The Look of a Woman: Facial Feminization Surgery and the Aims of Trans- Medicine

by Eric Plemons

Developed in the United States in the 1980s, facial feminization surgery (FFS) is a set of bone and soft tissue reconstructive surgical procedures intended to feminize the faces of trans- women. While facial surgery was once considered auxiliary to genital surgery, many people now find that these procedures confer distinct benefits according to the different models of sex and gender in which they intervene. Surgeons advertise that FFS not only improves a trans- woman's appearance; it allows her to be recognized as a woman by those who see her. In The Look of a Woman Eric Plemons foregrounds the narratives of FFS patients and their surgeons as they move from consultation and the operating room to postsurgery recovery. He shows how the increasing popularity of FFS represents a shift away from genital-based conceptions of trans- selfhood in ways that mirror the evolving views of what is considered to be good trans- medicine. Outlining how conflicting models of trans- therapeutics play out in practice, Plemons demonstrates how FFS is changing the project of surgical sex reassignment by reconfiguring the kind of sex that surgery aims to change.

Genres: Nonfiction, Transgender, Queer, Gender, LGBT, Academic, Anthropology

208 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2017

Reviews

[Victoria Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

ooooo yes this was a good ethnography

[Morgan Shirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

It completely changed my outlook on trans medicine and its methodologies in place.

[Fred Sperring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weaving together his experiences observing two surgeons, as well as interviews with trans people, we see different approaches to ffs and trans healthcare. This book both takes the time to understand different approaches whilst being compassionate to the patients who takes each route.
Whilst it is at times clear that the author has his own opinions, he keeps a open mind throughout and reflects often.
This book sparked so much in me around the nature of transition, 'sex changes' (and what 'sex' is) and how surgeons approach patients. The similarities and differences between the surgeons is vital to understanding trans healthcare as a whole, and how patients view their own transition. it's a good reminder there is no one way to transition, no consensus amongst patients or surgeons.

[Sara]

I usually have trouble reading nonfiction, but this ethnography was very informative. I loved reading the experiences of the patients. this book definitely gave me insight about facial feminization surgery that I didn’t have before.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fascinating. I loved that it just presents the perspectives and information then lets you draw your own conclusions.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

First ethnography I have ever read! Very beautifully written and I loved hearing all the patient stories

[rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so interesting

[Neilie J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book doing research into transgender issues, and it provided some very interesting insights into the varying viewpoints facing transgender patients. The author's comparison between one doctor who creates a "one size fits all" standard of femininity versus another who think mainly of making every patient sexier - honestly, I had problems with both of those approaches.

The first shoe-horns every patient into a predetermined mold of femininity, and as a woman who's never fit that standard, I hate that idea. (I'm definitely a "gender is a spectrum" kind of person.) The second bugs me because it preys on transgender patients the way plastic surgeons prey on everyone else; magnifying their insecurities and talking them into surgery to turn a profit. If we didn't place such importance on fitting a binary gender system and didn't place such inordinate importance on youth and sexiness, we'd have a better-adjusted, more compassionate society. Anyway, a well-written book. Maybe a little dry, but I learned a lot.

[Mills College Library]

306.768 P7249 2017