Fellowship-Trained Surgeon Specializing in Top Surgery and Facial Feminization in New Jersey
Dr. Sean Herman, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New Jersey who provides the highest quality of care in an environment that is welcoming for all patients. Dr. Herman was first exposed to gender-affirming surgery early in his training, working with mentors who cared for a high volume of transgender patients. He continued to gain expertise in gender-affirming surgical care throughout his fellowship training, particularly with Top Surgery and Facial Feminization. Up to half of Dr. Herman’s patients are transgender or gender queer and diverse.
Dr. Herman is a graduate of Yale University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts, focusing on sculpture and studio art, with a minor in pre-medical studies. He completed medical school at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York and subsequently completed his plastic surgery residency at Montefiore Medical Centers’ Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Residency program, serving as Chief Resident during his final year.
Dr. Herman is board-certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and maintains active memberships with the following professional societies:
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American Society of Craniofacial Surgery
- American Society of Maxillofacial Surgery
- American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
Along with presenting his research at national conferences, Dr. Herman has authored numerous abstracts and publications in peer-reviewed journals. He participates in local and regional community educational and pride events, as well as local institutional diversity, equality and inclusion meetings and events.
Top Surgery in New Jersey
Dr. Herman has significant experience with multiple methods of Top Surgery including Double Incision, Peri-Areolar, Keyhole, Inverted-T and Buttonhole. He would be pleased to discuss the differences between the methods and recommend the approach that would be best suited to your goals.
“I had top surgery with Dr. Herman and I could not be happier with the results and my experience. For starters, the entire staff at the office is amazing. They’re so friendly and I always enjoy seeing them. They were able to get me in very quickly for a consult and the procedure itself. Dr. Herman has great bedside manner and made me feel very comfortable. He and his PAs/nurses were very thorough and more than happy to answer my questions. The post-op photos he showed me as examples of his work were excellent. Having seen results from many of the surgeons in the state, I can safely say that his are some of the best. He has a background in art and it shows.” – RM, Top Surgery patient.
Dr. Herman also performs Body Masculinization Surgery for those who feel they have feminine-looking curves that haven’t been reduced through exercise or testosterone therapy. The goal of Body Masculinization is to slim the waist area while broadening the appearance of the chest and shoulders. The areas commonly treated to achieve this are the hips, buttocks, thighs and abdomen. Dr. Herman uses liposuction to remove fat from these targeted areas. Multiple areas can be treated in one surgery.
Facial Feminization Surgery in New Jersey
Facial features play an important role in a person’s vision of themselves as well as how they are perceived by others. As such, Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) is an important treatment for many transgender women. Dr. Herman has extensive experience with facial surgery, including subspecialty and fellowship training in craniofacial surgery. Combined with his background in sculpture, Dr. Herman is uniquely qualified to provide his patients with beautiful FFS results.
FFS procedures like Forehead Contouring and Rhinoplasty soften masculine facial features to create a more feminine look. During your consultation, Dr. Herman will carefully listen to you express your goals with FFS and together you’ll formulate a treatment plan to help you realize a more accurate vision of yourself.
Dr. Herman offers the following FFS procedures:
- Hairline Correction: Also known as Forehead Reduction Surgery, Hairline Lowering and Scalp Advancement, this procedure advances the scalp into a more feminine position. Those who have a small degree of male pattern hair loss can really benefit from this surgery.
- Forehead Contouring: This procedure makes the forehead smaller and flatter. It is often done at the same time as Rhinoplasty and/or Hairline Correction.
- Brow Lift: A Brow Lift moves the eyebrows higher by lifting the skin of the entire forehead. It is considered one of the most effective procedures to feminize the upper face.
- Rhinoplasty: Longer, wider noses can become more feminine looking by altering the underlying bone and cartilage, removing tissue from inside the nose to make it narrower, smoothing out the nose bridge, and raising and/or reducing the tip of the nose.
- Cheek Augmentation: Cheek implants can be used to give the cheeks a more feminine appearance.
- Lip Augmentation and Lip Lift: Lips can be made to look more full with injections, and can also be lifted to reduce the distance between the top lip and nose.
- Chin Contouring: The shape of the chin can be feminized with bone contouring. Chin implants are also sometimes used.
- Jaw Reduction/Contouring: To feminize the jaw, the angle of the jaw is cut or filed down. The jaw may be narrowed as well.
- Tracheal Shave: The thyroid cartilage (“Adam’s apple”) is shaved down to a more feminine size.
Dr. Herman is also skilled and experienced with MTF Top Surgery. He would be pleased to discuss with you the important aspects of gender-affirming Breast Augmentation, including breast projection, width and volume, and breast implant size and shape.
If you’re interested in augmenting your feminine curves further, ask Dr. Herman about Buttock Augmentation and Body Feminization. Dr. Herman can use liposuction to remove excess fat from the abdomen, “love handles” and mid back, and transfer that fat to the thighs and buttocks to create a more shapely body profile.
Dr. Herman is affiliated with Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Mountainside Hospital, Jersey City Medical Center, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, Monmouth Medical Center, Ocean Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson North Brunswick and Hackensack University Medical Center. He operates at The Center for Outpatient Surgery.
Follow-up appointments are scheduled immediately post-operation and weekly thereafter.
Insurance and Financing
The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction accepts insurance, New Jersey Medicaid and Medicare, in addition to cash, credit card, and medical financing (ex. CareCredit.)
Surgery Requirements
Dr. Herman will help determine if Gender Affirmation Surgery is a safe option for you. In general, a good candidate is in good physical and mental health. Dr. Herman follows WPATH guidelines for surgery and requires one support letter from a qualified mental health professional recommending surgery. Additional requirements include having a healthy weight and being a non-smoker.
Booking a Consultation
Dr. Herman is available for in-person consultations with a wait time of 2-3 weeks. If not using insurance, the cost of the consultation is $50. Surgery dates can usually be booked within 3-5 weeks after consultation.
To ensure that all of Dr. Herman’s patients feel welcomed and affirmed, The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction uses gender-affirming intake forms and all phone and office staff have received sensitivity training.
