Frequently asked questions

Male to Female FAQ | Facial feminization

1. Are gender affirming facial surgeries covered?

Each province or territory has its own gender affirming surgery program. You can find the information specific to your local program through the ministry of health of your province, state or country. Some insurance companies offer funding for these interventions.
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2. My insurance offers funding for gender affirming facial surgery, is it possible for you to collaborate with them?

We will gladly collaborate with insurance companies.
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3. I would like to have a voice surgery with my facial surgery, is it possible?

We do not combine voice surgery to other interventions. Moreover, it is recommended to proceed with voice surgery only after other surgical interventions to limit endotracheal intubations on vocal cords on which a surgery was performed.
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4. What are the prerequisites for gender affirming facial surgery?

We recommend you communicate with our team to obtain the list of required documents to plan a consultation for a facial surgery.
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5. Do I need to send a letter of recommendation?

Our team does not require a letter of recommendation for GAFS. If your surgical intervention is funded by a program, please refer to the program provider to ask for admissibility criteria.
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6. Do I need to be on feminizing hormones prior to GAFS?

It is highly recommended to be on feminizing hormone therapy for at least 6 to 12 months before the surgical intervention because hormones will change hair growth and fat distribution, which have a major impact on the look of your face.
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7. Is a scan necessary?

If you would like a forehead or mandibular surgery, a facial bones CT scan with 3D reconstruction will be required. The results and images will need to be sent to our team.
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8. Can I do permanent hair removal on my face?

Before surgery

It is recommended to proceed to permanent hair removal prior to surgery to optimize the results of the intervention. Permanent hair removal treatments must be ceased at least 6 weeks before surgery.

After surgery

You could start or resume permanent hair removal treatments 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
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9. Can I dye my hair before and after surgery?

We ask you not to dye your hair within 5 days of your surgery if you are planning to have forehead surgery. After the procedure, wait 6 weeks and for all your wounds to be completely healed, to dye your hair again.
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10. I have permanent make-up, is it a contraindication to the surgical intervention?

No. Permanent make-up is not a contraindication to gender affirming facial surgery.
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11. Can I tattoo my face and neck after the surgical procedure?

It is recommended to wait at least 6 weeks and a complete healing of your wounds before doing tattoos or permanent make-up on your face and neck.
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12. How long after the surgical procedure can I have Botox or filling agents injections?

To optimize the results, it is recommended to wait for the complete resolution of facial oedema before considering injections. We recommend waiting at least 6 weeks after surgery.
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13. Can I brush my teeth after mandibular surgery?

A chlorhexidine mouth rinse (without alcohol) will be prescribed for 2 weeks following the surgery. You will then be authorized to resume your usual mouth-rinse but alcohol-free mouth rinse is recommended. You can resume brushing your teeth the day after surgery with a soft baby toothbrush. 2 weeks after surgery, you will be allowed to use your usual toothbrush.
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14. Do you offer masculinizing facial procedures?

At GrS Montréal, we currently offer surgeries designed to soften the face and neck to achieve more typically feminine facial features. These surgeries are commonly referred to as FFS (Facial Feminization Surgery).
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