What Is The Scarring Like From Mouth Widening Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello, I am considering undergoing mouth widening surgery sometime within the next year, along with some other procedures. I would like to know how much scarring to expect and the probability that I will need scar revision surgery. 

A:It is always wise in a procedure like mouth widening surgery to be aware of the scar and that potential  need For scar revision surgery. I talk about it all the time because the corner of the mouth is a particularly challenging area for scars due the intersection of the upper and lower lips. This results in stretching of these lip corners that results from mouth opening particularly when that corner is expanded as in mouth widening surgery. It is also important to remember this is not just one surgery but there are two separate mouth corners which really makes it a bilateral or double procedure. This  elevates any potential risk for adverse scarring x 2. Invariably when there is a scar issue it is almost always on just one side and the other side is acceptable.

That being said having done many mouth widening surgeries the actual number of patients who request or go through scar revisions is relatively low. Butt low should never be misconstrued as never can happen as that is the risk of the surgery. Attached is a representative example of a mouth corner scar in which the patient had no concerns.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon