subject: Lip Reduction Surgery Overview [print this page] Most people in the United States have heard of the lip enhancement procedure. It involves use of dermal fillers, fat transfer, or implants to augment the lips. Millions of men and women have undergone the procedure, including many celebrities. However, many people are not aware that patients that feel their lips are too full can also undergo lip reduction surgery to make the lips thinner. The treatment can balance the upper and lower lips and correct any lip asymmetry. Patients that are born with overly full lips or lip deformities, and those that have had their lips overdone with injections or implants can undergo lip reduction surgery to improve their appearance and self-esteem.
In the majority of cases, patients can undergo the lip reduction procedure under local anesthesia. This means that you will be awake during treatment, but the lip area will be numb so you do not feel pain. Some patients also take anti-anxiety medication to ease fear. The use of local anesthesia is associated with fewer risks and a more speedy recovery period. Once the lip area has been sufficiently numbed, your plastic surgeon will create a horizontal incision along the inside of your lip. Excess lip tissue is removed through the incision, then the incision is closed with dissolvable stitches. The entire procedure takes an hour, and patients can go home to rest after the procedure. In the days following treatment, patients may experience mild pain, some tightness, bruising, and swelling in the lip area. Patients are advised to take pain medication to treat the pain and to eat and speak carefully to avoid bursting the stitches. The side effects associated with the lip augmentation should fade within two weeks of surgery. If pain, bruising, bleeding, or swelling worsens or does not fade, contact your plastic surgeon for more information.
