Overview
A cut (laceration) on your lip can be on the outside of your mouth, or it may include the skin inside your mouth. Cuts to the lip usually heal quickly. But your lip may be sore while it heals.
The doctor used stitches to close the cut. Using stitches helps the cut heal. The doctor may also have called in a specialist, such as a plastic surgeon, to close the cut.
Your cut may leave a scar that will fade over time. The doctor took special care to close the cut so that the edges line up. This can help reduce scarring.
If the cut went deep and through the skin, the doctor may have put in two layers of stitches. The deeper layer brings the deep part of the cut together. These stitches will dissolve and don't need to be removed. The stitches in the upper layer are the ones you see on the cut. You may have strips of tape covering part of the cut.
Your stitches may dissolve on their own. Or the doctor may need to remove the stitches in about 3 to 5 days.
The doctor has checked you carefully, but problems can develop later. If you notice any problems or new symptoms, get medical treatment right away.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter H870 in the search box to learn more about "Lip Laceration: Care Instructions".