Lip Reduction Surgery
Lip reduction surgery permanently reduces the size of the upper lip, lower lip, or both through a precise intraoral excision — leaving no visible external scarring. For patients with hyaluronidase-dissolvable filler, dissolution is usually the appropriate first step before considering surgery.
Lip Reduction Surgery in London
Lip reduction is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of the upper lip, lower lip, or both by removing a carefully measured strip of inner lip tissue through an incision hidden inside the mouth. The result is a permanently smaller, more proportionate lip that balances with the rest of the face.
Lip reduction is less commonly performed than lip augmentation but serves a specific population well. The main candidates are patients with naturally full or large lips that feel disproportionate to the rest of the face, patients with macrocheilia (pathological lip enlargement from causes like hereditary syndromes, hemangiomas, or post-traumatic changes), and patients seeking reversal of permanent lip enhancement (silicone injections, permanent lip implants, or years of repeat fillers that have altered the underlying lip architecture).
For patients with recently placed hyaluronic acid fillers who want their lips smaller, surgery is usually not the first step — hyaluronidase (an enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid) can reverse filler effects without surgery. Lip reduction becomes appropriate when the underlying lip tissue itself is genuinely larger than desired, not just temporarily augmented.
At Centre for Surgery, lip reduction is performed by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register, members of BAPRAS and ISAPS, at our CQC-regulated private hospital on Baker Street. The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthetic with optional mild oral sedation and takes around 1 hour. A two-week cooling-off period after your consultation is standard — particularly important given the permanent nature of surgical reduction.
For patients considering reduction of their lip size, a thorough consultation is essential to establish whether surgery is the right approach or whether something else (dissolving existing filler, accepting current anatomy, or addressing broader facial proportion through different procedures) would serve you better.
What is lip reduction?
Lip reduction surgery reduces the vermillion volume of the upper lip, lower lip, or both. The surgeon makes an incision on the inner (wet) surface of the lip — inside the mouth, hidden from view — and excises a strip of tissue from the inner mucosa and underlying submucosal tissue. The incision is then closed with fine absorbable sutures that dissolve over 2–3 weeks.
The amount of tissue safely removable is limited by lip anatomy. Remove too much and the lip becomes distorted, thin, or unnaturally tight. Remove too little and the patient sees no meaningful change. Measurement, conservative planning, and experienced surgical judgement are essential. Your surgeon will assess your specific lip anatomy at consultation and recommend the appropriate reduction — often less than the patient initially wants.
Many patients considering lip reduction have spent years with their current lip size — sometimes post-filler, sometimes congenitally — and the decision to permanently reduce can feel rushed if acted on quickly. We mandate a minimum two-week reflection period between consultation and surgery for all cosmetic procedures, and particularly emphasise it for lip reduction because of the permanence of the change.
Lip Reduction Before & After Photos
Lip reduction result showing reduced upper and lower lip volume with preserved natural lip shape. The incisions sit on the inner lip surface and heal without visible scarring. The aim is measured proportionality rather than dramatic change.
All patients consented to their images being used for educational purposes. A wider gallery of lip reduction results is available to review at your in-person consultation. Results vary between patients depending on starting lip anatomy, technique used, and whether the procedure is combined with other facial surgery. Lip reduction produces measured, carefully controlled change rather than dramatic transformation — patients expecting large visible differences from small surgical reductions may be disappointed, whilst patients expecting natural proportional improvement are typically satisfied. You can also view results across our full range of procedures on the main .
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Benefits of lip reduction surgery
Lip reduction surgery delivers specific benefits for the right candidate. These are what patients actually see:
Unlike hyaluronidase (which reverses hyaluronic acid filler but can’t reduce natural lip tissue), surgical reduction produces permanent change. The tissue removed doesn’t regenerate. For patients whose underlying lip anatomy is what they want changed, this is the only approach that provides lasting correction.
For patients whose lip size feels out of proportion with the rest of their face, surgical reduction can rebalance central face proportions and achieve visual harmony with other features.
Patients with genuinely large or enlarged lips from macrocheilia, post-traumatic changes, or extensive previous lip augmentation may experience functional issues with lip seal, speech articulation, or eating. Surgical reduction can improve these functional concerns.
Because the incision sits on the inner (wet) lip surface inside the mouth, there’s no visible external scar once the procedure is healed. This is a significant advantage over surgical procedures with external incisions.
