Will Occipital Bone Reduction Make A Visible Difference

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have read on your website that it is sometimes possible to remove about 5mms or so of a skull protrusion. Is this sometimes possible with a protrusion on the back of the skull? I have attached some pictures that will hopefully be helpful. I don’t think of it as a knot but a protrusion as the angle isn’t that sharp and it is wider.  I have a long, oblong shaped head, so the protrusion itself isn’t the only concern but total length. The rough price approximation on your practice’s website  would not be too great of a burden so, depending on the safety risks, even a very modest decrease of the 5 or 6 MM mentioned on your website would, at least in this early stage, seem like something to me that would be worth the cost. Thank you.

A: Thank you for sending your pictures. They show well the broader occipital protrusion. That whole area can certainly be reduced by probably up to 6 to 7mms. That doesn’t sound like a lot but, because of its broader area, will make a bigger difference in appearance than that number alone suggests. The biggest issue is not whether the occipital reduction procedure will make a difference but whether the fine incision to do it will produce an acceptable scar. It has been my experience that these type of scalp incisions do heal really well but it is always an issue to consider in a man who shaves his head.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana