LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Dear Dr. Lam,

I recently had lip reduction performed on both lips (2 weeks ago). They are both still healing of course, but now that the swelling has subsided a lot I can see that when I attempt to smile my top lip looks unnaturally thin in relation to my bottom lip (the top lip also feels tight when I smile but I'm less concerned about that aspect at this point). I'm worried now that my smile could be ruined. Will my smile become more natural as time goes on after further healing, or will I require something like an upper lip lift to fix this problem? (Of course I'm not trying to smile too much at the moment so the lips can heal).

Thanks a million for your time, Doc.

if you are my patient, then the answer is that should settle down over time. things look tight and weird up to a few months during smiling. if you are not my patient, i ALWAYS recommend speaking with your surgeon because i have no idea what he did.
s.

I am not your patient unfortunately, haha. But if I was in the States I would definitely come to see you! Thanks very much for your reply... hopefully things will start looking better soon.

He removed 3mm off each lip... but the top lip currently looks significantly thinner than the bottom lip. I think this is because some of the stitches on the bottom lip came off early on and that wound is taking longer to heal. The doctor gave me some pills to help speed up the healing in light of this. I read on your blog that you recommend against putting creams (eg. vitamin E) on the lips to speed up the process... is this still your opinion?

I guess I am looking for your reassurance that even though some of the stitches came off early, the wound should still heal okay eventually? I know you can't comment in too much detail since I am not your patient.

(I will see my doctor in a few days for a check up... the stitches should have mostly finished dissolving by then)

for my patients i don't tend to worry if the sutures come out early. i do keep my patients' lips very moist with Aquaphor or Vaseline but i believe Vitamen E is detrimental.
best,
s.