3 years after a dog bite left scarring on my upper lip, advice & guidance on best options? (Photos)

Question

I got a second opinion, and was told my best options were lip fillers, revision surgery, or laser. I’m leaning toward lip fillers, and wanted some advice and guidance. I also wanted to get a third opinion.

Juan Guillermo Breton, MD · Answer

Shouldn't be and issue when you get lip filler treatment, the only advise is to start smart, and keep the G" of the filler very low, in order to improve the shape and not to attract a lot of water , because fillers tend to have. a little bit of hygroscopic effect

Lexie Wang, MD · Answer

What exactly are you bothered by? It's hard to tell from the photos where you are now vs perhaps earlier. If you have pigmentation, laser is a good option. If you have excess scar tissue, you could also try for a laser (different kind). I'm not sure what role lip filler would have here. I also don't think you need revision surgery as this actually looks pretty good for a repair and I doubt you will get much better than this surgically (creating another cut).

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello AngL716! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Shah Facial Plastics. I am so sorry to hear this! Based on the images, I highly recommend treating the scar with a CO2 laser such as Coolpeel. However, I highly recommend scheduling an in-person consultation in order to better assess your areas of concern and discuss an appropriate treatment plan to help achieve your aesthetic goals. Our office phone number is: (312) 944-0117. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on these photos your result is as good as it could be after such an extensive lip injury. Doing nothing would my first thought. A Small amount  of  corticosteroid in hard lump would be the only other consideration?

Sheryl D. Clark, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hello AngL:

I have experience in treating scars from dog bites to the lips. In your case, I believe you woukd be happy with a small amount of filler. It would disguise the small bump you see when smiling, while preserving a natural contour and volume to the lips.

All the best from NYC,
Sheryl Clark MD FAAD

Anna Avaliani, MD · Answer

Thanks you for your question and your photos. Im so sorry to hear about your dog bite experience .
I can actually relate as I have a similar scar on my upper lip after a dog bite as well. The difference is that I got it when I was 5 years old and yours is 3 years old.
I wish you asked this question immediately after the stitches were removed. What is exactly bothering you? The redness/ is there something flat? etc. It's hard to answer without knowing but my first advice is to laser to even out the scar as much as possible and only then consider filler. If you go with filler first, just be prepared that the filer will not go into the scar itself and can turn out lumpy, all of this can easily be corrected but just giving you as heads up.Hope this helps you a bit. 
Have a beautiful day, Dr.Anna Avaliani, NYC

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Go with the revision first to remove the excess thicken scar.  Once healed, then consider something else if needed.

- · Answer

Based on personal experience, I have injected several sets of lips from trauma/scars. The volume/fullness from the lip filler disguises the appearance of the scar(s). This would be my first recommendation due to minimal downtime and cost.

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

I believe that the repair of your torn up lip wise well done. This is as good as you will heal and no lasers or any other form of treatment will help you with the scar. You can definitely consider lip fillers if you’d like to have your lips slightly fuller. I hope this helps and good luck from New York City Plastic Surgery.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

The key to getting the best outcome from that type of injury is accurate anatomic realignment with the primary repair.
If that’s done with great position, then sometimes the result is the best that can be achieved. If the tissues were badly traumatized or anatomic alignment was not perfect during the repair then revision surgery can sometimes improve the outcome.
I don’t think you have a lack of volume and therefore I don’t think sellers are going to be of a match use.
Likewise, I see no purpose for laser treatment in improving your outcome.
Problems related to lip laceration repairs are generally most commonly related to malalignment, or secondary to the development of scar tissue that can contract.
Revision surgery is probably the only realistic option and whether or not revision surgery is indicated is not a simple question or decision to make.
There are a lot of variables to take into consideration, such as timing and who did the repair?
Look for highly meticulous plastic surgeons with lots of experience.
Your injury is unfortunate.
Simply doing a revision for the sake of revising is not a good idea. Before doing revision surgery, the surgeon needs to have a good indication of what they’re trying to correct or have a clear understanding of what the problem is.
Good luck,
Mats Hagstrom MD

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