Lip lift Information and Photos

What is a lip lift procedure?

The upper lip lift is a procedure that elevates the position of the upper lip with respect to the teeth giving a broader smile. The amount of pink lip that is seen is also increased giving the patient wider lips. The lips can also be made fuller with lip augmentation by injecting abdominal fat into the lips at the same surgical session. The overall effect of the lip lift is a more esthetically pleasing mouth with a youthful appearance. The patient satisfaction rate is very high.

Who benefits most from the lip lift procedure?

The youthful lip is full and slightly pouting. The pink part of the lip can be 1/3 to 1/2 the volume of the moustache area in general. Some of us are born with naturally long upper lips. This procedure is designed to shorten the upper lip allowing people even in their twenties to benefit from this procedure.

As we age all the bones of the body (including the face) retract and diminish allowing the flesh of the face to hang more. The soft tissue and fat of the face undergo atrophy so the skin itself also falls. The aged upper lip is characterized by a thin or non-existent vermilion (the pink part) and a smile that does not show the teeth. Therefore, people experiencing this can also benefit from this procedure.

What is involved in the lip lift surgery?

The lip lift procedure may be done in the office under local anesthesia with minimal discomfort. An incision is placed directly beneath the nose and a small strip of skin and tissue is removed. The lip is elevated to its new position exposing about 1/8” of teeth and permanently increasing the volume of the pink part of the lip. Abdominal fat can be injected in the lips to also give an overall fuller appearance should the patient desire. The procedure takes about ninety minutes and the sutures are usually removed after a week.

The result of the lip lift is a more youthful and pleasant shape to the mouth and lips. The teeth will show more and the patient almost always looks happier and relaxed.

Can I get a lip lift with only fillers?

Fillers are great for augmenting the lip, but they will not lift the lip in the same capacity as a lip lift. The elongated space between the nose and the top of the lip can only be shortened with the lip lift procedure. This is the only way to get a permanent lifting of the lips. Additionally the lip lift produces a more youthful shape to the lips. Please refer to more discussion of the lip lift in my cosmeticsurg blog. In my blog, I discuss a lift lift which I performed on a woman because she was unhappy with the results from her prior restylane injections from another physician.

What is the cost of the lip lift procedure?

The lip lift procedure is customized for each individual. The cost ranges from $1500-$2500 and the procedure is performed in the office. Financing is available. Please see our finance section or call the office for more information.

What's Right for Me?: Interactive Plastic Surgery Quiz