Sliding Genioplasty

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had a sliding genioplasty two years ago and I’m not fully satisfied because I would like more projection. The surgeon is brilliant and he did everything very well but I just want a little more. Is it possible to repeat a sliding genioplasty and will the bone heal the same? 

Also 10 months after the operation when I visited the surgeon who performed the genioplasty he pressed quite hard on my chin with his thumbs to feel the bone. Could that have pushed it back or am I just paranoid? Is the bone, plate and screws strong enough for that kind of treatment after ten months? 

I visited him again 16 months after the operation and he did the same thing again. 

I also hit my chin a little when I pulled my cover up while sleeping yesterday. I’m constantly worried that it’s shifting or lose. Do I need to be? 🙁 

Sorry for such a long message. Thank you!

A: There is no reason that you can not have a secondary bony sliding genioplasty years later that would heal just as well as the first one. While there is no good reason to be pushing on the bone, there is no risk of causing it to move backward. The plate and screw fixation is more than adequate to resist any displacing forces early after surgery and the healing of bone s more than adequate to do so months to years later.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana