The most visible part of our face is the lips. Some people are very concerned about the size of their lips. Do you also think things like, 'Only my upper lip is too big', 'The problem is my lower lip', 'My face is not beautiful because both are big'? Today we are talking about a solution for those who have lost confidence in their appearance due to such reasons, as well as for those who have enlarged lips due to other medical reasons.
Simply put, what is Lip Reduction Surgery?
This is also known as `reduction cheiloplasty` in medical terms. Simply put, this is a cosmetic surgery that changes the size and shape of your lips. It involves removing excess skin and tissue from the inside of your lips, making them smaller and giving them a more balanced look. This surgery can reduce the size of your upper lip, lower lip, or both lips at the same time. It is a very quick and safe surgery.
Who can think about this surgery?
The appearance of your lips, a major feature of your face, can have a big impact on how you feel about yourself. If you have one or more of the following reasons, you may want to consider this surgery.
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Dissatisfaction with appearance | If you are not happy with the size or shape of your lips. |
| Unbalanced lips | If there is a size discrepancy or asymmetry between the upper and lower lip. |
| Medical conditions | If you have a medical condition that causes swelling of the lips, such as Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. |
| Functional difficulties | If it is difficult to speak or eat due to the size of the lips. |
| Reconstructive surgery | If you need to restore your lips after an accident. |
| Reversal of previous surgeries | If you want to reverse the results of lip augmentation surgery using a permanent filler such as silicone. |
| Birth problems | To correct a congenital lip problem. |
How common is this surgery?
To be honest, this surgery is not as common as lip augmentation, but it is also a popular surgery that is successfully performed all over the world.
How do you prepare before surgery?
Before the surgery, you will be examined by a plastic surgeon. Your health will be assessed and your expected results from the surgery will be discussed. You can ask your doctor any questions you may have at this time.
If your doctor decides that you are a good candidate for this surgery, you will be given a set of instructions to follow before the surgery. These may include:
- Stop using tobacco products for a few weeks.
- Make changes to your medications only on the advice of your doctor . Do not start or stop any medication without your doctor's approval.
What happens during the surgery?
On the day of your surgery, your doctor will give you local anesthesia. This is an injection that numbs the area where the surgery will be performed. This means that you will be awake during the surgery, but you will not feel any pain.
During the surgery, your plastic surgeon will follow these steps:
1. A very small incision is made on the inside of your lips, from one corner to the other.
2. Excess skin and tissue are removed, making the lips thinner and creating a balanced appearance.
3. Finally, the incisions are sewn back together using dissolvable stitches.
Usually, this entire process takes about an hour.
What happens after the surgery? And how to care for it?
Since this is an outpatient procedure, you can go home the same day . Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery. Following those instructions exactly is very important for a speedy recovery.
| Advice | Description |
|---|---|
| Caring for the incision site | Keep the sutured area clean according to the doctor's instructions. |
| Diet | Eat only soft foods like soup and yogurt for about a week. |
| Talking and smiling | Minimize excessive talking and smiling for a few days. |
| Sleeping | To reduce swelling, sleep with one or two pillows and your head elevated. |
| Medicines | Take painkillers if necessary and prescribed antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection. |
| Ice-laying | To control swelling, wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it on your lips. |
After about a week, your stitches will dissolve, or the doctor will remove them.
What are the benefits and risks of this surgery?
As with any medical procedure, there are both benefits and risks.
Benefits
- A surgery that can be completed quickly.
- Side effects and risks are minimal.
- Gives lips a balanced, uniform appearance.
- The scars are hidden on the inside of the lips, so they are not visible from the outside.
- Improves self-confidence and sense of self.
The most important thing is to choose a plastic surgeon who has good experience in this type of surgery. Then you can achieve successful results.
Risks
Although the surgery is safe, your doctor will inform you about the possible risks. These include:
- Bleeding
- Pain or discomfort
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Feeling of tightness in the lips
- Skin discoloration or bruising
- Unusual scarring
- Infections
- Reactions to numbing medication
How long does it take to heal? When should you see a doctor?
Usually, discomfort and bruising will go away within a few days . However, it may take several months for the swelling to completely go away . You will need to wait about six months to see the full final result.
If you experience any of the following symptoms after surgery, you should call your doctor immediately :
- Excessive bleeding from the incision site.
- Fever.
- Excessive swelling that doesn't go away.
- Very severe pain.
Is it possible to make your lips smaller without surgery?
In fact, it is not possible to permanently reduce the size of your lips without surgery. However, if surgery is not a good option for you (e.g., if you have frequent mouth sores, have difficulty quitting smoking, or have an autoimmune disease that affects healing), there are other options.
- Makeup: You can temporarily change the appearance of your lips using makeup.
- Treating underlying medical conditions: If your lips are swollen due to a medical condition, medications such as corticosteroids can help control the condition. Talk to your doctor about this.
- Dissolving Fillers: If you have had lip augmentation with a filler like hyaluronic acid and are not happy with it, you can wait for it to dissolve naturally (about 9 months). Alternatively, you can see your plastic surgeon for a treatment that will dissolve it more quickly.
Finally, if you are unhappy with the appearance of your lips, there are options to change them. Lip reduction surgery is a very personal decision that you make for yourself. Make sure that the decision is your own, not someone else's.
Take-Home Message
- Lip Reduction Surgery is a safe cosmetic surgery that changes the size and shape of the lips, giving the face a more balanced appearance.
- The results of this surgery are permanent and do not require repeat surgeries.
- It may take several months to fully recover from surgery and see the final results. Following your doctor's instructions is essential for a speedy recovery.
- For this, it is very important to choose an experienced, qualified plastic surgeon.
- Before making any decision, talk to your doctor carefully and make sure you understand the pros and cons of the surgery, and whether it's right for you.
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