LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Dear Dr. Lam,

I have had a lip reduction surgery on my lower lip a few years ago.
Healing took very long, more than a year. I am very unhappy with the result.

Reason I did the procedure was lip incompetence, my lower lip was thick and I couldn't close it properly.

I have two problems; first is that I lost the ability to speak and smile simultaneously. It just doesn't work. It feels tight and uncomfortable. This makes me very unhappy around people and approaching women. Secondly, on some days it also looks very bad. The surface of my lip is then fill of wrinkles and bumps. Other days it's very, very smooth. I am puzzled why this is, could it be the scar that's pulling under the incfluence of weather or stress?

My surgeon has left the country (he has a very good reputation, though I don't know on this procedure) and the clinic wouldn't help me.
I have been to my family physician but she is reluctant to help me because it is not her job to solve these issues. She did sent me to the plastic surgey department of our local hospital but they said the result looks good. Well, my main problem is not looks but function.

I have included a picture on a day it looks and feels bad. Since you have done this surgery a lot, could you give me some advice on what is going on and what I should do?
This really effects my social life and I am on antidepressants ever since. Sometimes I feel like ending my life.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have an idea what the problem could be.
Regards,
Patrick

i am so sorry to hear of your situation. there is not a lot to do for functional improvements per se but you can consider use of 5FU if things are tight or thick. that could potentially help. if you are suicidal, you must see a psychologist/psychiatrist. you should investigate whether you have body dysmorphic disorder, which is basically being overly obsessed with something that really bothers you to the point it becomes a social problem but that honestly does not look that bad to others. looking at your photo, it really does not look that bad. functionally, i wish i had an easy answer to help you. it might be 5FU in my opinion. hopefully, you can find someone local to help you with that.
best,
s.

thanks for your reply. there is some truth in the fact that I become obsessed with it, but that is mainly because of the unpredictability of how it feels/looks.
I will look into the 5FU solution. Is this something I have to ask for specifically to a doctor you think? I've read that most of them don't even know it exists.
And how can I remove the image I attached?

yes, you probably have to ask for it but yes most doctors don't know about it or how to use it. i hope you find someone that can help you. as far as removing the photo, i will try to take care of that for you.
best,
s.