Surgical Lip Reduction

Introduction: Bigger Is Not Always Better

Not all of us want larger, fuller lips. Many people believe that their lips are too big and want them reduced. Younger patients may be plagued by insecurities brought on by having larger than average lips and are sometimes teased by their classmates. However, due to the time it takes for facial features to mature, lip reduction should be delayed until the mid to late teens.

Lip reduction surgery is not incredibly invasive, but there are risks and complications associated with the procedure, so please read through all of the information before agreeing to commit to any surgery.

What Is Lip Reduction?

Lip reduction is the procedure to remove excess lip tissue to reduce the appearance of overly large lips. The procedure can be performed under local and/or regional anesthesia, although some surgeons may choose to perform it under Light Sleep anesthesia. The procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes and healing takes about 2 weeks. Swelling can be an issue, so please know this beforehand. Also, asymmetry is possible, so choose your surgeon wisely.

Are You a Candidate for Lip Reduction?

First and foremost, an individual must be in good health, be free of any active diseases or pre-existing medical conditions and have realistic expectations of the outcome of their surgery. Communication is crucial in reaching one's goals. You must be able to voice your expectations to your surgeon if he/she is to understand what your desired results are. Discuss your goals with your surgeon so that you may reach an understanding with what can realistically be achieved.

You must be mentally and emotionally stable to undergo an cosmetic procedure. This is an operation which requires patience and stability in dealing with the healing period. There is sometimes a lull or depression after surgery and a pre-existing emotional problem can turn the postoperative period into a more serious issue. Please consider this before committing to a procedure.

If you find that your lips are too large and interfere in speaking, or if you just don't like them in general, you may wish to consider this procedure. While not overly invasive, it will cause discomfort and swelling and you will have to take it easy for a proper result, so consider all of the above before deciding if this may be a viable option.

What to Expect at Your Consultation

After checking a few surgeons' backgrounds and credentials, you will make an appointment for a consultation. You will meet with these surgeons to discuss your goals and you will disclose all information regarding your health, including whether you smoke and any medications or vitamins you currently take. Visit the Medication and Supplements List for more information.

You will discuss your complaints, concerns and the various looks one can achieve, the amount of skin that can and should be removed, etc. Your surgeon will explain the technique and incision placements or methods that may be most appropriate for you and should discuss the risks associated with lip reduction as well.

You will also discuss the anesthesia that will be used for your procedure. Most lip reduction procedures are performed under local or regional anesthesia, possibly with some oral sedation (usually Valium). However, some surgeons may use Light Sleep Sedation. Please read the All About Anesthesia page. The risks regarding anesthesia should be considered for a fully informed choice.

If you would like more information on consultations or a list of questions to ask your surgeon please visit the Consultation Help Page. If you should choose to book or reserve a surgery date you will usually give a deposit to hold it. Most times if you cancel a few days beforehand, this amount is non-refundable. After paying your deposit and scheduling a surgery date, you will also schedule a pre-operative appointment.

Your Preoperative Appointment

This appointment addresses more questions you may not have thought to ask at the initial consultation, such as more surgical details, concerns and even confirming that your surgeon is aware of your desired outcome for the procedure. He or she will also make sure that you know what it realistically possible from this procedure.

You will also discuss your preoperative instructions and go over the recovery period instructions and what to expect in the months ahead. You will be given prescriptions for antibiotics, pain relievers, perhaps blood pressure medicines, prescription anti-inflammatory drugs and perhaps Arnica Montana or Bromelain. Many surgeons would prefer that you take nothing other than your prescription medications, so please do not go against his or her wishes.

Please do not hesitate to address any concerns that you may have during this time and even after your preoperative appointment. If you remember something that you forgot to ask, don't be afraid to contact your surgeon.

Preparing for Your Surgery

You should be given a preoperative information packet that explains everything you should do and know before your surgery date. The packet should include a list of all the medications you should not take starting 2 weeks before your surgery. These medications will include, but are not limited to, aspirin and aspirin-containing products, stimulants, and seratonin supplements. Would you like to view a typical Medication and Supplements List? We have a printer-friendly version as well. Also, if your surgeon advised that you may take Arnica montana, Bromelain, Vitamin K, etc. for swelling and bruising, you should either have this in your packet or begin shopping for your necessities.

It is quite possible that you will have blood work performed. This is normally an extra out-of-pocket expense. The test will check your white and red blood cell count and check for disease or disorders beforehand. If you are a female they may take an extra vial of blood for a pregnancy test. Some surgeons ask that you also have a physical. This can be yet another out-of-pocket expense, so ask at your consultation what will be needed when you are quoted a price.

Surgery day will be here before you know it, so visit the Preparing For Surgery page and relax. This section contains, printer-friendly pre-op lists, tips and advice on things you must do to prepare for your big day.

How a Lip Reduction is Performed

A lip reduction procedure normally takes about 15-30 minutes to perform. If you will be sedated, you will have monitoring "pads" attached to you so that the surgical team can properly monitor your vital statistics before, during and after your operation. When you are brought to the operating room, electrodes will be plugged into these pads, which are connected to the monitoring equipment.

