Lip Reduction

Lip Reduction

Some patients feel that their lips are too full and wish to have them reduced. Lip reduction in these patients is generally straightforward and highly successful. When performing a lip reduction, Dr. Tong is careful to maintain the patient’s lip shape and contours, ensuring that the resulting appearance looks natural.

Lip Reduction After Silicone or other Permanent Fillers

In recent years, Dr. Lawrence Tong has seen many patients seeking help for distorted lips after they have undergone silicone injections (or other permanent filler like Artecol or Bioalcamid) to the lips. Dr. Tong does not recommend free silicone injections (or other permanent fillers) for any type of cosmetic purposes due to the risk of irreversible, long-term complications. The permanent filler can migrate unpredictably, which induces internal scar formation, shape distortion, numbness, and stiffness. In these cases, the lips may be reduced with surgery to a normal size, but there may be residual silicone (or other permanent filler) remaining. This may occur because the material cannot be removed without destroying the normal appearance of the lips. Dr. Tong will be very candid in discussing your situation and expected outcomes from silicone distorted lip correction surgery.

The Lip Reduction Procedure

Dr. Tong performs a lip reduction by strategically marking the areas for removal. The incisions are planned on the inside edge of the lip (the mucosa), so that they are hidden from view. During the surgery, the areas of mucosa are removed. A small amount of the lip tissue may also be removed to decrease the bulk. In cases where permanent filler is involved, scar tissue and filler may also be encountered and removed. It is usually not possible to remove all of the filler and/or scar tissue. Removal of scar tissue and filler may be limited due to the need to preserve nerves, vessels, or negative cosmetic implications. Temporary stitches are placed to judge the aesthetic result; more tissue is removed if necessary. Once Dr. Tong is satisfied with the appearance, stitches are placed to close the incisions.

Recovery After Lip Reduction

You will be able to return home immediately after their lip reduction procedure. You should expect to encounter mild to moderate pain and swelling after lip reduction; this can be reduced with prescription pain medication and cold compresses, and should significantly resolve within a few days.

For the first week after a lip reduction procedure, you should refrain from talking excessively or opening your mouth wide. Dr. Tong recommends a soft food diet during this recovery period. You will return to see Dr. Tong and have your progress assessed one week after lip reduction. Your stitches should naturally dissolve within two weeks.

Most patients are comfortable returning to work 2-5 days after lip reduction surgery, though you should avoid strenuous activity for roughly one month after your procedure.

Your Lip Reduction Consultation

Dr. Tong realizes that the decision to undergo any plastic surgery procedure is best made by a fully-educated patient. During your lip reduction consultation at his Toronto office, Dr. Tong will encourage you to candidly express both your goals and concerns, and he will take as much time as is necessary to explain the risks and benefits of the procedure.

If you are interested in learning more about lip reduction with Dr. Tong, please give us a call at (647) 492-0648 or contact us via this website to schedule your consultation.