Fellowship-Trained Surgeon for Top Surgery and Facial Feminization in Connecticut
Dr. Laurel Chandler, MD is a Harvard fellowship-trained and board-certified plastic surgeon who has received specialty training in Gender Affirmation Surgery from some of the top experts in the field. Up to 90% of the patients in her practice are transmasculine, transfeminine or nonbinary. Based in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Dr. Chandler offers Top Surgery, Breast Augmentation and Facial Feminization.
Dr. Chandler received her medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington, Vermont. She then completed her six-year residency in Plastic Surgery at Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School where she gained significant experience with Gender Affirming Surgery while training with Dr. Jonathan Keith, founder of the Rutgers Center for Transgender Health. Following residency, Dr. Chandler completed an additional year of fellowship training at Harvard Medical School, which included training with two of the leading Top Surgery surgeons in Boston, Dr. Richard Bartlett and Dr. Adam Tobias.
Dr. Chandler is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. She has lectured internationally, including a presentation given on Top Surgery during a special session on Gender Affirming Surgery at the 2019 Plastic Surgery at the Red Sea conference in Israel.
Top Surgery Connecticut
During both her residency and fellowship training, Dr. Chandler focused on learning and mastering the aesthetic nuances of Top Surgery. She offers multiple techniques and has added her own refinements to improve outcomes. Dr. Chandler involves her patients in a full discussion about the pros and cons of each method to determine the best approach for you. Some patients, including non-binary individuals, would prefer not to have nipple reconstruction and Dr. Chandler will omit nipple grafts, if desired.
Don’t Miss: Dr. Laurel Chandler on Double Incision Top Surgery Scar Shapes
Double Incision Top Surgery scar shape is a discussion that Dr. Chandler loves to have with patients and she is an exceptional resource on the topic. With detailed descriptions of each of the possible scar shapes and how anatomy influences them, Dr. Chandler offers up a definitive guide that will help you refine your Top Surgery goals. Read more »
Transgender Breast Augmentation Connecticut
There are significant differences between trans and cis chest measurements that have implications concerning breast implant selection and surgical approach to Breast Augmentation in transgender patients. Dr. Chandler is both skilled and experienced in this area. When choosing an implant size, it is important to consider the overall appearance of your physique so your breasts appear balanced and proportional. At your consultation with Dr. Chandler, you’ll have the opportunity to try different sizes of implants to help determine the volume that is best suited to your body and your preferences.
Dr. Chandler also offers Body Feminization to further augment your feminine curves. Liposuction is used to remove excess fat from the abdomen, “love handles” and mid back, and some of the extracted fat can be transferred to provide additional curves in the thighs and buttocks.
Facial Feminization Connecticut
Many facial features reflect gender differences, and unlike other body parts that can be covered or hidden by clothing, facial features are readily observed. Facial Feminization Surgery, or FFS, refers to a range of procedures that transform masculine facial features into feminine features. For transfeminine individuals, surgically altering facial characteristics can be an essential step in their transition. Dr. Chandler offers the following Facial Feminization procedures:
- Brow Lift – Repositions the eyebrows higher. This is considered one of the most effective procedures to feminize the upper face.
- Rhinoplasty – Transforms a longer and wider masculine-looking nose into a narrower, shorter feminine-looking nose.
- Lip Lift – Moves the top lip up, shortening the distance between the top lip and nose. Lips can also be made to look fuller.
- Tracheal Shave – Thyroid cartilage (“Adam’s apple”) is shaved down to a more feminine size.
Dr. Chandler operates at Norwalk Hospital, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Stamford Hospital and Norwalk Ambulatory Surgery Center.
| Procedure | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Top Surgery – Double Incision, Peri-Areolar, Keyhole, Inverted-T, Buttonhole | $8000-13,000 |
| Breast Augmentation | Varies |
| Body Feminization | Varies |
| Facial Feminization: Brow Lift, Rhinoplasty, Lip Lift, Tracheal Shave | Varies |
Surgery Costs
Exact pricing can only be determined following a consultation. Pricing includes surgeon’s fee, anesthesia fee and facility fee. Dr. Chandler accepts cash, credit card, check, medical financing (ex. CareCredit) and insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare.
Surgery Requirements
- Dr. Chandler follows WPATH guidelines in screening patients regarding suitability for surgery. One support letter from a qualified mental health professional is required for insurance coverage.
- No BMI limit
- Smoking cessation
- Dr. Chandler will operate on minors with parental consent.
Booking a Consultation
Dr. Chandler offers phone, virtual and in-person consultations for a fee of $200. Surgery dates are booked 2-3 months after consultation. To ensure that all patients feel welcomed, Dr. Chandler’s practice has a gender-affirming intake form and staff have received sensitivity training. Dr. Chandler offers a truly customized approach to each individual with the goal of helping to improve self-image and confidence.
