What are the risks of facial masculinization surgery?

The decision to have facial masculinization surgery is extremely personal. You'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Your mental health is very important. Surgery affects everyone differently. There is not enough research to say if facial masculinization surgery will improve or worsen your mental health or improve or alleviate your gender dysphoria.

Facial masculinization surgery is considered permanent and may be impossible to reverse. Some patients later report regret about their decision to have gender surgery. There is not yet good data on the number of patients who regret their surgery or later detransition.

Your plastic surgeon and/or their staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms for each surgery to ensure that you fully understand the procedures you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

Risks of surgery

There will be risks specifically related to each procedure you select, but generally the possible risks of facial masculinization surgery include, but are not limited to, bleeding, infection, poor healing of incisions, hematoma, failure of the bone to heal, prolonged swelling, hair loss along the incision line and anesthesia risks.

Risks related to implants

There will also be risks associated with using cartilage or manufactured implants (solid pieces of silicone or plastic) if used during your procedure to change your facial structure. Risks of facial implants include infection, bleeding, numbness, persistent pain, shifting of the implant, revision surgery, skin contour irregularity, skin discoloration, scarring and firmness around the implant.