Why are those bumps around my mouth? Is there a surgery that could flatten them out?

Question

I have some quite flat cheeks but I still have some thick layer of muscle/fat around my lips and especially at the corners of the lips and above the lips. It is very unpleasant and looks like a Homer Simpson thing that is not elegant. Is there a surgery that could flatten them out and make my lips at the same level as my cheeks without some bumps in between? And what are those?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend fillers for to camouflage around the mouth and cheeks to build underlying anatomical support. In our practice we combine sculptra with other fillers "layered" on top and lasers, rf treatments, J Plasma and peels to get the most conservative natural look. Please see a facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

The lumps and bumps can be muscle, fat, or a combination of both. Surgery such as lipo may be a bit severe for that area with the risk of more significant contour abnormalities. Non-surgical options such as filler can be used to camouflage the lower depressions so the transitions are more smooth. YOu can also have just a bit of conservative botox placed in to help weaken the muscle and allow it to thin slightly. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
IG: @drjohnsonlee

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Small cannula microliposuction can be done to reduce these discrete mounts of fat around the lip areas. To do is so successfully a microcannula of 1mm must be used.

Shaun Patel, MD · Answer

Filler could be used to address volume loss and lift the face, both of which help the appearance of your perioral area. I would also consider a skin tightening procedure like Thermage FLX as needed. Hard to give you firm recommendations without seeing more of your face.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, from the photos these are likely small areas of hypertrophied (thicker) muscle (orbicularis oris muscle).  There is no fat in the muscle that surrounds the lips and mouth, so liposuction would have no effect.  If you would like these mounds of thicker muscle flattened....an expert Botox injector (or using another neurotoxin) can use a diluted solution of the neurotoxin to slowly weaken and cause the muscle to atrophy in those areas.  Caution should be observed in the strength or amount used as too much will make it difficult to purse (contract) the upper lips.  We have used this therapeutic method many times to decrease muscle mounds around the upper or lower lips.Hope this helps.

Why are those bumps around my mouth? Is there a surgery that could flatten them out?

Answers (5)

Answer: Fillers and Thermage for volume loss and skin tightening

Answer: Fillers and Thermage for volume loss and skin tightening

Answer: I have some quite flat cheeks but I still have some thick layer of muscle/fat around my lips at the corners.

Answer: I have some quite flat cheeks but I still have some thick layer of muscle/fat around my lips at the corners.

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Everything you need to know about Lip Fillers

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

Why are those bumps around my mouth? Is there a surgery that could flatten them out?

Answers (5)

Answer: Fillers and Thermage for volume loss and skin tightening

Answer: Fillers and Thermage for volume loss and skin tightening

Answer: I have some quite flat cheeks but I still have some thick layer of muscle/fat around my lips at the corners.

Answer: I have some quite flat cheeks but I still have some thick layer of muscle/fat around my lips at the corners.

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Fillers

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