What can be done about vertical lip line after weight loss? (Photos)

Hello! I’m Lauren, the aesthetic injector here at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center. If you have a hollow area or deeper lines, hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers can help restore volume and smooth out the skin. In many cases, fillers can be placed safely to improve symmetry and reduce the appearance of lines.

Thank you for sharing your concern. After significant weight loss, it’s common to notice hollowing or asymmetry around the lips and mouth area. This can create vertical lines or areas of volume loss, such as what you’re describing near your lip.

The good news is that this can usually be improved with dermal fillers, which are often used to restore volume and smooth out lines in this area. A carefully placed filler can help correct the hollow and create a more balanced appearance.

In some cases, a thread lift may also be an option if there is mild skin laxity or sagging contributing to the line, but fillers are generally the first and most straightforward approach.

It’s best to have an in-person evaluation to determine the right treatment plan, as every face is unique and the correction depends on your anatomy and goals.

Frankly, in the hands of an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist filler expert, elevating and smoothing the small hollow you circled in the photo--using a low viscosity, cohesive, malleable HA filler and with the proper injection technique--should take, literally no more than five to ten seconds to correct, and with immediate results and little to no significant downtime. So, relax, and make sure to consult with a qualified expert physician injector. Best of luck.

First, congratulations on your tremendous weight loss. That is an extraordinary accomplishment and something to be very proud of. It is common after significant weight loss to notice areas of facial hollowing, particularly around the mouth, cheeks, and temples. This can be accentuated if you are on medications such as GLP-1 inhibitors, since they accelerate fat loss in the face. Although some of these changes overlap with the natural aging process, they can appear earlier or more pronounced after such a significant transformation.
Yes, the hollow area near your lip can often be improved. The most straightforward approach would be soft tissue augmentation. This can be done with either a dermal filler or with fat transfer. Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common first step because they are precise, reversible, and provide an immediate result. Fat transfer is another excellent option, using your own fat to restore volume. Fat can provide a more natural and potentially longer-lasting correction, but the outcome is somewhat less predictable, and a portion of the transferred fat may resorb over time.
Surgery is generally reserved for more advanced cases of facial aging or laxity. Given your age healthy skin elasticity, starting with either filler or fat transfer would be a very reasonable and conservative way to address this hollowing. It is important to do it carefully and conservatively, as even small amounts of volume can make a noticeable difference in the delicate perioral region.
A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon will allow you to review the options in detail and decide whether a temporary filler or fat transfer best aligns with your goals.
Sincerely,Michael Chung, MDPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Congratulations on your impressive weight loss! The area that concerns you is likely a result of volume loss. You can consider fillers but want to ensure that you don't end up with asymmetry. You can also consider treatments such as Morpheus8 which can improve skin tone and texture. I've included a video I hope you find helpful.

What do you have is just a slight degree of facial symmetry, which is present in every person on this planet. You should stop focusing on that minute difference. Do what’s best for you now that you’ve lost all this weight., like exercise and eat healthy. Threads lifts are not going to help you.. In my humble opinion, there are a waste of money and unnecessary risk.. In my humble opinion, you look just fine. I hope this helps a good luck from Leonard Grossman, MD,,organic Plastic Surgery in New York City.