Lip Reduction Candidates

Candidates for lip reduction surgery include patients that have naturally large lips. It can also be performed on patients that are unhappy with the results of a permanent lip augmentation procedure done in the past. In addition, patients should be in good health, and not smoke cigarettes for a month before and after surgery.

Lip Reduction Surgery

For most patients, the lip reduction procedure is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Surgery may be performed under general anesthesia if you are undergoing multiple procedures, or if you feel more comfortable being unconscious during your procedure. During treatment, the plastic surgeon creates a horizontal incision on the inside of the lip. The surgeon then removes excess fat and tissue from the lip before closing the incision with stitches. The lip reduction procedure can be performed on the upper and lower lip to improve the patient's appearance and balance out facial features.

Lip Reduction Risks

Any patient that undergoes surgery should be aware that there are some risks and side effects associated with treatment. The side effects of surgery include pain, swelling, bruising, and redness in the treatment area; these side effects generally dissipate within a few days of surgery. More serious risks for patients that have lip reduction surgery include an infection or an allergic reaction to the anesthesia that is used during surgery.

Lip Reduction Recovery

Although patients do experience some post-surgical side effects after lip reduction surgery, they are typically pretty minor when compared to more invasive operations such as facelift or eyelid surgery. In the days following surgery, patients should take pain medication and apply ice bags to the lips to limit pain and swelling. In many cases, dissolvable sutures are used, so stitches do not need to be removed at a later date. Patients can usually return to work within a week of surgery. Best results are seen at about two to three months after surgery.

Before/After Picture(s):

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