Lip reduction is a one-off surgical procedure — no repeat treatments needed. This contrasts with the ongoing maintenance of filler-based approaches to lip aesthetics.
Standalone lip reduction is typically performed under local anaesthetic with optional mild oral sedation. No general anaesthesia, no overnight stay, no anaesthetist fee. You can usually go home 30–60 minutes after the procedure ends.
Most patients return to work within 7–10 days. Visible swelling largely resolves by day 10–14. Final settling takes 2–3 months but the visible downtime is short.
For patients who had silicone injections, permanent implants, or extensive repeat filler decades ago — treatments now recognised as problematic — surgical reduction combined with foreign body removal (where indicated) can address issues that conservative treatment can’t resolve.
Lip reduction combines well with rhinoplasty (both address central face), facelift (for broader facial rejuvenation), and chin augmentation (for profile balance).
Who is a good candidate for lip reduction?
The ideal candidate meets most of the following:
The most reliable indication is lips that are objectively large or disproportionate to facial features, not lips that feel too big because of recent filler treatment. If your concern is filler-related, hyaluronidase typically resolves the issue without surgery.
Pathological lip enlargement from hereditary syndromes, lymphatic malformations, vascular malformations, or post-inflammatory changes. These patients often benefit significantly from surgical reduction because their starting anatomy is genuinely different from typical.
Patients who had silicone injections, PAAG (Aquamid and similar), or permanent lip implants in the past and want them removed. Also patients who’ve had years of repeat hyaluronic acid fillers where the cumulative effect has altered underlying lip architecture — after hyaluronidase has dissolved remaining filler, surgical reduction may be appropriate if the lips are still larger than desired.
Patients with lip enlargement following injury or earlier surgery where the lip anatomy has been altered.
Lip reduction produces measured, conservative change — typically removing 3–5 mm of tissue from the affected lip. Dramatic “before and after” transformations are not the expected outcome; measured proportional improvement is.
Because the procedure is permanent and difficult to reverse, candidates need certainty about what they want. We’re cautious about performing lip reduction on patients who’ve changed their mind multiple times about lip size or who are reacting to a recent dissatisfaction (like disliking a current filler treatment).
The incision sits inside the mouth. Active gum disease, untreated dental problems, or poor oral hygiene increase infection risk. These need to be addressed before lip reduction.
Standard health criteria: non-smokers or willing to stop for at least 2 weeks before and after surgery. No uncontrolled medical conditions. No untreated mouth ulcers or oral infections.
Unlike fillers which can be dissolved, surgical reduction is permanent. The tissue removed doesn’t grow back. If you end up with less lip than you wanted, restoration options are limited and imperfect. Candidates must be fully committed to permanent change.
When lip reduction is not the right answer
Lip reduction is a niche surgical procedure that’s often considered when simpler, non-surgical alternatives would be more appropriate. Honest case selection matters. We regularly advise against lip reduction in the following situations:
If we think a different approach — hyaluronidase for recent filler, no intervention, addressing underlying concerns, or a different procedure entirely — would serve you better, we’ll tell you honestly. Declining the wrong procedure is as important as performing the right one.
Lip reduction surgical techniques
Different techniques suit different lip anatomies and reduction goals. Your surgeon will recommend the appropriate technique at consultation.
The standard and most widely used technique. A horizontal elliptical strip of inner lip tissue (wet mucosa plus underlying submucosal tissue) is removed through an incision made just inside the lip on the inner surface. The wound is closed with fine absorbable sutures. The amount of tissue removed determines the magnitude of reduction — typically 3–5 mm strip width depending on how much reduction is needed and how much tissue the specific anatomy can safely sacrifice.
Advantages: Predictable, well-established technique; no visible external scarring; appropriate for both upper and lower lip reduction; precise control over amount removed.
Best for: Most lip reduction patients; both upper lip, lower lip, or both lips together.
A variation where a wedge-shaped (V-shaped) strip of tissue is removed rather than a parallel-sided strip. Used when larger reductions are needed or when lip shape needs modification alongside volume reduction.
Advantages: Handles larger reductions; allows some reshaping alongside reduction.
Best for: Patients needing substantial reduction; patients with specific lip shape concerns alongside size reduction.
