Discover Your Authentic Self With
FACIAL FEMINIZATION SURGERY
With Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Henry Chen
- Nearly 20 years of dedicated work in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery with a specialization in FFS (facial feminization surgery)
- 1,000+ successful FFS procedures
- Double-board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) and the American Board of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS)
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
DO YOU SEE “YOU” OR SOMEONE ELSE?
If what you see on the outside does not align with your inner feminine identity, Dr. Chen is here to help.
His advanced FFS techniques cater to your unique goals, identity, and needs, offering a natural transformation.
Dr. Henry Chen is a leading facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Los Angeles who’s on a mission to change lives for the better, one patient at a time.
His highly individualized, gender-affirming care and exceptional specialization in facial feminization surgery set him apart.
Dr. Chen doesn’t perform facial feminization “on the side.” He is one of the few surgeons worldwide with specialized training and extensive experience performing facial feminization plastic surgery.
Seeking gender-affirming care that aligns with your identity and personal journey?
He is the ideal ally to help you become a more confident, naturally beautiful, and integrated version of yourself.
You Deserve To Be Seen as and Recognized For WHO YOU ARE INSIDE
You know the struggle all too well.
You wake up, look in the mirror, and see a face that appears and feels like it’s not your own.
Then, you go out, meet someone new, and feel the anxious pause as they try to place your gender. To add salt to the wound, they often misgender you, which only deepens the internal discomfort you already experience.
Every reflection & every interaction seems like a reminder that you’re not seen & recognized for who you really are inside.
No one deserves to live this way. You don’t deserve to live a life hidden beneath a look that doesn’t reflect your true identity.
As a leading specialist in FFS, Dr. Henry Chen sees the real issue and understands your unique challenges. That’s why he combines deep expertise with a compassionate touch.
His state-of-the-art, personalized FFS procedures have helped hundreds of individuals live authentic and well-adjusted lives.
Ready for your journey back to the real beautiful you? Take your first steps with Dr. Chen.
Results That Make
A CLEAR DIFFERENCE
Ever heard people say, “Choose a job you love, & you will never have to work a day in your life”? This philosophy is especially true for Dr. Chen.
FFS procedures are highly complex. They require extensive experience and deep expertise (both of which Dr. Chen has & takes great pride in).
Still, Dr. Chen never finds doing them hard and tedious. In fact, he finds them incredibly rewarding.
Why? Dr. Chen loves helping people take back their lives with faces that reflect their inner confidence and natural beauty. He finds their before and after transformations immensely fulfilling.
See how Dr. Chen has helped transform the lives of many people.
Before After 
Before After 
Before After 
Before After 
Before After 
Before After A Message from
DR. HENRY CHEN
“My name is Henry Chen. I am a double-board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of Chen Facial Plastic Surgery. I specialize in facial feminization surgery, rhinoplasty, and facial rejuvenation, including facelifts, neck lifts, brow lifts, and blepharoplasty. I have dedicated myself to delivering the very best care and surgical results to my patients.
In my practice, patients are treated like family, and my goal is to listen first to your concerns. I take a personalized approach to care and tailor my recommendations and procedures to your desires to achieve exquisite results with minimal downtime.
Plastic surgery may change things on the outside, but when it is done tastefully and the results are natural, the transformation inside the patient is truly magical.
I have performed thousands of surgeries, and seeing this transformation occur over and over never gets old.
It is endlessly gratifying and fulfilling to help patients regain or improve their confidence.
I am passionate and committed to helping transgender patients align their external appearance with their inner selves. If you have gender dysphoria due to masculine features, I encourage you to schedule a consultation with me.”
Chen Facial Plastic Surgery
To Life-Changing Transformation:
HOW OUR PERSONALIZED FFS PROCESS WORKS
Ever felt lost in the shuffle at a busy medical practice where you’re just another name on a clipboard?
At Chen Facial Plastic Surgery, we treat you as a unique individual, not a statistic.
