Taking Transgender Conversations Out of the Closet

Atlanta plastic surgeon, Dr. Sheldon Lincenberg, is involved and in tune with his patients, especially when his patients come in asking for a procedure that some consider taboo. Aiding patients suffering from gender dysphoria, Lincenberg provides breast augmentation or mastectomy procedures to complete the transition.

By Sheldon Lincenberg, MD
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com

The Process of Change

Transgender patients, like every other plastic surgery patient, must be very informed, well educated and go through an extensive process that involves many medical specialties.  From psychology and counseling, to endocrinology, to plastic surgery, each specialist plays a important role in the process of changing the patient’s gender.  Often, by the time the patient gets to Dr. Lincenberg for the plastic surgery component of the change, they have already transitioned in their daily lifestyle through their clothing choices, hair and make up, place of employment and hobbies.

Surgery….Where do you start?

Licenberg, a board certified plastic surgeon and member of ASAPS,  says that one of the first surgeries on cosmetic side in this process, is to change the chest and torso to better suit the patient’s new gender choice.  They will often move to facial plastic surgery to soften a nose with Rhinoplasty or a forehead with a Browlift and or Botox. Facial angularity is also important and there are some amazing noninvasive ways to fill and highlight that special facial structure to illuminate the cheeks like never before!  However, surprisingly, he says, “Very few transgender patients actually have surgery to change the genital area.”

Never underestimate the power of a woman

In the past, transgender surgery has been difficult to discuss openly and honestly.  But with recent events like the Supreme Court’s ruling on gay marriage and Caitlyn Jenner’s debut, conversations that were once in the closet just came out in the open!  Bruce Jenner has certainly provided an avenue to change this. From his ABC interview with Diane Sawyer, to the cover of Vogue and now his new E!  TV series, I am Cait, Bruce is certainly not hiding from the transition he has gone through and most likely, the journey will continue.  The recent revelations of Caitlyn Jenner have changed the entire dialogue in the community, opening up countless new conversations and allowing those conversations to become more mainstream, taking place in our living rooms instead of behind a dark cloak.