• Anesthesia:
    Local
  • Duration:
    45 minutes
  • Pain level:
    1/10
  • Recovery time:
    10 -14 days
  • Resuming physical activities:
    4 weeks

A lip lift procedure is a small intervention where an area of skin is removed at the base of the nose to shorten the distance from the nasal base to the upper lip. As we age, the length of the distance from the bottom of the nose to the upper lip increases, which makes the lip look more petite and less youthful.

With a lip lift procedure, we can enhance this area to show more of the upper lip, which makes the upper lip look fuller.

Patients who are good candidates for this procedure

  • Are at a stable and healthy weight
  • Have no significant medical problems
  • Non-smokers
  • Not on blood thinners
  • See an increase in distance from the bottom of the nose to the upper lip

Patients who are poor candidates for this procedure

  • Obese (want or need to lose weight)
  • Smoker
  • Have serious medical problems
  • On blood thinners

Are you a good candidate?

Our Self-Evaluation Quiz can help you decide if a lip lift is the right procedure for you.

Technique for Lip Lift

This procedure is performed in the office under local anesthesia. To begin the procedure, Dr. Gdalevitch will place an incision in the natural skin crease below the nose. This incision runs along the nasal base in the shape of a bullhorn. Through this incision, the lip tissues are lifted, and excess skin is trimmed, which reveals more of the pigmented part of your upper lip. Dr. Gdalevitch will align the bottom of the nose with the top of the lip and place sutures to close the incision.

Discover the procedure through live surgeries

Lip lift presentation

Consent for lip lift

Pre op instructions for lip lift

At Phi Plastic Surgery, we believe that a beautiful body can take many shapes and sizes. The Phi philosophy centers on respecting your body's proportions and helping you let your inner beauty shine.

We offer our patients the best, most advanced techniques to help them achieve their aesthetic goals.

Pre-op & post-op instructions

These pre-surgical and post-surgical instructions are provided as essential services for you. Please follow the instructions carefully to ensure optimum results. If there are instructions that need to be clarified, please feel free to contact our office as soon as possible. If some instructions are not followed, your surgery could be delayed if deemed necessary by your surgeon.

Pre-op INSTRUCTIONS

THREE WEEKS before your surgery

  • Stop all consumption of collagen
  • Prepare your surgery date: Plan to ensure a stress-free experience. Arrange your work leave and special assistance to help you with ride home. Prepare your return by organizing meals, delivery, babysitting, etc. Make sure you have someone scheduled to accompany you home after your surgery. Someone should also be on-call to help you during the first 24 hours after your surgery.

TWO WEEKS before your surgery

  • Stop the consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Aspirin, drugs containing aspirin or any anticoagulants such as arixtra pf, clopidogrel, plavix, coumadin, dalteparin, edoxaban, eliquis, apixaban, enoxaparin, fragmin pfsyringe, lepirudin, padaxa, dabigatran etexilate, xarelto, rivaroxaban.
  • A preoperative visit (if necessary), approximately two weeks before your surgery, will be scheduled to review your goals and provide you with additional information regarding your surgery.

SEVEN DAYS before your surgery

  • Stop taking any supplements or medications from the list below. These products can increase the risk of bleeding and other complications. Stop consuming any non-prescribed supplements including: Omega 3-6, nutricap, echinacea, glucosamine, fat burners, St. John’s wort.
  • Confirm your surgical support plan: This includes your transportation and post-surgical care, including an adult family member or a friend on-call for your support, 24 hours after your surgery.
  • Purchase any prescription provided by Dr. Gdalevitch (If applicable) and revise your pre-surgical instructions.

The day BEFORE your surgery

Prepare a bag. It should include:

  • All necessary papers
  • Your identification (RAMQ card)
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Glasses if necessary
  • Confirm the person who will assist you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
  • Take a shower. Use a non-perfumed soap. Wash your hair. Do not put cream or lotions. Do not put deodorants, hair products, perfumes, or makeup.
  • Relax. Enjoy a good night's sleep and avoid stress.

YOUR SURGERY DAY

  • If you wish to have oral sedation, do not eat or drink 4 hours before the surgery.
  • Do not train before surgery.
  • Please bring your medications that have been prescribed to you in a bag as above.
  • Do not wear any make-up, jewellery, contact lenses, hairpin or piercings: during surgery, an electric cautery is used, any piercing or jewellery can cause burns.
  • Wear light and comfortable clothing. Wear a top that opens forward. Do not wear a sweater, turtleneck or tight clothing. You can wear a skirt, but pants and a jogging jacket are ideal. Flat shoes should be worn that are easy to remove and to put on (no heels).

post-op instructions

The night of surgery

You can expect to experience swelling and feelings of tightness along the incisions of your lip lift. For your comfort we recommend:

  1. Take extra strength Tylenol every 4 hours
  2. Take a medication like gravol 30 minutes before taking your prescribed pain medication to avoid nausea and
  3. Take the pain medication as prescribed around the clock for 48 hours
  4. Apply ice to the area

Please contact us immediately if you experience any of the following

  • You have intense pain
  • You see significant swelling of the nose or lip
  • You have a fever of > 38.5
  • Severe nausea or vomiting
  • Are experiencing hallucinations or unusual behavior
  • Your pain is not controlled with the pain medication
  • Excessive bleeding

The day after surgery

  • You can expect the pain to decrease after 48 hours
  • It is best to keep your head elevated as much as possible to prevent swelling

Healing and follow up

  • You may be swollen for 1-2 weeks
  • You should rest for 3-5 days
  • You can resume your daily activities after 4 weeks
  • You cannot exercise or do anything strenuous for 4 weeks
  • You will have a follow up appointment in 1 week to remove your stitches

The final result will be seen around 1 month. Scars continue to improve over 6 months to a year.

Your results

Recovery from a lip lift is generally very tolerable as it is a minimally invasive surgery. Swelling may occur for 1-2 weeks, and the incisions may take up to 6 weeks to heal fully.

A lip lift will help you obtain a fuller upper lip and will accomplish the following:

  • Removal of excess skin between the nose and the lip
  • Create symmetry and balance between the top lip and nose
  • Reduce vertical lines and creases above the lip
  • Volumize a thinning or aging lip
  • Increase self-confidence that comes with an enhanced lip appearance

The result is a fuller, more voluminous, younger-looking upper lip.

View most frequently asked questions

What is a lip lift?

A lip lift is a surgical procedure that involves shortening the length between the nose and the upper lip (the philtrum) to create a more youthful lip and increase the volume of the upper lip.

Who is a good candidate for lip lift surgery?

Patients who wish to add volume to a thinning upper lip are good candidates for this procedure.

What is the recovery for a lip lift?

Most clients resume their work and social duties within five days. Side effects are typically very tolerable. Applying an ice pack to your lips can help alleviate any discomfort or swelling after surgery.

How long does a lip lift last?

The results of a surgical lip lift are permanent; however, your lips and overall face will continue to age. Your lips will still be affected by your the aging processe.

Are there lip lift alternatives?

If surgery is not the right decision for you, nonsurgical lip lift options are available using dermal filler and neuro toxin injections. These can create temporary results but will not remove excess skin or provide the same lifting effect.

How much does the procedure cost?

Lip lift

starting at $4,000

For a more beautiful and proportional you!

φ Phi is the Greek symbol that indicates the golden ratio, a ratio that is synonymous with beauty.

Dr. Perry Gdalevitch offers a unique approach that involves applying the principles of perfect proportions (phi) to help you achieve your aesthetic and reconstructive goals.

This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site.
LW