Lip Lift
Surgery

A surgical lip lift and non-surgical fillers are both options for lip enhancement, but they cater to different goals and preferences. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which might be better for you:

Surgical Lip Lift

• Pros:
  • Permanent Results: Enjoy fuller, shapelier lips without needing repeated injections.
  • More Dramatic Change: Can address a longer philtrum, significant gum show, or downturned corners more effectively than fillers.
  • Sharper Definition: Creates a more defined Cupid’s bow and lip borders.
  • Avoids risk of achieving an unnatural-looking “duck lip” effect if too much filler is used.
• Cons:
  • Surgical Procedure: Involves downtime for healing and carries surgical risks.
  • Cost: Generally more expensive than fillers.
  • Limited Movement (Temporary): May experience temporary tightness that limits movement right after surgery.

No procedure is without risks and complications. The main concerns after a lip lift would be:

• Infection:
  Signs of infection include increased redness, swelling, and discharge. Contact your surgeon if you notice any of these symptoms.
• Asymmetry:
  Minor asymmetry may occur, which can often be corrected with a minor revision.
• Scarring:
  Although every effort is made to minimise scarring, some patients may experience noticeable scars.

In order to reduce the risks, it is important to choose a trusted provider and always follow all aftercare directions.

Immediate Post-Operative Care

• Monitoring:
  You will be monitored for a short period in the recovery room.
• Swelling and Bruising:
  Expect some swelling and bruising around the surgical site.
• Pain Management:
  You will be provided with pain medication to manage any discomfort.

• Activity:
  Rest with your head elevated for the first few days to reduce swelling.
• Exercise:
  Avoid strenuous activities and exercises that could strain the lip for at least 2-3 weeks.
• Cold Compress:
  Apply cold compresses to the area for 10-15 minutes every few hours to help reduce swelling.
• Hygiene:
  Keep the incision site clean and dry. Follow your surgeon’s instructions on how to clean the area.
• Sutures:
  Sutures are typically removed within 5-7 days post-surgery.
• Diet:
  Stick to soft foods for the first few days to avoid excessive movement of the upper lip.
• Medications:
  Take prescribed antibiotics and pain medications as directed. Avoid aspirin and other blood thinners unless advised by your doctor.
• Avoid Smoking:
  Continue to avoid smoking to promote better healing.
• Follow-Up:
  Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your healing progress.

The procedure itself is pain-free thanks to use of anaesthetic. After this wears off, we advise patients to expect mild discomfort for around 3-5 days. This is normally manageable with standard painkillers

Ultimately yes, you will still be able to move your lips normally after a surgical lip lift.

• Initial impact:
  You might experience some swelling and tightness around the lips immediately after surgery, which can limit your ability to smile or frown extensively. This is normal and typically subsides within a few days to a week.
• Long-Term Movement:
  The procedure focuses on tightening the skin above the lip, not the muscles responsible for movement. So, once the healing process is complete (usually a few weeks), you should regain full range of motion in your lips for activities like smiling, talking, and eating.pen_spark

It is a surgical procedure, so there will be some incisions and these will initially leave a mark. However, we use minimal scarring techniques and scars will gradually fade over time. You may be advised to use scar reduction creams or silicone sheets.

We always advocate high SPF year round to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. After a lip lift, we recommend protecting your lips from sun exposure using sunscreen or lip balm with SPF.

You’ll see initial results quite quickly, as this is a surgical procedure. However, final results take a few months to develop, as the swelling completely subsides and the tissues settle.