Is A Sliding Genioplasty Reversal Possible?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a 24-year-old female that got double jaw surgery and a genioplasty a year ago for recessed jaws and a small airway. I have been struggling since the surgery with how my new chin looks. It has never resolved but has seemed to stick out more and more as I have recovered since swelling has decreased everywhere else. I feel like it has taken away the more feminine face that I had before the surgery. I attached some pictures of my profile before the procedure because now that I look back on it, I feel like my chin was not a problem and should have not been touched. My surgeon though recommended me getting the genioplasty for my profile. They moved my chin 7mm forward, which is even more than the original 5mm the surgeon had told me. I was wondering if a genioplasty reversal would be possible? If so, what risks are entailed? I already still have numbness in the middle of my chin where the plate would be and I get very weird dimpling and muscle movements. I also feel like my lower lip is smaller/looks odd compared to before. Would love your feedback. Thanks

A:Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. The question is not whether a sliding genioplasty reversal can be done but by how much is needed. (subtotal vs total) To help make that determination there are two key pieces of information thar are needed/missing:  1) before and after side view pictures of your face  and 2) a postop x-ray. All sliding genioplasties can be reversed, it is just a question of how much is needed and any challenges posed by the hardware that was initially used in the initial sliding genioplasty procedure.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon