What is a W-Y (triple flap) operation for lips? (Photo)

Hello Raven McCoy, thank you for your question. The surgery you are describing is likely a variation on a V-Y advancement to increase the size and prominence of the red lip. For most patients that I see with your issue, I typically am recommending hyaluronic acid fillers. These fillers are quick procedures and if done correctly have excellent results and high patient satisfaction.

Hi, I have performed many Lip Augmentations, over the past 30 years, using dermal fillers, lip implants and V - Y advancement flaps.  The V to Y advancement flap is an older technique used to increase the amount of forward facing (red portion) of the lip.  In reality, it does this to a very limited degree and does not add any volume to the lip itself.  For those reasons, I reserve the V-Y for very specific cases where the sides of the lips are curved inward.In my humble opinion, after looking at your photo, the upper lip would achieve far more volume and fullness using a dermal filler or a lip implant (Permalip) for a permanent enhancement.  From the photo, it's also important to note that your chin is quite weak.  A weak chin creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger, the mid face top heavy and the lower face look short that de-emphasizes the lips and allows early formation of a double chin.  Chin augmentation using a chin implant will add projection to the chin creating harmony and balance to the lower face.  I have found that placement of a silastic chin implant, through a small curved incision under the chin (also allows excess skin removal) to be very safe, quick, highly effective and far less invasive than a sliding genioplasty.  I perform chin implant surgery in 30 minutes or less, often using a local anesthetic alone.  In my opinion, you are a good candidate for chin implant surgery.Hope this helps.