Like any major life event, surgery is a high-stress time. You might see spikes in your anxiety levels; on the opposite end of the emotional range, you could find yourself with a sense of anticipation or excitement. Whatever your feelings, they are valid and matter just as much as you.
Our quickly changing emotions can make us feel a bit out of control when we’re recovering from surgery. You’ve just made it through a process that changes the way you live your life–this is an overwhelming time for anyone. Thankfully, you don’t have to do this alone.
You can fight your way through the rough times with people who care about you. Surround yourself with these supportive family members and friends before your surgery to help encourage you and help you feel more calm and level-headed about your decisions. After your operation, these same people can help you get through any bumps in the road you may hit while recovering.
It can help to know that others have felt the same way you’re feeling. Your hairline feminization surgery can be a big step toward making your face look the way you want it to. It’s okay to sit with whatever feelings you have and not fear them.
The important thing to remember is that these feelings will fade. Until they do, you can breathe your way through them and look for some helpful advice from people who have been in your shoes.
Transgender Hair Restoration Techniques
You’ve got several options to choose from to restore your hair. If you’re younger or have minimal hair loss, waiting to have surgery may be a good idea since your surgeon may not know the exact pattern of your hair loss. If this is the case, you can try non-surgical treatments to start reviving hair follicles.
Hair Restoration Methods
- Surgical
You’ve likely heard of a hair transplant. Gone are the days of hair plugs that made scalps look like those of old-fashioned baby dolls. You can choose between two modern transgender hair transplant methods.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a good choice if you need to encourage your hair to grow in a smaller area. Individual extractions mean you’ll get fewer grafts, but you won’t have any scarring.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) uses a strip of your scalp to make grafts. This can be a good option if you need more grafts and follicles for a larger area.
- Non-Surgical
You also have less invasive choices when it comes to hair restoration. Platelet-rich plasma turns your plasma into a therapy to generate more follicle growth.
Hairline Feminization Surgery
If you identify as a transgender or cisgender woman, you may feel that your hairline is a little more masculine-looking than you would like. Hairline feminization surgery can help you get a more feminine appearance around your forehead and temples.
Male hairlines are sometimes a bit higher on the forehead, making them more prominent. By lowering your hairline, your surgeon can make a huge impact on your face. You can choose to pair hairline advancement surgery with a brow bone reduction or brow lift if you want to see a more dramatically feminine forehead and hairline.
Surgery can cause a surge of hormones in your body–mostly from the anticipation. You may be feeling excited and geared up for the change that’s just around the corner. It’s also possible you might be a bundle of nerves, and you’re just ready to get it done so you can move on and enjoy your results. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s a good idea to recognize these emotions and deal with them as they come.
So, what are some of the most common emotions you might have after your hairline feminization surgery?
- Fatigue
It shouldn’t be a surprise if you find yourself lounging around your home after surgery; however, maybe you’re starting to think you’re too tired. You take a nap in the afternoon and are ready for bed early in the evening. The next morning, after a good night’s sleep, you still yawn and don’t feel ready for the day. Not only can this be your body’s natural response to surgery, but you might have what’s informally known as an adrenaline dump. This is mostly due to your body and mind intensely prepping for surgery. Then, after the procedure, they’re suddenly allowed to relax.
You can help ease your fatigue by taking care of yourself. Whether that looks like a bubble bath, your favorite meal, or an early bedtime, give yourself room to heal and rest during your recovery.
- Anxiety
Before surgery, your anxiety levels may spike. This is more natural than some people realize. But don’t be surprised if you see a similar thing happen after surgery. You’ve just changed the appearance of your face, your primary visual feature. If the thought starts to make you anxious, take a deep breath and focus on the reasons you chose to have surgery. If you keep having anxiety, reach out to your surgeon or primary care physician to see if you can get medication to help you with your temporary anxiety.
- Depression
You’ve had your surgery. Now what? After months of buildup, you may feel lost and directionless once it’s all said and done. This is a completely normal response. Treat yourself well during this time. Self-care and a session with a counselor or therapist can help you if you need it. Like the other effects of surgery, you’ll see this emotion fade after a week or so as you start to see and appreciate your hairline feminization surgery results.
Hairline Feminization Surgery
You might deal with some new or intense emotions and psychological effects around the time of your hairline feminization surgery. Anxiety, fatigue, and depression are three of the most common impacts.
You can work through these by talking to supportive people you trust, such as friends, family, or a mental health professional. These effects are temporary, and you should start feeling more confident and in control again after a short time.
About The Author:
Stacey Smith is a freelance health writer. She is passionate about writing about women’s health, dental health, diabetes, endocrinology, and nutrition and provides in-depth features on the latest in health news for medical clinics and health magazines.
