Lip Reduction

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am jnterested in lip reduction surgery. I was having problems snoring, went to sleep doctor, dx’d with sleep apnea. He offered CPAP but said corrective jaw surgery would also fix my problem. I went to oral surgeon and will be later this year having both jaws moved forward about 7mm to fix my sleep apnea. 

I am interested in an upper lip reduction (we can discuss at the appointment, no problem). My only question is do you recommend I wait until after the jaws are moved forward or can it be done before the jaw surgery? Thanks a lot.

A: Because orthognathic surgery, particularly two jaw advancements will have some lip thinning effect, any consideration of lip reduction should be 3 to 6 months after the procedure. It may well be possible that after orthognathic surgery with the jaws advanced you may no longer see the need to have the lips made smaller. Between the thinning effect on the lips from the jaw advancements and the scar tissue created, it is likely that there will be less vermilion show particularly of the upper lip. As the jaw moves forward it does push the lip forward causing some potential rolling in effect of the lip vermilion.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana