Rhinoplasty, Vermiion Advancement, Cheek Implants, Sliding Genioplasty and Jaw Angle Implant Facial Reshaping Options?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Thank you for responding so quickly! I would like your opinion on what could make my face look more symmetric and give it more definition, if possible. Basically, I would like to look like I have good bone structure. I’m not trying to look like any particular celebrity, but I’ll use their pictures to show what I like. I have several facial reshaping procedures in mind, but perhaps you will suggest something different.

I’m 27 years old, female, had braces to correct an overbite over 10 years ago, a primary closed rhinoplasty and a subnasal lip lift last ye5ar. I’ve tried lip fillers both before the lip lift and after.

Overall, I think my nose is better, but I’m not completely happy with it. As far as my lips go, I like the view from the side much better now, but the front still bothers me. Fillers never did much for me in my opinion.

I think I look drastically different bare-faced. Makeup helps me create some definition and angularity in my face, larger upper lip and a more symmetric nose. Of course, makeup can only do so much. I’d rather get more significant and lasting changes.

Here are my specific questions. I’ll start with what had already been operated on and then get to facial implants.

NOSE

I still have a remaining bump that is visible from certain angles. I wanted a more concave bridge and a tip that’s rotated a bit up to create an effect of a slightly shorter nose. I also think it lacks symmetry from the front and even with makeup I have difficulty making it look straight. My original nose had a bump and a bulbous tip, but didn’t seem crooked to me. My breathing was great before surgery, now it’s a bit worse, but not to the point where it bothers me.

Do you think it would be worth it to operate on it again?

LIPS

I just want my top lip to be close in shape and size to the bottom lip. Unfortunately, the lip lift didn’t give me a top lip. And I don’t like what fillers do to me (too puffy, not enough vertical red lip). So I feel stuck. The surgeon who performed my lip lift told me multiple times that both vermilion advancement and V-to-Y would look horrible because there would be no white roll and my lip would look pasted on, but I just don’t see what other options I have. The only thing he suggested was Botox lip flip to prevent the top lip from curling inwards when I smile and more filler. I am not happy at all with the current state of my lips – still very thin top lip when I look straight on, nonexistent on the sides unless I overline significantly, plus now if I close my mouth completely there’s a visible strain in my chin, that’s why I mostly keep the mouth slightly open – if I close it, my chin flattens.I don’t like how (in my opinion) it makes me look sad or angry.

What can I do?

CHEEKS

I’m interested in a custom model implant that extends all the way back. I’d like the effect of very prominent cheekbones, but I know there are limitations.

Do you think that’s achievable for me?

CHIN/JAW

My goals are: shorter, more protruding chin, and a defined jaw. I’ve always felt my chin is a little too long vertically, but in addition to that after a lip lift when I close my mouth my chin looks recessed. I also carry some fat around my jaw even when my weight fluctuates lower. It’s just never been really defined. I’ve had one surgeon recommend a neck lift, but I don’t know if that will be enough – I’m not sure how good my underlying structure is. I think my face always looked soft.

What would be a good solution here? Sliding genioplasty and a custom jaw implant? Something else?

A: Thank you for sending all of your pictures and detailing your concerns. You are correct in that makeup can make a person look completely different. But it is also helpful because it shows what the patient is trying to achieve.

As I understand it your prior surgeries have included a closed rhinoplasty and subnasal lip lift. Your goals now are to basically have a more defined facial structure and fuller lips. In essence this comes down to the following facial reshaping options:

NOSE  While your initial rhinoplasty provided improvement (reduced the hump) it reflects the more modest changes that typically occur from a closed rhinoplasty and largely left the tip relatively unchanged. You are probably seeking a more complete rhinoplasty to lower the bridge further, reduce tip projection and provide some tip rotation This is the way you are going to get a somewhat smaller and more shapely feminine nose.

CHEEKS You need some defatting underneath them from buccal lipectomies and perioral liposuction to create less fullness between the cheekbones and the jawline. This will also create a bit of a cheek augmentation effect. A custom heel-arch style always provide the best definition .

LIPS. When women draw their lips on and they look better they are basically adjusting the position of the vermilion. While a subnasal lip lift creates more central upper lip fullness it does not address the sides of your lip which is why you like it from the side view but not so much from the front view. This can only be addressed by a vermilion advancement.

CHIN-JAW. Your chin needs to come forward and be narrowed (sliding genioplasty) and some small jaw implants that help create a more visible angle to the back would create a more total jawline effect with the chin.

These are my initial thoughts,

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana