Typical Timing/Age
50-75 years old
Problem
The lips and the tissue around the lips are often neglected in facial rejuvenation efforts. With facial aging, the upper lip tends to increase in length, resulting in a long upper lip and less visibility of the upper teeth.
Procedure
An upper lip lift is performed by removing excess upper lip skin through an incision located where the nose meets the upper lip, thereby attempting to hide the final scar under the nose. Depending on the deformity, the incisions can sometimes be partially hidden inside the nose (endonasal lip lift). The excess upper lip skin is removed and the skin is meticulously closed with sutures.
Goal
To rejuvenate the peri-oral (around the mouth) region.
Facility
Office, Surgery Center or Hospital
Preparation
Patients should have allergic rhinitis controlled and cannot be using any nicotine-containing substances.
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia in the office or general anesthesia at a surgical facility.
Hospital stay
Patients go home after surgery and do not require a night in the hospital.
Positioning
After a lip lift, you should sleep with your head elevated above your heart for a few days to help reduce the swelling.
Assistance
You will be able to walk around, feed and bathe yourself. Depending on your pain medication requirements, you may not be able to drive or care for others.
Walking After Surgery
You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
You may shower immediately following surgery.
Exercise
1 week for light exercise. 2 weeks for regular exercise. Avoid pressure and trauma to the incision area for 6 weeks.
Sex
Wait 1 week because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period.
Work
You may be bruised for 1-2 weeks. If you have a desk job you can return to work as soon as you are comfortable doing so.
Swelling
Usually greatest around 3 days after surgery from which time it starts to subside. Some patients remain a little swollen for 2 months.
Bruising
Usually subsides by 1-2 weeks.
Risks & Complications
Poor scarring, numbness, asymmetry, bleeding, infection, prolonged swelling, need for revision, complications related to anesthesia.
Performed by: Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, Dr. Patterson
