dr. Sajan can usually deduce this by examining your skin quality and elasticity during a consultation.

Do Cis Women Ever Get Jaw Feminization Surgery?

Yes, some cisgender women are born with prominent or masculine jaws. The surgical process of addressing this is roughly the same as it is with gender-affirming surgery. The one major difference is that it is performed for purely cosmetic reasons (in most cases), whereas a jaw feminization for gender-affirming purposes also treats gender dysphoria, a major and debilitating medical condition.

What Other Areas Can Be Feminized At The Same Time As The Jaw?

As previously mentioned, it is common to feminize the chin at the same time as the jaw because it can influence the look of the jaw. However, if combined with other procedures—whether in FFS or not—it is usually with other facial procedures. A few examples of other gender-affirming procedures often performed alongside jaw feminization include:

Can I Eat Normally After Surgery?

Since your incisions are inside your mouth, you will likely need to follow a soft and liquid diet for a few days after surgery. However, because the surgery was not on your mouth, generally, you can get back to eating normally faster than you would after major dental surgery.

Your jaw will remain weaker than normal for many weeks after surgery. It will eventually regain strength, but due to this, you will need to avoid certain foods that require a good amount of jaw movement or strength such as biting into an apple. Otherwise, you can expect to return to most of your normal diet within a week.

Does Bone Grow Back?

Jaw reduction surgeries have been performed for decades, and bone can not regrow itself. It can repair itself like the rest of your body, but it is extremely unlikely, if not impossible, to see the full growth of your jaw return. The masseter muscle can be built back up, which is why if you have a particularly large or strong masseter muscle, it may require attention via surgery or Botox injections.

When Will I See My Results?

Usually, patients see some results once the majority of their swelling goes down in two to three weeks. With that said, results from any procedure such as this cannot be considered final for nine to twelve months. The skin, tissues, and muscles all need time to heal and settle over the new contours of your jaw. Thus, patient results, while noticeable within a few months of surgery, often continue to refine over the first year after surgery.

The Best Jawline Feminization At Allure Esthetic

Dr. Javad Sajan is a highly awarded, board-certified plastic surgeon whose experience in transgender surgery surpasses most others in the aesthetic and cosmetic fields. He performs several gender-affirming surgeries every week and works closely with his patients to offer customization of their results as much as possible. Dr. Sajan provides the best jawline feminization surgery available.

Allure Esthetic Plastic Surgery is located in Seattle, WA, but serves patients from around the world. Alongside gender-affirming face surgeries like jawline feminization, Dr. Sajan also offers FTM top surgery, transgender BBL, and body contouring. The team at Allure Esthetic is highly trained and makes a point to always use your correct pronouns and name.

To learn more and schedule a consultation with Dr. Javad Sajan at Allure Esthetic, call us at 206-209-0988. You can also reach out online via chat or contact form.

Allure Esthetic Plastic Surgery

206.209.0988
Contact our Seattle location in Washington

600 Broadway Suite 320 G
Seattle, WA 98122

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