The lip lift slightly lifts the upper lip such that the patient has a more pleasing expression.
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Lip Lift
What is a Lip Lift?
The upper Lip Lift is a procedure that elevates the position of the upper lip with respect to the teeth giving a broader smile. It shortens the skin distance that is between the upper lip and the base of the nose. With the Lip Lift, the amount of pink lip that is seen is also increased giving the patient fuller, youthful lips.
My upper lip covers my teeth too much and I want my upper lip to look fuller
The lips can also be made fuller with lip augmentation by injecting fillers or 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 a lip lift?
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 mustache 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 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. The procedure takes about ninety minutes,
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. In fact, the use of fillers can sometimes exaggerate a long upper lip and give the appearance of duck lips!
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. See me discuss the lip lift in more detail in my Lip Augmentation, Duck Lips, and Lip Lifts blog post.
How much skin is removed in the Lip Lift procedure?
The lip lift procedure is customized for each individual. At the beginning of the procedure Dr. Rodriguez will carefully mark the amount of tissue he removes. He will discuss the choices with you and together you make the final decision as to how much he will lift the lip. There are no surprises, as it all discussed in front of a mirror together.
Before and After Lip Lift Photos
See our gallery of Before and After Lip Lift photos, all performed by Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years experience. Please note that all of these patients have given their written consent to use the photos at our web site. We are very grateful to our patients for participating in patient education!
What is the cost of the lip lift procedure?
The cost is $2800-$2900 and the procedure is performed in the office. No pre-op testing is required. Financing is available. Please see our finance section or call the office for more information.
Out of Town Lip Lift Patients
Many patients fly in from all over the world to have a lip lift with Dr. Rodriguez. Out of town patients usually start with a Virtual Consultation to find out if you are a candidate for the procedure. Ideally, out of town patients plan for a two or three night stay in Baltimore. Our office will provide transportation to and from your hotel to the office for the procedure. Please call the office 410-494-8100 for more information.
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