Transgender Rhinoplasty Seattle

Transgender rhinoplasty is the surgical reshaping of a transgender patient's nose to create either a more feminine or masculine appearance. Plastic surgeons like Dr. Javad Sajan, combine surgical expertise with an artistic "eye" to create a nose shape that is in balance with the transgender patient's face and goals.

The width, length, and angle of a patient's nose (from between the nose and upper lip and the nose to the forehead) often have gender distinctive differences. The skilled surgeon must strike a physical and aesthetic balance when shaping the nose, especially in relation to other transition procedures that have or will be done. The ultimate goal is to enable the patient to present his or her gender with confidence.

The transgender patient who is making the physical transition from female to male (FTM) may opt to have rhinoplasty to augment the shape (and possibly the size) of the nose. In this rhinoplasty procedure, a larger and wider nose is created for a stronger, more masculine facial appearance.

The person transitioning from male to female patient (MTF) chooses rhinoplasty for exactly the opposite reason – to feminize the nose. FTM rhinoplasty redefines the nose by reducing the length and width of the nose and possibly adding a slight lift to the nose tip.

Your transgender rhinoplasty surgery will be done on an outpatient basis at our surgery center. An overnight hospital stay is not required. An anesthesiologist will administer either a general (deep sleep) anesthesia or a combination intravenous sedation and anesthesia. You will be monitored throughout surgery and recovery for your safety and comfort.

Dr. Sajan will make micro-incisions inside your nostrils, called a "closed" approach. This allows him to complete the reshaping while creating less trauma and preserve an optimal amount of circulation in the tissues. If he must use an "open" approach, he will make a small incision on the columella (the vertical strip of skin that separates the nostrils) in order to access the underlying nasal structure.

In FTM rhinoplasty, emphasis on building the nose up, possibly broadening and lengthening it. These steps may require both open and closed approaches.

Dr. Sajan will create a new framework in the nose, using a bone graft, cartilage, or implants to augment/masculinize the nose.

The focus in MTF rhinoplasty is to give the nose a more feminine outline and proportions in relation to the facial frame. Dr. Sajan will make incisions in a closed approach to access the cartilage and bone, shaving and cutting to reduce the width and length of the nasal structure. He may also reshape the bridge of your nose to straighten it, and possibly redefine the tip to a shorter, slightly uplifted shape.

Dr. Sajan will use fine dissolvable suture to close the incisions after your rhinoplasty is complete. Your results will be apparent fairly soon after surgery and will continue to refine between six and 12 months. Dr. Sajan will provide detailed instructions for your recovery, medications, activity level, and follow-up appointments. Carefully follow these instructions to facilitate your recovery process and optimize the results of your surgery.

Rhinoplasty is an important step that can help you see and feel your evolving masculine or feminine self. Contact Dr. Sajan's office for a consultation appointment and discuss transgender rhinoplasty options for meeting your transformation goals.