Do I Need Width Only Jaw Angle Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a 35 year-old male who is interested in jaw angle implants. It seems to be hard to find surgeons who do this procedure with any regularity or expertise in it. I’ve met many surgeons during the last three years and none seems to be expert in it. I know the distance could be a problem in case of complications, but I’m financially ready and, if I remember well, we talked a couple of years ago on another website about this procedure. I had a rhinoplasty and chin implant back in 2010 (conform extended anatomical chin implant, size large, Implantech) and I really would to go on with the work on my face having jaw angle implants.Do you work on international patients? And are two weeks there enough to fly back safely? I see my face as very vertical, so I think I would only need width and not add further vertical projection.

A: I would certainly agree based on your pictures that you only need width enhancing jaw angle implants and not vertical lengthening ones. While the surgery does cause some swelling I would see no need to be here any longer than 5 to 7 days at most before flying home. Fortunately any serious complications are very rare (e.g., infection) so being at a great distance is rarely an issue.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana