Facial surgery2 min read

V-line jaw surgery and the shape of the lower face

A procedure that narrows the lower face by reshaping bone. What it can change, what it cannot, and why it is a considered decision rather than a trend.

Stone Surgical ArtsOriginally published August 10, 2021Updated September 9, 2026

Perspective from Stone Surgical Arts

Interest in jawline definition has grown, and with it the language of trends. Reshaping the lower jaw is bone surgery, and it is worth separating what the procedure does from the way it is marketed.

A thought to keep

A narrower jaw is a permanent change to the facial skeleton. It deserves a consultation about your anatomy, not a decision made from photographs.

What the procedure does

V-line surgery, or reduction mandibuloplasty, narrows the lower face by reshaping the angle and body of the jaw and, in many plans, the chin. The intended result is a narrower, more tapered lower third of the face.

It is distinct from genioplasty, which repositions the chin alone, and from a filler or toxin treatment, which changes soft tissue or muscle without altering bone. The three are sometimes discussed together and produce quite different results.

Who considers it

People who ask about it usually describe a lower face they feel is wide or square relative to the rest of their features. Some are seeking a softer or more feminine facial shape.

What is achievable depends on the underlying bone, the soft tissue over it and the position of the nerve that runs through the jaw. An examination and imaging establish which parts of a request are anatomically possible.

Planning before the operation

Bone surgery is planned in advance rather than decided during the procedure. Imaging is used to work out how much bone can safely be removed and where, and to discuss the likely change with you beforehand.

That planning conversation is the right moment to say what you want kept as well as what you want changed. A jawline can be narrowed in ways that read very differently depending on how the chin is handled at the same time.

Recovery and expectations

Swelling after jaw surgery is considerable at first and settles gradually, so the final shape is not apparent for some months. Diet is restricted early on and sensation in the lip and chin can be altered for a period.

Ask about the risks specific to this operation, including nerve injury and asymmetry, and about what revision would involve. Bone that has been removed cannot be replaced in the same form.

Adapted from the Stone Surgical Arts archive and updated for clarity. This article offers general information; an individual consultation is needed for treatment advice.