Jaw reduction in Barcelona
Jaw reduction with Dr. Javier Gutiérrez, planned on your CT scan and done entirely from inside the mouth.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Javier Gutiérrez. Updated October 2026.
- €5,000
- All-inclusive. €7,000 with the chin
- No scar
- Visible on the skin: the approach is inside the mouth
- Day case
- Or one night in hospital, under general anaesthesia
- 2 nights
- In Barcelona before flying home
- 2 weeks
- Recommended time off work
Jaw reduction, also called jaw shaving or jaw feminization, lowers and narrows the lower jaw, softens the angles and slims the jawline, without moving your teeth. At ARQÉA it is done entirely from inside the mouth, so there is no visible scar. As a single procedure it is a day case or one night in hospital, you stay two nights in Barcelona and you need about two weeks off work. It costs €5,000, or €7,000 together with the chin, all-inclusive.
Who it is for, and what it changes
A jaw reads as masculine mainly through three things: angles that stand out and sit low, a tall jaw, and a wide, straight lower border. Jaw reduction works on the bone behind those three. It is part of facial feminization for trans women and non-binary people, and it is also requested by cisgender women who want a softer lower face.
- It treatsThe projection and height of the jaw angles, the height of the jaw and the width of the mandibular body.
- It does not treatThe bite: if your teeth do not meet well, that is orthognathic surgery. Nor the volume of the chewing muscle or loose skin.
- HormonesFor the jaw, time on hormones does not make a difference. You can plan it at any point of your transition.
- Beard shadowIf you have it, laser or electrolysis will often feminize your lower face more than jaw surgery. Plan it first.
- The chinThe jaw and chin are read together. Most patients combine them, and the price together is €7,000.
If your face still looks long after orthognathic surgery, read why it happens and how chin and jaw contouring help.
Before
AfterHow jaw reduction surgery is done at ARQÉA
Planned on your CT, not by eye
Dr. Gutiérrez designs the new contour on your CT scan: how much the angles come down, how much height the jaw loses and how far the body is slimmed. The cuts are then transferred to theatre with cutting guides made for your case. What is decided on the plan is what is carried out.
The nerve stays out of the way
The nerve that gives feeling to the lower lip and chin runs inside the jaw. Its path is visible on the CT, so the cuts are planned around it.
If your bite also needs correcting
Jaw reduction changes the shape of the bone; orthognathic surgery moves the jaws to correct the bite. In selected cases both are done in one operation, reaching the jaw only once through the mouth. The order is decided on the 3D plan: jaw feminization and orthognathic surgery.
What is decided on the plan is what is done in theatre.
Incisions inside the mouth, no visible scar
The jaw is reached through incisions inside the mouth, along the gum behind the cheeks. Nothing is cut on the skin of the face or neck.
- WhereInside the mouth, on both sides.
- StitchesThey dissolve on their own. There is nothing to remove.
- OutsideNo visible scar on the face or neck.
- Mouth careMouthwash after every meal while the incisions heal.
Before surgery
Everything starts online. In a free video consultation Dr. Gutiérrez looks at your face, your photos and your goals, and you receive a written plan and a final, binding quote.
- CT scanA CT scan of the face is the basis of the plan. You can have it near home and send it, or have it in Barcelona.
- PlanningThe bone cuts are designed on your CT and transferred to theatre with cutting guides made for your case. We need at least 48 hours between your pre-operative consultation and surgery to design and 3D-print them.
- TestsA health questionnaire and blood tests, done near you before surgery.
- MedicationTell us everything you take. Some medicines, such as blood thinners, and some supplements may need to be paused.
- NicotineNone, in any form, for at least 3 weeks before and after surgery.
- Hair removalIf you have beard shadow, laser or electrolysis often feminizes the lower face more than bone surgery. In the areas to be operated on, stop it 3 weeks before surgery.
Surgery day and your stay
You arrive first thing in the morning, fasting, at IM Clinic Gournay, Barcelona, a private hospital with the latest surgical technology. The operation is done under general anaesthesia and takes about two hours.
As a single procedure, jaw reduction is a day case or needs one night in hospital. We recommend two nights in Barcelona and a check-up before you fly home. A companion for the first days is strongly recommended, although not required.
Jaw reduction recovery, week by week
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Surgery day | General anaesthesia. Home the same day or after one night in hospital. |
| Days 2 to 4 | Swelling peaks between 48 and 72 hours. It is normal and temporary. |
| First week | Liquid diet the afternoon of surgery, then soft food for two days. Tightness and numbness in the lower face are common. |
| Day 7 | First check-up, in person or by video call. |
| 2 weeks | Back to work for most people. |
| 3 to 4 weeks | Most people look normal to others. |
| 4 weeks | Intense or structured exercise can usually start again. |
| 3 months | First real assessment of the result. |
| 6 to 12 months | Final result. The jaw angle settles at an intermediate pace. |
Day to day, while you recover
- FoodLiquid the afternoon of surgery, soft for two days, then a gradual return to normal chewing.
- MouthGentle brushing and mouthwash after meals.
