LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Hi Dr. Lam,

I suffered a bad cut on the outer part of my top left lip from trauma towards the end of October 2009. Being stubborn about it, I didnt get any stitches or went to the doctor. After a couple of weeks the cut healed but it left a ball or lump on my lip that was really noticeable. I massaged for a while and after 10 months I went to a plastic surgeon to see what could be done about the ball (#1).

On August 2010 my surgeon made a small incision on top of the original cut to remove the scar tissue. My lip looked normal for about a month (although now I have discoloration where the scar is located). After about a month the ball on my lip came back, my surgeon told me it was scar tissue and that I needed to massage it (#2).

It is March 2011 and I have noticed that the ball has been reduced in size by a bit but it is still noticeable (I have been putting silicone gel pads on my lip). My left upper lip also looks thicker towards the middle and thinner towards the end of lip (#3).

My questions are:
1. Is the ball going to go away with time?
2. Is there a chance that my lip will look normal again?
3. Is there anything I can put to help my scar heal better and have some of the discoloration gone (it looks kind of white where the lump is located)?
4. Should I massage it or will it make it worse?

I am attaching some drawings since I my camera is very low quality. They may be difficult to follow so let me know if you need clarification. Thank you Dr. Lam.

1. Is the ball going to go away with time?
maybe maybe not. that is hard to say. i would have to see it. if it is hard, then it is scar tissue and that may need to be managed with 5-FU injections. if it is soft like a grape, it could rarely be a mucocele that needs to be removed.
2. Is there a chance that my lip will look normal again? always a possibility but i need to see you to decide that.
3. Is there anything I can put to help my scar heal better and have some of the discoloration gone (it looks kind of white where the lump is located)? see #1.
4. Should I massage it or will it make it worse? if it is not contracted in, massage will either do nothing or worsen it if it is thick scar. that is my opinion.
best,
sml

Thank you for your prompt answer Dr. Lam. I know it is difficult to help without seen me. I will try to work out something in my schedule to head up to Dallas during a week day. Thank you again.

my pleasure.