Can I Make My Face Look Like The Imaging I Have Done?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have had some computer imaging done for some facial change that I want to make but I am not completely happy with the imaging predictions. I’m very particular of what I’m trying to go for, but I don’t even know if it’s possible. I went on facetouchup.com last night. Have you heard of it?  It’s like photo shop and you can  adjust any part of your face to your liking. I played around a bit with my nose and I really like the end result. I attached it on this email. If that’s not possible, I understand, but I was wondering actually,  if you could tell me, if you could do absolutely anything with my nose what would you change?  Also I’m not too crazy about the use jaw implants from the front view. I guess it’s one of those things that work on someone else’s face but not on mine. The main purpose of wanting a jaw and chin implants was to make my face less round more oval shaped. Do you think you can get a similar result like the attached male model example?

A: Programs like Face Touchup are for fun, not for reality. You can do anything on these programs or with more sophisticated programs like Photoshop. This does not mean that it can be created surgically. Photo imaging is about communicating goals, not about guaranteeing a result or the ability to create that exact look. You are much better off considering and undergoing surgery with what may realistically happen,, nto with what you hope will happen. A plastic surgeon driving the imaging program is going to be closer to reality than any patient doing it.

I don’t think jaw angle implants are for you. You don’t have the anatomy for it to create the right effect. Your facial tissues are too thick and all those implants do is make your face fatter not slimmer. The only slimming effect that will work for your face is a vertical lengthening chin osteotomy and buccal fat removal.

One reality that you will have to accept is that your face is never going to look as refined and angular as the faces of the model images that you have shown. (aka male model look) You don’t have the right facial tissues for it. The best you can achieve is somewhere between what your face look like now and those pictures.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana