Louis P. Bucky, MD, FACS
Award-Winning, World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon
Premiere Destination for Finest Injectables & Skin Care
Lip Lift
Lip lift surgery, also known as upper lip shortening, can enhance the lips with natural-looking, permanent results. This procedure is commonly performed in conjunction with a facelift, in order to achieve excellent centrofacial rejuvenation. In addition, it can be performed as a stand-alone surgery in order to create the perfect pout. Dr. Louis P. Bucky is a skilled Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with experience performing lip lift surgery in Philadelphia.
How Lip Lift Surgery Works
Lip lift surgery is an effective yet relatively simple surgery with minimal scarring. The philtrum, which is the space between the bottom of the nose and the top of the lips, is shortened in order to give lift and contour to the upper lip. Dr. Bucky typically performs a lip lift with an incision underneath the nose, and into the nostrils in order to hide the scars. This technique is called an endonasal lip lift. In addition to hiding the scars, this technique reduces the tension on the incisions to help make them near invisible. Lip lift surgery can be performed under general anesthesia, but many lip lift patients opt for local or “twilight” anesthesia.
Why Get An Upper Lip Lift?
There are two populations that benefit from lip lifts. The aging lip tends to lengthen and thin over time. The addition of fillers to the long lip is ineffective and can even make these individuals look unnatural. Reducing the distance from the nose to the lip serves to rejuvenate this region allowing for an improved pout and revealing the upper teeth associated with a youthful smile. Successful lip lift surgery reduces the need for injectable fillers to the lips. Younger patients may seek to correct a long upper lip in order to achieve a more defined cupid’s bow or create subtle changes to their smile.
Lip Lift Vs. Lip Augmentation
Non-surgical lip augmentation with injectable fillers such as JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC can be an excellent choice to add volume to thin or flat lips. However, a perfectly shaped mouth is about more than just lip size. If the upper lip sits lower than desired, injectables cannot change the length of the philtrum. Lip lift surgery can change the position of the mouth, create symmetry, and give a more feminine look to the lips. Lip augmentation with injectables is temporary and can be maintained with regular injection appointments while a surgical lip lift offers more permanent lip enhancement.
Lip Lift Recovery
Lip lift patients will typically experience some temporary swelling in the 48 to 72 hours after surgery and mild pain or discomfort that can be managed with medication. Patients are generally advised to rest for one week after their procedure, with minimal work or social activity. Stitches will be removed at a follow-up appointment one week after the procedure, after which most regular activities may be resumed. Strenuous activity and facial treatments should be avoided for two weeks after your lip lift procedure.
Am I A Candidate for Lip Lift Surgery?
The ideal candidate for lip lift surgery is in good general health and has been bothered by a long philtrum that causes the face to look aged. Potential lip lift candidates may also include patients seeking a permanent alternative to injectable lip fillers. The best way to determine if a lip lift may be right for you is to schedule a consultation with an experienced board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
Lip Lift Surgery in Philadelphia
Dr. Bucky is widely recognized as a leader in facial enhancement. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation in Washington Square, Rittenhouse Square, or Ardmore.
Dr. Bucky has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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