A technique where a V-shaped incision is made and closed in a Y-configuration. Primarily used for lip reshaping rather than pure volume reduction. More technically demanding and used in selected cases where contour refinement matters alongside volume change.
Best for: Patients wanting contour refinement alongside reduction; revision cases.
Rarely used. Involves removing tissue through an external incision at the vermillion border. Produces a potentially visible scar at the lip border, so we use this only when internal approaches can’t achieve the required reduction — typically in macrocheilia or large post-traumatic lip enlargement.
Best for: Severe macrocheilia or cases where internal techniques alone can’t achieve adequate reduction. Selective use only.
For patients seeking reduction after previous silicone injections, PAAG products, or permanent implants, the reduction procedure is combined with removal of the foreign material. This is technically more complex than primary reduction because the foreign material often provokes tissue reaction that has altered anatomy. Results are less predictable than primary reduction of natural tissue.
Best for: Patients with previous permanent lip augmentation they want reversed.
Your surgeon will examine your lips at consultation and recommend the technique most suitable for your anatomy and goals. For most patients the answer is strip excision — the other techniques are used in selective situations rather than as first-line approaches.
How to prepare for lip reduction surgery
After your initial consultation, a two-week cooling-off period is standard before your surgery date is confirmed. Once your date is booked, our pre-operative assessment team will be in touch.
For standalone lip reduction under local anaesthetic, formal fasting isn’t required — you can eat normally before your appointment. Wear comfortable clothing. Remove makeup and any lip products. If lip reduction is being performed under TIVA (combined with other procedures), standard fasting applies: no food for 6 hours before, clear fluids (water only) up to 2 hours before. Your surgeon or anaesthetist will confirm which applies to your case.
Stock the fridge with soft, cool foods you can eat easily in the first few days — smoothies, yoghurt, cool soup, scrambled eggs. Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy, or acidic foods that will irritate the healing incision. Prepare a supply of saline mouthwash (your surgeon will provide specific post-op rinse instructions).
A responsible adult must collect you. You’ll be given 24/7 surgeon-led clinical access for the first 48 hours via a direct emergency contact number.
What happens during lip reduction surgery
Standalone lip reduction at Centre for Surgery is typically performed under local anaesthetic with optional mild oral sedation. Local anaesthetic is infiltrated into the lip tissue — you’ll feel brief stinging for 15–20 seconds before the area becomes fully numb. Oral sedation (taken 60 minutes before) helps you relax if you’re nervous.
TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia) is reserved for lip reduction combined with larger procedures like facelift or rhinoplasty. TIVA is the safest form of general anaesthesia for day-case facial surgery, using only intravenous agents with no inhaled gases.
You’ll recover in our suite for 30–60 minutes. The local anaesthetic wears off gradually over 3–4 hours. By the time you leave the clinic, you’ll notice returning sensation but minimal discomfort. Mild painkillers (paracetamol) are typically sufficient for the first few days. You’ll be given detailed written post-operative instructions and a direct emergency contact number for the first 48 hours.
Lip reduction recovery timeline
Lip reduction recovery is relatively fast compared with most facial surgery because the procedure is small and uses intraoral incisions. Here’s what to expect.
Moderate swelling of the treated lip(s) — often significantly bigger than the pre-surgery size for the first 24–48 hours. This is normal and expected. Some bruising may be visible externally. Mild discomfort controlled by paracetamol; most patients don’t need stronger painkillers. Apply cold compresses as directed for the first 24 hours. Sleep elevated. Keep head above heart level. Stick to cool, soft foods. Use the prescribed mouthwash after eating to keep the incision clean.
Peak swelling begins to settle. The lip still feels tight and may look unusual as swelling resolves unevenly. Bruising fades. Speech may feel slightly affected for the first few days as you adjust to altered lip anatomy and swelling. Most patients find they can eat soft foods normally by day 3–4. Continue good oral hygiene — brush gently, rinse after meals.
Most of the visible swelling has resolved. Sutures (absorbable) are dissolving. Speech normalises. Most patients return to work around day 7–10. Dental work can resume from week 2.
Residual swelling continues to resolve. Lip shape continues to refine. Gentle exercise from week 2, full exercise from week 4.
Most of the final result becomes visible. Lip tissue settles into its new position.
Final result and tissue settling complete. No visible external scarring.
The incision sits on the inner lip surface inside the mouth. Proper care is essential:
Risks of lip reduction surgery
Lip reduction is among the safer facial surgeries when performed by an experienced specialist, but no surgery is risk-free. Understanding the possibilities in advance lets you make an informed decision.
Expected for the first 1–2 weeks. The lip may look significantly bigger than pre-surgery for 24–48 hours before settling.
Intraoral infections are uncommon with good oral hygiene and post-op care but possible. Signs include increasing pain after day 3, redness, unusual discharge, bad taste, or fever. Most cases respond to oral antibiotics if caught early.
Minor asymmetry of the reduced lip(s) is possible — the human lip is rarely perfectly symmetric to begin with, and surgical correction is rarely perfectly even. Minor asymmetry usually settles over 2–3 months. Significant asymmetry occasionally requires minor revision.
If too much tissue is removed, the lip can look thin or distorted. This is why careful measurement and conservative planning matter — it’s much easier to preserve tissue than to restore it. Restoration of over-reduced lip requires fat transfer or filler, and the result is rarely as natural as the original anatomy.
Conservative resection may result in insufficient change. A second reduction is possible but requires careful planning and sufficient tissue remaining.
The inner lip incision typically heals without visible scarring. Internal scar lines can sometimes be felt as subtle ridges for the first 3–6 months before softening — this is usually imperceptible. A minority of patients develop hypertrophic internal scars; these can be treated with intralesional steroid injection if they cause discomfort or visible distortion.
Temporary numbness or altered sensation in the treated lip is common in the first few weeks and usually resolves within 2–3 months. Permanent sensory changes are rare.
Improper closure can occasionally produce retraction (where the inner lip appears pulled inward) or eversion (where the inner lip flips outward). These can affect lip appearance at rest and with movement. Usually settles over 3–6 months; significant cases may need revision.
Absorbable sutures rarely cause problems but can occasionally be felt or seen in the mouth while dissolving. Very rarely they cause localised irritation or require removal.
Rare but possible if the patient is very active with lip movement or has a food item catch in the early wound. Minor dehiscence can heal secondarily; significant cases need re-suturing.
Because lip reduction removes tissue permanently, patients who change their mind after surgery have limited options. The tissue doesn’t regrow. Adding volume back (fat transfer, fillers) is possible but rarely restores the exact original anatomy. This is a major reason for the mandatory two-week cooling-off period and careful case selection.
Local anaesthetic has a favourable safety profile. Serious anaesthetic complications are rare in properly assessed patients. For patients having TIVA (combined procedures), additional anaesthetic risks apply but remain low in experienced hands.
Our postoperative support programme was described as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC. Follow all pre- and post-operative instructions carefully to minimise your risk of complications.
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Alternatives to lip reduction surgery
Before committing to permanent surgical reduction, consider whether non-surgical alternatives might address your concerns:
If your lips feel too big because of recent hyaluronic OnabotulinumtoxinAAbobotulinumtoxinAIncobotulinumtoxinAPrabotulinumtoxinALetibotulinumtoxinARimabotulinumtoxinBHyaluronic Acid FillersCalcium Hydroxylapatite FillersPoly-L-lactic Acid FillersPolymethylmethacrylate FillersAutologous Fat GraftingForehead Lines TreatmentGlabellar Frown Lines TreatmentCrow’s Feet TreatmentBunny Lines TreatmentChemical Brow LiftLip FlipGummy Smile CorrectionMasseter ReductionJaw SlimmingDimpled Chin SmoothingCobblestone Chin SmoothingNefertiti Neck LiftMicro-BotoxMesotoxHyperhidrosis TreatmentChronic Migraine ReliefBruxism TreatmentTMJ TreatmentCervical Dystonia TreatmentNeck Spasm TreatmentBlepharospasm TreatmentLip AugmentationLip ContouringCheekbone EnhancementTear Trough FillersNasolabial Fold SofteningMarionette Line FillersLiquid RhinoplastyNon-Surgical Nose JobJawline ContouringJawline DefinitionChin AugmentationTemple VolumisingHand RejuvenationAcne Scar Subcision Filling filler treatment, hyaluronidase is the appropriate first step. This enzyme injection dissolves hyaluronic acid filler within hours. You can do this first and reassess whether surgical reduction is still wanted once the filler has resolved. Most patients who think they need lip reduction actually need hyaluronidase.
For patients whose concern is actually lip position rather than lip size — a long philtrum with poor upper tooth show — a lip lift addresses the positional problem rather than volume. Despite the “lift” name, lip lift can actually make the upper lip appear fuller by rolling more pink tissue outward — paradoxical but true. For some patients the lift addresses concerns more effectively than reduction.
If your concern is lines and wrinkles around the mouth rather than lip size itself, anti-wrinkle injections to the perioral area can soften dynamic wrinkles and give the appearance of a smoother, more youthful lower face. This doesn’t reduce lip size but can change overall lip area appearance.
For patients whose main concern is texture, pigmentation, or fine lines around the mouth, these non-surgical options address those issues without surgery. They don’t reduce lip size.
Sometimes the honest answer is that surgical intervention isn’t indicated. Full, natural lips are valued aesthetics for many people. If the decision to reduce is driven by external pressure (partner, social media, trend-following), the answer may be that no procedure is needed. We’ll tell you this honestly at consultation if we think it applies to you.
For patients whose concern is overall facial proportion, procedures like rhinoplasty, chin augmentation, or facelift may address their underlying aesthetic concerns more effectively than lip reduction. Sometimes the “lips feel too big” perception is actually about overall facial proportions that other procedures would address better.
Some patients benefit from staged approaches — hyaluronidase first to reverse existing filler, then reassessment, then potential surgery if still wanted. Others benefit from combined procedures (lip reduction + chin augmentation for profile, for example).
How much does lip reduction cost in London?
At Centre for Surgery, single lip reduction (upper OR lower lip) typically costs £3,000–£4,000. Reduction of both lips in the same procedure typically costs £4,000–£5,500. Final figures depend on the technique selected, whether foreign body removal is needed alongside reduction, whether combined with other procedures, and anaesthesia type.
The procedure has a short operating time (around 45 minutes for single lip, 1–1.5 hours for both lips), is typically performed under local anaesthetic (lower anaesthesia costs than TIVA), and has a shorter recovery period than most facial surgery.
For patients requiring removal of silicone, PAAG, or permanent implants alongside reduction, additional complexity increases cost. Typical range: £5,000–£7,500 depending on the extent of foreign material and the reduction required. This is a specialist procedure and pricing is always individualised after consultation.
0% APR finance is available through Chrysalis Finance, our specialist medical finance partner. Monthly payments typically from £90–£155/month for standalone lip reduction depending on amount financed and term.
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Price shouldn’t be the determining factor when choosing a surgeon for lip reduction. Make sure whoever you choose is on the GMC Specialist Register for plastic surgery, a member of BAPRAS or BAAPS, and has experience with the specific technique you need (particularly if you need foreign body removal). Call to speak with a patient coordinator for an indicative price before your consultation.
Lip reduction is a cosmetic procedure and not covered by insurance or the NHS.
Why choose Centre for Surgery for lip reduction
Lip reduction is a specialist procedure that’s less commonly performed than other lip surgeries. Technique matters disproportionately to size — small measurement errors produce disproportionately large effects on final appearance, and the intraoral setting requires specific surgical experience.
All lip reduction surgery at Centre for Surgery is performed exclusively by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register for plastic surgery — the highest qualification available in the UK. Our surgeons are members of BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons) and ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). We don’t use cosmetic doctors or non-specialist practitioners for lip reduction.
Our purpose-built private hospital at 95–97 Baker Street, Marylebone is independently regulated and inspected by the Care Quality Commission, which awarded us a “Good” rating — a standard very few cosmetic surgery facilities in the UK achieve.
We’re deliberately selective about who we recommend lip reduction for. If hyaluronidase would address your concern, we’ll say so. If the honest answer is no surgical intervention, we’ll tell you that. If a different procedure would serve you better (lip lift, rhinoplasty, chin augmentation), we’ll explain why. A meaningful proportion of our lip reduction consultations conclude with no surgery booked — this is a feature of our approach, not a failing.
Because we offer the full range of facial surgery — lip reduction, lip lift, lip fillers, rhinoplasty, facelift, chin augmentation, facial fat transfer — we can recommend the approach that actually fits your anatomy rather than defaulting to whichever procedure we happen to be promoting.
Because lip reduction is irreversible, our surgeons take a deliberately conservative approach — preserving tissue where possible, measuring carefully, and erring on the side of less rather than more removal. Patients who want additional reduction can have a second procedure; patients with over-reduction have limited restoration options.
Our surgeons have experience with the specialist procedure of foreign body removal combined with reduction — relevant for patients seeking reversal of previous silicone injections, PAAG products, or permanent lip implants. This is not a routine procedure and requires specific surgical expertise.
Standard practice and not optional for any cosmetic surgery at our clinic. Particularly emphasised for irreversible procedures like lip reduction.
Our postoperative support programme was described as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC. This includes 24/7 surgeon-led clinical access for the first 48 hours, a dedicated patient coordinator, regular phone and face-to-face checks, and full aftercare through the 6-month mark.
Useful preparation:
Your initial in-person consultation is £100, redeemable against the cost of surgery if you proceed. Consultation lines are open Monday–Saturday, 9am–6pm.
You may also find these Centre for Surgery pages useful:
FAQs
What To Expect
Your journey begins with a face-to-face consultation with one of our consultant plastic surgeons at Baker Street. The consultation typically lasts around 30–45 minutes, longer if your planned procedure is combined with other facial surgery or if foreign body removal is being considered. Your surgeon will examine your lips clinically, assessing lip anatomy (natural tissue vs augmented), proportions relative to other facial features, symmetry, and any previous lip procedures. If you have existing hyaluronic acid filler, this will be discussed — in most cases hyaluronidase is recommended as a first step rather than surgery, because filler-related concerns rarely require surgical intervention. If foreign body (silicone, PAAG, permanent implants) is present, your surgeon will assess what’s realistic with combined removal and reduction. This is also the consultation where your surgeon may advise against surgery. A meaningful proportion of lip reduction consultations conclude with no surgery booked — sometimes because hyaluronidase is the appropriate answer, sometimes because no intervention is indicated, sometimes because a different procedure (lip lift, rhinoplasty, chin augmentation) would serve you better. We take a deliberately non-directive approach and will not operate if we think surgery isn’t in your best interest. Clinical photography is taken for surgical planning and before/after comparison. Your surgeon will discuss the realistic magnitude of change (measured rather than dramatic), the permanent nature of the result, potential risks, and what to expect during recovery. All medications that affect bleeding (aspirin, anti-inflammatories, certain supplements) will need to be stopped before surgery. A two-week cooling-off period between your consultation and surgery date is standard practice at Centre for Surgery and is not optional — particularly important for a permanent surgical change. If you want to return for further consultation during that period — or at any point before surgery — you are welcome to do so at no additional cost.
Once you have decided to proceed with lip reduction and the two-week cooling-off period has passed, our pre-operative assessment team will be in touch to confirm medical fitness for surgery. In the weeks before surgery: – Stop smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery — smoking impairs intraoral wound healing and increases infection risk – Stop any aspirin-containing medicines, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatories at least 2 weeks before surgery (these increase bleeding and bruising risk) – Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours before surgery – Review all supplements with your surgeon — vitamin E, fish oil, ginkgo, garlic supplements, and some herbal products affect bleeding and need to be stopped – Complete any planned dental work before surgery, not after — dental work should be avoided for 2 weeks after lip reduction – Maintain good oral hygiene in the weeks before surgery — regular brushing, flossing, and use of antiseptic mouthwash if advised On the day of surgery, fasting guidance depends on the anaesthetic type. For standalone lip reduction under local anaesthetic, formal fasting isn’t required — you can eat normally before your appointment. For lip reduction under TIVA (combined with other procedures): no food for 6 hours before, clear fluids (water only) up to 2 hours before. Your surgeon or anaesthetist will confirm which applies to your case. Prepare your recovery space: stock the fridge with soft cool foods you can eat easily in the first few days (smoothies, yoghurt, cool soup, scrambled eggs). Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy, or acidic foods that will irritate the healing incision. Have saline mouthwash ready (your surgeon will provide specific post-op rinse instructions). Wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t need to go over your head after surgery. Arrange for a responsible adult to collect you from the clinic and accompany you home.
Arrive on time for your appointment. One of our admission nurses will complete the formal admission, including checking your identification, consent documentation, and that your post-operative medications have been dispensed. Your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature) are recorded as a baseline. Your surgeon will see you to confirm the operative plan, obtain final written consent, and mark the precise incision pattern on the inner surface of the lip(s) to be treated. The width of the strip of tissue to be removed is determined by measurements taken during consultation and refined on the day. Photography may be taken at this final stage for surgical reference. For standalone lip reduction, the procedure is performed under local anaesthetic with optional mild oral sedation. If you chose oral sedation, this will have been taken 60 minutes earlier. The local anaesthetic is infiltrated into the lip tissue — a brief stinging sensation for 15–20 seconds before the area becomes fully numb. For lip reduction combined with other substantial procedures (rhinoplasty, facelift), TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia) is used instead. TIVA is the safest form of general anaesthesia for day-case facial surgery, using only intravenous agents with no inhaled gases. The procedure itself takes approximately 45 minutes for single lip (upper OR lower), 1–1.5 hours for both lips combined, or 1.5–2 hours when combined with foreign body removal. Your surgeon makes the incision on the inner (wet) surface of the lip, excises the marked strip of mucosa and submucosal tissue, ensures controlled haemostasis, and closes the incision with fine absorbable sutures that dissolve over 2–3 weeks (no suture removal needed). Ice packs are applied to reduce immediate swelling. You will recover in our suite for 30–60 minutes before discharge. You’ll be given post-operative medications, detailed written instructions including wound care and dietary guidance, and a direct emergency contact number for the first 48 hours. A responsible adult must collect you and accompany you home.
Once you are safely home, you have 24/7 surgeon-led clinical support for the first 48 hours. You’ll be given a direct emergency contact number to reach your surgeon if needed. Our post-operative team will be in regular phone contact during the first two weeks to monitor your recovery and flag any concerns early. Days 1–2: moderate swelling of the treated lip(s) — often significantly bigger than pre-surgery for the first 24–48 hours. This is normal and expected. Some bruising may be visible externally. Mild discomfort controlled by paracetamol alone. Apply cold compresses as directed. Sleep elevated. Stick to cool, soft foods. Use the prescribed antiseptic mouthwash after eating to keep the incision clean. Days 3–7: peak swelling begins to settle. The lip still feels tight and may look unusual as swelling resolves unevenly. Bruising fades. Most patients find they can eat soft foods normally by day 3–4. Continue good oral hygiene — brush gently, rinse after meals. Week 2: most visible swelling has resolved. Absorbable sutures are dissolving. Speech normalises. Most patients return to work around day 7–10. Weeks 3–4: residual swelling continues to resolve. Lip shape refines. Gentle exercise from week 2, full exercise from week 4. Months 2–3: most of the final result becomes visible as tissue settles into its new position. 6 months: final result and no visible external scarring. Follow-up appointments: clinical review at 1 week to check healing; surgeon-led review at 6 weeks to assess early results; final assessment at 3 months with further reviews as needed. Intraoral wound care is essential: rinse with prescribed antiseptic mouthwash after every meal for the first week; brush gently avoiding the incision area for the first 3–5 days; avoid manipulating the incision with tongue or fingers; watch for signs of infection (increasing pain after day 3, redness, discharge, bad taste, fever) and contact us immediately if these occur. Our postoperative support programme was described as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC. If you have any concern at any stage of recovery, contact the clinic — we’d much rather hear from you unnecessarily than miss something that needs addressing.
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If you’re considering plastic or cosmetic surgery in London, Centre for Surgery offers a level of clinical excellence that few clinics can match.
All procedures at Centre for Surgery are performed exclusively by GMC specialist-registered consultant plastic surgeons — the highest qualification available in the UK. Our surgeons hold positions on the GMC Specialist Register and are members of BAPRAS and ISAPS, ensuring you receive care from fully credentialled specialists, not cosmetic doctors.
Our purpose-built private hospital at Baker Street, Marylebone is independently regulated and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which awarded us a Good rating — a standard very few cosmetic surgery facilities in the UK achieve. We use TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia) as standard, the safest and most advanced form of anaesthesia available for day case surgery.
We offer the full range of surgical and non-surgical treatments under one roof, with in-depth consultations directly with your surgeon — never a sales consultant. Flexible 0% APR finance is available through Chrysalis Finance, and our comprehensive aftercare programme includes 24/7 nursing support.
Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s Baker Street, delivering plastic and cosmetic surgery through GMC-registered specialist surgeons. Our expertise spans facial procedures including and , , for men, and body contouring procedures such as and . Patient safety, surgical excellence and natural-looking results sit at the heart of everything we do.
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