When the silicone that has been causing lumpiness and distortion is reduced, your lips often feel softer, more comfortable when you smile and speak, and less like something you have to think about every day.
Silicone removal from the lips is considered when you have previously had silicone injected into your lips (often liquid silicone or an oil-based filler), and that material is now causing problems: lumpy lips, nodules, distortion, discoloration, pain, or inflammation that keeps coming back. One thing worth saying plainly from the start is that liquid silicone tends to spread through the lip tissue, which makes it very hard to remove completely. A consultation lets your surgeon assess the state of your lips and work with you to set realistic goals for this procedure.
Everything begins with an examination and a conversation. Your surgeon asks about the earlier injections (if you remember the type of material, when it was done, and where, that is very helpful), feels the tissue to map the lumps and the areas where the silicone has spread, and assesses any inflammation. In some cases, your surgeon may suggest an ultrasound or imaging study to picture where the injected material sits and how far it has spread. From there, your surgeon talks through clearly what this procedure can and cannot do for you in particular.
The procedure is usually carried out under local anesthetic, meaning only the lip area is numbed while you stay awake; for more widespread involvement, your surgeon may use a different form of anesthesia. The incision is usually placed on the inner surface of the lip so the scar sits hidden inside and is not visible from the outside, though its exact position depends on where the silicone has gathered.
Through the incision, your surgeon exposes the tissue holding the silicone, then removes the clumped tissue and takes away the silicone that can be reached. Because liquid silicone usually soaks into the lip tissue and mixes with healthy tissue, your surgeon balances removing as much material as possible against preserving healthy lip tissue, so the lip is not left too thin or distorted further. Once this is done, your surgeon stitches the tissue closed and reshapes the lip as far as is possible.
How long it takes varies widely depending on the amount of silicone and how far it has spread, usually somewhere around 30 to 90 minutes. The incision is usually closed with dissolving stitches or stitches that will be removed after a few days. Before you leave, you are given guidance on caring for the incision, taking your medication, and the signs that should prompt you to call.
Silicone removal from the lips aims to reduce the silicone causing lumpiness, distortion, or inflammation, so your lips feel more comfortable and look more balanced as far as is possible. This is a corrective procedure on tissue that has already been treated, so the result depends a great deal on the state of your lips and how much silicone has soaked into the tissue.
After silicone removal, your lips are usually swollen and feel tight in the first few days, and they may look uneven until the swelling settles and the tissue heals. Because this is a procedure on tissue that has previously been inflamed or scarred, the amount of swelling and the time it takes to settle can vary quite a lot from one person to the next. The stages below are rough estimates to help you picture the path.
As with any surgery, silicone removal from the lips carries risks you should know before you decide, and some risks relate specifically to operating on tissue that has previously had filler injected. Most are uncommon and can be managed, but you should know about them so you can weigh your choice and recognize them early if they appear. Your surgeon will talk through what applies to your particular situation.
At The Gioi Dep, a silicone removal from the lips begins with a careful examination and a plan. The surgeons feel the tissue to map the lumps and the areas where the silicone has spread, assess any inflammation, and when needed may suggest an imaging study to picture how far the injected material has spread before any procedure. The surgeons tell you plainly that the goal is usually to reduce the part causing problems and improve your symptoms, not to promise complete removal.
Because this is corrective surgery on sensitive tissue, the surgeons balance removing as much silicone as possible against preserving healthy lip tissue, so the lip is not left too thin or distorted further. You are given clear guidance on caring for the incision, eating, taking your medication, and attending follow-up, along with how to reach the team if anything seems wrong.
Usually not. Liquid silicone tends to soak into and spread through the lip tissue, mixing with healthy tissue, so it is very hard to remove fully. The realistic goal is usually to reduce the part causing lumpiness, inflammation, or distortion so your lips feel more comfortable and look more balanced. Your surgeon will talk this through honestly with you before the procedure.
During the procedure, your lips are numbed, so you usually do not feel pain. Afterward, your lips may be swollen and tight for the first few days, sometimes more than after a routine lip procedure because tissue has been removed; this discomfort usually responds to oral pain relief taken as your surgeon directs.
Where possible, the incision is placed on the inner surface of the lip so the scar sits hidden inside and is not visible from the outside. The position depends on where the silicone has gathered, so your surgeon will explain the details during your consultation. Scars inside the mouth usually fade over time.
Many people consider returning to light, low-activity work after about a week, once the obvious swelling has begun to ease, though the lips may still be swollen. The right time for you depends on how your recovery goes and the nature of your work. This is a rough estimate, not a fixed number.
The goal is for your lips to feel softer, less lumpy, and more balanced with your face as far as is possible. Because this is a procedure on tissue that has previously had silicone injected, the result depends a great deal on the state of your lips, and they may not be fully even. Results differ from person to person, and no one can promise a specific lip shape.
A consultation is still possible. If you remember the type of material, the timing, or where it was injected, that is very helpful, but if not, your surgeon will rely on the examination and, when needed, an imaging study to assess things. Share everything you can remember during your consultation.
If your lips have an active infection or inflammation that is not yet controlled, your surgeon may need to treat that and bring it under control first before considering surgery, to lower the risk and help the wound heal better. The specific plan will be discussed based on your situation.
Possibly. Because silicone usually spreads, a single procedure cannot always remove all of the part causing problems, and sometimes one or more further procedures are needed to address what remains or to refine the lip shape. Your surgeon will talk through this possibility with you from the start.
This depends on the state of your lip tissue once it has healed and needs to be assessed by your surgeon individually. Some people consider ways to improve the lips later, but the timing and method depend on how settled the tissue has become. Talk about this wish during your consultation so you can plan accordingly.
What matters more than your age is your general health and your ability to heal. During your consultation, your surgeon will look at your health and the state of your lip tissue to work out with you whether this approach suits you. Please share your full medical history.
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The content on this page is for reference only and does not replace a direct examination and consultation with a specialist physician. Surgical outcomes vary from person to person.