Will Temporal Reduction Reduce My Circumferential Head Measurement A Few Centimeters?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a few questions about some concerns I have with my skull. I have a large occipital bone. I have a peaked shaped head and it is also very wide. I measured my head circumference and it is 63cm. If I was to get a surgery to reduce my occipital bone and temporal reduction surgery would that reduce a few cm from my head? Also how much would all three surgery’s cost or would it be best to get them done at separate times. 

A: In reference to the back and sides of your head:

1) You have a classic large occipital knob on the back of your head which can be removed.

2) For your head width temporal reduction usually removes 10 to 12mms of muscle per side

3) Technically with 1cmporal tissue removal on each side of the head and 1 cm oi projection from the back, in theory that should equate to a 3cm circumferential reduction. (although I doubt the measured reduction is linearly equal to the thickness of the tissue removed) Quite frankly I never measure a patient’s head circumference as these operations are designed to change the profile of the head shape (how it looks) as a determinant of success rather than a measured outcome.

4) Both head surface procedures can be done at the same time.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon