Lip lift surgery is surgery to lift the upper lip to a more pleasing or youthful position. As we age, the pink part of our lip thins and the length of our upper lip increases. A lip lift counteracts the effect of gravity on the ageing lip position and shortens a long upper lip. Lip lifts also give the impression of a fuller upper lip (pink part) due to the way in which the upper lip is repositioned during the lift surgery. Repositioning the lip has an anti-ageing effect on the mouth area giving a fresher, more rejuvenated appearance to the face. The scar is very discrete due to its careful positioning and heals well.
Indications for Lip Lift Surgery:
Limitations of Lip Lift Surgery:
Lip Lift Procedure:
Pre and post surgery clinical photographs of your lip will be taken. A lip lift is usually performed under local anaesthesia (while you are awake). Careful measurements and markings will be made on your upper lip and then the local anaesthetic will be injected to numb the area. A carefully placed incision around the base of your nostrils will be made and the excess upper lip skin removed in a pattern designed to give a very natural effect. The skin will then be meticulously sutured and tapes placed on the incision. The procedure takes between 45 and 60 minutes.
Post-Operative Course:
It is usual to have some swelling, bruising and discomfort of your upper lip particularly in the first few days following surgery. This will settle over the 1 to 2 weeks following surgery. Sometimes you will have numbness in the upper lip temporarily. Sutures will be removed at 1 week following surgery and the tapes will be removed then too.
Recovery:
Cool compresses can be placed over the area for comfort and to help reduce swelling and bruising. It is best to avoid bending, stooping and any heavy or strenuous activity during the healing process. Sleep on 2 to 3 pillows at night to help reduce swelling. Painkillers such as paracetamol can be taken as needed. Most people can return to work and social engagements after 1 to 2 weeks and get back to normal activities after 3 to 4 weeks. The scars usually heal very quickly and gradually fade to very well hidden fine lines.
Complications:
While most lip lifts go very smoothly and patients are delighted with the results, as with any procedure there are some risks associated with lip lift surgery.
Longevity of Procedure:
Lip lift surgery has a high success rate and is considered an excellent procedure for rejuvenating the mouth area. You will continue to age at the same rate and in the same way that you always would have. However after lip lift surgery, the earlier effects of ageing are removed and your start point for future ageing is from a more youthful position. As the years go by, you may gradually develop further lengthening but this will be to a lesser extent than if you did not undergo lip lift surgery.