LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Hey Dr. Lam,
I might be changing careers pretty soon and was hoping to get back in to see you again before things get too busy. The last time i was in, you had told me that taking anymore out of the upper lip would cause some symmetry inbalance between the upper and the lower...as it was, you took out a small piece on the left side that was a little thicker than the right side.
I was wondering if i came back in could you reduce the lower lip and than also take a bit more out of the upper to regain the symmetry. I still feel as though they are both too big and with the redness in color, they are still dominating my face. Let me know what you think about this and i will call constanze if you feel as though it is possible.
I also liked the fillers you used last time, and would like you to add some more of those to continue to try and fill out my face. I am very lean right now and could use the extra volume. thanks and hope to hear from you soon.
Doug

doug,
send me a photo in a private message (PM) so i can see your lips again. there are limits in terms of reduction. let me see.
sml

Hey Dr. Lam, I sent you a picture. i know there is only so much you can do, but i am hoping a little more taken out of each will give me more balance. They still feel and look a little too large for me.
Doug

doug,
i cannot remove any from your bottom lip. if i do that, your top lip will look more prominent. the reason your top lip still looks a bit "full" is not its size but the stronger cupid's bow you have which is hard to reduce further. if any incisions are made at the cupid's bow you risk scarring there, which is not worth it. my true feeling is you are not a good candidate for further lip reduction. if i reduce the lip further then your cupid's bow area will look relatively larger. that would make the lip appear bigger by virtue of relative size. remember when i make judgments about a lip it must be based on lip shape, upper to lower lip balance in size and shape, and how the lip fits your face. based on the photos i simply do not see a safe and reasonable possibility to further reduce the lip. i always say "safety before quality". in fact, i just shot a video on that on youtube. just type "safety before quality in plastic surgery" on google or youtube and you will see my thoughts. stay safe, doug. of course, i would be happy to see it if you are here for fillers and make my judgment in person. sometimes, a photo only can tell me so much. i cannot account for the 3-D shape of it.
best,
sml

Hey Dr. Lam,
i understand what you are saying about the shape...is there anyway to straighten out that shape so the border at the top is a little more level? the shape didn't look like that before i had the first surgery with the other doctor. It was much more straight across. when he did his surgery he pulled that middle part down alot more than the two sides. there isn't any way to release that middle part? could we do a reduction and than use silicone to restore what is needed? i'm willing to try just about anything right now. Everytime i look at my face that is all i focus on. thanks for any ideas.
Doug

i just did a revision lip reduction on an african-american last week with your same problem. i was able to do an asymmetric reduction to pull down the peaks. but that is what i did when i worked on yours to the best that i could. i honestly do not think there is a safe method to make the correction. as best as you can, try not to focus on it. allow yourself forgiveness for picking the other surgeon first and try to move on with your life in that area. i can promise you that it is something only you really notice. just trying to help. as viktor frankl said when all freedoms are taken away from you, you have one freedom left, the freedom of attitude. that may not be a consolation but it is the truth. i will be happy to revisit your lip when i see you next time if you come maybe for something else. but i will only perform what i consider to be aesthetically SAFE. please stay safe.
best,
sml

Doug,

For what it's worth, I don't even see what you are talking about - your lips look proportionate to your features to me. Even after reading your description of your perceived problem, I still can't see it.

thanks for the comment. sometimes, we get too close to a problem that we see problems that are not something that others see. doug is a very reasonable and intelligent individual. i appreciate him being my patient. however, i appreciate the objective support in trying not to do any further reductions.
best,
sml

You have PERFECT lips . many people will pay anything a get a "cupit bow" lips.. like me that is exactly how i would like my lips to look...now my lips are just round with no define cupid bow. I see No problems with ur lips:)

we all desire what we don't have. i make big noses smaller, and smaller noses bigger. i make big lips smaller, and small lips bigger. i make small chins bigger, and bigger chins smaller, etc. just my thoughts.
best,
sml