How Is Chin Surgery in Facial Feminization Performed?

 Most transgender individuals elect for facial feminization to eliminate their gender dysphoria. They seek facial feminization surgeries to affirm their gender identity. These include all the facial plastic surgeries that aim to feminize specific facial features that look masculine. A chin surgery is a key component of facial feminization. This blog focuses on how a chin reduction or Jawline Surgery in India can help feminize the face. To understand how the surgery works and is performed, it's essential to first understand how a typical male or female chin looks.  

 

Key Chin Characteristics: Typical Male and Female Differences

 

• Chin width- The chins of males are typically wider than those of females.

• Chin prominence- Chin is more defined, angular, and juts out from the lower end of the face of a male. However, females tend to have a more recessed and less prominent chin.

• Chin shape- The chins of males are more square or rectangular, while females have more rounded or pointed chins. Thus, males have a more prominent jawline, and females have a more delicate, softer chin appearance.  

• Jaw angle- Gonial/jaw angle is more acute in men than in women.  

• These chin characteristics are crucial for gender recognition and a pivotal factor for achieving the objectives of facial feminization surgery.

 

How Chin Surgery Works to Feminize the Face?

 

A chin feminizing surgery aims at:

 

• Narrowing the chin by removing the chin bone from the sides of the chin

• Reducing the chin by shaving down or repositioning the chin (through sliding genioplasty)

• Rounding or smoothing the chin by eliminating the squareness and angularity of the chin.

 

Overall, smaller proportions of the chin are created by the surgery to make it look like a typical female chin. The surgery ensures the chin is in natural balance and upholds feminine beauty. 

 

The Procedure of Chin Feminization Surgery

 

Here are the steps involved in the procedure of feminizing the chin:

 

1. Assessment and Planning- Once the patient is found to be a suitable candidate for chin feminizing surgery, the facial plastic surgeon takes 3D CT scans and does 3D modelling to assess the existing anatomy of the patient’s chin and plan out the surgery. The surgical plan is made tailored to the patient’s unique facial structure and the desired surgical outcomes.

2. The Surgery- Depending on which characteristics of the chin are addressed, the surgeon uses a suitable surgical technique. Before starting with the operation, the patient’s chin is anaesthetised to ensure a comfortable surgical experience. Access to the chin bone or soft tissues is usually gained through intraoral incisions and sometimes an external hidden incision (made under the chin). 

Different surgical techniques are:

 

• Osseous Genioplasty- This involves cutting of chin bone for chin reshaping. The cuts are made to reduce the chin width, or a wedge of chin bone is removed to shorten it.

 

• Sliding Genioplasty- This is a commonly executed technique where a cut is made in the chin bone to shift it backward or forward and adjust its projection/shape.

 

• T-shaped Osteotomy- This involves making a horizontal cut across the chin bone and then a vertical cut on the top to remove or reposition the bone segments of the chin and achieve the desired feminine chin contour. 

 

• Grafting- Bone grafts or chin implants may be required for some people undergoing chin feminization to augment and sculpt the chin, making it more feminine.

 

• Telescopic Genioplasty- This is a breakthrough chin surgery technique to reduce the chin dimensions and its sagittal position.

During the chin osteotomies, the surgeon must take precautions to protect the mental nerve of the chin, which, when damaged, can cause numbness of the chin. Following the chin bone reshaping, the surgeon may have to resuspend the mentalis muscles to prevent ptosis. To avoid the chin deformities after surgery, the surgeon must take care of the balance between the chin bone and soft tissue. Soft tissue contouring builds a more feminine-looking chin. The overall surgery may be combined with jawline contouring- mandibular angle reduction, in some cases.

 

• Result and Recovery- Following chin feminization surgery, there is potential for minor and temporary swelling and bruising. The desired outcomes become apparent once the swelling resolves, usually in several months. During the recovery, the patient must follow the surgeon's wound care instructions, maintain oral hygiene, and recommend an aftercare routine.

 

Would You Like to Change Your Chin Appearance?

 

The best chin facial feminization surgery in India is available at the best possible price with Dr. Parag Telang at Designer Bodyz. He has performed many successful FFS surgeries. If you wish for it, schedule a consultation now.