Lip Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in getting a chin reduction in the near future. However, I have been considering having lip implants (Permalip) before surgery on my chin. I was wondering if the implants would in any way hinder a chin reduction surgery? Would it also depend on whether an intraoral method was used? Thank you.

A: You are correct in making the connection between lip implants and intraoral chin reduction surgery. If you were having a submental type of chin reduction (an incision done on the underside of the chin) then having lip implants done at the same time would not matter. But if you were going to have the chin reduction done intraorally it would be advised to either do the implants at the time of the chin reduction ( chin reduction first and the lip implants as the second part of the procedure) or afterwards… but not before.

Permalip lip implants can be an effective and permanent method of lip augmentation. But they require careful placement in the lip tissues and should not be disturbed by traumatic stretching after their implantation until well healed. Thus it is best that they be surgically placed after other oral or facial procedures have been performed.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana