Which Facial Reshaping Procedures Would Best Benefit Me ?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello! I am interested in facial reshaping. I have had one consult already, but after looking at your photos, I am blown away! I now think there may be other options, better options, than what has previously been presented to me. I’m definitely interested in a rhinoplasty to correct the hump on my nose bridge and open my airway. Maybe see if you can correct my snoring? Long shot, I know, but it’s worth the ask…I have a slender face with chubby cheeks that hide my cheek bones and swallow up my jaw line. I was offered a rhinoplasty with chin implant and mini neck lift. However, I believe with your expert eyes, we could actually fix my nose, open my airways, give me cheek bones and a jaw line. I’m not sure if I need a chin implant or if having a jawline would suffice. Maybe I just need cheek lipo and not a face lift at age 39? My goal is a more symmetrical face with a flatter functional nose so my mouth isn’t open and I don’t look like I have a wattle and/or 3 chins when I see a candid photo of myself from the side. Do you think you could help me? 

Thank you for your time and expertise!

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. The first step in any form of facial reshaping surgery, even an isolated rhinoplasty, is computer imaging. This is a critical step in helping the patient determine what type of facial changes may be beneficial. Besides identifying what facial areas may benefit by change it also allows the patient to determine the flavor of change they want. If this was not done in your prior consultation then the surgeon is merely saying what they think looks best or what they know how to do or the procedures of which they are aware.

To begin the process of computer imaging I need 3 non-smiling pictures… front, side and three quarter views. Once the imaging is sent back to you you need to interpret them by my philosophy of facial computer imaging:

The purpose of computer imaging is frequently misunderstood by patients. Computer imaging is done to help determine what the patient’s aesthetic goals are. It is a method of visual communication to help your surgeon understand what your specific goals are. It is not necessarily an accurate predictor of the final outcome. It establishes goals to aim for which may or may not be completely achievable based on human tissue responses to surgical intervention that lie beyond that of computer software can account.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana