Custom Jawline Implant

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had a custom jawline implant done by you last week. In looking at my result this week I feel that the chin is too big and the jaw angle look a bit asymmetric. I have talked to several close friends and they are in agreement.  I am thinking that I need a revisional surgery and would like to do that as soon as possible.

A: I am gong to repeat now what I stated from the very beginning…as you are going down exactly the path to which I pointed out to you that many young men take in this type of facial surgery. You are just one week from surgery and have a long way to go before seeing the final results. Much will change in both appearance and your perception of it. You are already prematurely critiquing your results and trying to pass judgment on issues to which you are not yet close to seeing the final results. As we have previously discussed, your premature reactions are not uncommon, but it’s important that you understand they are indeed premature.

The advice that I am going to repeat to you now is that you must allow the healing and adjustment process to complete. I will not discuss any facial situation that is in an evolutionary state, as it is a ‘moving target’ and it is not in your best interest to do so until the final results are clear, in 8 to 12 weeks after surgery.  It’s best not to entertain discussion at this point about pre-surgical implant design decisions and premature outcomes, as that would serve no purpose at this juncture.

This position may seem unduly harsh but it seems to be the only way in some patients to get them to understand the reality of the situation. I make it a priority before surgery to ensure patients understand how the process will unfold in these cases after surgery and, more importantly, how I will handle it after surgery. While your friends may offer their own opinions regarding your procedure and certainly know you on a personal level, it’s important to note that I have a great many years of experience in surgery, and am a specialist in this procedure.  I have spent thousands of hours in surgery and am your best resource regarding the postoperative process, and as such, will offer you expert medical advice as opposed to uneducated opinions.

You came to me for a reason…if you are not willing to accept my advice and recommendations then I can not offer much further help. If the early results are too distressing to tolerate or do not permit one to allow for the allotted recovery time to see the true final outcome, then the only alternative option is removal of the implant.  My advice again, is to allow the body time to heal and the postoperative process to resolve before any further considerations.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana