Many F.F.S. patients end up undergoing surgical procedures of the chin and jaw. The reason for this is clear – changes to these areas are often needed in order to reduce their masculine appearance.

The most common approach to feminization of the chin and jaw involves bone burring of one or both of these areas.  Incisions are made on the inside of the mouth in order to avoid visible scarring.  Dr. Cardenas then works to contour the bone to its more feminine shape.  Dissolvable sutures are placed inside the mouth to close the incisions.

Another approach to chin and jaw feminization involves the cutting or “osteotomy” of the bone in order to reach the objective of more feminine contours.  For patients with a vertically large chin, a bone “ostectomy” might be indicated.  This involves the resection and removal of a section of bone.  Incisions for these procedures are also placed on the inside of the mouth and dissolvable sutures are also used.

Other aesthetic issues of the chin can also be corrected even if the objective is not necessarily related to feminization.  For example, chin augmentation can be accomplished with the placement of a chin implant.  For patients with a chin that is too far back, Dr. Cardenas can use a technique called a sliding genioplasty.  This procedure involves cutting the bone and bringing it forward.