Can I Get My Chin To Look Like This With A Bony Genioplasty?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I recently had a titanium jaw implant fitted to my left side and v-line surgery including genioplasty. unfortunately I am feeling very remorseful for shortening my chin it was a bad decision which makes my profile too weak with a terrible double chin. I am 38 years old and the surgery was meant to correct asymmetry issues caused from mandibular advancement surgery from 4.5 years ago. 

I have included my before and after X-rays for you to see, please can you tell me if there is a way to reverse the chin via genioplasty, I am not keen on the idea of another implant in my face. I had the plates removed from the advancement surgery which is why there are no plates in the before images I have attached.

I have also included an X-ray of a genioplasty I found on the Internet and one that I have photoshopped my my own chin to ask if this is possible? Another surgeon said this was only possible with a bone graft from my mandible but I am not keen to lose any more bone from my jaw since the recent surgery already removed more than I would of liked. So I am hoping that you might have some ideas. 

I have attached images of my side profile and front face and photoshopped versions to show how I would like my face to look. I had to hold the skin on my chin so that you could see the shape of it.

I would be very grateful to hear from you as I am desperate to restore my face. Please let me know if you think this is something that you would be able to achieve.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and detailing your history and sending your pictures and x-rays.  From what I can interpret from your photoshopped imaging, your goal is to bring your previous genioplasty down and forward which movements that appear to be about 3mm and 3mms respectively. I see no reason that could not be done and, while an autologous bone graft may be ideal, allogeneic bone particulate  or solid graft would also work just fine. The key is the bone fixation used, grafting is of secondary importance.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana