Skull Reshaping

Q: Dr. Eppley, I was doing some research on skull reshaping surgery and came across this institution. The back of my head is very flat. It is from when I was a child, I was laid on my back too much before the human skill was done developing. I am 5 now. It really bothers me and I was 100% interested in a operation like this. I did not know that such a procedure existed and I was relieved that it does. It’s the back of my head. I had a few questions I was hoping to get answers. 

1. Is a material inserted in the back of my head were skull is suppose to be or is it injections were bone grows? 

2. Is this permanent? 

3. How long does the procedure take? 

4. What is the cost typically for such a thing? 

5. How much of a difference would it look from before and after? 

My goal is to have a normal looking back of my head.

A: Skull reshaping by occipital augmentation is best done by a custom skull implant placed on top of the flat bone. This is made from a 3D CT scan and is a permanent implant. How much the back of head can be brought out is controlled by how much the overlying scalp will stretch to accommodate the implant. This can be best shown by doing computer imaging on a side view picture of your head.

I will have my assistant pass along the cost of the surgery to you on Monday.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana