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
A lip lift might be right for you if you have enough skin between your nose and your upper lip. Older patients may prefer the procedure for its anti-aging effects, while younger patients appreciate the alternatives to overly-plump lips created by fillers.
How do I tell if I need a lip lift? ›
If you do not want to do lip fillers anymore and want a permanent way to enhance your lip, the upper lip is a good candidate for a lip lift. If you have a long distance between your upper lip and the tip of your nose (close to 2cm or 20 millimeters) is a good candidate for a lip lift.
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.
Who shouldn't get a lip lift? ›
You shouldn't get a bullhorn lip lift if…
If you are a habitual smoker, this may also not be the procedure for you as you will not be able to smoke for at least four weeks pre and post-surgery.
What is the best age for a lip lift? ›
The ideal age for a lip lift can vary from person to person, depending on several factors: Genetics: Some individuals are genetically predisposed to thinner lips, which may become more apparent as they age. In such cases, a lip lift can be considered at a younger age, typically in the late 20s to early 30s.
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.
How expensive is a lip lift? ›
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.
Who is the best 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.
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!
Does a lip lift change your smile? ›
Yes, a lip lift surgery can make your teeth more prominent when smiling.
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.
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.
What are the alternatives to lip lift? ›
Other Surgical Lip Enhancement Options
Fat transfer to the lips is alternative for patients who want to achieve subtle, natural lip fullness. It uses liposuction to harvest unwanted fat from one area of your body, such as the hips, abdomen, or thighs. The fat is then processed and injected into the lips.
How do you know if you should get a lip lift? ›
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 famous people have lip lift? ›
Hollywood Bombshells such as Kylie Jenner, Megan Fox and Courtney Cox have had this painless enhancement procedure done, with amazing results. Dr. Milgrim had the pleasure of treating Bravo's Real Housewives of New Jersey star Kim D. recently with Juvéderm.
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.
