How should I prepare for a lip lift?
Before a lip lift, you’ll meet with your plastic surgeon. They’ll perform a physical exam and learn more about your general health and goals of the procedure. Once your surgeon understands what your expectations are, they’ll determine the right type of lip lift for you.
Your plastic surgeon will give you special instructions on how to prepare for your procedure. You’ll need to stop drinking alcohol products and taking blood-thinning medication, such as aspirin and herbal supplements. Don’t make changes to the medications you currently take unless a healthcare provider approves it. If you smoke, you’ll need to stop several weeks before and after surgery.
If you have any questions about the procedure, possible side effects or how to prepare, ask your surgeon before the date of your surgery.
What happens during a lip lift?
On the day of your lip lift, a healthcare provider will give you local anesthesia to numb the area. You’re awake during the lip lift procedure but won’t feel any pain. If you’re having another cosmetic surgery at the same time, like a facelift (rhytidectomy), you’ll receive general anesthesia and will be asleep.
In a lip lift, plastic surgeons remove excess skin between the bottom of your nose and upper lip (philtrum) and lift your mouth into position. Your surgeon might lift another area of your mouth instead of the upper lip, depending on the type of lip lift you have.
During the procedure, your plastic surgeon will:
- Make an incision (cut).
- Remove excess skin.
- Lift your upper lip or lips into position.
The location and number of incisions vary depending on the type of lip lift procedure you have.
To complete the lip lift, your plastic surgeon will close the incisions with small stitches.
How long does a lip lift take?
On average, a lip lift takes less than an hour. The timeframe can vary based on what type of lip lift your surgeon performs.
What happens after a lip lift?
After lip lift surgery, you’ll wait under observation until a healthcare provider clears you to go home. You can go home on the same day as your procedure. You should ask someone to drive you home because the anesthetic can make you tired and dazed.
Your care team will give you specific instructions on how to take care of your incision site and ways to help your skin heal. Their recommendations may include:
- Sleep on your back with your head elevated.
- Avoid talking a lot.
- Take medications as instructed.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco products while you heal.
- Eat soft foods that don’t require a lot of chewing.
It’s common to experience swelling, soreness and tightness after surgery. Your surgeon will schedule an appointment to remove your stitches a few days after the procedure, or the stitches will dissolve on their own.
FAQs
Am I a Good Candidate for a Lip Lift? Most people are good candidates for lip lift surgery. However, if you do not have much space between the top of the upper lip and the base of the nose (usually at least 1.5 centimeters), you may be a better candidate for lip fillers or Botox rather than lip lift surgery.
What are the disadvantages of lip lift? ›
Disadvantages of Lip Lift Surgery
During the recovery period, you might experience some redness and minor bruising around the lower half of your face. Anesthesia is used for this procedure, which means that you might have to arrange for a ride home in advance.
What is the best age for a lip lift? ›
Who is a good candidate for a lip lift? There is no standard age for a lip lift procedure. Some people will undergo this surgery in their 20's, while others will choose it in their 60's or 70's.
How long does a lip lift last? ›
The longevity of a lip lift can vary, but most patients can expect the results to last for about 5-10 years. However, factors such as skin type, age, and overall health can all impact the longevity of the results.
Can lip lifts go wrong? ›
As with all surgeries, lip lifts have some potential complications which is why it's always essential to use a board-certified plastic surgeon. Complications of plastic surgery include: scarring. poor wound healing or scarring.
Who shouldn't get a lip lift? ›
If you get cold sores or have a condition that makes it difficult for your blood to clot, it is not usually recommended that you undergo a lip lift.
Are lip lifts a good idea? ›
While lip lifts are surgical procedures, they can help you achieve the lifted, youthful lips you deserve. Whether your lips are thinning, are naturally downturned, or you just want a brighter, more beautiful smile, this procedure could be right for you.
Does a lip lift change your smile? ›
Yes, a lip lift surgery can make your teeth more prominent when smiling.
Do lip lifts look natural? ›
A lip lift is a lip enhancement procedure that shortens the distance between your nose and the top part of your lip. The surgery leads to natural-looking results with minimal side effects.
How painful is a lip lift? ›
How painful is a lip lift? Local anesthesia is used to completely numb the area so you shouldn't experience any discomfort during the procedure. Afterward, the incision site will be slightly swollen and tender for 1 to 2 weeks and you will need to be mindful of activity that could strain that area.
According to RealSelf, the average cost of lip lift surgery is $3,450. Lip lift prices can range up to $6,500, depending on a few key factors.
What celebrities have had a lip lift? ›
Hollywood Bombshells such as Kylie Jenner, Megan Fox and Courtney Cox have had this painless enhancement procedure done, with amazing results. Dr.
What would I look like with a lip lift? ›
Upper lip lift – shortens the skin distance that is between the upper lip and the base of the nose. This increases the amount of 'pink lip' that is seen, exposes the teeth more, and gives you fuller, more youthful looking lips.
Who is a good candidate for a lip lift? ›
Ideal candidates exhibit a disproportion between the upper and lower lip, where the upper lip is noticeably smaller or less prominent than the lower lip. By correcting this asymmetry, patients can achieve a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing look.
Does a lip lift pull your nose down? ›
A lip lift should not change your nose if done correctly and with the most updated techniques.
What is the ideal length for a lip lift? ›
The Lip Lift Procedure
The space between the upper lip and nose is called the philtrum. The ideal length of the philtrum is roughly a half-inch (11-13 millimeters) for women and a couple millimeters longer for men. At that length, when your lips are relaxed, the tips of your teeth should be visible.
What are the long term effects of lip lift? ›
Vila explains that while lip lift results are permanent, as with any part of the body, the natural aging process will eventually have an effect - including on the appearance of the lips. Factors such as collagen loss, skin laxity, and gravity can cause the lips to gradually lose some of their fullness and definition.
Does lip lift affect bottom lip? ›
In a lower lip lift, in a similar fashion, patients have their lower lip inverted, or turned out, so we see more of their red or pink lip. This makes the lips fuller, and often it gives them a more natural appearance than filler injections might. So can you do that? Yes.
Do lip lifts look unnatural? ›
Much like fillers, if performed by someone who does not have a detailed understanding of lip anatomy, a lip lift can have unnatural, “altered” results. But unlike fillers, results of a lip lift cannot be reversed!
