Lip Lift Surgery in Shreveport & Monroe

Basically, a lip lift is a permanent in-office surgery that enhances the amount of pink tissue visible in the top lip, giving the appearance of a larger, more prominent pout. It takes less than an hour from start to finish and is usually performed under local anesthesia (and sometimes sedation).

In other words, the surgical technique improves the vermillion border (the line where the reddish-pinkish tissue of the lip meets the surrounding skin) and shortens the distance between the bottom of the nose and the top of the lips (called the philtrum). Cosmetic surgeons achieve this by removing a wedge of tissue from beneath the nose, causing the top lip to rise upwards. The scar is hidden right underneath the nose. No additional fillers or implants are used. And unlike lip fillers, return visits are not needed every few months to keep lips looking plump and youthful.

The lip lift is a relatively easy and straightforward surgical operation that can be performed alone or in conjunction with other facial surgeries such as rhinoplasty or a facelift. The procedure begins with incision sites marked on your upper lip, which are based on the surgical plan you and your physician create together. If a lip lift is the only surgery you're having done, it can be done under local anesthetic, just like a dental procedure. If the lip lift is being done with other operations that require more sedation, it will simply be part of the overall strategy.

Once you're ready, your plastic surgeon gently removes the necessary bit of skin immediately beneath the nose and manages any light bleeding. The incision is then closed with tiny sutures to get the best possible cosmetic effect. The area is coated with antibiotic ointment after the procedure, and stitches are removed several days later.

Lip lift procedures that are not facial plastic surgeries to address a congenital defect or reconstructive surgery performed after an injury will typically be considered cosmetic and insurance providers aren’t going to cover it. Lip lifts are considered a cosmetic operation. 

The cost of the procedure differs based on the physician who performs the treatment and where you live. However, according to Aesthetic Edit, the average cost of the surgery falls between $2,000 and $5,000. Check with your cosmetic surgeon's office to see what financing options are available to help you pay for your procedure.

The top lip will be painful and swollen to varied degrees immediately after the surgery. Swelling usually gets worse throughout the first few days and can be quite pronounced in some circumstances. This is a typical aspect of the healing process and is not harmful.

Swelling or bruises that can be seen by others should go away in a week. Bloating and tightness is possible in that area for up to a month. The scar will heal and fade within the first year. Any initial scarring may be covered with makeup within two weeks of your operation.

For the first week or so, the incision is kept clean and coated with antibiotic ointment. Activity is restricted for several days and then gradually reintroduced. Exercising and exerting yourself should be avoided for at least two weeks. The initial healing period lasts around 2 to 3 weeks, with more satisfying results appearing after about 2 to 3 months. And don’t worry, you won’t be on the sidelines long. After 5 to7 days, the stitches will be removed. The scar heals over a period of months to a year or more, and it becomes better over time.

Take note: Just like other surgical procedures, lift lips do have their dangers, Bleeding, infection, and undesirable scarring are all possibilities.

Of the procedures available to enhance the lips, a lip lift provides the longest-lasting results. This is because of the actual removal of skin to create a shorter philtrum (the area between your upper lip and your nose). The removal of this skin produces a long-lasting result that requires minimal maintenance. While some patients may notice a modest relaxation of the skin between the nose and upper lip as the skin settles during the first year, the majority of the initially evident benefits are permanent.

Although the effects of a surgical lip lift are permanent, your lips and face will continue to age. Changes associated with aging are to be expected.

You may be a good candidate for a lip lift if you feel the distance between your nose and lip is too long, or that the upper lip is relatively thin. A lip lift can improve the form and balance of the top lip without the need for additional volume in good patients. 

Often, patients who are good candidates for a lip lift may have had a bad experience previously with lip fillers, which made the lips appear heavy and long instead of plump and balanced. Because of the long upper lip, many patients have already had a filler or implant placed on the upper lip, and the upper lip tends to roll inward without improving volume. This is remedied with a Lip Lift, and after the lip height has stabilized, further volume can be added.