Can Forehead Feminization Be Reversed By A Brow Bone Implant?

Q: Dr. Eppley,I am a man but I had Facial Feminization Surgery at one point it my life where I believed I was trans, would it be possible to ‘reverse’ most of the forehead work(type 3 browbone reduction and orbital rims shaving)? I know I won’t look exactly like I did before, but I have CT scans from before the surgery. Would a custom browbone be the best solution in this scenario? My main concern is the lack of projection from my orbital rims and lack of a brow bone “break”. Would I have a greater risk of infection or other issues due to previous trauma at that area? Part of my FFS procedure involved hairline lowering, so my skin is probably tighter than before, is that something I should be worried about when it comes to getting a brow bone implant? Thank you

A:You have correctly surmised that the reversal of forehead feminization would be a custom brow bone implant. I have done this numerous times over the years as you are not the only person has reversed course in the transgender process. While you have had a frontal hairline advancement that does not make the lower for head skin any tighter or more difficult to release and augment. Because of your hairline lowering you also have a convenient point of access to place the brow bone implant. The only concern for infection is whether you having complete healing of the setback bone flap of which exposure to the frontal sinus underneath may occur with soft tissue elevation. A current 3-D CT scan will clarify whether that is a potential issue or not. Most of the time in bone flap setbacks there is generally good bony healing around the flap margins.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon