Lip Reconstruction Surgery
in Connecticut

Lip reconstructive surgery can improve the function and appearance of the upper and lower lip. This is best done by a double-board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

Many of our patients come from all areas of Connecticut, including Hartford, New Haven, Norwalk, Greenwich, or Avon, with an abnormality in their upper lip, lower lip, or both lips. Meet with Dr. Paul Stanislaw today to learn more about your plastic surgery and reconstructive options.

What is Lip Reconstruction?

Lips provide expressions to your face. Whether you feel happy, sad, excited, or worried, you express every emotion through your lips. This intricate structure is also imperative for swallowing and normal speech.

Plastic surgeons commonly use lip reconstruction surgery to correct a lower or upper lip defect. Doctors also use the surgery on patients who experience an injury to the upper and lower lips.

The goal is to return the lips to a more harmonious appearance and facial expression in areas like the cupid’s bow, central lip, philtrum, and vermillion – and still maintain oral competence and more. Dr. Stanislaw can help fix upper lip defects with upper lip reconstruction. For lower lip defects, he can perform total lower lip reconstruction.

During reconstructive surgery, our surgeon may utilize free tissue transfer to help you achieve the look you desire. Folded radial forearm flap or local arterial flaps are two techniques used in lip reconstruction. You can also combine your procedure with other plastic surgery techniques or aesthetic treatments to create a natural look.

Which Lip Conditions Benefit from Reconstruction?

There are many conditions that could benefit from a lip reconstruction, such as trauma, congenital deformities, cleft lip, reduced oral aperture, lower lip defects, removal of cancerous lesions like basal cell carcinomas, or paralysis of the facial nerve. Any patient who has hurt their lips from a dog bite or cut needs immediate treatment. In those patients who have had cancerous lesions, lip reconstruction should be a part of the complete management of their treatment.

Dr. Stanislaw is an expert in lip reconstruction caused by these conditions. He will discuss all lip reconstruction options available with you in detail during your consultation.

Lip Reconstruction Gallery

See our lip reconstruction gallery with amazing results!

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How Is Lip Reconstruction Performed?

Lip reconstruction is unique to each patient, and Dr. Stanislaw will go over the details of your reconstructive surgery during a consultation. Primary closure, free flap reconstruction, and local flap are three of the most common techniques.

The exact technique used will depend on factors like the defect location, local tissues available, and access to the blood supply. Donor tissue may be used as well. Generally, doctors use general anesthesia to perform these types of lip reconstructions. Dr. Stanislaw can perform simpler procedures, like wedge excision or advancement flap, using local anesthesia.

Lip Reconstruction Recovery

Lip reconstructions typically have varying amounts of downtime depending on the exact procedure. For example, if a surgeon uses a donor site during surgery, the patient will require additional recovery.

For minor procedures, you may expect swelling and discomfort, which will likely subside within 1-2 weeks.

For more substantial reconstruction, you may need several weeks to regain full mobility and use of the lips. Dr. Stanislaw will give you a detailed recovery plan for your plastic surgery procedure.

Lip Reconstruction FAQs

Schedule a Consultation

If you are looking for repair of a lip deformity, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Dr. Stanislaw can give you more information about the options available to you.