Increasingly, facial feminization and masculinization techniques are being employed in the treatment of gender dysphoria. For the facial surgeon, knowledge of the anatomical differences between masculine and feminine facial skeletal structures is of utmost importance. Combining this knowledge with the various surgical and non-techniques that may be employed in order to achieve each patient's goals will allow the facial surgeon to greatly impact the lives of persons of transgender and gender diverse experience. Below, this article discusses these anatomical differences as well as current surgical practices employed in order to masculinize or feminize the face.

In male-to-female gender transition, individuals request a number of interventions, including hormonal therapy, to promote feminizing characteristics. Estrogen-based medication is prescribed to increase breast development, decrease facial hair, promote feminine adipose tissue deposition, and soften skin. Surgical breast augmentation to supplement unsatisfying breast growth after hormonal therapy is a common and well-studied course of management for such transgender patients. In a departure from convention, the authors present a case of symptomatic macromastia requiring surgical breast reduction in a transgender woman following 24 years of hormonal therapy and illicit silicone injections in multiple areas of her body, including the breasts.

Abstract:In 2013, there were 17 million procedures performed by plastic and reconstructive surgeons in the United States in the private office or ambulatory "surgicenter" setting, as well as additional operations performed in hospitals on an outpatient basis. As interest in performing increasingly complex surgical procedures on an outpatient basis continues to grow, the surgeon and anesthesiologist alike must be prepared to offer safe and reliable anesthesia and analgesia in the ambulatory setting. Surgeons must be aware of the possible techniques that will be employed in their surgeries in order to anticipate and prepare patients for possible postoperative side effects, and anesthesiologists must be prepared to offer such techniques in order to ensure a relatively rapid return to normal activity despite potentially having undergone major surgery. The following is a review of the specific considerations that should be given to ambulatory plastic surgery patients with comments on recent developments in the techniques used to safely administer agreeable and effective anesthesia.

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