Can My Nose, Cheeks and Jaw Be Made Smaller To A More Refined Looking Face?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in reduction rhinoplasty, alar base reduction, cheek bone reduction, and jaw reduction. I have diamond face jaw bones and cheek bones which are prominent and also have a big nose with an asymmetric alar region. I need a beautiful symmetric face with small nose and beautiful cheeks. Do you think this is possible? I have attached some pictures for your review and imaging.

A: Thank you for sending your pictures. I have taken a careful look at them and have imaged an open reductive rhinoplasty.  Your nose, as you know, is the largest feature on your face and is disproportionate in size to every other facial feature. While there is a limit as to how refined your nose can become given the thickness of the overlying skin, you most certainly can obtain significant improvement. When it comes to cheek bone or jaw angle reduction, however, I fail to see how those procedures will make any significant improvement. Your facial skin and tissues are too thick to reveal any bone reduction underneath. You are better off leaving the bone structure as it is to support the thick heavy overlying soft tissues. Your soft tissues will simply not permit a delicate and more refined facial structure that you desire.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana