Blog

Q: Dr. Eppley, What is the maximum size of custom jaw implants? How do the soft tissue in our face affect the size of facial implants? A: This is not a question that can be answered in any meaningful general way. Such custom jaw implants are made individually for each patient, all of whom will […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hi! I’ve been considering a chin reduction surgery for quite a few years now, but not sure what would work for me. I currently have a fairly defined chin, with a good shape EXCEPT for the vertical length. I used to have a very slight underbite as a child, but it was […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, Can very high set zygomatic bones (pic) be achieved by combination of shaving off lower part of zygomatic bone and then placing infraorbital rim implant that extend into orbital rim(saddle). Also can zygomatic arch be made higher with custom implant?  Thank you A: The zygomatic arch can be made wider but not […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, Are there any dental concerns with a custom jawline wrap? From the photos of the wrap designs it seems like they are placed close to whether the tooth roots would be, could there be issues with tooth root damage, and if there is bone erosion will that be an issue with the […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have just recently noticed that I have Plagiocephaly. From the research I have done it seems that I have a mild or type 2 form. I also have right-sided plagiocephalic head with slight difference in my forehead protrusion and cheekbone protrusion. The left side of my head is also a bit […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, Attached are various angles of my nose. The tip is what I’m really concerned with on how it arrows down- especially when I smile. Also I have a small hump in the middle to straighten. And from frontal view straighten a little as well. A:The dynamic nasal tip ptosis occurs for two […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello I was wondering about reduction of occipital area in the back of my head.I measured the area from top to bottom of the area I would like reduced and it measures 7 cm or 2.75 inches. I am aware you cant reduce much but if it can decrease it by a […]

Q: Dr. Eppley,Among solid silicone, Medpor, PEEK, and titanium custom facial implants, which one can provide the most natural appearance? A: All materials create the same external facial appearance. It is the design of the implant that will determine whether the change is natural or unnatural looking. Dr. Barry Eppley World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m interested in getting custom jawline and midface implants with the aesthetic goals listed below. Are these goals feasible? Are there other procedures either instead of or in conjunction with custom implants that would better achieve these goals?  For context, I’m also considering septorhinoplasty at a later date to repair a deviated […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m interested in a vertical lengthening genioplasty (vertical lengthening only). I’m including some photos of myself with notes.  Thank you. A: Your chin is higher than your jawline because you have a flat mandibular plane angle. (or close to it) As you have drawn the vertical lengthening bony genioplasty is the correct […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, I will be scheduling my surgery soon, but there is a question I had that came up. When you perform forehead reduction, will there be a chance for unevenness, or it is a smooth transition from the forehead bone burring to the rest of the skull? If my question makes sense.  A: […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, My major concern unfortunately, is in the anterior temporal muscle area, but also the bony part ABOVE it. My hairline was straight and low a couple of years ago, but now, i have the typical M shape, because it is now recedded at and above the temples.  Even if you cauterize the […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have left deltoid atrophy due to brachial plexus injury long time ago. I m looking for deltoid implant or fat grafting to make left shoulder thick like right shoulder. Now I m 53 year old guy.I m also sending you one picture of patient who had this type of surgery.plz give […]

Q: Dr. Eppley,  I have some questions about the custom jawline wrap.  1) I see that you’ve noted the typical maximum horizontal lengthening is around 10-12mm for an implant, if I have an indwelling chin implant, can it be assumed the 10-12mm can be added onto whatever implant I have now?  2) Adding on to […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, I saw your website and send this message to know about your head size reduction surgery. I have quite big head. Circumferences is about 60cm, and overall size of my face and head looks large and big. my heigh is about 170cm So it looks more weird then others. I want to […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, I read your post about rib shaving surgery (https://exploreplasticsurgery.com/case-study-subcostal-ribcage-protrusion-correction/). However when trying to do research online I cannot find any doctors who do this kind of surgery. I have a cartilage protrusion at the connection of my 3rd rib with the sternum, as well as my second rib protruding outwards greatly after […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am looking for bivalve testicular enlargement due to testicular atrophy from steroid use years ago.  A: I assume when you say ‘bivalve’ testicle implant you are referring to a wraparound or hollow chamber implant. Whether that is appropriate for your testicular atrophy depends on the current size of your testicles. The […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have some questions about my upcoming surgery: Q1) I am really unfit / mostly sedentary living, then would being under general anesthetic be a risk for me? Q2) if I decide to go ahead with the buccal fat removal, can the fat extracted be placed where the orbital region is below […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, Can you still perform chin and jaw augmentation with coral hydroxyapatite implants ? If yes do you have some before and after pictures on male patients that had this procedure done ? What is the price ? I’m prone to autoimmune issues so i can’t use regular implants. A: As a general […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am struggling with plagiocephaly, to be more specific, one side of my face is significantly protruding, which affects almost every aspect that would be responsible for the symmetry of my face, it is rather complex, since it is causing a correlation of many smaller problems that lead to assymetry not only […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hi there, I had some issues with my facial asymmetries especially in my jaw. I am a university student in my second year, and am 19 years old. I started to notice it about a year ago where I started to take pictures using the back camera which accentuated the asymmetrical jaw […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, have a very wide mouth and I was wondering if Commissuroplasty procedure could be performed to reduce the width of my mouth ?  How bad are the scars from the procedure?Can the scars be hidden ? Does the procedure come with complications? Will there be a need for scar revision? A: Changing […]

Q: Dr. Eppley,  I have a few questions about testicular implants.  You mention that the wrap around implants are about 70% wide as they are long. I’m curious if that ratio could be changed if someone wants a rounder implant. You also mention that the largest wrap around implants you have placed were 7.5cm. What […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in skull and face reshaping surgery. I’m not happy with my head being too wide and having a bump on my left side. My head is also flat at the back. Thus, I am interested in having temporal muscle reduction surgery ( bilateral ) and augmentation of the back […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have some questions about custom facial implants: Can the material used for them potentially cause cancer? Can they be rejected? How often do patients get revisions iof they are unhappy? I have had foot surgery with plates and screws. Do them being there make it more likely to cause infection for […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hi. My question is can I have my butt crack shortened? If so how would it be done? It’s way too long to me. I squat exercising and it always shows. I want to be able to workout without a shirt on or go to the beach and feel comfortable swimming and […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, I recently had a facelift and lip lift for overall skin laxity in aging, but I also asked my surgeon to try to correct some asymmetry I’ve experienced as a result of having Bell’s Palsy. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the results. In some ways, it’s even worse now. Is there anything […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello, I am interested in getting shoulder narrowing surgery and wanted to know if you are aware of and prepare for any complications that may arise in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Or would you be against performing surgery on hypermobile patients? Just wanted to know your thoughts on this. A: I […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, when nis the best time to undergo a chin implant revision? 1) Since I want to change the implant as soon as possible, what is the ideal time to do a new operation at a clinical level? Would you wait 6 months to place the new, smaller implant to stabilize the tissues […]

Q: Dr. Eppley, Shaved head, Can anything still be done to reduce my brow bone or minimize how noticeable it is A: In the shaved head male there are more direct brow bone reduction options such as a limited mid-forehead wrinkle line incisional access. Whether that would be beneficial for you would require an assessment […]