Genioplasty reversal for persistent tightness, looking for a second opinion— any suggestions?

Question

I have had an 8mm sliding genioplasty just over 2 years ago and it’s still very tight. Stiff and tight and lower lip feels tight and stiff and the area inside the lip where incision was made feels tight. Surgeon says he can do either a soft tissue release to see if that helps or move the bone back 4mm. It feels like the muscle just doesn’t work properly anymore and the lower lip feels heavy and tight. What should I do? 1 soft tissue release 2 move bone back half way.

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, 
I have to say that it is impossible to answer your question without proper examination and no pictures. On the theoretical level, both operations might help and provide a certain improvement of the symptoms you are describing. In this case, I believe the surgeon who performed your surgery is the best one to correct it, as he knows the exact steps that were taken during the operation.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

You would be most assuredly improved if you had a partial sliding genioplasty reversal combined with the placement of a small dermal-fat graft. What you don't know is whether your symptoms are due to the amount of chin bone movement, whether there is some soft tissue tightness/excessive scar or some combination of both. Many people have sliding genioplasties of 8mms movement and never have any of these symptoms. Thus it is best to address both potential causes in a single procedure.

Genioplasty reversal for persistent tightness, looking for a second opinion— any suggestions?

Answers (2)