With Dr. Chen and his team, you’ll find healthcare providers who will genuinely care for you throughout the process.
We’ll take the time to understand your needs, address your concerns, and ensure you feel valued and supported throughout your entire FFS journey—from the initial consultation to post-op care.
You’re not just another appointment on our calendar—you’re family.
Let us guide and support you in your journey to natural beauty and lasting confidence.
“If you’re looking for the best plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, look no further. I mean it! I am going out of my way to write this review to save people the pain, frustration, and funds that I had gone through trying to find the right cosmetic surgeon for me. Book an [appointment] with Dr. Chen. You won’t be disappointed.”
BK
Review from Reddit
What To Expect and
HOW WE WILL SUPPORT YOU
Undergoing FFS in Los Angeles can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. But don’t worry—we’re here to make you feel right at home.
Here’s how we’ll ensure you’re safe, comfortable, and satisfied every
step of the way:
After your inquiry, Meghan, our front office coordinator, will call you to set up your appointment.
You’ll then receive a welcome email introducing you to our practice, our staff, and what sets us apart.
Before your appointment, Emmy, our patient care coordinator, will call you for a pre-consultation chat.
She’ll assist and guide you through everything, from your consultation to your surgery and beyond.
Dr. Chen will discuss your unique goals, preferences, and concerns during your visit.
Our team will then take photos of you. We typically use computer software to morph these images and demonstrate potential outcomes.
We’ll also review before-and-after photos of other patients.
Dr. Chen will recommend the best treatment plan for you and answer all your questions and concerns.
Emmy will detail financing options and scheduling with you. Then, we’ll book your surgery.
Before your surgery, we’ll have a preoperative appointment to ensure you’re all set.
If you have any questions or concerns during this time, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to ensure you’re well-informed and prepared for your upcoming FFS procedure.
BENEFITS
How you look is a big part of who you are. When your outer appearance affirms your inner identity, you:
- Feel more like yourself
- Find peace and acceptance
- Radiate beauty and confidence
Here are the specific benefits from Dr. Chen’s comprehensive and customized FFS procedures:
- A softer, more feminine look that’s natural
- Relief from gender dysphoria (unease and dissatisfaction)
- Be seen as a woman and not afraid of getting misgendered
- Calm confidence that results in having embraced your true self
- Enhanced emotional, psychological, and social well-being
RISKS
As with any surgery, FFS has risks, including:
- Pain, bleeding, and infection
- Healing or scarring issues
- Asymmetry that may require revision
- Nerve injury
- Risks related to anesthesia
Choosing a reputable FFS specialist like Dr. Chen can help minimize these risks and ensure a smoother, safer experience.
Here’s Dr. Chen in his own words:
“My philosophy focuses on a personalized approach, tailoring procedures to each patient’s individual desire to achieve exquisite results with minimal downtime.”
Henry Chen, MD
Chen Facial Plastic Surgery
Holistic and Empathetic
POST-SURGERY CARE
After surgery, Dr. Chen will check in with you the next day, either at the office or the aftercare facility where you stay.
We offer the option to stay at an aftercare facility to help ensure you have the best possible recovery.
During the first week, Emmy will stay in touch with you regularly to keep an eye on your progress.
One week after the surgery, you’ll come to the office for a post-op appointment so we can remove your sutures and check your incisions.
But we don’t stop there. We’ll continue to check in with you regularly, usually at one, three, six, and twelve months after your surgery, to ensure everything is healing well.
If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, Dr. Chen is just a call or text away. He’s always ready to help and will quickly address any issues that come up.
We’re here to support you throughout your journey & ensure that you receive the holistic & empathetic care you deserve.
Safe, Precise, and Minimally Invasive
Surgery With Dr. Henry Chen
Every patient’s goals for facial feminization surgery (FFS) are unique. That’s why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
Dr. Chen’s approach is all about precision and care. He uses minimally invasive techniques and tailors each procedure when targeting these specific areas:
Forehead
The upper third of your face can reveal the most noticeable gender differences. These parts include the following:
- Hairline
- Eyebrows
- Upper eyelids
- Underlying frontal bone
- Forehead
A prominent frontal bone and high eye sockets can cast shadows and make your facial features look masculine.
Dr. Chen employs advanced techniques, such as frontal sinus setback or type 3 cranioplasty, to achieve natural and appealing outcomes.
Scalp
A masculine hairline often has an “M” shape with visible recession near the temples. FFS will improve your hairline to give you a look that better aligns with your feminine identity.
Brows and Eyelids
Dr. Chen’s expertise in enhancing your brows and eyelids will help your eyes shine with the confidence and beauty you’ve always had.
Nose
The nose is a central facial feature. So, a masculine-looking nose can stand out and lead to dysphoria.
This mismatch can be a daily reminder of your gender incongruence and affect your self-esteem and how you interact with others.
Nasal refinement can help make your nose appear feminine.
As a rhinoplasty specialist, Dr. Chen addresses functional issues like a deviated septum to ensure both an aesthetically pleasing and functional outcome.
You’ll breathe easier and feel more confident with a nose that complements your true identity.
Jaw, Chin, and Neckline
A masculine jawline has an extra bone that can make your face look wider and more square-shaped. A prominent chin and neck contour can be a noticeable reminder of how out of sync your visible features are with how you perceive yourself.
If you have these problems, FFS may be the solution.
Dr. Chen’s meticulous approach ensures your jaw, chin, and neckline reflect the graceful facial profile you’ve always wanted.
Cheeks
Full and rounded cheeks contribute to facial harmony. Cheek augmentation (adding volume to your cheeks using fat transfer or implants) solves that problem.
Dr. Chen ensures your cheeks are naturally fuller and aligned with feminine contours.
Upper Lip
A long distance between your nose and upper lip can impact how your smile appears. Dr. Chen addresses this issue, giving you a brighter smile.
Other Facial Areas
Flat or hollow areas in your face can make your features look less feminine. The solution? Fat transfer.
Fat transfer adds volume to areas like your cheeks and under-eyes, enhancing feminine contours.
Dr. Chen carefully harvests fat from other parts of your body, including thighs, flanks, and abdomen, and injects it into flat or hollow areas to create a fuller, more youthful, feminine profile.
Forehead
Scalp
Brows and Eyelids
Nose
Jaw, Chin, and Neckline
Cheeks
Upper Lip
Other Facial Areas
Forehead
The upper third of your face can reveal the most noticeable gender differences. These parts include the following:
- Hairline
- Eyebrows
- Upper eyelids
- Underlying frontal bone
- Forehead
A prominent frontal bone and high eye sockets can cast shadows and make your facial features look masculine.
Dr. Chen employs advanced techniques, such as frontal sinus setback or type 3 cranioplasty, to achieve natural and appealing outcomes.
Scalp
A masculine hairline often has an “M” shape with visible recession near the temples. FFS will improve your hairline to give you a look that better aligns with your feminine identity.
Brows and Eyelids
Dr. Chen’s expertise in enhancing your brows and eyelids will help your eyes shine with the confidence and beauty you’ve always had.
Nose
The nose is a central facial feature. So, a masculine-looking nose can stand out and lead to dysphoria.
This mismatch can be a daily reminder of your gender incongruence and affect your self-esteem and how you interact with others.
Nasal refinement can help make your nose appear feminine.
As a rhinoplasty specialist, Dr. Chen addresses functional issues like a deviated septum to ensure both an aesthetically pleasing and functional outcome.
You’ll breathe easier and feel more confident with a nose that complements your true identity.
Jaw, Chin, and Neckline
A masculine jawline has an extra bone that can make your face look wider and more square-shaped. A prominent chin and neck contour can be a noticeable reminder of how out of sync your visible features are with how you perceive yourself.
If you have these problems, FFS may be the solution.
Dr. Chen’s meticulous approach ensures your jaw, chin, and neckline reflect the graceful facial profile you’ve always wanted.
Cheeks
Full and rounded cheeks contribute to facial harmony. Cheek augmentation (adding volume to your cheeks using fat transfer or implants) solves that problem.
Dr. Chen ensures your cheeks are naturally fuller and aligned with feminine contours.
Upper Lip
A long distance between your nose and upper lip can impact how your smile appears. Dr. Chen addresses this issue, giving you a brighter smile.
Other Facial Areas
Flat or hollow areas in your face can make your features look less feminine. The solution? Fat transfer.
Fat transfer adds volume to areas like your cheeks and under-eyes, enhancing feminine contours.
Dr. Chen carefully harvests fat from other parts of your body, including thighs, flanks, and abdomen, and injects it into flat or hollow areas to create a fuller, more youthful, feminine profile.
Are You Ready To
SEE THE REAL YOU?
Facial feminization surgery isn’t for everyone. But how do you know if you’re a good candidate for the procedure?
If you’re a transgender woman who struggles with masculine features that don’t match your true self, FFS could be ideal for you.
FFS can also help you align your appearance and identity if you’re a nonbinary individual seeking a more feminine look or a cisgender woman who wants to improve certain masculine-looking features.
Regardless of your experience, FFS can be a powerful step toward feeling truly at home in your own skin.
With Dr. Chen, you can finally look in the mirror and love the face you were always meant to have.
“I definitely recommend Dr. Chen. He is very thorough in explaining every aspect of the process, from preparation and procedure to recuperation.
He is readily available to discuss concerns and guides you through your options to meet your needs. He is very honest and personable and made me feel very comfortable. I am extremely happy with the results of my procedure.”
Renee M.
Review from Healthgrades.com
Meet DR. HENRY CHEN
Henry Chen, MD, is an award-winning, double-board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with nearly 20 years of experience performing life-enhancing, visible, and natural-looking transformations of the face and neck.
His credentials include certifications from these esteemed organizations in the United States:
- American Board of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
- American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Dr. Chen’s dedication to delivering the highest quality care has earned him widespread acknowledgment as a leading specialist in the field, including:
- Gordon Award for Exceptional Customer Service & Patient Satisfaction
- Vitals Preferred Provider (vitals.com)
- Los Angeles Magazine Top Doctor, 2019-2024
- Southern California Super Doctor, 2020-2024
- Ben Shuster Memorial Award (Most Outstanding Research Paper) in the field of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
After over 12 years at Cedars-Sinai, a renowned hospital in Los Angeles, he opened his private practice in Beverly Hills in Jan 2024.
Dr. Chen is an invited lecturer at various national meetings on facial feminization surgery & remains affiliated with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center as clinical faculty in its Otolaryngology Residency Program.
Dr. Chen’s attention to detail and empathetic approach ensures that each patient receives tailored care.
He customizes every procedure to match your goals & aspirations while prioritizing your safety and comfort.
Transforming Lives Through
EXPERTISE, INNOVATION, AND COMPASSION
Dr. Chen is also a Persana-verified surgeon. Persana is a reputable platform that can help you connect with next-level medical and aesthetic practitioners.
All Persana-verified specialists are board-certified, peer-selected, and at the peak of their fields.
Dr. Chen has established a solid reputation over 19 years, including:
- Five-year otolaryngology (ENT – ear, nose, and throat) residency
- One-year facial plastics fellowship
- Thirteen-year clinical practice
Dr. Chen’s stellar reviews on platforms like Google, Healthgrades, Vitals, and RateMD showcase his unique qualifications.
The glowing feedback speaks volumes about his dedication to delivering outstanding and compassionate care.
Aside from providing safe and high-quality gender-affirming care, serving the community brings Dr. Chen profound joy.
Since 2012, Dr. Chen has dedicated himself to annual medical missions in Guatemala with HELPS International, performing essential surgeries such as cleft lip & palate repairs & tumor removals for underserved rural communities.
HELPS International is a non-profit organization focused on making a real difference in the developing world. Through partnerships, it provides social, practical, and spiritual programs.
Dr. Chen also actively participates in Hometown Mission programs sponsored by Mending Kids in Los Angeles, offering transformative surgeries to children with cosmetic deformities.
Hometown Mission—Los Angeles is a one-day surgical mission held in summer at the Memorial Care Outpatient Surgical Center in Long Beach.
Mending Kids is a non-profit group that provides free surgeries to sick children worldwide and sends volunteer medical teams to teach communities to maintain a self-sustaining healthcare system.
“I went into medicine to help others, and I believe in the importance of giving back. There, the only thing that matters is the patient, and if we can take care of them in the short time that we are there. Being able to give so selflessly brings an incredible amount of joy, happiness, and satisfaction. It reminds me of just how lucky I am to live in the US but also what is really important in life.”
Henry Chen, MD
Chen Facial Plastic Surgery
Today, Dr. Chen continues to lead the way in facial plastic surgery with his dedication to ongoing learning and research.
He actively engages in clinical studies and publishes his findings to ensure his practice remains cutting-edge.
Each year, he participates in major medical conferences and stays updated with the latest advancements through industry journals to keep his skills sharp and his knowledge current.
Meet Your Allies
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Henry Chen, MD, MBA
Award-winning, Double-Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
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Meghan
Front Office Coordinator
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Emmy
Patient Care Coordinator
We Offer the Same Expert and
COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT YOU DESERVE
We welcome both local and out-of-town patients with the same level of care.
Our patient care coordinator, Emmy, will assist you in scheduling your surgery and planning your recovery. She’ll even help with your travel arrangements if you’re traveling from afar.
Typically, out-of-town patients spend a few days in an aftercare facility before moving to a hotel.
You’ll stay in town for about a week after surgery, with a follow-up appointment before you head home.
“Dr. Chen is incredibly professional. His team was extremely helpful and responsive in preparation up to my surgery date. My nasal surgery with Dr. Chen was life changing to say the least.”
Ori Menashe
Look and Live
YOUR TRUTH
FFS is a permanent, life-changing event involving considerable investment.
We believe that settling for convenience over excellence isn’t an option—you deserve only the best.
Embrace your truth and let your naturally beautiful self shine. Contact Dr. Henry Chen today to start your journey and see how exceptional gender-affirming care can make
a difference in your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is facial feminization surgery painful?
After surgery, patients usually experience some pain and discomfort. How much you
feel will depend on the number of procedures performed.
If you’ve had several procedures done on your whole face,
you might feel moderate pain.
Don’t worry. You can manage the pain with medication. Most patients only need narcotics for the first four to five days after surgery. After that, Advil and Tylenol are generally enough.
Advil and Tylenol are often all that’s needed for those with fewer procedures.
Who can have facial feminization surgery?
FFS may be ideal for you if you are:
- A transgender woman seeking transgender feminization surgery to align your facial features with your gender identity
- A non-binary person who wants to match your facial appearance with your gender expression
- A cisgender woman who wants to modify or enhance the femininity of your facial features
- An individual with gender dysphoria who feels significant distress due to a perceived mismatch between your gender identity and physical appearance
Gender dysphoria can affect anyone and might overlap with other experiences and identities, including the ones mentioned above.
That said, you may not be ready for an FFS yet if you have:
- Unrealistic expectations concerning the procedure
- Poorly controlled mental health concerns
- Severe medical conditions that make the procedure extra risky, like heart disease, bleeding disorders, and problems with general anesthesia
Performing this procedure on transgender teenagers is a complex and highly debated topic. However, in general, patients should be at least over the age of 18 before considering FFS.
Dr. Chen understands that the decision to undergo FFS is deeply personal and emotional. That’s why it’s really important for him to help you feel more confident and supported throughout the process.
Dr. Chen will listen to your unique goals, work closely with you to thoroughly assess your condition, and craft a personalized surgical plan to ensure that you achieve your ideal look—one that you can truly be happy and comfortable seeing in the mirror every day.
What does facial feminization surgery include?
Facial feminization surgery (FFS) aims to transform your masculine facial features into feminine ones.
As such, it may involve a series of treatments designed to align your appearance with your identity. Here are some of the procedures Dr. Chen might recommend:
Forehead contouring: Does your prominent forehead make your eyes appear recessed and shadowed? Forehead contouring removes the bony prominence and reshapes the orbits to create a smooth, feminine forehead.
Brow lift and eyelid lift: Want your eyes to stand out? Brow and eyelid lifts raise and reorient masculine brows and eyelids to open your gaze. With forehead contouring, this transformation puts your eyes’ beauty into focus. A blepharoplasty (eyelid lift ) can restore your eyes’ natural sparkle, making them more attractive, youthful, and feminine.
Scalp advancement: Do you have an M-shaped hairline? Scalp advancement lowers and reshapes your hairline to a soft, feminine U shape.
Nose surgery for facial feminization: Nasal surgery mostly involves rhinoplasty. In feminizing rhinoplasty, Dr. Chen may reduce and reshape your nose so that the tip is slightly upturned to give it a more feminine appearance while preserving its function.
Jaw and chin contouring: Do you want to reshape your square jaw? Jaw and chin contouring can reduce the extra jaw bone for a narrower, heart-shaped (feminine) look, using techniques that leave no external scars.
Tracheal shave: A tracheal shave reduces the size and prominence of your thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple) for a smooth and feminine neckline.
Fat transfer: This procedure adds volume to key facial areas, including the temples, around the mouth, cheeks, and lower eyelids. Fat transfer procedures typically use fats from other body parts, like thighs, flanks, and abdomen.
Cheek augmentation: This treatment uses implants or fat transfer to make your cheeks look fuller and more feminine.
Upper lip lift: An upper lip lift shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip. It creates a fuller lip, giving you a more vibrant smile that reflects your true personality.
Facelift and neck lift: These procedures relieve sagging facial and neck tissues to create a tapered, heart-shaped (feminine) profile.
How long does facial feminization surgery take to heal?
Your facial tissues will continue to heal and change for a year or more post-surgery.
That said, your incisions will fully close within a week or so. You might experience some swelling and possibly bruising, but don’t worry.
You’ll eventually notice gradual improvements, indicating you’re closer to full recovery.
Remember to follow post-op instructions, like applying ice and limiting physical activity, to help your bruising resolve faster. Most bruising will resolve by two weeks after the surgery.
While swelling may linger for up to a year, you can begin to embrace your new look a month after the procedure.
Lastly, the final results of an FFS treatment typically become clear a year after FFS.
At Chen Facial Plastic Surgery, our services don’t stop when you’re done with your procedure.
We’ll check in regularly—one, three, six, and twelve months after your surgery—to ensure everything is on track.
If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, Dr. Chen is just a call or text away to help resolve any issue.
We’ll support you every step of the way, ensuring you get the advanced, holistic, and empathetic care you deserve.
Is facial feminization permanent?
Yes. Facial feminization is a permanent, life-changing, and vital part of your transition. The procedure will help you achieve a more feminine face that reflects the real you inside and matches your gender identity.
Still, the thought of a permanent change can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time with FFS.
Dr. Chen understands these feelings. That’s why he listens carefully to your goals and crafts a personalized surgical plan just for you.
Choosing to undergo FFS is a deeply personal and emotional decision, so Dr. Chen and his team want you to feel confident and supported every step of the way.
From your first consultation to recovery, they will be right by your side. You’re not alone in this journey.
We’re here to ensure your safety, comfort, and satisfaction throughout the process.
What is the cost of facial feminization surgery?
Your health insurance plan may cover facial feminization surgery. If not, the cost of the surgery will be an out-of-pocket expense.
The total cost depends on how many procedures you underwent. That said, FFS can cost $50,000 or more.
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Get In TOUCH WITH US
Dr. Chen is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Call (310) 997-0280 or fill out the form below for a consultation.
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