Lip Lift

What is a lip lift?

A lip lift is a surgical procedure to lessen the space between the bottom of your nose and the top of your lip. A lip lift gives your mouth a more pronounced, youthful appearance without using fillers or implants to increase volume.

What does a lip lift do?

A lip lift can change the appearance of your lips by:

• Covering exposed upper teeth.
• Adding the appearance of volume to your upper lip.
• Reversing a down-turned lip corner.
• Eliminating lines caused by natural aging.

What are the types of lip lifts?

The types of lip lifts include:

• Bullhorn lip lift (subnasal lip lift): This is the most common lip lift surgery. Your plastic surgeon makes a single incision in the shape of a bullhorn below your nose. Then, they bring up the center and sides of your upper lip. 
• Central lip lift: Your surgeon makes one incision at the base of your nose to lift the center of your upper lip (Cupid’s bow). 
• Corner lip lift: This type elevates the corners of your mouth into a slight smile. This is ideal for people with downturned or drooping lips. Plastic surgeons sometimes combine a corner lip lift with another lip lift procedure. 
• Gullwing lip lift (direct lip lift): Your surgeon makes an incision along the border of the upper lip in the shape of a flying seagull. This creates a more defined top lip. 
• Italian lip lift: This lift is more subtle than the bullhorn lift and involves two incisions at each nostril. However, it doesn’t lift the center of the lip.
• V to Y lip lift (V-Y advancement): Your surgeon will make an incision in the shape of a letter V and close the incision in the shape of the letter Y.

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.

What are the benefits of a lip lift?

The benefits of a lip lift may include:

• Permanent results.
• Give the appearance of more lip volume.
• Give you a youthful appearance.
• Improve your smile.
• Boost your self-confidence.

Is a lip lift permanent?

Yes, a lip lift is a permanent form of cosmetic surgery to give you natural-looking results. Other types of lip enhancement that don’t require surgery include filler injections to add volume and botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections to stop your upper lip from turning inward when you smile. Unlike a lip lift, these procedures aren’t permanent.

How painful is a lip lift?

During lip lift surgery, you’ll be awake but you won’t feel any pain. After the procedure, you may experience some discomfort, pain and swelling. Pain medications can help you manage any discomfort.

What are lip lift side effects?

As with any type of surgery, side effects are possible but less likely. When you work with an experienced plastic surgeon, you can reduce your chances of developing complications. Risks may include:

• Allergic reaction to anesthesia. 
• Bruising.
• Infection.
• Nerve damage.
• Permanent scarring.
• Swelling that doesn’t go away.
• Uneven lips.

Lip lift scar

Noticeable scarring is possible after a lip lift at the incision site. Plastic surgeons are highly trained to make an incision at a precise location to minimize the appearance of scars. Lip lift scars are usually fine lines hidden in the natural crease below your nose.

By following your healthcare provider’s instructions after surgery, you can reduce your risk of developing a noticeable scar. The incision site may be the most visible as your skin heals, but it may fade and blend in with your natural skin tone over time.

If you’re concerned about the appearance of scars after surgery, talk to your surgeon or a provider.

What is the recovery time after a lip lift?

You can expect your surgical site to heal in six to eight weeks. Some swelling and bruising should start to go away within a week after the lip lift procedure and completely disappear within a month. Your lips may feel tight for a couple of months. In some cases, it may take up to six months for your lips to feel completely normal.

How long does it take to see the results of a lip lift?

It can take up to four months to see optimal results after a lip lift.

When can I go back to my regular activities after a lip lift?

You may be able to return to work the next day or several days after lip lift surgery. Avoid strenuous activities, such as strength training and heavy lifting, for about two weeks. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions on when it’s safe for you to go back to your regular activities following surgery.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your plastic surgeon if you experience:

• An allergic reaction or infection.
• Excessive bleeding.
• Swelling that gets worse or won’t go away.
• Fever.