LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Hi Doctor Lam,

I am thinking of lip reduction for both lips (upper/lower). I am wondering what technique do you use and how dramatic can the change be? I don't mind people noticing that I got surgery or whatever. What are the risks of removing 'too much' tissue/fat from the lip. Also, do you have patients with improved speech function after surgery? I have to open my mouth/lips pretty wide to be able to speak clearly without sounding like I'm mumbling, and my mouth fatigues from this. I have heard of some other people with the same complaint, saying that their excess lip tissue makes them 'drool' or makes it so they have to use more of their mouth muscles in order to move the lips out of their way. Here are some photos of my lips; (public) to help anyone out there with the same situation

http://img19.imageshack.us/g/lips1uw.jpg

is lip reduction possible; any advice/ suggestions?

thanks.

hi,
1. yes, you are a very good candidate to have this procedure done.
2. the technique i use is different than most surgeons. i remove the excess dry and wet lip rather than just going inside the mouth to pull dry lip in, which i believe does not work. also, the incision falls more naturally at a dry and wet lip interface so you really should not be able to see it.
3. i have not had anyone complain of speaking issues as a reason so i cannot speak of that but it makes sense what you are saying. just know that it is something i could not guarantee obviously.
4. you cannot remove too much lip o/w it will look unnatural and your mouth may not close well. i have quite a bit of experience now to remove just what i should, not too much and not too little.
in summary, i think you are a good candidate to have this done if you are interested.
best,
sml

Thanks for speedy reply Doc~

what is dry and wet lip? the wet lip is inside right? and dry it outside?
actually i don't know if at the same time positioning my teeth back would also help. i got braces a few years back but I am wondering where my big lips come from- the teeth or just because there is a lot of lip tissue as a hereditary trait/developmental

yes the dry is outside and the wet is inside. pull your lip down and look at the line where the two meet. that is where your new incision line will be. most likely you were born that way and just developed as you got older. i doubt anything mechanically made them bigger.
best,
sml

hi doc

what are the main/most common risks / complications to the surgery and about how popular is this surgery

1. most common risks of this procedure are prolonged numbness to the lips, scarring (which is very rare. i have managed 2 cases that was easy to do with a scar dissolver), over or under reduction (which is pretty unlikely now that i have done so many), tightness in the lips, prolonged swelling that could lasts a few weeks or in rare cases a few months, asymmetry (which is pretty unlikely since i mark everthing out), gummy smile if you remove too much so i have to look at your lip relationship to your teeth, etc.
2. is it common? for me yes. i do 1 about every other day. most docs never have done one or do one in their lifetime. i have specialized in this technique. that is why i do so many.
best,
sml

as a risk, is tightness due to swelling of the lip or is it permanent,
and is numbness the biggest risk, will it affect speech and ability to talk/eat?

tightness should be a temporary issue. i have not encountered it being permanent but that is always a theoretical risk. numbness is the same thing. should be temporary. can linger even for a few months. typically should not affect any speech or eating. however, tightness can make smiling difficult even for a few months.
best,
sml