How Far Down On The Back of The Head Can Implant Augmentation Go?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a flat head at the back (occiput), all the way down. I have attached a picture of a woman with a similar head shape to mine (but my head is also flat at the top). I was wondering if it’s possible to put implants at the lower part of the back of the head, and lower sides of the head, besides the rest of the back of the head  and the top of the head aswell (I would like to do a large skull augmentation).

I have attached pictures where I have circled the areas that are flat on lower part of the head specifically. Is this possible, or do you for example have to take the protruding bone, neck and Temporalis muscles into consideration?

I was also wondering approximately how much a l arge skull augmentation (the whole back of the head, and the top of the head) would cost?

I would be grateful if you had time to answer. Thanks in advance, and have a great day!

A:While implant augmentation of the back of the head is very common in my practice the inferior extent that can be augmented is at the nuchal ridge line. This is where all the neck muscle attach which can not be released. (see attachedmimage)  So as you have correctly surmised the nack muscles (not the temporalis muscle) must be taken into consideration.

The term ‘large skull augmentation’ can mean two different things…..the extent of the skull surface area coverage or the actual size/thickness of the augmentation. But as a general rule when a patient uses that term, particularly a female, it does refer to a two stage approach to get adeqauate scalp stretch to accommodate a large skull implant. Computer imaging of pictures help clarify what is actually needed but for now I will assume this is what you would need.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon