Lip Reduction Surgery

What is lip reduction surgery?

Lip reduction surgery (reduction cheiloplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that changes the size and shape of your lips. It works by removing unwanted skin and tissue from the lips on your face. Lip reduction surgery can reduce the size of your upper lip, your lower lip or both lips at the same time. The procedure is quick and safe.

Your lips are a prominent feature on your face. How they look can have a significant impact on how you feel about your body. You may choose lip reduction surgery if you:

• Don’t like the size or shape of your lips.
• Have uneven lips.
• Have a condition that causes lip swelling, like Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome.
• Have difficulty talking or eating because of your lip size.
• Need reconstructive surgery after an accident.
• Want to reverse lip augmentation that was done with a permanent filler, like silicone. 
• Want to correct lip issues you were born with (congenital).

How common is lip reduction surgery?

Lip reduction surgery is less common than lip augmentation surgery, which adds volume and shape to your lips.

How should I prepare for lip reduction surgery?

Before lip reduction surgery, you’ll meet with your plastic surgeon. They’ll perform a physical exam and review your expected outcome and goals of the procedure. They’ll answer any questions you might have about lip reduction surgery during this visit. 

If your surgeon determines you’re a good candidate for the procedure, they’ll give you specific instructions to follow before your surgery. This could include:

• Stop smoking tobacco products for several weeks.
• Make changes to the medications you take under your provider’s supervision. Don’t start or stop taking a medication unless your provider approves it.

What happens during lip reduction surgery?

On the day of your lip reduction procedure, your provider will give you local anesthesia. This is an injection into your skin of an anesthetic where your provider will be working. With local anesthesia, you’re awake during the procedure but won’t feel any pain or discomfort.

During lip reduction surgery, your plastic surgeon:

• Makes tiny incisions on the inside of your lips, from one end of your lip to the other.
• Removes extra skin and tissue to slim your lips and create a balanced look.
• Closes the incisions with stitches.

How long does lip reduction surgery take?

Lip reduction surgery typically takes about an hour to complete.

What happens after lip reduction surgery?

Lip reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure. You can go home the same day.

After lip reduction surgery, your plastic surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to take care of yourself. These instructions could include:

• How to take care of your incision site.
• Eat soft foods for up to a week.
• Minimize talking or smiling for a few days.
• Sleep in an upright position to reduce swelling.
• Take a pain reliever as needed or an antibiotic as directed to reduce infection risk.
• Use an ice pack on the treated area for swelling.

Within about a week, your stitches will either dissolve or your surgeon will remove them. Your surgeon will schedule a follow-up appointment if necessary so they can review how you’re recovering after surgery.

What are the benefits of lip reduction surgery?

The benefits of lip reduction surgery may include:

• A quick procedure.
• Minimal side effects and risks.
• Creates even, more balanced lips.
• Scarring is hidden on the inside of your lips.
• Can build confidence and improve self-esteem.

Is lip reduction surgery permanent?

Yes, the results of lip reduction surgery are permanent. You won’t need additional cosmetic procedures to reduce your lip size unless you’re unsatisfied with the results of your surgery.

Is lip reduction surgery safe?

Lip reduction surgery is generally safe when an experienced plastic surgeon performs the procedure. It’s important to find a healthcare provider who has plenty of experience in these types of procedures for the best results.

What are the risks of lip reduction surgery?

While lip reduction surgery is a safe procedure, your provider will let you know about the possible risks associated with it. Risks or side effects of lip reduction surgery may include:

• Bleeding.
• Discomfort or pain.
• Swelling.
• Numbness.
• Lip tightness.
• Skin discoloration or bruising.
• Abnormal scarring
• Infection.
• Reaction to the anesthetic.

What is the lip reduction surgery healing time?

On average, it can take a few days for discomfort, skin discoloration and bruising to go away after lip reduction surgery. It’ll take a few months for the swelling to resolve. You can expect to see the full results up to six months after the procedure. You can speed up your healing time by following your provider’s instructions after the procedure.

Lip reduction surgery recovery

The length of your recovery depends on the extent of the reduction and whether you had other cosmetic procedures done at the same time. Everyone’s body heals differently. It could take you more or less time than average to see your full results.

You may need to wait a few weeks before returning to work. Your provider will let you know when it’s safe to perform vigorous activities, like strength training, following this type of cosmetic surgery.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following after lip reduction surgery:

• Excessive bleeding from the incision site.
• Fever.
• Significant swelling that doesn’t go away.
• Severe pain.

Is lip reduction without surgery possible?

It’s not possible to permanently reduce the size of your lips without surgery. But there are other options available if surgery isn’t right for you. For example, your provider might recommend other types of treatment instead of lip reduction surgery if you:

• Are prone to frequent mouth sores.
• Find it difficult to quit smoking.
• Have an autoimmune disease or condition that affects how your body heals after surgery. 

Instead, you might try using makeup to change how your lips look a bit.

If you have a condition that causes your lips to swell, medical treatments like corticosteroids may help. Talk to a healthcare provider about what types of treatment they recommend for your situation. 

If you had lip filler with hyaluronic acid and are unhappy with how it looks, you could wait until the substance naturally dissolves. This might take up to nine months. Or you can talk to your plastic surgeon about a procedure to dissolve your lip filler sooner.