This page is general information. Whether any procedure is suitable for you can only be decided after an individual clinical assessment by a qualified surgeon, and requirements differ between providers.
- Anaesthesia
- General
- Operating time
- Varies widely: about 2–10 hours
- Hospital stay
- Commonly 1–3 nights
- Time in Thailand
- Commonly 10–14 days
- Swelling
- Most settles in weeks; subtle swelling for months
- Planning
- Often includes a CT scan
What FFS includes
FFS is tailored to each face. Common procedures include: - Forehead contouring and brow bone reduction, sometimes with a brow lift - Hairline advancement, to lower or reshape a receding hairline - Feminizing rhinoplasty - Cheek augmentation, with implants or fat - Lip lift - Jaw angle reduction and chin reshaping - Tracheal shave, to reduce the Adam's apple
Most people have several of these, in one operation or in stages.
Consultation and planning
Surgeons assess your face from photos and in person, and often request a CT scan to plan bone work on the forehead, jaw and chin. The plan balances your goals with safety: very long combined operations increase risk, so some surgeons stage procedures. WPATH SOC-8 does not require a set period of hormone therapy for facial surgery; ask each surgeon about their own requirements.
Forehead and hairline
The brow ridge may be reduced by contouring the bone or, when the frontal sinus lies behind a thin wall, by setting back the front wall of the sinus. This is often done through a hairline incision, which also allows the hairline to be advanced. Hair transplant can be an alternative or addition for hairline reshaping.
Recovery timeline
- First week: significant swelling and bruising, especially after forehead and jaw work; a compression garment may be used.
- 7–14 days: stitches out and early checks before flying.
- Weeks to months: most swelling fades over several weeks; subtle swelling and numbness can take months to settle, and results continue to refine for up to a year.
Risks
Possible complications include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, numbness (for example of the scalp after forehead surgery, or the lower lip and chin after chin work), nerve weakness (usually temporary), scarring, hair loss near incisions, sinus problems after forehead surgery, and the need for revision. Combined long operations carry additional anaesthetic risk.
Travelling to Thailand for FFS
Plan for about 10–14 days, and longer after extensive combined surgery. Stay near the hospital, bring front-opening clothes and plan soft foods if jaw or chin work is done. Your surgeon decides when it is safe to fly.
What affects the cost
The number and complexity of procedures, whether bone work and CT planning are needed, operating time, hospital nights and anaesthesia all affect the price. Ask for an itemised written quote. See our cost guide.
Choosing a surgeon
Look for a surgeon licensed by the Medical Council of Thailand with regular, specific experience in FFS, including bone surgery of the forehead and jaw. Ask to see results for faces similar to yours and how complications are managed after you return home.
Types and techniques
Surgeons and hospitals for facial feminization surgery
Verified surgeons profiles are being added
We list surgeons only after checking their licence, training and hospital affiliations against official sources for facial feminization surgery. You can still book now: our patient team matches you with a suitable provider and confirms the booking.
Book a consultationPreecha Aesthetic Institute (PAI)
Milada Plastic Surgery Hospital
Kamol Cosmetic Hospital
WIH International Hospital
APS Gender Care
Wansiri Hospital
Nirunda International Aesthetic Clinic
Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital
Masterpiece Hospital
Bangkok Plastic Surgery Clinic
Facial feminization surgery by destination
Frequently asked questions
How long should I stay in Thailand after FFS?
Commonly 10–14 days, and longer after extensive combined surgery. Your surgeon confirms when you can fly.
Do I need to be on hormones before FFS?
WPATH SOC-8 does not set a hormone requirement for facial surgery, but surgeons may have their own criteria. Ask each provider.
Can all FFS procedures be done at once?
Some surgeons combine several procedures; others stage them to limit operating time and risk. It depends on your plan and health.
Why is a CT scan needed?
A CT scan shows the shape and thickness of the bones, including the frontal sinus, which helps the surgeon plan forehead, jaw and chin work safely.
Is tracheal shave part of FFS?
Tracheal shave (chondrolaryngoplasty) is often done alongside FFS but can also be done on its own.
When will I see the final result?
Most swelling settles over several weeks, but subtle swelling and numbness can take months; the final result may take up to a year.
Sources
- Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8. WPATH / International Journal of Transgender Health (2022). Accessed 2026-09-23.
- Guidelines for the primary and gender-affirming care of transgender and gender nonbinary people. UCSF Transgender Care. Accessed 2026-09-23.
- Medical Council of Thailand. Medical Council of Thailand. Accessed 2026-09-23.
This page is written by our editorial team from the sources above. Independent review by a licensed surgeon is being arranged; until then it is marked as review pending. See our medical review policy.