Are My Forehead Augmentation Predictions Achievable?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a woman interested in a minimal forehead augmentation, and I would like your advice. I have attached reference photos to show my desired result, and I would like to know if this outcome is realistic and achievable. I would also like to schedule a virtual consultation with you. In preparation, I have a few questions: Is it possible to receive a digital rendering or simulation of the expected results during consultation? What are the requirements before undergoing this procedure? What is the typical recovery process like, and how long does it take? Will there be any changes to the hairline, baby hairs, or overall hair growth? What type of scarring should I expect, and how does healing progress in the long term? Between implants (standard or custom) and fat grafting, which would you recommend in my case, and what does each option involve? Is the procedure permanent, and if so, is it reversible if needed? Are there specific instructions for aftercare, including what to avoid during recovery? I am also considering rhinoplasty. I was wondering which of the two procedures would be best to do first? Or is there no importance regarding order? Since I am an international patient, I would also like to know what arrangements are available for hospital stay, local accommodations, and overall patient support?

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your imaged forehead augmentation results. Indeed this would be considered a minimal forehead augmentation of but a few millimeters. In answer to your questions about this potential procedure:

1) there is no question that the only way to do it is with the custom implant design. This type of change is so specific that it had better be absolutely controlled before surgery in every dimension. Contrary to the popular perception of many the more limited the patients desired result is the more precise the whole surgical process must be. A custom forehead implant would also be completely reversible. Such a forehead  implant design is done based on a 3-D CT scan that you get really live. The whole implant design process is done virtually and there is no reason for you to come here for. You’re only come once for the actual surgery.

2) this is a procedure that would take one hour to do under general anesthesia as an outpatient.

3) Because the forehead is a nonmoving bone like the rest of the skull the recovery from a physical standpoint would be very minimal. It is just about swelling and how long that takes to go  down to look more normal which would be 7 to 10 days after the surgery.

4) whether one does rhinoplasty before, during, after such for head augmentation as a matter personal preference. From a technical standpoint one procedure is not influenced by the other. Aesthetically, however that may be different. Therefore you have to decide which one of the procedures is most important, if there is one, and then let that be your guide as to the order of the procedures.

5) Every patient in my practice is just like you. We have no one from here locally. Therefore every day we manage people who fly in for surgery and then leave. This is a procedure where you only come in the day before the surgery where we formally meet, have surgery the next day and there’ll be no reason for you not to return home within a day or two after the procedure. There will be no benefit to sitting here waiting for the swelling to go down before you return home. You can but ultimately what we really care about is does this look like 2 to 3 months after the surgery when you know what 100% of the result really is.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon