Can I Have Just A Subtle Sliding Genioplasty?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I was wondering if it would be possible for you to perform a genioplasty subtle enough that my friends and family will not instantly wonder what happened to my face. I plan to not tell anyone about my surgery, so this is important. I really only want it moved forward a couple millimeters at most so that it comes closer to sticking out as far as my lips. I’m fine with the shape of my chin and the shape of my jaw. The effect will hopefully be more like “oh look he grew into his face” and less like “what happened to his face??” How much recovery do you think I will need until I look normal?

A:You can certainly only move a sliding genioplasty a few millimeters (3 to 5mms) of that is all one desires. And in looking at your profile picture, I would say that is all you really need anyway. While it appears you are set on moving the chin bone I might point out that cutting the bone for that amount of small horizontal change seems like a big effort. Such small sliding genioplasty movements are usually only done with it is part of an overall orthognathic surgery of the jaws where one is already in the operating room asleep and bones are already being cut. But when done as an isolated procedure a chin implant seems far simpler with a much quicker recovery.

For a sliding genioplasty I would give yourself 2 to 3weeks until you look fairly normal and have an unoperated appearance.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana