5.0(14)
Op. Dr. Murat Yaman
Plastic & Aesthetic SurgeryVerified
- 11+years exp.
- 5,000+surgeries
- 6Treatments
Turkish · English
From€2,890
Free quote
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Facial Surgery
Lip reduction surgery
A plain guide to lip reduction surgery in Turkey: what the operation changes, who it suits, what it costs compared with the UK, the US and Germany, how the trip and recovery work, the real risks, and how to check a surgeon before you pay anything.
A written plan with the surgeon's name and the full price — usually within 24 hours.
- Category
- Facial Surgery
- Hospitals
- 2
- Verified
- 4
- Price from
- €1,030
Verified surgeons for Lip Reduction
4 doctors Compare doctors, ratings and prices — ask any of them for a free quote.
Prof. Dr. Ayhan Numanoğlu
Plastic & Aesthetic SurgeryVerified
- 56+years exp.
English · Turkish
FromPrice on request
Free quote
60 seconds · no obligationView Profile
Dr. Erdem Tezel
Plastic & Aesthetic SurgeryVerified
- 37+years exp.
English · Turkish
FromPrice on request
Free quote
60 seconds · no obligationView Profile
Prof. Dr. Özhan Çelebiler
Plastic & Aesthetic SurgeryVerified
- 44+years exp.
FromPrice on request
Free quote
60 seconds · no obligationView Profile
Lip reduction surgery in Turkey: what you should know before you book
Lip reduction surgery makes full or protruding lips smaller. The surgeon removes a thin strip of tissue from the inside of the lip, so the lip sits further back and its volume goes down, and the scar is hidden in the wet part of the mouth. It is a short operation, but a delicate one: lips are only a few millimetres thick, and taking too much cannot be undone. On our site lip reduction in Turkey starts at €1,030 at an accredited hospital, which is the hospital's own price for international patients.
Most people who ask for it have lips that look large for their face, an upper lip that rolls outwards, or a lower lip that is much fuller than the upper one. A few have lips that are swollen from a medical cause rather than from their shape, and for them the diagnosis comes before any surgery. This guide explains who the operation suits, what it costs, how it is done, what recovery looks like and what can go wrong.
What lip reduction changes, and what it does not
Lip reduction (the medical term is reduction cheiloplasty) can do three things. It can reduce the volume of the upper lip, the lower lip, or both. It can pull back a lip that turns outwards (an everted lip) so that less red lip shows. And it can even out lips of different size, for example when the lower lip is clearly fuller than the upper one.
It does not change the shape of the bow of the upper lip, the distance between nose and lip, or the corners of the mouth; those are different operations (a lip lift shortens the space between nose and lip, for example). It also does not remove filler. If your lips look large because of filler, they will usually return to their natural size when the filler is dissolved with hyaluronidase or wears off, and that should be tried before surgery.
The operation is permanent. That is the reason to be cautious: a lip that is slightly too full can be reduced again, while a lip that has become too thin is very hard to rebuild.
How much does lip reduction cost in Turkey?
At the hospitals listed on this page lip reduction costs from €1,030, shown in your currency. Prices differ with the extent of the reduction, whether one lip or both are treated, the type of anaesthesia and the hospital. The other figures in the table are approximate private-sector prices, confirmed in a written quote at each clinic.
| Country | Typical price for lip reduction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | from €1,030 | Hospital price for international patients; surgeon, theatre and follow-up visit, usually airport transfers |
| United Kingdom | approximately £1,500–£3,500 | Often quoted for the procedure alone; consultation and aftercare may be extra |
| United States | approximately $2,000–$5,000 | Surgeon, facility and anaesthesia fees often billed separately |
| Germany | approximately €1,500–€4,000 | Depends on the clinic and the type of anaesthesia |
The question "how much is lip reduction?" is therefore answered by the scope of the operation and by what the quote includes. Ask in writing what is included, and whether a small correction is covered. Lip reduction is a cosmetic operation, so insurance and health services do not pay for it unless the lips are enlarged because of a medical condition. At the hospitals on our site you pay the hospital directly, and a quote commits you to nothing.
Who is a good candidate?
You are usually a good candidate if your lips have finished developing (in practice, adulthood), you are in good general health, you do not smoke or can stop for a few weeks around surgery, and your wish is specific, such as "my lower lip is too full" or "too much of my upper lip shows".
The operation is not suitable, or has to wait, in these cases:
- Recent filler: wait until it has dissolved or been dissolved, otherwise the surgeon cannot judge your natural lip.
- Swelling of medical origin: lips that are suddenly swollen, or swollen on one side, may be caused by an allergy, angioedema, a vascular malformation or a lymphatic condition. These need a diagnosis first, and the treatment may not be a lip reduction.
- Very thin lips to start with, or expectations the surgeon cannot meet. A good surgeon will say so before you travel.
- Bleeding disorders or blood thinners that cannot be paused.
How lip reduction surgery is performed
The operation usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Many surgeons use local anaesthesia, sometimes with light sedation; some patients prefer general anaesthesia, and this is agreed beforehand.
- Marking: with you sitting up, the surgeon marks the strip to be removed, as lips change shape when you lie down.
