Lip Reconstruction

Description

Lip Deformity can adversly affect one's overall facial appearance and can be a great source of concern to the affected person.

Skin cancer is a common cause of lip deformity. It is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. and its incidence is increasing. Each year, there are 3.5 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed. In the course of a lifetime, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer. Of all body locations, the head and neck region is the most commonly affected area.

Traumatic injury and benign lip growths are other common causes of lip deformity prompting individuals to seek lip reconstructive surgery.

Lip Reconstruction may involve non-invasive and/or surgical treatments. Reconstructive surgery may be indicated to minimize any visible deformity.

Dr. Pearson's practice offers lip reconstruction as well as a full range of cosmetic and reconstructive facial plastic surgery procedures and treatments.

Dr. Pearson is considered an expert in lip reconstruction and has extensive experience in facial reconstructive procedures. You may view some of his surgical results here. Dr. Pearson has recently published a chapter on this topic in a recently-released and highly-regarded Plastic Surgery textbook, entitled Advanced Therapy in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Candidates
You may be a candidate for lip reconstruction if you are concerned about the appearance of your lip(s), which may be related to trauma, skin cancer, scar formation, aging or other factors. Call for a consultation with Dr. Pearson to learn more

Surgery
Lip reconstruction is performed either in the office or an operating suite on an outpatient basis. Reconstruction is performed under local anesthesia alone or in combination with sedation based on your preferences. Patients are able to return home shortly after the procedure.

Treatment Goals
The goal for treatment is to minimize the deformity present and to restore to the lips a more natural size, shape, proportion and symmetry. While scars cannot be erased, in most cases a degree of improvement is possible such that that scar can be inconspicuous enough that an onlooker's gaze and attention is not drawn to the lips.

Complementary Procedures
Some patients choose to undergo additional procedures at the same time while they are under anesthesia. During your consultation with Dr. Pearson, complementary procedures that may be available or appropriate in your case can be discussed.

Recovery
Following lip reconstruction, you can expect a few days of swelling and soreness which is well controlled with oral pain medications. Dressings are typically removed on the day after surgery. Sutures are removed between 5-7 days after the procedure. Makeup can be used at this point to camouflage any bruising or maturing scars. Swelling and bruising generally subside by 7-10 days. You can resume most normal activities after a couple of days, except for intense exercise, which may be resumed at about 3 weeks. Return to work is usually permissible within a few days, although most patients return to work within 1-2 weeks.

Dr. Pearson has authored a medical texbook chapter on the topic of facial reconstructive surgery. This chapters appears in the highly-regarded Plastic Surgery textbook, Advanced Therapy in Facial and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. which is available on Amazon.com and elsewhere. Select the links below to learn more.

Advanced Therapy in Facial and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Local and Regional Flap Reconstruction