Will My Lower Lip Become Lax After Chi Reduction Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m becoming concerned about the muscle reattachment after the bony chin reduction and if it will cause any types of anomalies such as the chin muscle “balling up”, the bottom lip becoming lax or the chin muscles just simply not returning to their normal function. I do feel I have an overactive muscle in my chin based on dimpling when I contract the muscle and I’m wondering if this will increase my risk for postoperative issues. Could you tell me what I should reasonably expect in terms of these complications? I would just like to make sure I’m managing my exceptions and weighing the risks appropriately.

A: The mentalis muscle is always reattached so postoperative phenomenon such as  ‘balling up’, lower lip laxity or other chin muscles not working are not issues I have ever seen after chin reduction surgery. Any preoperatve chin dimpling/overactive mentalis muscle is probably not going to change for better or worse.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana