I Hate the Lip Lift the Doctor Gave Me. What Can I Do to Redo the Big Scar He Left Me?

Question

I had a gulf wing lip lift about 4 weeks ago and it looks terrible. There is a big scar on my top lip and lots of scar tissue. I'm very upset because I told the doctor not to do that kind of lift because of all the bad things I've heard about it. Now I need something done because it looks terrible. I'm very depressed about it.

Gary Linkov, MD · Answer

Sorry that you are going through this.
Postoperatively, after a lip lift, you can anticipate bruising and swelling that will be noticeable to you and others for about 1 week. After the sutures are removed or dissolve, depending on the type used, there will be redness along the incision line for 4-6 weeks but this can be covered with makeup. Sometimes the upper lip lift is overcorrected with the initial procedure and will slowly assume its final position over weeks to months. 
In your case, the surgeon decided to make the incision at the upper vermillion border which is an outdated technique no longer done by most experienced lip surgeons. Scar management may include steroid injection, revision surgery, or laser.
Gary Linkov, MD

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

Consider what exactly you do not like about your result, and discuss these issues with your surgeon.  Consider an upper lip mucosal excision which will thin the upper lip vermilion to better match the lower lip and perhaps give you some upper incisor show.  If the scar remains problematic, a variety of techniques may be incorporated to help diminish its visibility.  If you are still not happy, consider a second opinion.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

The lip lift results are still early and it is likely it will soften and become less prominent. I have revised these scars using skin needling, fillers and tattoo for pigment restoration.

Fredrick A. Valauri, MD · Answer

Revision of lip lift surgery is possible.

	However, you may find that you situation is improving, and that massage and observation is the best course.

	After several weeks, when your tissues are more supple, you should review your results with your surgeon. 

	Revision procedures including excision of the excessive red lip can be done to improve your result.

I Hate the Lip Lift the Doctor Gave Me. What Can I Do to Redo the Big Scar He Left Me?

Answers (7)

Answer: PHOTOS: Gull wing lip lift gone bad>>>options for correction

Answer: PHOTOS: Gull wing lip lift gone bad>>>options for correction

Answer: Revision of lip lift surgery is possible

Answer: Revision of lip lift surgery is possible

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

I Hate the Lip Lift the Doctor Gave Me. What Can I Do to Redo the Big Scar He Left Me?

Answers (7)

Answer: PHOTOS: Gull wing lip lift gone bad>>>options for correction

Answer: PHOTOS: Gull wing lip lift gone bad>>>options for correction

Answer: Revision of lip lift surgery is possible

Answer: Revision of lip lift surgery is possible

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.