Lip reduction in Islamabad with Dr. Umbreen Munir Minhas makes large or uneven lips smaller while keeping their natural curves and the shape of your smile.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Umbreen Munir Minhas, MBBS, FCPS (Plastic Surgery). Last updated October 2026.
Lip reduction, medically called reduction cheiloplasty, removes a strip of tissue from the inner, wet part of the upper or lower lip. Closing the gap rolls the lip inward and reduces how much pink lip shows.
Since 2007, surgeons have also used “bikini” shaped cuts that reduce the lip while keeping its natural curves.
Some people are born with lips that look large for their face or roll strongly outward. The lower lip is often the bigger concern, and it can feel heavy when speaking.
One side of a lip may be fuller than the other from birth or after an injury. Removing more tissue on the larger side brings both halves closer to a match.
Imaging studies have found filler still present 2 to 5 years or more after injection. Repeated filler sessions or permanent silicone can leave lips stretched and shapeless.
Rare conditions such as granulomatous cheilitis cause lasting lip swelling. In one study of 7 patients, surgery done once the condition was stable kept good results for a median of 6.5 years.
A thin strip is removed from the inner surface of the upper lip. It reduces fullness while protecting the shape of the Cupid’s bow at the centre.
The lower lip usually needs a slightly larger strip removed. It reduces a heavy, outward-rolling lower lip and improves how the lips close.
Instead of one straight strip, curved sections are removed. This keeps the fuller centre and tapered corners that make lips look natural.
Silicone or other permanent fillers cannot be dissolved. They are cut out through the same hidden approach, and the lip is then reshaped.
The lips look smaller and better proportioned, while the Cupid’s bow and the soft curve of the lower lip stay. Photos below are shared with patient consent.
Illustrative images. See Dr. Umbreen’s patient results in the before and after gallery.
Dr. Umbreen compares the size of your upper and lower lips and checks your teeth. If forward teeth push the lips out, orthodontic treatment may be needed instead.
If hyaluronic acid filler is in the lips, it is dissolved first. Stop smoking 4 to 6 weeks before, and stop aspirin and herbal supplements 2 weeks before.
Lip reduction is usually done under local anesthesia while you are awake. The cut runs along the inside of the lip, and dissolving stitches close it.
You go home the same day with cold packs to use on the lips. They look swollen and feel tight, so plan a quiet first few days at home.
| Time After Surgery | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| First 3 days | Swelling and bruising are at their most noticeable. |
| Days 4 to 6 | The stitches inside the lip start to dissolve. |
| Days 7 to 10 | Most people return to work. |
| Week 2 | Most of the swelling that distorts the lip has gone. |
| Months 2 to 3 | The last swelling settles and the lip reaches its final size. |
Eat soft food for up to 10 days and rinse your mouth after every meal. Avoid straws, spicy food and smoking while the wound heals.
Lip reduction is a short operation, but it is still surgery. Dr. Umbreen explains every risk before you sign consent.
It does not move forward teeth or a protruding jaw, which push the lips out from behind. Lines around the mouth and lip colour also stay the same.
Your fee is confirmed after consultation, once you know whether one or both lips need surgery. Ask for one written estimate covering surgeon, anesthesia and facility.
| Factor | How It Affects Your Fee |
|---|---|
| One or both lips | Reducing one lip costs less than both. |
| Technique | Bikini shaping takes longer than a straight strip. |
| Old filler | Removing permanent filler adds time and complexity. |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia costs less than sedation. |
When comparing lip reduction surgery cost in Pakistan, check whether anesthesia is billed separately, as some clinics list it apart from the surgeon’s fee.
Her reconstructive work on the face, including cleft lip repair listed on her public profile, depends on careful lip shaping. As a female surgeon, she aims for lips that stay soft and feminine.
Filler dissolving uses an enzyme called hyaluronidase to break down hyaluronic acid filler in the lips.
| Feature | Lip Reduction | Filler Dissolving |
|---|---|---|
| Treats | Your own lip tissue or permanent filler | Hyaluronic acid filler only |
| How it works | Tissue is removed surgically | Enzyme injections break down the gel |
| Speed | Final size after the swelling settles | Mostly dissolved within 24 to 72 hours |
| Cut or stitches | Yes, inside the lip | No |
| Works on silicone? | Yes | No |
If your lips were naturally a good size before filler, dissolving is usually tried first, and surgery is considered only if size remains a concern.
Dr. Umbreen sees patients privately at Omer Diagnostic & Specialist Clinics (ODC), 12-A, LG Floor, CBC Plaza, G-8 Markaz, Islamabad, Monday to Friday, 3:00 to 5:00 PM.
Bring front and side photos with lips relaxed, plus the name and date of any filler you have had.
The lips are numbed during surgery, so you feel pressure rather than pain. Afterwards they feel tight and sore, and simple painkillers usually control it.
Yes. The removed tissue does not grow back. Lips naturally thin a little with age, which is one reason a conservative reduction is safer than taking too much at once.
Enough to look balanced, but not so much that the lips feel tight or cannot close easily. The amount is measured in millimetres and marked before surgery.
Speech feels stiff for a few days while the lip is swollen. Eating is easier with soft food at first, and chewing returns to normal as the swelling goes down.
Yes. Upper and lower lips are often reduced together so they stay in proportion. You have one anesthesia and one recovery period, though swelling is more noticeable at first.
Yes. Men often want a flatter, less rolled lower lip. The plan keeps the lips firm and masculine rather than thin, and a beard can soften any early swelling.
Patient guides on face surgery from Dr. Umbreen’s blog.
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