A lip lift is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the lips by removing excess skin and shortening the distance between the nose and upper lip. (1) This procedure exposes more of the lip vermillion, which is the pigmented flesh that defines where the lips meet the skin. A lip lift creates a more proportional and balanced upper lip and more fuller appearance without the use of fillers, providing a long-lasting change to the lip aesthetics.
Dr. Gabriele C. Miotto is an internationally recognized aesthetic surgeon at ME Plastic Surgery in Atlanta who specializes in facial rejuvenation procedures. In her years of experience, she has built a strong reputation for providing natural-looking results that exceed patient expectations. She has performed over 10,000 procedures, helping those in Georgia and beyond enhance their inner beauty.
If you are ready to learn more about how a lip lift can benefit you, we invite you to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Miotto online. If you would prefer scheduling a consultation over the phone, our Atlanta office can be reached at (404) 850-5851.
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Contents
Before and After Photos
About Lip Lifts
The anatomy of the lips consists of muscle, skin, and soft tissue. As we age, the lips can lose volume and appear thin or deflated. Dr. Miotto can perform a lip lift to create a better central facial balance and lip rejuvenation, improving the exposure of the upper teeth at rest and during smiling, restoring a balance between the proportions of the upper and lower lip, and upper lip fullness. (2)
Association of Lip Lift with Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are gel-like products that are injected into the lips to enhance and augment the lip volume. Dermal fillers can be administered to the lips for mild lip line treatment or for full lip volumization. While fillers are effective and are praised for their minimally invasive nature, they have their limitations when the patient has a long upper lip, either due to aging or genetics.
If overdone, fillers may migrate or stretch and change the shape of your lips. When tastefully done, they are great assets to lip rejuvenation. With a lip lift, the structural lip proportions are optimized, there is improvement of the upper lip position, and, for many patients, there is an enhanced natural fullness. If more volume is desired, lip fillers can then be used to maintain lip volume over time without the risk of creating the “duck lip” appearance, because the lip proportion is now right.
Benefits
There are numerous benefits to undergoing a lip lift procedure, including:
- Enhanced Lip Volume: You can achieve fuller, more youthful-looking lips.
- More Defined Vermillion Borders: A lip lift creates a sharper delineation of the lips, helping you achieve a more attractive pout.
- Improved Facial Balance: Elevating the appearance of your lips can create a more proportionate and attractive balance amongst your facial features.
- Long-Lasting Results: Unlike temporary solutions such as dermal fillers, lip lifts provide more stable enhancements that can last for years.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: Each procedure is customized to ensure the results align with your natural anatomy and ideal aesthetics.
- Minimal Scarring: When performed by an experienced surgeon such as Dr. Miotto, scarring is often inconspicuous and barely noticeable due to meticulous incision placement.
Candidates
Dr. Miotto will meet with each individual during their consultation to determine whether a lip lift is appropriate. Ideal candidates for a lip lift typically include women who are seeking to improve the appearance of elongated or thinning lips without injectable fillers or implants. All patients interested in this procedure should be in good overall health without any underlying medical conditions that may affect their results or recovery. Patients should also maintain realistic expectations regarding what this procedure can accomplish.
Dr. Miotto requires that all her patients either be nonsmokers or willing to quit nicotine use several months before their procedure—she does not operate on smokers for safety reasons.
Personal Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Miotto will meet with you and explain what a lip lift entails and how this procedure is different from other lip-enhancing treatments. She will listen to your concerns and treatment goals, and ask questions about your medical history. She will also evaluate your lips and take measurements for the surgical plan.
The information discussed throughout the treatment will be used to develop your personalized treatment plan. Dr. Miotto may also suggest additional treatments for more cohesive results. This consultation also serves as a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
If you are ready to receive your tailored treatment plan, we encourage you to submit our online contact form. Our Atlanta office can be reached directly at (404) 850-5851.
Preparation
Before your lip lift, you’ll receive personalized instructions tailored to your treatment plan. General preparation guidelines may include:
- Pause blood-thinning medications or supplements several weeks before surgery (individually advised by Dr. Miotto).
- Plan for about one week of downtime to focus on rest and recovery after your procedure.
- Follow all additional pre- and post-care instructions provided to ensure a smooth recovery and optimal results.
Procedure
A lip lift can be done awake in the office, under deep sedation, or general anesthesia in the surgery center. You should arrive at your appointment with a clean face that is free from makeup and other skincare products. A skin-safe marker will be used to create guiding surgery lines. If the procedure is done awake in the office, the next step is the local anesthesia. Dr. Miotto will administer local anesthesia to your lips to ensure you are comfortable.
Once your lips are numb, Dr. Miotto will clean the skin, prepare the area in a sterile fashion, and start the procedure by making an incision below the nostrils. She will remove the excess tissue and lift the underlying muscles before reshaping and repositioning the lip into its new position. After making adjustments, she will then use sutures to support the new position of the lip. She does this with meticulous precision to ensure the incisions heal with minimal scarring. The duration of each lip lift will vary depending on your personalized treatment plan, but it often takes approximately one hour to complete.
Recovery
After your lip lift, we recommend resting at home. You may experience some swelling, tightness, or bruising in the treated area. These effects often subside on their own and may be managed by following aftercare instructions. You may be able to return to work and other commitments after about one week, but you will need to continue avoiding physical or high-impact activities for another several weeks or until Dr. Miotto approves.
You should also avoid saunas, hot tubs, or other exposure to excessive heat for at least four weeks. Dr. Miotto will ask you to return to the office so that she can monitor your progress and remove sutures. Further recovery instructions will be discussed during your personal consultation.
Results
The results of your lip lift will become more visible as you continue to heal. You will be able to enjoy an improvement in the shape and definition of your lips, which will look natural and proportionate to your facial features. The results of a lip lift are long-lasting, meaning you will not have to worry about any maintenance or touch-up treatments every several months—you can enjoy your new look for years to come!
Cost of a Lip Lift in Atlanta, GA
The pricing of your lip lift will depend on the surgical techniques used, the extent of correction, facility fees, and a handful of other factors. Dr. Miotto will discuss the cost of your procedure once your treatment plan is established. Additionally, ME Plastic Surgery is partnered with CareCredit to offer financing options.
To learn more about the cost of your lip lift procedure, please schedule a personal consultation online. If you have any questions about financing or wish to schedule a consultation over the phone, please call our Atlanta office at (404) 850-5851.
FAQ
What is the difference between a lip lift and a lip flip?
A lip lift alters the position and the length of the upper lip with surgery, while a lip flip involves temporary enhancement with a neuromodulator injectable that relaxes specific muscles to expose more of the lip.
How long will a lip lift take?
The procedure typically takes one hour to perform, depending on the complexity and chosen technique.
Will there be any noticeable scarring after my lip lift?
Dr. Miotto uses advanced techniques and careful incision patterns to minimize the appearance of scarring.
How long is the recovery period after a lip lift?
Most patients can recover from their lip lift within one week, with full healing taking between three to four weeks.
Can I combine a lip lift with other procedures?
Yes, a lip lift may be combined with several other facial procedures for more enhanced results. During your consultation, Dr. Miotto can provide personalized suggestions based on your goals and natural anatomy.
References
- Talei B, Pearlman SJ. CUPID Lip Lift: Advanced Lip Design Using the Deep Plane Upper Lip Lift and Simplified Corner Lift. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Published online May 18, 2022. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjac126
- Faryan Jalalabadi, Lisiecki JL, Chiodo MV, Rohrich RJ. Lip Lifting: The Missing Link in Central Facial Rejuvenation. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Published online May 22, 2023. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000010735
