Upper Lip Lift

A lip lift is generally considered a well-tolerated procedure, especially when performed under local anesthesia. Most patients report minimal discomfort during the surgery, as the area is numbed. Afterward, some mild soreness, swelling, and bruising may occur, but this can typically be managed with prescribed pain medication and cold compresses. The recovery period for a lip lift is usually relatively short, with discomfort subsiding within a few days to a week. While there may be some discomfort, it is usually manageable and temporary.

The primary appointment you’ll need for a lip lift is the initial consultation, where Dr. Somenek will assess your facial structure, discuss your goals, and explain the procedure in detail. After the surgery, a follow-up appointment is typically scheduled within a week to monitor your healing progress and remove any stitches. The number of follow-up appointments varies depending on the individual, but patients typically require 2 to 3 visits post-surgery.

Most patients begin to see noticeable changes in the shape and position of their upper lip within the first few days after the procedure, as the swelling starts to subside. While the lip lift offers immediate enhancement, the final aesthetic improvement may take some time to settle fully, so patience is crucial during recovery. The final results of a lip lift appear after 2-3 months and are long-lasting, often providing a more balanced and youthful appearance that can be enjoyed for many years.

Dr. Somenek recommends the upper lip lift with many other facial rejuvenation procedures. This can be combined with a facelift, blepharoplasty, or skin resurfacing laser treatments. A rhinoplasty is the most common procedure that Dr. Somenek combines with an upper lip lift.
When people seek to address the cosmetic appearance of their nose, the upper lip is closely involved in the analysis of this area. If the lip is elongated and not proportionate, Dr. Somenek will suggest an upper lip lift to create harmony amongst these facial subunits.

As with any procedure, there are always risks involved. Some risks to be aware of are excessive scarring, nasal distortion, asymmetries, imbalance, infection, and excision. As an experienced, double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Somenek has an in-depth understanding of facial anatomy and always takes extra steps to reduce the risks associated with this procedure significantly.

The lips are not immune to the aging process. As we age, certain aspects of the perioral region are affected. Most notably, the cutaneous upper lip (the part that extends from the upper lip border to the base of the nose) elongates, making the actual red lip less and less visible.

Anyone with an elongated upper lip can benefit from this procedure, regardless of age, ethnicity, or skin type. Another change that can occur is a loss of volume within the lips, which can often be addressed with filler.

While lip fillers are a popular option for adding volume to the lips, they are temporary and require regular maintenance to maintain their effects. An upper lip lift offers a permanent solution to address structural concerns, such as a long upper lip or diminished visibility of the red lip area. Unlike fillers, a lip lift enhances the overall proportion of your lips and facial features, creating a more balanced and natural appearance.

During your consultation, Dr. Somenek will explain the options and help you select the most appropriate approach.

The upper lip lift designed by Dr. Somenek will give you a more balanced and relaxed smile. The goal is to provide a more proportionate smile with a natural, balanced look. It is not likely that this procedure will worsen a gummy smile.

If you have filler in your upper lip, Dr. Somenek recommends dissolving it around two weeks before your upper lip lift procedure. He wants to get you to a new baseline to accurately assess how much of the upper lip needs to be lifted. Failure to dissolve the filler may result in an undercorrection, as the filler will continue to break down over time, causing the upper lip to elongate.

As with any part of the face, a lifting procedure addresses skin laxity and produces a long-lasting result. However, the aging process doesn’t stop, and you will continue to see signs of aging on your face, including the lip region, gradually. Over time, you may notice a subtle volume loss that will need to be addressed with filler. However, you would need much less filler than you would normally need if you hadn’t done the upper lip lift.