Board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Toby Meltzer provides surgical care to members of the trans community through his own medical practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Toby Meltzer has been in private practice since 1996 and has since performed thousands of surgeries, including gender confirmation, breast augmentation, and facial feminization.
Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is a procedure that modifies the appearance of a patient’s facial characteristics so they appear more feminine. It is tailored to each individual and may involve such things as face-lifts, forehead procedures, hairline alterations, nose procedures, or cheek augmentation.
Recovering from FFS largely depends on the specific procedures each person undergoes. Because of this variation, complete recovery can take anywhere from a few months to a year.
Typically, patients who undergo FFS initially have bandages and support garments placed around their face. These bandages minimize swelling and usually stay on for roughly one week. Patients remain in the hospital for about a day following their procedure, but it’s recommended that they do not travel long distances and instead either get a hotel for a few days or live nearby the hospital where the surgery was performed.
As patients recover, they will notice that bruising and swelling on the face peaks two to three days after the initial procedure. They may also need pain medication for four to six days postoperative to ensure they stay comfortable during recovery.
Despite the swelling and pain patients may experience, they are usually capable of eating normal, soft foods, including yogurt, soup, and scrambled eggs. By 10 days, many individuals can resume their normal activities and can subsequently return to work after two to three weeks. As patients work up to this, they should do so gradually based on their own comfort levels and doctor recommendations.
Dr Toby Meltzer 