We submitted a biomedical paper and received quite a few comments back from reviewers. Their input was helpful and as per their request, we investigated several additional aspects of the problem. However, the paper manuscript is now 15% longer than the word limit (it was at the word limit in our original submission). Shortening the paper without loosing any information seems difficult. Moving some paragraphs into the Supplements would be possible, but would make it more difficult to find some information or be aesthetically displeasing, such as writing "Additional discussions can be found in the Supplements." Our preference would be to keep the paper as it is.

If the paper length is unacceptable, I would expect a quick response by the editorial team and address the issue then. However, if it is highly unlikely to be acceptable or possible to displease the editors by submitting an unacceptable manuscript, I would address the issue now. Are there any guidelines on how willing journals might be to accept papers above the word limit after revisions? Do you have any experience with this issue or can offer any advice?