- Removal: a strip of mucosa and a little underlying tissue is removed from the inside of the lip. For an everted upper lip the strip is taken along the inner edge; for a full lower lip, a wedge or an ellipse is removed, and the cut is usually symmetrical on both sides of the midline.
- Closure: the edges are stitched with dissolvable stitches. The scar lies inside the mouth, behind the lip, and cannot be seen from outside.
Most patients go home the same day or after one night, and many hospitals do the operation as day surgery.
Your trip to Turkey
For lip reduction plan a short stay of 3 to 5 days. A typical plan: on the first day you meet the surgeon, who examines your lips and confirms the plan and the price in writing; the operation takes place on the second day; a check on the third day lets the surgeon see how the swelling and stitches are; and you can fly home once the surgeon allows it, often on day 4 or 5. Our how it works page explains how a quote becomes a booking, and the Istanbul guide covers where patients stay.
Recovery after lip reduction
Expect swelling, a feeling of tightness and sometimes bruising. A realistic outline:
- First 48 hours: the lips are swollen and may be larger than before. Cold packs, a raised head at night and the painkillers you were given help.
- Days 3–7: swelling and bruising start to go down. Eat soft food and rinse the mouth with the antiseptic solution you were given, as advised. Avoid hot drinks, spicy food and stretching the lips wide.
- Weeks 2–3: most people are comfortable in public. Dissolvable stitches have gone or are going.
- Months 3–6: the final size and shape appear. Judge the result only after that: lips look larger than their final size for a long time after surgery.
Avoid kissing, dental work and strenuous sport until your surgeon agrees, usually for two to three weeks.
Risks and complications
Lip reduction is a minor operation, but it is not risk-free. The main risks are:
- Asymmetry: small differences between left and right are common while swelling goes down, and a persistent difference may need a small correction.
- Taking too much: an over-reduced lip looks thin or tight and is hard to restore. This is the main reason to choose a surgeon who does this regularly and to start conservatively.
- Scarring and firmness: the scar is inside the mouth, but it can feel hard or lumpy in the first months. Massage is sometimes advised by the surgeon.
- Numbness or tingling in the lip, which usually resolves over weeks or months.
- Infection, bleeding or a small cyst (a mucocele, caused by a blocked salivary gland), which are usually treated simply.
There are no reliable published figures for how often each of these occurs after lip reduction, because the operation is rarely studied on its own. Be careful with any clinic that quotes precise success rates. Your surgeon should explain these risks to you in person and in writing before you pay.
Lip reduction, dissolving filler or a lip lift?
Surgery is not the only way to change lips that look too large or too tall.
| Option | What it does | Permanence |
|---|---|---|
| Lip reduction | Removes tissue to make the lip smaller or pull it back | Permanent |
| Dissolving filler | Hyaluronidase breaks down hyaluronic acid filler and returns the lip to its natural size | Reversible; only helps if the size comes from filler |
| Lip lift | Shortens the distance between nose and upper lip so more of the red lip shows | Permanent |
More options are in the facial surgery section.
How to choose a surgeon and a hospital
Lip reduction is simple in outline and unforgiving in detail, so the person doing it matters more than the price. Look for a plastic or maxillofacial surgeon who performs lip and facial surgery regularly, in a licensed hospital. Each surgeon's experience and reviews are on their profile; read them on the hospitals and doctors pages. Ask to see before-and-after photos of lips that started like yours, taken at least three months after surgery.
Red flags include a price far below the market, a quote after only a couple of photos, pressure to pay a deposit by bank transfer, and guarantees of a perfect result. For more general advice see our guide to choosing a safe surgeon in Turkey and whether plastic surgery in Turkey is safe.
Hospitals with Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
At the accredited hospital on our site lip reduction starts at about €1,030, shown in your currency on this page. Prices vary with the extent of surgery and the anaesthesia, and the final price is confirmed in a written quote.
As approximate private-sector prices, about £1,500–£3,500 in the UK and $2,000–$5,000 in the US. Check whether the consultation and follow-up are included.
It is a minor operation and serious complications are uncommon when it is done by an experienced surgeon in a licensed hospital. The main risks are asymmetry, removing too much tissue, scarring and numbness. There are no reliable published rates, so be careful with clinics that quote exact figures.
Usually 30 to 60 minutes, under local anaesthesia with or without sedation, or under general anaesthesia if you and the surgeon agree on it.
Swelling is greatest in the first two days and mostly settles within two to three weeks. The final size and shape appear after three to six months.
No. The incisions are inside the mouth, behind the lip. The scar can feel firm for some weeks, but it is not seen from outside.
Plan 3 to 5 days: consultation, surgery, a check the day after and a final check before you fly. Your surgeon confirms the date.
Not reliably. Removed tissue cannot be put back, and filler can only add a little volume. This is why the first reduction should be conservative.
Dissolve the filler first. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, and your lips may return to a size you like without surgery.
Yes, in many cases. Some surgeons prefer one lip at a time so that they can judge the balance, and your surgeon will recommend this after examining you.
Usually after two to three weeks, once the wound has healed. Your surgeon gives you a date.
Patient stories