Once you are on the operating room table, you will be given the anesthesia as discussed prior to your surgery date. If you had been given an oral sedative prior to the O.R., you will have less anxiety. They will more than likely insert an IV for a saline drip to keep you hydrated and to establish a vascular "doorway" for anesthesia, antibiotics, and other medications. Having an IV inserted feels sort of like having blood drawn. The initial placement of the IV may sting a bit. It's usually placed in the crook of the elbow or back of the hand, depending on your veins. After the needle is inserted into the vein it is pulled out and a small plastic tube, or catheter, is left in your vein. The catheter is taped to your skin so it is securely in place. This is usually done by a nurse before you get into the actual O.R. A saline bag will be hooked up to the IV and medications will be dripped into your body through the saline. The saline will also keep you hydrated both during and after surgery.

If you have chosen an IV Liquid Sedative, they will insert a hypodermic into the tube that you are attached to or attach a bag containing the sedative to a drip system. The effects of the anesthesia are felt within seconds of when it starts to flow into your vein. You may experience a sensation of heat entering your arm or hand at the catheter site, spreading up your arm and shoulder, and then a metallic taste in your mouth before you go “under”. The anesthesiologist or surgeon will then determine if you are sedated properly, your stats are stable and if you are ready for the surgery to begin.

If you are undergoing this surgery with regional only you will have an injection between the lip and the gums, deep down inside the chin. This will deaden your face up to your earlobes. Your face is then scrubbed with Betadine to remove bacteria. Your surgeon will make an incision the length of your lip inside your mouth and remove a strip of skin from one or both lips, depending upon the procedure.

The surgical team performs a sponge and instrument count and your surgeon closes your incisions with either a dissolvable or non-dissolvable suture. You may have an antibiotic-soaked piece of gauze placed between your lips and your gums at first. Of course there may be differences in surgical technique depending upon the preference of your surgeon.

You are then gently awakened and brought into the recovery room where the recovery nurse will monitor your vital stats until you are ready to be released. This depends on the individual and may take up to two hours. Your lips and mouth may feel tight and quite tender as the anesthesia wears off. You may even feel emotional or upset – these are all reactions to anesthesia. You may also experience "rigors" or shivering, which may feel uncontrollable and are usually related to the medications you have received. The recovery room nurse usually has wrapped you in a warm blanket. If not request one because it certainly makes things more tolerable.

If you have had general anesthesia, you may feel a little sick and hopefully your surgeon gave you something to lessen this. Your prescribed medication should alleviate any pain and discomfort. However, if you believe your pain to be out of the ordinary once you get home, call your surgeon or the on-call staff immediately. You must be driven home by your spouse, significant other or friend because you will not be allowed to drive yourself.

The Road to Recovery

You may be groggy from the anesthetic and/or oral medications and probably won't remember much of the first day or two if you were under Light Sleep sedation or deeper. You will have to take it easy and sleep on two pillows to keep your head elevated for 7-14 days or however long your surgeon suggests. Your face will look even more swollen during the first 3 days post-op. But, as the days go on the swelling will dissipate. There may be bruising, but this will go away as well. Bruising and swelling are a normal occurrence in most surgeries, so make a mental note of this or you may be shocked into a depression.

You will more than likely experience some discomfort for several weeks and your diet may be restricted. You should make sure that all fresh fruits and vegetables have been washed and that you consume no raw fish (sushi), very rare meat or other types of foods that may contain high amounts of bacteria. Eating foods such as this may increase your risk of infection through the incisions in your mouth. You may be instructed to rinse with Listerine several times a day. Do not pick or "tongue" your incisions or sutures!

Although any discomfort should be alleviated by your prescribed pain medication, contact your surgeon immediately if you have excessive pain, redness, pus or other symptoms that do not appear normal! Take your temperature regularly. An elevated temperature could mean an infection. Take those antibiotics on time. Also, if you are a female on birth control pills, some antibiotics can interfere with their effectiveness, so use another form of protection as well.

Non-dissolving stitches will most likely be taken out by your surgeon a week to 10 days after your surgery. Even though you may feel better, you must take it easy for the first 3 weeks. Be careful not to bend over or lift heavy objects, and be careful not to raise your blood pressure for at least 3 weeks. Your blood vessels dilate to allow increased blood flow when you raise your heart rate, which may problems at internal wound sites. Do not participate in contact sports for at least 6 to 8 weeks, although ask your surgeon what he recommends specifically.

Your swelling will subside within a few weeks, although usually the end result will be seen at 3 months post-op. You may notice a change in your smile, odd sensations of "hollowness", tingling, the sporadic sharp pain, or "pulling", burning, and cold sensations. These usually subside within the first few weeks.

Risks & Complications of Lip Reduction

Unfortunately, all surgery has risks and complications. With lip reduction, these include allergic reaction to the anesthetic used (please see our Introduction to Anesthesia section) and infection. There is the chance of asymmetry, hematoma, seroma, infection, and general dissatisfaction.

Numbness is possible. It usually subsides within the first few weeks but may become a permanent issue. Excess scar tissue and lumps are possible as well, but are usually rare. The possibility of asymmetry can be corrected easily, so this should not worry you extensively but should be considered.

The Average Prices For Lip Reduction

Average prices may be from $900 to $2,000 (U.S.) for both or for one lip and largely depends upon the surgeon and region and where the surgery is performed. With procedures performed in a hospital or under general anesthesia with a certified anesthesiologist, prices are usually higher.