Upper Lip Lift

How is an upper lip lift performed?

An upper lip lift is performed by making an incision directly under the nostrils at the base of the nose and removing a small strip of skin from this area. This technique, also known as a skin-only lip lift or the bullhorn method, allows the incision to heal in a way that there is no visible scar, making the upper lip lift a great procedure to enhance your appearance while still looking natural and like a refreshed version of yourself. Once this small strip of skin is removed, your surgeon will place sutures in the skin to gently lift the upper lip into its desired position. 

Can I get lip filler after I have had an upper lip lift?

While an upper lip lift can enhance the appearance of fullness and plumpness in the lips, getting an FDA approved lip filler is a great tool to help further define the lip shape, add structure and volume, and additional fullness to both the upper and lower lips. Our experienced nurse injectors at the MedSpa at Wake Plastic Surgery are able to achieve natural looking enhancements using dermal fillers and work closely with our surgeons to make sure their treatments pair seamlessly with surgery.

Who is a good candidate for an upper lip lift?

If you have a longer distance between the bottom of your nose and the top of your lip, or if your upper lip feels like it has gotten thinner over time, an upper lip lift might be a wonderful option for you! While patients who get an upper lip lift can also get lip filler to further enhance their result, filler might not be an option for everyone, so an upper lip lift is a permanent solution to those unable to enjoy the benefits of dermal filler.

We want you to have the best possible results with the fewest potential risks. Safety for our patients is our number one priority, so we require some goals to be met before scheduling surgery:

• A BMI, or body mass index, of 30 or less
• No smoking for 4-6 weeks prior to surgery and no smoking 4 weeks after surgery
• Pausing any Semaglutide/GLP-1/Tirzepatide for 2 weeks prior to surgery
• Temporarily ceasing prescription blood thinners before surgery: Coumadin, Xarelto, Elliquis, etc.  (This should have a cardiologist’s permission to proceed)
• Discontinuing aspirin and NSAIDs before surgery
• Discontinuing herbal supplements that increase bleeding risk before surgery
• Ensuring blood pressure is adequately controlled if hypertensive.

Why do we consider BMI an important qualifier for surgery?

After careful review of the literature and our own results over the last decade, we have found that patients with a body mass index (BMI) less than 30 have a significantly lower risk of post operative complications with facial and other body contouring surgeries than those whose BMI is higher than 30. As a result, we use this benchmark for most patients realizing that there are sometimes exceptions to almost any rule. Being at a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy diet are just a few things that you can do to optimize your result.

What is the recovery like for an upper lip lift?

While the healing process is unique to each patient, you should generally expect soreness and swelling that can gradually get worse during the first week. This fluctuation is normal. Your surgeon will check on your healing progress during your one-week follow-up appointment. After about three weeks your upper lip lift should be mostly healed, with optimal results peaking around three months after your surgery as that is when most of the residual swelling will be gone.

When can I go back to work after having an upper lip lift?

Depending on your job, you might feel comfortable returning to work after 2-3 days, especially if you are able to work from home. For patients who have more front facing positions, or if you work with people throughout your day, you may consider taking a week off from work for “social downtime.” For patients who have strenuous jobs that require heavy lifting and bending, they may need to take a full week off from work.

What is the importance of having healthy skin on the face prior to surgery?

Medical grade skincare products and skin resurfacing treatments are a beneficial compliment to facial surgeries to help improve the skin’s integrity and quality and to help produce the best results. All of Dr. Stoeckel’s and Dr. Barry’s surgical patients are eligible to have a complimentary consultation at our MedSpa to help them achieve healthy skin.