Skull Reshaping

Q: Dr. Eppley,  I am interested in skull reshaping surgery. As you are probably aware, healthcare over in the UK is pretty much free. Cosmetic surgery is not given for free due to the fact its simply cosmetic, something you don’t like the look of on your body. If it is present from birth or is causing psychological effects, it can be done for free. I have had a very flathead from birth and it is causing me all sorts of stress and depression. Do you think the NHS (National Health Service) in the UK can provide me with help? Have you heard of anyone getting this type of surgery in the UK through the NHS?  Also whom would you recommend that I go to for skull rehaping surgery in the UK?

A: I have had this question from patients from the UK many times. The simple answer is that there is no surgeon in the UK or Europe that performs these types of skull rehaping surgeries. And even if there were, NHS would consider this a cosmetic surgery just like all insurers do in the U.S.. Reconstructive skull surgery is for the restoration of skull contours for partial or full thickness bone defects. Aesthetic skull reshaping are a collection of cosmetic procedures whose purpose is to change the shape or contours of a skull that have adequate bone thickness.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana