Craniofacial surgery isn’t something any plastic surgeon can do. It requires extensive knowledge of the workings of facial anatomy as well as a highly personal approach to each patient’s goals. When it comes to facial feminization surgery (FFS), the impact of the results are immense, which means the doctor you choose to perform the procedure should be as qualified and experienced as possible.
Your facial features have a tremendous impact on how others perceive you and certainly how you perceive yourself. FFS can help you realize externally visualize who you see yourself to be inside. Here’s how to know a doctor is capable and worthy of helping you express yourself.
Inspect Their Training and Experience
The word “expert” gets thrown around a lot when it comes to facial feminization surgery, but not everyone is qualified to perform it up-to-standard. Doctors who have never trained in FFS can claim to have training and expertise in the procedure. In reality, craniofacial surgery such as FFS is extremely delicate and comprehensive, requiring a surgeon to take the entire facial anatomy into consideration when developing a surgical plan. This means that specific training in this technique is paramount when choosing a doctor for your FFS. Ask about a doctor’s specific training credentials, beyond board-certification (which should be a pre-requisite). Doctors who have done fellowships in craniofacial surgery, like Dr. Deschamps-Braly, are typically well-qualified for FFS.
Document Their Experience
Even those doctors who are well-qualified for FFS may not have the expertise you can be confident in. Like any skill, surgical feminization of the face takes practice to become a master. Dr. Deschamps-Braly says it takes three to five years, or 300-400 cases, to truly be great at FFS. You can ask the doctor about the number of procedures they’ve completed, check out before-and-after photos, and evaluate specific cases of people who look like you to get a good idea of whether this physician knows how to approach your specific surgical goals.
Some ways to enhance your examination of before-and-afters are:
- Have the doctor explain the technique of each photo and why they performed the procedure that way
- As to speak with the people about their experience or read their testimonials
- Look for common oversights such as a visible scar in the hairline or unnatural-looking nose jobs
Share Your Full Facial Concerns
Be wary of doctors who may advise for a specific procedure such as rhinoplasty versus a full facial feminization procedure. If you’re interested in FFS, a single procedure or even a few surgeries performed simultaneously are not ideal. Instead, you should have a doctor who’s thinking about your entire facial anatomy. Every minute detail of your facial contour, hairline, eyes, cheeks, chin, and neck contribute to how people see you from every angle. A truly comprehensive, ideal approach considers the entire face, not just a feature or two.
Whether or not you think you need a full facial transformation, your doctor should be aware and capable of seeing how your face could become more feminine no matter what starting point you’re coming from. A doctor who can identify subtleties such as the shape of the orbital bone, prominence of the forehead, and hairline pattern can open your eyes to the complexities of your face, and the possibilities you have from FFS.
Facial Feminization Surgery in San Francisco
Dr. Deschamps-Braly is a pioneer and expert in facial feminization surgery, using leading techniques to provide patients with their ideal facial contours that show everyone around them who they truly are. Learn more about how FFS can change your life by contacting our team to schedule a consultation with Dr. Deschamps-Braly today.
Information gathered from: https://www.realself.com/news/choosing-doctor-facial-feminization-surgery.
Dr. Deschamps-Braly is a board-certified plastic and craniofacial surgeon specializing in facial plastic surgery, orthognathic (jaw) surgery, and craniofacial surgery for adults and children. He is also one of the world’s foremost leaders and innovators in facial gender confirmation surgery.
