LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Hello Dr. Lam,

Twelve years ago, I had a v-y lip augmentation procedure.I am not sure the doctor had ever performed a v-y before (I was 18 and lacking judgement). In any case, the result was an upper lip that was way too big, the left side of the upper lip hanging down significantly lower than the right side, augmentation only on the right side of my lower lip (nothing done at all to the left side), and a generally uneven lip line. Moreover, because so much mucosa was rolled out on my upper lip, not only is it really big, it's flat. It covers almost all of my teeth. I repeatedly had the upper lip trimmed on the left side to make it even with the right (I think 4 times). It never worked. One surgeon told me that because of the scar tissue that had built up, I should just leave it alone at this point and live with it.

I am wondering if trimming the hanging portions to even out the lip has been the wrong approach. Would a lip reduction be appropriate here? Instead of trimming to even, would taking off a significant section of the entire lip to recreate a new lip line be more effective? I am willing to have a tiny lip if it means symmetry and balance. I am concerned, however, about the areas around the mouth being pushed out. I noticed that in several of pictures on your site when people had lip reductions (usually the ethnic cases, not the correction for restylane or gore-tex), the areas where the lip was tucked in was pushed out. It it most noticable in the last picture on page 4 of your gallery; the picture is of an African-American man and you can see that the shape of the area underneath his bottom lip, around his chin, has changed and protrudes quite a bit. Is this a necessary effect? Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me; I have suffered for a long time with this.

first, i am sorry that you have gone through so very much. at least now my patients understand why i do so very few lip lifts in my practice. i only did one last year on a great candidate: much older lady with absolutely no lip whatsoever, a lot of wrinkles to hide the incision and willingness to wear makeup to cover any sins.

second, instead of guessing on what you need send a close up image of your lip closed, open, and smiling. i would truly appreciate your putting it here on the open forum without a recognizable face so that we can help others learn from what i can or cannot do for them.

third, i would like to say there should truly be no change to the chin. i reviewed the image you are talking about and the digital camera picks up lighting differently when the lip is rolled back. the chin does not change.
best,
sml

Okay, I have pictures ready to go but I don't know how to get them to you . . .

send them to my private message. look at the top of this forum.