Sliding Genioplasty

Q: Dr. Eppley, Eight year ago I had a sliding genioplasty, and it left me with an unpleasant rounded shape in the center of my chin. Six years ago I had the plates removed, and the chin’s unpleasant shape remained as it was.

I have contacted local doctors about correcting this shape, but none seem too confident that it could work. From doing research online, it seems like I may have chin ptosis (I certainly have the same droopy look) although I’m not sure if that’s accurate.

I am wondering if you who has expertise in this type of issue, believes that it can be corrected with a high chance of success.

I have attached some photos for illustration. In the picture with 3 images, the first is before anything, the second is after the sliding genioplasty but before the removal, and the third is current.

In the picture with two images, both are current and show the chin dimpling that I have.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know if you think there is a good chance that I could return my chin to the pre-surgery look (in other words, where the base is flat).

Thank you very much!

A: You do not have chin ptosis. The chin shape you currently have is that of the bone which now appears more narrow/tapered because of the forward movement of the chin bone. This is a very common aesthetic sequelae of a sliding genioplasty…which is usually fine for a female but may be bothersome for some males. The only way to treat this shape is to round off the front of the chin to be flatter.

The chin dimpling issue is difficult to treat but it is best done by release and fat grafting at the same time as the chin shave.

It is important to realize that you are never going back to the chin the way it was before the sliding genioplasty. It is just a question of how much improvement can be obtained towards that goal. I can provide you no assurance of what the degree of success would be…the surgery should be viewed as a gamble and only undertaken with full acknowledgement of that aesthetic risk.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana