How Does Mouth Narrowing Surgery Work?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I wanted to enquire about a cosmetic ‘lip commisuroplasty’ to make the mouth less wide. I plan to get cosmetic surgeries to make my overall face smaller, but when I edit my face my wide mouth looks awkward. I’m not a fan of large lips and don’t want my mouth to stand out. I hope to make my mouth 2-3mm thinner if possible. How does this surgery work? Where and how large is the scar? Thanks in advance.

A:You are referring to a mouth narrowing procedure as opposed to a lip reduction procedure. This is done by a V-Y corner movement technique.  This is the opposite of the Y-V mouth widening technique. Normally I am not in favor of mouth narrowing surgery because the scar trail left behind by the corner moving inward. (the straight line of the Y-closure) But for a 2 to 3mm change such a scar line may be more acceptable.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon