If I have an upper lip reduction, where would the stitches be? Inside the mouth or outside on the lips?

Hi thanks for your question. Lip reduction procedure involves placement of the incision and the sutures on the inner aspect of the lip, facing the mouth. It is done as an office procedure under local anaesthesia and takes about a week to heal.

MChen5928.  The incision, and thus the stitches are placed on the inside of the lip, facing the mouth.  The lip is made of mucosa, not skin, and heals very well.  I use dissolveable sutures, which usually go away within one week.  Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

The incision for an upper lip reduction is placed on the inner surface of the lip so that the scar cannot be easily seen after it heals.  Dissolvable sutures are typically used such that sutures do not need to be removed.  The lips are very vascular, which leads to rapid healing and a very inconspicuous scar.
Ziyad Hammoudeh, MD