Frequently Asked Questions

The process comprises eight stages: initial contact; a free medical consultation with Dr. Gutiérrez (in person at IM Clinic Gournay, Barcelona or via video call); provision of a detailed written quote; follow-up and clarification of any queries; confirmation of the surgery and booking of a date; the pre-operative stage, including blood tests and an anaesthesia questionnaire; the surgical procedure at IM Clinic Gournay; and post-operative follow-up. No intermediaries are involved at any stage of the process.

In standard procedures, the period between the initial consultation and surgery is usually between four and eight weeks. In cases of facial feminisation involving multiple procedures or orthognathic surgery, planning may take slightly longer. The date of the operation is always confirmed once the team has reviewed the pre-operative blood tests and the anaesthesia questionnaire, and never before the patient has made their decision without feeling under pressure.

The quote is final and binding. You can take as long as you need to make your decision, discuss it with people you trust or ask for any further clarification. Once you decide to go ahead, you confirm the surgery and we begin the pre-operative phase. Only at that point, and in order to secure the date in the operating theatre, is a booking deposit required. The quote provided during your consultation is always in writing and represents the final price.

Any surgery under general anaesthesia requires standard pre-operative blood tests, including a complete blood count, biochemistry panel, coagulation tests and an electrocardiogram, as well as a health questionnaire for the anaesthetist. Once the surgery has been confirmed, ARQÉA will send you the request for the blood tests along with all the necessary instructions. You don’t have to arrange anything yourself: the team will guide you through every step.

In most cases, a face-to-face consultation with the anaesthetist is not necessary. The anaesthetist assigned to your case will review the pre-operative questionnaire and your blood test results prior to the procedure. If your case presents any risk factors requiring further assessment, you will be notified in good time and the relevant consultation will be arranged.

Once the decision to proceed with the operation has been made, the appointment is arranged directly with the ARQÉA team. The availability of the operating theatre and the surgical team is coordinated according to the type of procedure and Dr. Gutiérrez’s schedule.

It depends on the procedure. A lip lift and blepharoplasty allow patients to resume normal activities within 7–10 days. Feminisation of the jaw and chin usually requires between 10 and 14 days of relative rest. Forehead feminisation, which involves a coronal incision and bone reshaping, requires between 2 and 3 weeks before a return to normal life, with residual swelling that may persist for up to 6 months. Bimaxillary orthognathic surgery is the procedure with the longest recovery time: between 4 and 6 weeks to resume basic activities, and up to 12 months for the final bone result.

The results appear gradually. Post-operative swelling masks the result for weeks or months, depending on the procedure. In soft-tissue surgery (lip lift, blepharoplasty), the results are visible within a few weeks. In bone procedures (forehead, jaw, chin, orthognathic surgery), the final result becomes established between 6 and 12 months. The swelling subsides in stages and the face gradually reveals its final shape: this is a normal process, not a sign of a problem.

In facial surgery, incisions are always planned in areas where they are least visible. In forehead feminisation, the coronal incision is concealed within the scalp. In closed rhinoplasty (the standard technique where the case permits), there are no external incisions. A lip lift leaves a fine scar at the base of the nose, which becomes virtually imperceptible over time. The final appearance of the scar also depends on the individual’s physiology and adherence to post-operative instructions.

Yes. Post-operative check-ups with Dr. Gutiérrez form part of the surgical process at ARQÉA and are included in the price of the surgery. No additional charges are made for follow-up appointments during the recovery period. The price stated in the written quote is the total price, with no exceptions.

ARQÉA does not disappear once the procedure is over. If, during your post-operative recovery, you notice anything unusual, have any queries or need advice, you have direct access to the team. In the event of a significant clinical incident, the protocol for action varies depending on the type of complication and will be explained to you before the operation. No ARQÉA patient is left without a point of contact after an operation.

It depends on the procedure and the type of work. For sedentary activities or remote working, most patients resume their normal activities between 7 and 14 days later. For face-to-face work involving contact with the public, the timeframe depends on how visible the recovery process is and the patient’s preference. High-impact sports and intense exercise are not recommended for at least 4 to 6 weeks following procedures involving bone remodelling. Dr. Gutiérrez will provide you with specific instructions tailored to your individual case.

ARQÉA’s procedures are carried out at IM Clinic Gournay, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona. This is a surgical centre with full healthcare accreditation in accordance with Decree 62/2019 of the Government of Catalonia. The facilities include operating theatres equipped for major surgery under general anaesthesia, with all clinical safety protocols in place.

Anaesthesia is administered by our team at IM Clinic Gournay, anaesthetists specialising in facial surgery. All procedures at ARQÉA are carried out under general anaesthesia, except the lip lift, which is performed under local anaesthesia or sedation. Anaesthesia is included in the price of the operation. The anaesthetist is present throughout the operation and personally supervises the immediate recovery period in the recovery room.

All procedures are carried out in operating theatres equipped with a full range of emergency equipment and active response protocols. Dr. Gutiérrez explains the specific risks of each procedure during the pre-operative consultation. The signing of the informed consent form (mandatory in all cases) ensures that the patient has received and understood this information. ARQÉA operates in facilities where safety standards are on a par with those of any accredited major surgery clinic.

Yes. ARQÉA operates in accordance with the health regulations applicable in Catalonia for outpatient and major surgery clinics. Clinical activity takes place entirely in centres licensed to provide healthcare services in accordance with Decree 62/2019 of the Government of Catalonia. All clinical documentation meets the legal requirements applicable to surgery centres where general anaesthesia is administered.

Informed consent is the legal document through which the patient declares that they have received comprehensive and understandable information about the procedure, its risks, alternatives and the recovery process, and expressly authorises the procedure. At ARQÉA, this is signed before surgery, once all queries have been resolved. No procedure is carried out without signed informed consent. This document is a patient’s right, not an administrative formality.

Before each procedure, a verification protocol is followed, which includes confirming the patient’s identity, reviewing the pre-operative blood test results, checking that the patient has fasted, reviewing the anaesthesia questionnaire and confirming the procedure to be performed. This protocol is standard practice in all accredited surgical centres and forms part of the clinical safety measures that ARQÉA requires in its facilities.

A 20% deposit reserves your surgery date and fixes the price. The balance is paid at least two weeks before surgery.

When the surgery is confirmed, a booking deposit is required to secure the date in the operating theatre. The remaining balance is payable at least two weeks before surgery. The payment method and exact deadlines will be communicated at the time of confirmation. The quote provided during the consultation is always the final price: the amount stated in the document is what you pay, with no additional costs on the day of the surgery.

Yes. ARQÉA issues an invoice for all services provided. As for health insurance cover: cosmetic surgery is not usually covered by private policies, but certain procedures carried out for functional reasons (orthognathic surgery, corrective rhinoplasty, functional blepharoplasty) may be partially covered, depending on the policy taken out. We recommend that you check this directly with your insurer before the operation.

The quote provided following the consultation is final and binding in respect of the agreed procedures. It may only be amended if the patient requests changes to the surgical plan (adding, removing or replacing procedures) or if, during the pre-operative phase, any clinical findings arise that alter the indication. In such cases, a revised written quote will be provided before any confirmation is given. There will be no price adjustments on the day of the operation.

No. The consultation is free of charge and the quote does not entail any financial obligation. If, after receiving it, you decide not to proceed (for any reason and at any time), there is no charge. A booking deposit is only required once the patient has expressly confirmed their decision to undergo surgery and a surgery date has been set. Prior to that point, there is no financial obligation.

If the change is requested well in advance of the surgery date, we will assess its clinical feasibility, update the quote and confirm the new plan in writing. Changes requested very close to the surgery date may not be feasible, depending on operating theatre logistics. The team assesses each case individually and always responds with a clear proposal before proceeding.

For elective surgery under general anaesthesia, the usual minimum age is 18. For minors, any procedure requires the consent of their legal guardians and a specific clinical assessment. In the case of orthognathic surgery, it may in some cases be indicated from the age of 16–17 if bone development is complete, always subject to an individualised medical assessment and the relevant legal documentation.

ARQÉA treats anyone wishing to undergo facial surgery, regardless of their gender identity or motivation. The range of services includes facial feminisation surgery (FFS) as part of a gender transition, orthognathic surgery for functional or aesthetic reasons, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, lip lift and other procedures. The specialisation in facial feminisation reflects the volume of work and experience in this type of surgery, not an exclusivity of patient profile.

Surgery under general anaesthesia has relative or absolute contraindications depending on each patient’s medical history. The most significant of these include coagulation disorders, uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled diabetes, severe obesity and certain drug treatments. The pre-operative anaesthesia questionnaire and blood tests enable any risk factors to be identified before the procedure is confirmed. If there is any doubt, the team will provide you with personalised advice during your consultation.

No. ARQÉA does not require a psychological or psychiatric report as a prerequisite for facial feminisation surgery. The decision to proceed with the procedure is based on Dr. Gutiérrez’s clinical assessment and the patient’s informed consent. FFS is a medical procedure and, at ARQÉA, access to it is not conditional upon any external psychological assessment.

In most cases, yes, but there are specific considerations depending on the type of treatment. Some drugs used in hormone therapy may affect blood clotting or interact with anaesthesia, so reviewing them forms part of the pre-operative protocol. The anaesthesia questionnaire includes a detailed section on current medication. Dr. Gutiérrez and the anaesthesia team will jointly assess whether any treatment needs to be adjusted or discontinued prior to surgery.

Yes, facial masculinisation is one of ARQÉA’s main areas of specialisation. For facial masculinisation surgery (chin augmentation, mandibular reshaping, rhinoplasty to achieve a more angular appearance, PEEK implants), we have a range of procedures in our portfolio that can be recommended and tailored to your specific goals. An assessment during a consultation with Dr. Gutiérrez will determine which procedures are appropriate in each case and which technique to use.

Patients’ clinical and personal data are treated with strict confidentiality, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Spanish healthcare regulations. Access to medical records is restricted to the medical team directly involved in the surgical procedure. ARQÉA does not share patient information with third parties unless there is an express legal obligation to do so or a clinical need directly linked to the care process.

Yes, that’s no problem at all. ARQÉA never uses photographs or images of patients without their consent. Sharing your own case is not a requirement for the operation. If at any point you decide not to do so, the decision is entirely up to you and can be revoked.

Access to clinical information is restricted to the medical team directly involved in your care: Dr. Gutiérrez as the lead surgeon, the assigned anaesthetist and the assigned nursing staff. The rest of the team (including administrative and coordination staff) only has access to the data necessary for managing your care; they never have access to the full clinical content.

Yes. As a patient, you have the right to access your medical records and to request a copy of all documentation generated during your treatment at ARQÉA. This right is recognised under Law 41/2002 on Patient Autonomy and data protection regulations. You can submit your request in writing directly to the ARQÉA team.

Medical records are retained for the minimum period stipulated by Spanish healthcare regulations (currently five years from discharge, with variations depending on the autonomous community). The data is stored on secure systems with restricted access and back-up copies. You may exercise your rights of access, rectification, erasure and data portability by contacting ARQÉA directly.

No. ARQÉA does not share patient data with insurers, marketing platforms, commercial third parties or any other external organisation, unless there is an express legal obligation to do so or the patient has explicitly authorised it. The processing of data is strictly limited to what is necessary for the provision of medical services.