Dr. Sam Lam Plastic Surgery Forum

I feel for you. I see that you were just born with a naturally full upper lip. I would only do your upper lip reduction (not your bottom lip) for 2 reasons:
1. the upper lip is the enlarged one.
2. i need to make the upper lip look relatively small compared with your bottom lip.
YES!, when i reduce the size of the lip, I actually create visual shape breaks so that your lip looks even smaller than just reducing it. Here is an example of a lady in which I reduced not only the size of the upper lip but also reduced it in such a fashion to look like a natural lip. In her case, it was due to bad surgery. In your case, I am just making you fall back into the mainstream of humanity. look forward to take care of you when you are ready.
best,
sml

HI,
ANSWERS ARE BELOW IN ALL CAPS.

Dear Dr.Lam, I know it's been a while since I Iast contacted you. I'm a student in a UK university now, and I have had a consultation with one of the plastic surgeons in London regarding Lip Reduction, he insisted that he should only reduce my bottom lip (even though I think my upper lip is the main problem). I've given it a thought and realised that you might be the only doctor that should operate my lips since we both have similar opinions when it comes to what is aesthetically pleasing when it comes to lips. You posted a before and after picture with a picture of one of your patients, the only difference is I was born with that lip, whereas she has had previous surgery, do you think we could get a similar shape (Cupid Bow Crease) to the upper lip like that patient, despite the fact that I was born with an undefined upper lip ? I DO NOT SHAPE THE CUPID'S BOW. THAT IS REALLY NOT POSSIBLE. I SHAPE THE BOTTOM PART OF THE TOP LIP TO HAVE MORE SHAPE LIKE YOU SEE IN THE PHOTO OF THE LADY THAT I INSERTED. I HOPE THAT IS CLEAR.
I understand that you must have a busy schedule, but is there any way I could see an altered image of me after the lip reduction ? I just want to see how different my lip's shape would be. I DON'T DO PHOTOSHOP AS IT CREATES FALSE OR MISLEADING EXPECTATIONS. YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT MY WORK AND THEN PLAN ON DISCUSSING THAT WITH ME WHEN I DESIGN THE LIP WITH YOU.

I might come over to Dallas for the surgery either on my Easter break (Late March- Early May) or my Summer holiday which will start on June and end on September. Will you be away during these months ?
I WILL BE IN CONFERENCE LAST WEEK OF APRIL AND FROM MAY 13-15. THAT IS ALL THAT IS PLANNED AT THIS POINT. SCHEDULING MUST BE DONE WITH MY STAFF NOT WITH ME. THEY HANDLE THAT.

Also I'm considering having ear reshaping, I think your other patients had great results but do you do Ear lobe reduction ?
I CAN DO AN EARLOBE REDUCTION WITH EAR PINNING BUT THE PHOTO YOU SENT I DON'T THINK YOU NEED IT. IT IS NOT A GREAT SHOT BUT YOU MIGHT WANT TO RESEND A FULL FRONTAL VIEW OF YOUR FACE WITH YOUR HAIR NOT OBSTRUCTING THE EARS.
Since I've already saved money, I was just wondering what's the approximate cost for having both Ear Reshaping and a Lip Reduction (anesthesia,clinic fee, etc. inclusive) ?
I AM NOT PERMITTED BY MY STAFF TO ANSWER SCHEDULING OR FEES. PLEASE CONTACT THEM. YOU CAN EMAIL CONSTANZE@LAMFACIALPLASTICS.COM. PLEASE ALLOW A WEEK FOR A RESPONSE. THEY ARE VERY BUSY.
Thank you so much, I look forward to hearing from you.
YOU ARE WELCOME!

i don't believe that lateral canthoplasty do very much. medial canthoplasty i do a conservative one but i would have to see you to determine if you are a candidate. i assume you don't need a double eyelid too?
best,
sml

i no longer do lower eyelid canthoplasties. they are not hard to do but i do not do enough of them. those lower eyelid canthoplasties are really for people 60 someone years old with loose and sagging lower eyelids. if you have that, you should see an oculoplastic surgeon who is experienced in that to do the work o/w you may have a worse outcome.
best,
sml

sorry about that. please call 888-866-3388. they are very busy sometimes. i apologize for that.
sml

many people fly back home the same day or the day after. that is what the lady did today who just flew back home after a day. she shot a nice video that i just posted:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ6q18zGUdY

i am not convinced arnica helps but you are welcome to use it.
best,
sml

1. otoplasty sutures i use are dissolvable too. however, if it is a torn earlobe that i am fixing i use sutures that need to be removed on day 8 to 10.
2. although "most sites" you claim say that swelling is down by day 3, i think that can be misleading. i try to emphasize the variable nature of swelling. i had one african american hate the swelling for 6 weeks. i had one lady that i fixed her silicone lips that had swelling that lasted past 4 months. these are worst case scenarios but i would rather scare you than make it sound too easy. remember that you will have visible sutures and super moistened lips 3 days out when you are in new orleans. that will definitely put a damper on your social life. just want as much disclosure as possible.
best,
sml