Temporal Reduction

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in doing the scarless temporal reduction surgery in the next year. I am a 35 year old male with a normal sized face but large head – 58 cm circumference – which seems mostly due to protrusion above the ears from temples above the forehead back to the end of the skull. The sides of my head become sore if I wear glasses for a long time and hats tend to be tight.

I have had a few questions regarding the procedure:

1) what are the requirements for anesthesia and how long is the surgery?

2) based on the description, can I expect to have a good result? will the change in head width give a noticeable impression of a smaller face/head?

3) what are the potential side effects both functional and cosmetic you have seen in the past even if the chances are low?

4) will removal of the temporal muscle lead to drooping of the skin in the lower part of my face due to volume loss at the head?

5) what is the cost?

6) what are the pre and post operative considerations and requirements?

7) how many of these surgeries have you performed?

Looking forward to your advice!

A: In answer to your questions about temporal reduction surgery:

Surgery is about 1 1’2 hours and general anesthesia is a requirement for it.
Temporal reduction reduces the width or convexity of the side of the head. It would not have any effect on the face.
I have seen no adverse side effects in any patient. The only questions is whether the result meets the patient’s aesthetic goals.
Removal of the muscle does not cause a skin droop.
My assistant will pass along the cost of the surgery to you.
There are no special before and after surgery requirments or tests needed
I invented this head reshaping procedure and have performed over 50 of them

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana