The Surgery That Finally Gave One Woman Her Identity
Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, a Boston facial plastic surgeon, performs about 1,200 surgical procedures a year—but that’s not what sets him apart from other top doctors. He’s been making masculine faces look more feminine for 20 years, and sees more than 30 transgender women a week for consultations or procedures. One of these women is Valerie, who considers Dr. Spiegel one of the best surgeons in the country for the procedure that, for most of her life, she doubted she’d ever have.
“As early as age 8,” Valerie says, “I remember feeling profoundly distressed that my male body wasn’t the right body. That feeling never changed, though I remained in the closet for most of my life. I’m 66 now, and I’ve just recently come out.
“Before I transitioned, I thought the choice was fairly stark: Either I’d continue to live as a man, which meant continuing to live a lie—or I’d come out and blow up our lives. I met my wife when I was 18 and she was 17, and we’ve been together ever since. I’m an attorney and had a fairly high- profile career before I retired. I was afraid that if I came out, I’d lose my friends, my business associates, and maybe some of my family. Those kinds of thoughts are very heavy to carry around.”
To learn more about facial feminization and Valerie’s story read the full Realself article here
Meet Our Doctors
Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel
With special expertise in all aspects of facial plastic surgery, and a particular skill for revision surgery, it’s clear why Dr. Spiegel is one of the most celebrated facial plastic surgeons in the world. If you are seeking the best possible results, or have a uniquely challenging problem, you’ve found the right doctor. Learn more....
Dr. Onir L. Spiegel
Dr. Onir (pronounced “oh-near”) has years of experience in facial aesthetics and treats some of the most recognizable and famous faces. Dr. Onir started her career in oral health, earning doctorate degrees from both New York University and Boston University. She has been the recipient of numerous awards for her cutting-edge medical research as well as her technical skills in dentistry. Learn more....