How Can I Fix My Droopy Lower Lip After Silicone Mass Removal From My Chin?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have unique problem perhaps you can help fix.I had silicone injection in my chin many years ago and had them removed last year. It was a ball of scar tissue. After the removal  my lower lip has fallen due to loss of support. I’ve  had two previous failed surgeries where Drs tried to re-suspend the mentalis muscle. But the mentalis muscle seems to be intact and surgeries to re-suspend it higher have not worked.

Have you ever encountered a similar problem and been able to fix it I would like an appt. I presently have a chin implant but that has not helped. Perhaps something higher might fill in the gap and add support.  I am a 60 yr old transgender women and in my youth silicone injection were quite common.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. You have to go back to what caused the lip to look like it does now….excision of soft tissue (scar and silicone mass). This is a soft tissue volume deficiency problem with subsequent tissue contraction into the removed tissue area which will pull the lip down. This is not a mentalis muscle problem or a skeletal chin deficiency. 

Thus to any chance of reversing it you have to add soft tissue back in through a release and dermal-fat graft….as you have suggested.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana