Should I Stop Doing Botox Before Temporal Reduction Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am looking to have my temporalis muscle reduced. I have always been bothered by a much bigger temporalis muscle on the right side of my head than on its left. It makes it really asymmetrical. Being bald for a few years it makes it even more noticeable.

I’ve been doing Botox injections for more than a year and it works well. However I am now looking for a permanent solution. I have read your articles on temporalis muscle reduction and I am interested. I am a French national living in France and I haven’t found yet a surgeon doing it here.

I have few questions if you don’t mind. In order to get the surgery done should I stop Botox injections – for the muscle to go back to its initial size? In understand that cost vary on individuals but you would you ming sharing with me an estimate cost for such an intervention?

A:In answer to your temporal muscle reduction questions:

1) You do not need to stop doing Botox injections

2) Assuming that the majority of your temporal muscle hyperytrophy is in the posterior section of the muscle then the ‘standard’ temporal reduction technique applies.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon