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Lip Reduction

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This procedure really isn't incredibly invasive but there are risks and complications so please read through all of the information before agreeing to commit to any surgery. but for such a small procedure it truly can make a big difference!

What Is Lip Reduction?
Lip Reaction is the procedure to remove excess lip tissue to reduce the appearance of overly large lips. The procedure can be performed under local and or regional anesthesia although some surgeons may choose to perform it under Light Sleep anesthesia. The procedure takes only about 15 to 30 minutes and takes about 2 weeks to heal. Swelling can be an issue so please know this beforehand. Also asymmetry is possible so please choose your surgeon wisely. Although a fairly simple procedure, complications can and do happen.

Are You a Candidate for Lip Reduction?
First and foremost, an individual must be in good health, not have any active diseases or pre-existing medical conditions and must have realistic expectations of the outcome of their surgery.   Communication is crucial in reaching one's goals.  You must be able to voice your desires to your surgeon if he/she is to understand what your desired results are.   Discuss you goals with your surgeon so that you may reach an understanding with what can realistically be achieved.

You must be mentally and emotionally stable to undergo an cosmetic procedure.  This is an operation which requires patience and stability in dealing with the healing period.   There is sometimes a lull or depression after surgery and if there is already a pre-existing emotional problem, this low period can develop into a more serious issue.  Please consider this before committing to a procedure.

f you find that your lips are too large and may interfere in speaking or don't like them in general, you may wish to consider this procedure. It is not a rather invasive procedure but it will cause discomfort and swelling and you will have to take it easy for a proper result so consider all of the above before deciding if this may be a viable option.

What to Expect at Your Consultation
After checking a few surgeons' backgrounds and cre dentials, you will make an appointment for a consultation. You will meet with these surgeons and discuss your goals and you will disclose all information regarding your health; if you smoke, what medications or vitamins you presently take, etc. - this is very important.  

You will discuss your complaints and concerns and discuss the various looks one can achieve, the amount that can and should be removed, etc. Your surgeon will explain the technique and incision placements or methods that may be most appropriate for you and should discuss the risks associated with lip reduction with you, as well. 

You will also discuss the available anesthesia that will be used for your procedure. Most lip reduction procedures are performed local or regional, possibly with oral sedation (valium usually).   However, some surgeons may use Light Sleep Sedation.  The risks regarding anesthesia should be considered for a fully informed choice.  You will of course not have General Gas Sedation as your procedure is performed intra-orally (through the mouth).

If you would like more information on Consultations or a list of questions to ask your surgeon . If you should choose to book or reserve a surgery date you will usually give a deposit to hold your surgery date. Most times if you cancel a few days beforehand, this amount is non-refundable. After paying your deposit and scheduling a surgery date, you will also schedule a pre-operative appointment...

Your Preoperative Appointment
This appointment addresses more questions you may not have thought to ask at the initial consultation, such as more surgical details, concerns and even ascertaining that your surgeon is aware of what you desire from your procedure.  Just as your surgeon will make certain that you know what it realistically possible from this procedure.

You will also discuss your pre-operative instructions and speak about the recovery period instructions and what to expect in the months ahead. You will be given prescriptions for antibiotics, pain relievers, perhaps blood pressure medicines, prescription anti-inflammatory drugs and perhaps a box or directions for gaining a box of SinEcch - a pharmaceutical grade form of Arnica montana.  Would like to know more on the benefits of Arnica montana ?  Perhaps you will be instructed to obtain Bromelain or other types of remedies, although many surgeons would rather have you not take ANYTHING other than your prescription medications, please do not go against your surgeon's wishes. Remember, always ask your doctor before taking any of these products. 

Please do not hesitate to address any concerns that you may have during this time and even after your pre-operative appointment. If you remember something when you get home or the next day or even the day of surgery - don't be afraid to ask. 

Preparing for Your Surgery
You should be given a pre-operative information packet that explains everything you should do and know before your surgery date.  The packet should include a list of all the medications you should not take starting usually at 2 weeks before your surgery. These medications will include, but are not limited to, aspirin containing products, stimulants, seratonin supplements, etc. Would you like to view a typical Medication & Supplements List ? We have a printer-friendly version as well, Also, if your surgeon advised that you may take Arnica montana, Bromelain, Vitamin K, etc. for swelling and bruising you should either have this in your packet or begin shopping for your necessities.

It is quite possible that you will have "blood work" performed. This is normally an extra out-of-pocket expense that the patient must participate in to check your white and red blood cell count and check for disease or disorders beforehand. If you are a female they may take an extra vial for a pregnancy test. Some surgeons ask that you have physical. This can be yet another out of pocket expense so ask at your consultation what will be needed when you are quoted a price.

So many things to do... so little time. Surgery will be here before you know it so visit the Preparing For Surgery page and relax. This section contains, printer-friendly pre-op lists, tips and advice as well as things you must do to prepare for your big day.

How a Lip Reduction is Performed
A lip reduction procedure normally takes about 15-30 minutes to perform. 

First, if you will be sedated you will have monitoring "pads" attached to you so that the surgical team can properly monitor your vital statistics before, during and after your operation.  When you are brought to the operating room, electrodes will be "plugged" into these pads which are connected to the monitoring equipment.  

Once you are on the operating room table, you will then be given your choice or your surgeon's preference in anesthesia as discussed prior to your surgery date.  If you had been given an oral sedative or valium prior you will have less anxiety.  They will more than likely insert an IV for a saline drip to keep you hydrated and have a vascular "doorway" for anesthesia, antibiotics, and other medications.  If you haven't been given a sedative, it is more stressful for some patients.  If you feel that you may experience anxiety inquire beforehand regarding an oral sedative.  Having an IV inserted feels sort of like blood being drawn, but for a shorter period of time.  It's the initial placement of the IV that may sting a bit.  Some people get heir IV placed in the crook of the elbow, some the hand - it all depends upon your veins though.  So if your veins are not very prominent this can be a problem. You are then brought to the O.R. if you aren't on the table yet.  A fter the needle is injected into the vein it is pulled out and a little plastic tube is left in your vein.  This is called a "catheter".  The  catheter is taped to your skin so it is not accidentally knocked or pulled out and is ready to be used as a sort of entryway for anything the surgical team deems necessary for your body.  This is usually done before you get into the actual O.R. - by a nurse - and you have a saline bag hooked up to you.  The medications will usually be given with a drip system with this saline. As said before, the saline will keep you hydrated both during and post-operatively.

If you have chosen an IV Liquid Sedative, they will insert a hypodermic into your tube that you are attached to or they attach the bag of it with a drip system to add a few drops every few seconds and when they spring open the stopper and it starts heading towards your body.  The the effects of the anesthesia are felt soon after injection or opening the stopper - a few seconds in fact.  It may feel similar to a sensation of "heat" entering your arm or hand at the catheter site.  It then feels as though it is creeping up your arm - then it "jumps" from your shoulder to a metallic-like taste under your tongue and then you are blissfully anesthetized.   The anesthesiologist or surgeon will then determine if you are sedated properly, your stats are stable and if you are ready for the surgery to begin.

If you are undergoing this surgery with regional only you will have an injection between the lip and the gums, deep down inside the chin.  This will deaden you possibly to you earlobes depending. Your face is then scrubbed with betadine to remove bacteria such as Staph. Your surgeon will make an incision the length of your lip inside of your mouth and will remove a strip of skin from one or both lips, depending upon your desires.

The surgical team then performs a sponge and instrument count and your surgeon then closes your incisions with, more than likely, a non-dissolvable type suture. Some surgeons may use a dissolvable type though, it truly depends upon preference. You may have an antibiotic-soaked piece of gauze placed between your lips and your gums at first. Of course there may be differences in surgical technique depending upon the preference of your surgeon.

You are then gently awakened and brought into the recovery room where the recovery nurse will monitor your vital stats until you are ready to be released. This is dependent upon the individual but may take up to two hours. Your lips and mouth may feel tight and quite tender as the anesthesia wears off. You may even feel emotional or upset - this will depend upon your body's reaction to anesthesia. You may also experience "rigors" or shivering. This may feel uncontrollable and  is usually from the medications - more than likely epinephrine that is used as a vasoconstrictor. The recovery nurse usually has wrapped you in a warm blanket but if not, request one. It certainly makes things more tolerable.

Some patients feel nothing different although if you have had General you may feel a little sick - hopefully your surgeon gave you something to lessen this. Your prescribed medication should alleviate this pain and discomfort. However, if you believe your pain to be out of the ordinary once you get home, call your surgeon or the on call staff immediately. You will be driven home by your spouse, significant other or friend as you will not be able to see, much less drive yourself home.

The Road to Recovery
You may be groggy from the anesthetic and or oral medications and probably won't remember much of the first day or two if you were under Light Sleep sedation or deeper. You will have to take it easy and sleep on two pillows to keep your head elevated for 7-14 days - or however long your surgeon suggests. When you wake up you will notice that your face will look even more swollen in the first 3 days. But, as the days go on the swelling will dissipate. There may be bruising, but this will go away, as well. So make a mental note of this or you may be shocked into a depression. Bruising and swelling are a normal occurrence in most surgeries.

You will more than likely experience some discomfort for several weeks - having had intraoral incisions your diet may be restricted. You should ascertain all fresh fruits and vegetables have been washed, no raw fish (sushi), very rare meat or other types of foods that may contain high amounts of bacteria. Eating foods such as this may increase your risk of infection due to the incisions being in the mouth. You may be instructed to rinse with Listerine several times a day. DO NOT PICK or "tongue" your incisions or sutures!

Although any discomfort should be alleviated by your prescribed pain medication if you have excessive pain, redness, pus or other symptoms that do not appear normal, contact your surgeon immediately! Take your temperature regularly. An elevated temperature could mean an infection. Take those antibiotics on time . Also, don't forget if you are a female taking birth control pills that some antibiotics can interfere so in the event that you do have relations, use another form of protection as well.

Your sutures will more than likely be taken out by your surgeon at a week to 10 days postoperatively if your sutures were the non-dissolvable kind. Even though you may feel better, you must take it easy for the first 3 weeks. Be careful not to bend over or lift heavy objects. And be careful not to raise the blood pressure for at least 3 weeks as this could cause internal bleeding at your treatment area. Your blood vessels dilate to allow increased blood flow when you raise your heart rate. This may cause problems at internal wound sites.  Do not participate in contact sports for at least 6-8 weeks - although ask your surgeon what he recommends specifically.

Your swelling will subside within a few weeks, although usually the end result will be seen at 3 months postoperatively.  You may notice a change in your smile, odd sensations of "hollowness", tingling, the sporadic sharp pain, or "pulling", burning, and cold sensations. These usually subside within the first few weeks. 

Risks & Complications of Lip Reduction
Unfortunately, All surgery has risks and complications. With lip reduction, these include allergic reaction to the anesthetic used and infection. There is the chance of asymmetry, hematoma, seroma, infection, and general dissatisfaction.

Numbness is possible, it usually subsides within the first few weeks but it may become a permanent issue. Excess scar tissue and lumps are possible as well, but are usually rare. The possibility of asymmetry can be corrected easily so this should not worry you extensively but should be considered.

The Average Prices For Lip Reduction 
Average prices may be from $900.-2000.US for both or for one lip and largely depends upon the surgeon and region as well as if the surgeon has his or her own surgical suite. With procedures performed in a hospital or under General with a certified anesthesiologist - prices are usually be higher.