Transgender people go through a very personal, intricate, and multifaceted process of self-affirmation and self-discovery. For some people, facial feminization surgery (FFS) is a crucial step in this process.
To put it simply, this is a collection of reconstructive surgical techniques that change the shape and size of characteristically masculine face characteristics to more closely resemble those of typical female facial features. In this post, we’ll go into more detail about the procedure, its aftereffects, and how people who opt to get it can feel a lot more confident in themselves.
Understanding Modern Transgender Surgeries
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Transgender surgeries encompass numerous operations designed to align an individual’s physical appearance and functions with their internal sense of self. Not every transgender person elects to undergo surgery; some may choose hormones or other therapies instead.
However, for many, surgery is an important step in their transition. It’s also worth noting the increase in popularity of MTF surgeries – this refers to surgeries done to assist a person transitioning from male to female. Especially due to the increasing acceptance of LGBTQ+, more and more people have found themselves being more open about their identities and transitioning due to it as well.
What is Facial Feminization Surgery?
Facial feminization surgery is a set of reconstructive surgical procedures that alters typically male facial features to bring them closer to a feminine facial appearance. Procedures can include forehead reduction and contouring, nose refinement, cheek augmentation, lip lifting, chin and jaw contouring, and thyroid cartilage reduction (Adam’s apple reduction).
These different procedures can be done in conjunction to achieve the desired outcome. Patients and surgeons will often work together closely to plan out which procedures are necessary and appropriate, considering individual circumstances and desired results.
Confidence and Facial Feminization Surgery
Facial feminization surgery aims to greatly enhance the psychological and emotional well-being of many trans women and non-binary people. This will help them create better social and professional relationships as a result of the increased levels of self-confidence and an improved quality of life due to having a more positive self-image.
Most of the cases where people had lower self-esteem came from cases where a trans woman would look in the mirror and feel estranged from her reflection because she saw a “male” face staring back. With facial feminization surgery, she would feel relieved knowing that there will not be a lot of dissonance between how she feels and wants to be in contrast to how she actually looks.
Advancements in MTF Surgeries
There have been drastic advancements in modern science for the world of MTF surgeries that will offer more successful results, reduced risks, and shorter recovery times. That is because, over time, techniques have evolved and improved over time that achieve more quality procedures and cater to a range of needs and preferences.
Surgeries like breast augmentation, body contouring, voice surgery, genital surgery, and also facial feminization surgery are examples of procedures that trans women would in their transformations. These surgeries undoubtedly serve a critical role within the transgender community where these procedures help align their outward appearances with their identified gender.
The Positive Impact of Transgender Surgeries
There have been overall benefits to transgender surgeries in which there are medical and sociological studies in which shown some positives. The positive impacts that have been shown are on mental health, quality of life, and sexual functionality.
Some of the issues that occur when it comes to the transgender community, issues like anxiety, depression, and suicide are rampant. This is caused by certain dissonance that occurs within what is in their mind and identity in contrast to what they actually see or how they are perceived.
For this, gender-confirming surgery has been found to significantly reduce the likelihood of these mental conditions occurring. Furthermore, societal acceptance and the legal recognition of transgender people in society also helped play a role in showing off the benefits that these surgeries have to the wider audience.
In modern society where there is an increasing acceptance of self-expression and creativity being encouraged, facial feminization surgery, transgender surgeries, and mtf surgeries are increasing to help cater to those who identify differently. With that in mind, just like the creativity aspect, it is important to remember that not that these surgeries are not “one size fits all” procedures where there will be certain options and modifications that will need to be made in order to fit your health conditions, needs, and results you are aiming for.
A wide range of options exist for those who wish to align their physical appearance to their identity which will improve their quality of life, mental health, and self-confidence. With that in mind, conducting careful research and exercising caution is necessary to ensure that you will be happy with the results in the end and be able to be satisfied with the results of your appearance.