A lip lift is a surgical procedure that corrects a long upper lip skin often associated with thin red part of the upper lip. By reducing the skin part of the upper lip below the nose, the maneuver upturns and results in more fullness of the red part of the upper lip. The result of a lip lift can be long lasting.*
Lip Lift Procedure
A lip lift begins with a small, inconspicuous incision directly below the bottom part of the nostril. Enough skin is trimmed away and by designing the pattern of the skin removed, the red part of the upper lip is lifted and contoured to the desired shape. Incision is meticulously closed in multiple layers using fine sutures and without tension on the superficial skin itself to minimize trauma to this delicate area.
A lip lift usually takes 1 hour to perform, and the patient is given local anesthesia with oral sedation if necessary. There is no bandage covering the incision. Patients apply wound healing ointment on the incision for about 2 weeks and the sutures are typically removed after 5-7 days.*
Recovery From A Lip Lift
Swelling and bruising from the procedure can last up to 10 days. Applying cold compresses and keeping the head elevated for the first 48 hours following surgery minimizes swelling. Keeping the movement of the mouth at minimal is recommended for the first week post-surgery. Medication is prescribed to help alleviate discomfort.
Most patients return to work and other normal daily activities within a couple days.* More strenuous activities should be avoided for 1 to 2 weeks.
Risks And Complications Of A Lip Lift
Although rare, possible risks and complications of a lip lift include the following:
- Scarring
- Excessive bleeding
- Hematoma
- Tissue death
- Intense itching
- Numbness
- Skin discoloration
- Persistent swelling
- Lip contour irregularity
- Nasal base contour irregularity
A more serious complication, also rare, is muscle/nerve damage that can lead to muscle weakness/paralysis.
*Individual results may vary.
