Acclaimed Transgender Surgeon Shares Tips on Beginning Transitioning Surgery

Whether a transgender person is male or female, transitioning surgery usually begins with the face and chest.

According to transgender surgery pioneer, Dr. Sherman Leis, "From the transgender person's perspective, it is most important to start presenting in one's true gender as soon as possible. Face and chest surgery are obvious visual reinforcement leading to personal gender balance and internal harmony."

According to Dr. Leis, for males transitioning to females, (MTF or M2F), Dr. Leis suggests starting with brow and Adam's Apple minimization surgery, as well as surgery that softens the nose, chin and cheek bone. Lips (the vermillion) and shortening of the upper lip can be minimized as well.

Breast augmentation has a high priority for Transgender patients and is often one of the first things they have done. In addition to the surgeries, a hormone protocol utilizing estrogen, and often a hormone blocker such as Aldactone (spironolactone), managed by an experienced endocrinologist, is valuable in softening skin and feminizing the balance between fat and muscle.

For females transitioning to males (FTM or F2M), transitioning often begins with breast reduction, combined with hormonal treatments to cause facial and body hair to grow. Men's faces are usually squarer than women's, therefore sometimes jaw contouring is requested.

The first step for the Transgender person considering transitioning is to schedule an initial consultation with a mental health specialist who can provide evaluation, guidance, and support. This would be followed by hormonal therapy and then consideration of a number of surgical options, ultimately creating a road map for transitioning that fits in with the patient's interests, lifestyle, and budget.

The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery can help connect people to a vast array of specialists in every area who are also specialists in transgender medicine and the transitioning experience.

Observes Dr. Leis, "Although there are a number of types of surgeons who can perform face and chest surgery. I recommend selecting a surgeon who specializes in transgender medicine. It is true that the quality of the surgery will be good with any competent surgeon, however, a transgender specialist will usually have more experience in understanding the entire process, the transgender patient and being sensitive to their needs."

Said Dr. Leis, "As the transgender person contemplates transitioning, they must consider the totality of the process, including taking the next steps toward considering bottom surgery. Having one trusted surgeon at the beginning and throughout the process will alleviate stress and provide consistency in planning and in the complete experience."

Dr. Sherman Leis is a pioneer in Transgender surgery. He is one of the world's preeminent Transgender surgeons and founder of The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery, located in Bala Cynwyd, PA. It is recognized as one of the leading facilities in the world specializing in gender reassignment surgery -- facial, chest and bottom surgery.

The Center was founded to be a single source of information and expertise in medical care for the transgender. The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery offers a uniquely supportive environment where one can connect with Dr. Leis' surgical and non-surgical team of dedicated specialists -- surgeons, psychologists, endocrinologists, aestheticians, speech therapists, legal experts, and others.

The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery is located in suburban Philadelphia at 19 Montgomery Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.

For more information, call 610-667-1888 or visit www.thetransgendercenter.com