Whether you are taking the first step in your transition or surgery is part of your continuing journey, Dr. Susan Kaweski and the team at Aesthetic Arts Institute can help you achieve your vision.

Dr. Kaweski offers transgender facial surgery to patients in San Diego who want their features to reflect their gender identity. In addition to her experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon, she has extensive expertise in craniofacial procedures. With this background, she can make subtle-but-transformative changes to support your identity and add to the aesthetics of your appearance.

Getting Started with Transgender Facial Surgery

Visit Aesthetic Arts Institute for a consultation. Here, you’ll experience a compassionate and supportive approach to your treatment. Our small staff makes every effort to ensure patient comfort and to create a real relationship with each person in our care.

During your consultation, Dr. Kaweski will talk with you about what you’d like to accomplish with transgender facial surgery. She’ll also conduct an examination and answer any questions you have about the procedure.

Some important things to know:

  • Typically, you will need hormone replacement therapy for about a year before having surgery. Your primary care physician can guide you in this process.
  • You may require more than one surgical session to achieve the results you want. Dr. Kaweski can explain how different procedures work together to help you accomplish your goals.

The Possibilities with Transgender Facial Surgery

Dr. Kaweski will recommend a procedure or set of procedures based on your consultation. The transgender facial surgery options she offers patients in San Diego include:

Frontal orbital revision. One of the most noticeable features in a masculine forehead is a prominent brow. For individuals transitioning to female, Dr. Kaweski can reduce the brow and smooth the forehead for a more effeminate look. For those transitioning to male, she can make the brow more pronounced.

Cheek implants. Dr. Kaweski can create softer and fuller cheeks: a hallmark of a feminine face.

Chin and jowl setback. Transgender facial surgery can either strengthen the jawline with an implant for a more masculine appearance or reduce the chin and jowl’s prominence for a more effeminate look.

Tracheal shave. By removing cartilage from the area of the throat, Dr. Kaweski decreases the size of the Adam’s apple.

Nose surgery. A male nose tends to be more pronounced; the opposite is true for a female nose. Dr. Kaweski can reduce or augment your nose to improve its aesthetics and function.

Male pattern baldness. Dr. Kaweski offers hair restoration techniques such as soft tissue expansion to improve balding areas.

Your Experience with Transgender Facial Surgery

Procedures take place under general anesthesia at La Mesa Surgery Center. You can expect to go home the same day except with certain procedures, such as brow setback.

Dr. Kaweski uses MEDPOR® for implant procedures. MEDPOR products are biocompatible and porous to encourage your tissue to grow in and through the implant. This keeps the implant securely in place and makes it feel more like a natural feature of your face.

Expect recovery from most transgender facial surgeries to take about four weeks. You will likely have swelling and bruising during this period, and it may take a full year for swelling to go away completely. By the end of your recovery, you should have facial features more in line with your gender identity and your personal aesthetic goals.

Learn more about Dr. Kaweski’s work and options for transgender facial surgery. Contact our San Diego offices online or by phone at (619) 464-9876.