Age, genetics, and sometimes a previous history of lip filler treatments can lead to an overly long cutaneous lip (the skin between the bottom of the nose and the red lip border) and too-short height of the red lip (the part of the upper lip where we apply lipstick). These changes create facial imbalance, can make the face look too long or sad, and can lead to an unnatural or aged appearance of the face and mouth. A lip lift procedure shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip and helps to contour greater volume within the upper lip; this is a powerful treatment to bring balance to the mouth and lower face. Commonly performed in combination with a facelift and lip augmentation with fat grafting, a lip lift is an effective way for the carefully selected patient to put her best face forward.
Our passion is to help our patients look and feel their best, in an elegant, beautiful, and natural way. With a global outlook on beauty, we take pride in bringing you the latest, innovative treatments and techniques recognized throughout the world. Whether you are searching for lip lift before and after photos or considering the liplift procedure in place of fillers, rest assured you can put your trust–and face–in our hands.
Dr Fishman is heaven sent! Following my lip lift procedure she checked in on me and answered my countless questions even at late hours. My mouth and lips look and feel amazing and there are no scars to be seen! Highly recommend Dr. Fishman's practice.
- A.G., Lip Lift Patient; Atlanta, GAÂ
Lip lifting is a minor surgical procedure, and is performed in the office (with the help of numbing medicine and laughing gas) and in the operating room (when combined with more involved surgeries such as facelifting or eyelid lift). Dr. Fishman carefully designs and hides a bullhorn-type incision in the natural crease between the bottom of the nose and the upper lip, and repositions the upper lip into a higher and more youthful position after removing extra skin and soft tissue. Dr. Fishman uses tiny stitches to close the liplift incision, and removes these 4-5 days after surgery; the resulting incision usually heals very well, leaving a barely perceptible scar.
There is no one best age for lip lift surgery. Because the upper lip frequently elongates with age, Dr. Fishman commonly performs this treatment in combination with face and neck lifting to rejuvenate the face of patients in their 40s and beyond. She also does lip lifting for younger patients who have an overly long upper lip due to genetics or excessive filler use, which can stretch the lip tissues. Lip proportion is important for overall facial balance, and multiple factors–including genetics, history of facial and nose surgery, previous lip filler injections, dental health, and age–can contribute to this balance. Â
Lip lifting surgery overall has few risks, with most of them being uncommon. Bruising, swelling, and bleeding are the most common (and temporary) risks of this procedure, with swelling usually taking several weeks to resolve fully. Bruising and blood-tinged drainage tend to resolve within the first week after surgery. Infection, changes in sensation, asymmetry, and need for revision are less common risks of lip lifting.
The lip lift recovery is not especially painful. Dr. Fishman most commonly performs lip lift surgery in our office, with the help of relaxing medications, laughing gas, and injectable numbing medicine. Patients are released home after treatment, with most reporting taking a long nap after treatment. When combined with other procedures like facelifting or blepharoplasty, lip lift surgery is performed in the operating room, with the help of “twilight anesthesia” or general anesthesia. The injectable numbing medicine takes 4-8 hours to wear off after lip lift surgery. While recovering, most patients manage discomfort with Tylenol and Motrin, and discontinue these mediations 2-4 days after treatment. Â
Every patient has individually differing anatomy and aesthetic goals. To this end, we prefer to consult with each patient before providing an individualized treatment plan and pricing quote. When performed in the office, with the help of injectable numbing medicine and laughing gas, a liplift cost is around $4,650; the cost of a lip lift surgery performed in the operating room reflects additional fees for additional surgical treatments, facility or operating room use, and Anesthesia. Typically considered a cosmetic procedure, lip lift surgery is not usually covered by insurance; and we do not contract with insurance in our practice. We can help you learn about financing options to cover the cost of your lip lift surgery. Â
Our expert team and facial plastic surgeon Dr. Fishman strive to provide you with excellent treatment results in a warm and welcoming environment. In caring for thousands of patients, we find that thoroughly educated and well-prepared patients tend to have the most smooth treatment and recovery courses. Well-prepared patients tend to have less anxiety around surgery, recovery, any possible complications, and treatment results. To this end, we encourage you to review your lip lift treatment instructions (see below) in advance of and after your lip lift surgery and make sure all your questions are answered.
Please read and familiarize yourself with lip lift treatment instructions before and after your lip lift procedure. By following them carefully you will assist in obtaining the best result from your surgery. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office.
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