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Do I need to be taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to get facial surgery?

Absolutely not. At the GCC we are committed to serving patients of all gender identities. Except for bottom surgery, to be a candidate for any of our gender affirming procedures, our surgeons do not require that patients undergo hormonal therapy. We believe in taking an individualized approach with each patient to design a surgical plan to meet their unique goals.  Especially in the case of facial surgeries, HRT can only alter soft tissue such as fat redistribution–most commonly, the amount of fat in the cheeks and the softness of the jawline. That said, the effects of HRT cannot change bone structure, which is why many patients seek out facial surgery …

What about patients who are traveling from out of town to San Francisco for surgery?

Many trans, non-binary and gender expansive patients need to travel to access a board-certified, experienced gender affirming surgeon. At the GCC, we are very accustomed to working with patients from out of town. For recommendations on travel and lodging, click here. We have also compiled a guide on post-operative follow-up protocols for facial surgery patients who do not live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Do I need a letter of approval from a therapist, psychiatrist or primary care doctor to get surgery with GCC?

Letters of support or clearance letters from certified, mental health professionals are welcome and valuable, but not a requirement for adults who seek surgery with the GCC. This is because we use the informed consent model, which means that a letter from a therapist is not required unless the patient is seeking insurance approval. Insurance companies always require a letter of support from a mental health professional and, if our reconstructive surgeons are outside of your provider network, you will also need a reference letter from your primary care provider to request insurance coverage. For more information, click here.

What should I do to prepare if I have a history of anxiety or depression?

Although everyone expects to be ecstatic after surgery, it is not uncommon to go through a period of post-operative depression following surgery. If you already know you are prone to anxiety or depression, it might be a good idea to establish a relationship with a therapist to help with emotional support before and after surgery.  We recommend scheduling a visit with your therapist 10-14 days after surgery, so that you are prepared with a support system in the event that you experience post-operative depression. If you are unable to or do not want to pursue therapy, having a robust support system of family, friends, and other community can be helpful. …

Will my insurance cover this surgery?

You can leave the insurance worries to us. The GCC provides a free insurance concierge service to interested patients. After soliciting any necessary documents from you, our insurance advocacy team will get to work to secure full or partial coverage for your medically necessary, gender affirming procedure(s). Our team has a 90% success rate in securing coverage for insured patients. Learn more about those services here.

Request a Free Surgical Consultation Today.

All virtual and in-person consultations with our board-certified surgeons are free. Once you fill out this form, our patient care team will reach out and guide you through every step to get to surgery.

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