Can The Top Side Of My Head Be Reduced?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I always thought the size of my head is a bit big and I would like it to be smaller. So no medical issues here and I just want to achieve a smaller head size. Is this at all possible and if so what would the cost be? Would the results be noticeable? 

The part im pointing to, I always thought. That part could be smaller. Is facial contouring/reshaping is also possible along with skull reduction as I think one side of my cheek is bigger than the other, thanks.

A:Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. What you are pointing to on your head is known as the temporal line of the skull. This is often the widest part of teh upper temporal/ side of the top of the skull. That is the junction of the bony top of the head with where the upper temporal muscle attaches. This is why it is often a prominent line along the side of the skull which can clearly be seen in a 3-D CT skull scan. That can be surgically reduced to desquare the top of the head into a more round shape as per the attached picture. Not to be too obvious but there would be a little purpose in doing the surgery if the results were not visible.

Your more prominent left cheekbone can be surgically reduced by a procedure known as a cheekbone reduction osteotomy. That can be performed at the same time as the skull reduction.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon