Is It Normal For The Middle Of My Lower Lip To Not Move After A Sliding Genioplasty?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had a advancement sliding genioplasty done 1 month ago and would really appreciate a second opinion. Since the surgery I have been unable to move my lower middle lip despite having normal sensation. My lower lip appears to have half the volume it used to and it looks sucked in giving me the appearance of someone who has no teeth. When I smile my lower middle lip does not move and therefore covers all my lower middle teeth and even covers a bit of my two front teeth. When I speak it looks like my face is frozen. The original surgeon said this is normal however I have not seen this mentioned in any journal papers or on any forums. I am very worried about the functional impairment I am having and am not sure if this can be corrected? I am happy to send the preop and postop xrays. I believe the amount of advancement was 5mm horizontal and no vertical lengthening. Thank you so much for your time.

A: Thank you for your inquiry. Since I do not know the degree of the symptoms of which you speak, I can not say if that is normal or not. Admittedly this is not a postoperative issue that I have been told by any of my patients previously….which suggests it may not be completely ‘normal’. The more relevant question is whether what you are experiencing will resolve on its own or may merit surgical attention. To make that determination I would need to see pictures with your mouth at rest and then smiling.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana