LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Hi Dr. Lam,

Is there anything that I can do about localized fat all around my mouth? I had my last child 18 months ago, and I am back down to my pre-pregnancy size. The problem is that I have obvious fat pockets around my mouth that are highly noticeable. I will eventually get lines around it, and that cannot happen! What makes matter worse is my lips are larger than average. This Angelina Jolie with fat pockets around her mouth. I am regarded as pretty by everyone, but my self-esteem is not what it was. I really want to have the lip reduction and the fat pockets removed. It looks like puffiness above my lips and slightly a little below, as well as the prominent ones to the left and right of my lips. I was told by one doctor that I could get smart lipo on a forum since it was very effective with facial treatments. Can you do anything for me? I would prefer to get them done at the same time, but if I can only have one for teh time being, the fat pockets would have to go. I can upload a picture, but is it safe to do it here. I do not want anyone usng my face on the internet.

Hi,
As far as smart lipo or any kind of lipo of the face, my personal opinion is that it is NOT safe. There are risks for problems with contour changes like dips and valleys or other signs of unevenness. The most that I do is micro lipo of the jowl but that does very little, and I won't do it around the mouth. Remember you are asking an opinion and that is mine. The other thing is that sometimes one area looks larger due to a relative deficiency in another area. Sometimes augmenting a deficient area can help you perceive the fuller area as less full. Sometimes, women look a bit more closely around the mouth and most women are very obsessed with the mouth area as a sign of aging. I find that about 50% of the concerns are unwarranted (or higher). My goal is not to chase your wishes but to perform safe and effective procedures for you that will help. I can take a brief look at a photo and respond in a public forum. If you can send a close up of your mouth without recognizable elements that would be good to help others in this forum. If you are uncomfortable with that you can send it to me as private message. Obviously, it would be ideal to see at least a closeup in this public forum so that I can help others too. If not, I understand. In any case, send me a full face shot as a PM so that I can see relative balance vis-a-vis the face.
best,
sml

Will lipodissolve sufficiently reduce the fat in the mouth area then, and is it safe? Also, is there sometime of laser that could do it without the need of anything invasive?

i honestly will tell you that the answer is no to all the above. as far as lipodissolve, i think it is much safer (but not so effective in general) on the belly. you can dissolve too much fat with lipodissolve or too little. it is a bit unpredictable. i used to do it. it is only truly dangerous in the eye area due to risk of blindness.
best,
sml

dr. lam wrote:i honestly will tell you that the answer is no to all the above. as far as lipodissolve, i think it is much safer (but not so effective in general) on the belly. you can dissolve too much fat with lipodissolve or too little. it is a bit unpredictable. i used to do it. it is only truly dangerous in the eye area due to risk of blindness.
best,
sml

Thanks for the prompt reply.

So are you saying that at worst I may lose to little or too much if I get lipodisolve around my mouth? I had it once before, but it did not get smaller immediately nor as small as I wanted it. I guess two more treatments could do it.

I think lipodissolve is unpredictable. To reinforce two points:
1. Do what you think works if it is working. I am not here to endorse it.
2. Sometimes what you think is an excess represents too little around it. I know this is confusing but that is why I do what I do because I see what I see.
best,
sml

Thanks Doc and Happy New Year's!

you too!!!