Custom Occipital Skull Implant

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a 43 year old female and suffering from a flat back of my head. I was born with normal head BUT at a very young age (talking 10-15) I have been applying metal rollers to my head and in order to make the curls tight I would tighten up the rollers on maximum and then slept on them – EVERY NIGHT and I remember my head used to hurt in the morning. This was going on for a long period of time because I used to hate my straight hair and wanted them curly….. Then, at later stage as a teenager it became clear that I have destroyed my head shape. The back of my head is very flat. 

I understand this would have to be a surgery. I have heard of an implants that could be placed under the scalp to help to improve the shape of the head and I would appreciate if you could let me know whether you have experience in this procedure. 

Many thanks in advance.

A: There is no question that the definitive treatment for a flat back of the head is a custom occipital skull implant. I am an international authority on this procedure and have performed it many times. It is done ideally using a 3D CT scan from which the implant is designed and fabricated. Most custom occipital skull implants are placed through a low horizontal incision on the bottom of the hairline on the back of the head. The only question is whether there is enough scalp to stretch over the size of the occipital skull implant that one desires. I would need to see pictures of the back of your head to determine your degree of flatness and how much skull augmentation you need.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana