Can The Chin Tissues Be Reduced After A Sliding Genioplasty?

Q: I would like to know if there is any procedure that can be done to reshape or reduce the muscle on the tip of my chin. I had a sliding genioplasty in 2005 but I still have this round fleshy muscle on the end. I know the muscle is functional but can it be reduced at all or reshaped? I can send pictures if you would like. Thanks so much.

A: What you are referring to is the size or thickness of the mentalis muscle. That certainly makes up some of the chin thickness but there is also some contribution by fat also. Some debulking of the mentalis muscle can be done but you have to be careful not to take too much. That can cause  scar tissue and lead to irregulrities and muscular fasciculations when the chin moves. But it may benefit by some debulking and repositioning on the chin bone since you have had a prior sliding genioplasty. I would have to see some pictures to have a better idea as to whether that is a reasonable option.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis Indiana