- SleepHead raised, with two pillows, for the first 7 to 10 days.
- ExerciseWalking from the first day. Intense exercise from week four.
- Time off workAbout 2 weeks. A little longer if your work is very physical or depends on your appearance.
- Call us ifSwelling increases after day 4, you have a fever or you have difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Four check-ups are included: at 7 days, 1 month, 3 months and 12 months. We explain the phases in swelling after facial surgery, phase by phase.
Results
Deep swelling after bone surgery takes longer to go than you can see. The new contour shows progressively over the first months, and the final result is assessed between 6 and 12 months.
The bone that is removed does not grow back, so the change in the bone lasts. The soft tissues over it change with age, as they do in any face.
Before surgery you can see an indicative 3D simulation of the proposed change. It helps adjust expectations; it is not a promise of the result. What 3D simulation is for.
How much does jaw reduction cost?
One price, stated upfront. The quote you receive after the consultation is final and binding.
- Surgery with Dr. Javier Gutiérrez
- General anaesthesia
- Surgical centre: IM Clinic Gournay
- CT scan and virtual surgical planning with cutting guides
- Hospital stay when needed
- Four check-ups: 7 days, 1 month, 3 months and 12 months
- Free first consultation, online or in person
| Procedure or combination | Price |
|---|---|
| Jaw reduction | €5,000 |
| Jaw and chin | €7,000 |
| Forehead feminization with jaw and chin | €14,500 |
| Three-procedure FFS package, for example forehead, jaw and chin, and tracheal shave | €16,000 |
A 20% deposit reserves your date and fixes the price for six months. Dates are usually available one to two weeks after you decide. Compare prices in our guide to FFS costs in the UK and Europe, or get an indicative range with our price calculator.
Travelling to Barcelona for jaw reduction
Most of the preparation happens online, before you travel. If you have your CT scan near home and send it in advance, two days before surgery are usually enough; if it is taken in Barcelona, plan to arrive three days before.
Video consultation
Free. Written plan and final quote. CT scan near home if possible.
Arrival
Pre-operative consultation in Barcelona. Your cutting guides are designed and printed.
Surgery
Day case or one night in hospital.
Flight home
Check-up first, then you can fly. Follow-up by video call.
Stays, flights and accommodation for every procedure: travelling to Barcelona for FFS. If you live in the UK, see FFS in Spain from the UK.
Dr. Javier Gutiérrez
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon and founder of ARQÉA. He performs every jaw reduction at the clinic himself. He co-founded MIOS Academy, where he teaches minimally invasive orthognathic surgery to other surgeons, and has published on combining jaw contouring with orthognathic surgery. He has operated on more than 750 jaws and chins.
- MD, PhD and Fellow of the European Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Former senior surgeon at Facialteam for 11 years and founder of Facialteam Barcelona (2021 to May 2026)
- Over 17 years of experience, more than 1,050 facial surgeries and more than 3,000 procedures
- Trained at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona
- Barcelona Medical Council, no. 08-43588
Frequently asked questions
How much does jaw reduction cost?
At ARQÉA it costs €5,000, with general anaesthesia and the surgical centre included. With the chin it costs €7,000, and the three-procedure FFS package costs €16,000.
Will jaw reduction surgery leave a scar?
No visible scar. The jaw is reached through incisions inside the mouth, and the stitches dissolve on their own.
How much time off work will I need?
About 2 weeks. A little longer if your work is very physical or depends on your appearance. Walking is fine from the first day; intense exercise waits at least 4 weeks.
Does jaw shaving change my bite?
No. Jaw reduction works on the shape of the bone without moving the teeth. Correcting the bite is orthognathic surgery.
Will my lower lip feel numb?
Numbness in the lower face is common in the first weeks and usually improves over the following months. The nerve is located on your CT and the cuts are planned around it.
Do I need to be on hormones before jaw surgery?
No. For the jaw, time on hormones does not make a difference.
Can jaw reduction be combined with orthognathic surgery?
Yes, in selected cases, reaching the jaw only once through the mouth. The order of the two is decided on the 3D plan.
Should I do the jaw and the chin together?
Usually, because they are read together. Done together they cost €7,000, in one operation and one recovery.
Is surgery better than Botox in the jaw muscle?
They treat different things. Botox relaxes the chewing muscle for a few months; surgery changes the bone. If the width comes from the muscle, surgery on the bone will not change it.
When can I eat normally?
Soft food in the first days, then a gradual return to normal chewing over the following weeks. We give you the exact plan at discharge.
When will I see the final result?
The contour shows progressively over the first months. The final result is assessed between 6 and 12 months.
When can I fly home after jaw surgery?
After two nights in Barcelona and a check-up. Follow-up continues by video call.
Can the jaw wait if my budget is limited?
In general, yes: the forehead usually comes first. The exception is when the jaw is your most masculine feature.
How often is a second operation needed?
Rarely. Over the last six years, each type of complication in Dr. Gutiérrez's cases, such as a haematoma or a reoperation, has stayed below 1%. We go through your own risks at the consultation.
