Recovery

Recovery after FFS

After your Facial Feminization Surgery at Face2Face Clinic, your recovery is of great importance to us. Our dedicated team is ready to support you with postoperative instructions and meet all your needs during this crucial phase.

Recovery process

• Numbness: In procedures where the bone structure of your face has been altered by Dr. O. Beckers and Dr. M. Van Genechten, you are likely to experience numbness in that area for a certain period (for example, the forehead, chin, or jaw, depending on the procedure). This is normal and a result of the skin being detached from the bone during the operation, affecting the nerves under the skin. Full recovery from Facial Feminization Surgery can take up to 12 months, but you can return to work after two to five weeks.
• Tension: Swelling can cause the skin to feel tight and warm, which is normal and will decrease over time.
• Swelling and Bruising: Swelling peaks 2 to 3 days after the surgery. Swelling and bruising may persist for 2 to 4 weeks. It may take 3-6 months to get an impression of the final result, which becomes fully visible after 1 or even 2 years. Patience is required.
• Difficulty Breathing through the Nose: After a nose correction, it may be difficult to breathe through the nose. Nasal drops are provided during the preoperative consultation.
• Eating Difficulties: Swelling around the lips after certain procedures may make eating challenging, but this will subside within 1 to 2 weeks. 

Day of the Operation

Immediately after the operation, the following symptoms may be present and persist for several days:

• General swelling and bruising, especially around the eyes after forehead recontouring and hairline lowering, which may affect vision.
• Double vision may occur if significant portions of the eyebrow bone are removed.
• Dry mouth and difficulties with drinking, especially after a liplift and lipofilling of the lips, due to swelling.
• Difficulty breathing through the nose, with tampons inserted the first night and removed the next day by the morning nurse.
• Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, usually with jaw and/or chin procedures and nose corrections.