26 y/o male and have a short, round face - can these edits translate to realistic, surgical results? (Photos)

Question

Hi, for reference I am a 26 y/o male and have a short, round face. I want a vertical genioplasty advancement of 8–10mm to balance my face aesthetics better. I hired someone to edit pictures of what my face might look like after a vertical genioplasty. Can these edits translate to realistic, surgical results? What do you think the approximate size (mm) of the vertical advancement is in these edits?

Alejandro Nogueira, MD · Answer

However you may be mislead about the technical choices, let me explain and please bear with me.

You have correctly detected that the sagginess and issues visible at soft tissues of the face around the mouth, jawline and upper neck are due to the evident microgenia or hipoplastic or underdeveloped chin, which in your case is of severe degree if put into your particular facial metrics.

You have chosen a very good theoretical goal in your simulations, however you should know that 3-4 other options are fine too, with larger or lesser degrees of chin augmentation, it is a question to consider with your simulations app, any of those levels of enlargement are suitable, natural and proportionate, the right one is that you identify with the most.

In your simulations you have added mass to the chin bon into the vertical axis and the anteroposterior axis (forward), leaving the horizontal axis (width seen from the front) sharp and untouched, I strongly recommend a moderate broadeing of the horizontal axis to prevent a fake, feminine or witch's chin effect.

Now come the technicalities, your commmendable and well thought goal can't be achieved with fillers, or with chin implants (they might only provide frontal gain, and in general are very problematic over the years), but neither with a basic sliding genioplasty.

Sliding genioplasty is a fabulous technique, I am eager to do it in my patients too, however has limitations because it is just a tricky of the eye: you move bone mass from where is a surplus and place it in the deficit area, therefore is not indicated y complete three-dimensional microgenias like yours, what are we supposed to slide forward if you have little to no bone available for such maneuver?

You are a candidate for multidimensional genioplasty by osteotomies and interspacing bone grafting harvested from your iliac bone, the results are spectacular and lifetime lasting, however you need to find a surgeon with real hands-on experience and talent on these procedures. Do not accept major orthognatic or the other mentioned procedures.

Gregory Lakin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Yes. A vertical genioplasty can safely achieve 8–10 mm of vertical elongation, sometimes in combination with mild horizontal advancement. Beyond 10 mm, there's a higher risk of tight soft tissue closure or mental nerve stretch, but your case seems within the accepted range. However, soft tissue (skin, fat, and muscle) doesn’t always behave exactly as the image simulation suggests. Surgical outcomes depend on bone thickness, muscle attachment, and skin tension, so results are an approximation, not a guarantee of the edited image. Your surgeon would need to assess your pre-op photos, edited images, and preferably a 3D scan or cephalometric X-ray.

Guray Yesiladali, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Reviewing edited photos can be helpful during planning, especially for vertical genioplasty.
While exact measurements would require clinical imaging, the changes shown in your edits appear to reflect approximately 8 mm of vertical lengthening from the front view, and about 9 mm of projection when viewed from the side&mdash;very similar to what can be achieved with genioplasty.
A few key points to consider:
Photo edits are two-dimensional, so they can’t fully capture how facial volume and light behave in motion. A vertical advancement like this not only elongates the lower face but also adds depth and structure, which tends to give a more defined and masculine appearance in real life.
This degree of change is realistically achievable with vertical genioplasty, which moves your own bone structure and produces a highly natural and permanent result. While chin implants can create similar visual effects in some cases, they don’t offer the same degree of vertical control or anatomical integration as genioplasty.
If this is the look you’re aiming for, a full facial assessment and 3D imaging would help confirm that vertical genioplasty is the most suitable option.
Warm regards,Op. Dr. Güray YeşiladalıBoard-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Timothy Osborn, MD · Answer

Our office provides simulations of realistic expectations for having a genioplasty. What you pictured is more than 10mm. You are looking for a large advancement (in both projection and height) which can be done, but there are limitations. In order to get that "v" shaped face, you will most likely need jawline contouring as well. We are happy to schedule a consultation and discuss options further!

John Diaz, MD · Answer

Hi yes this can be achieved through a surgical chin augmentation. Augmentations are performed to elongate the appearance of the chin to balance your face. Attached below please find more information for you to read upon for this surgical procedure.

26 y/o male and have a short, round face - can these edits translate to realistic, surgical results? (Photos)

Answers (10)

Answer: Genioplasty

Answer: Genioplasty

Answer: Chin Augmentation

Answer: Chin Augmentation

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Everything you need to know about Genioplasty

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26 y/o male and have a short, round face - can these edits translate to realistic, surgical results? (Photos)

Answers (10)

Answer: Genioplasty

Answer: Genioplasty

Answer: Chin Augmentation

Answer: Chin Augmentation

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Genioplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.