Lip Lift
What is a Lip Lift?
A lip lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that shortens the distance between the nose and the upper lip to create a more youthful, lifted appearance. At Restore SD Plastic Surgery in San Diego, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Janet Chao and board-certified La Jolla plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus specialize in lip lift surgery to enhance your smile and overall facial balance, providing natural and long-lasting results.
Lip Lifts vs. Lip Fillers
When it comes to lip enhancements, two popular options are lip lifts and lip fillers. Both can help you achieve a fuller, more youthful smile, but they work in different ways and are best suited for different goals.
A lip lift is a surgical lip enhancement procedure that subtly lifts and opens the upper lip to expose more of the pink lip tissue. This adds natural height to the upper lip, thus enhancing the lip’s natural shape. Unlike fillers, which add volume, a lip lift focuses on lifting and reshaping the upper lip to create a more prominent and aesthetically pleasing pout. If you want a permanent enhancement without the need for ongoing treatments, then a lip lift might be the best option for you.
Lip fillers are non-surgical injectables that add volume to the lips using hyaluronic acid-based products. They can plump the lips, smooth fine lines, and enhance the overall shape. Lip fillers are ideal for patients who desire subtle, temporary volume and more defined lips without undergoing surgery. If you prefer a minimally invasive lip enhancement option without downtime, then lip fillers might be the better option for you.
A lip lift is the perfect procedure for those who want permanent lip enhancement without the need for ongoing treatments.
Lip Lift Candidates
A lip lift is ideal for individuals who:
- Have a long upper lip or distance between the nose and upper lip
- Want to improve the appearance of thin or aging lips
- Are looking for a permanent solution compared to lip fillers
- Desire more visible upper teeth when smiling
If you’re looking to enhance your lip shape and achieve a youthful, fuller appearance, a lip lift may be the perfect solution. Dr. Gallus and Dr. Chao can determine whether you’re a good candidate for a lip lift during a personal consultation.
Lip Lift Surgery at Restore SD in San Diego
Your Consultation
During your lip lift consultation, either Dr. Gallus or Dr. Chao will sit down with you one-on-one to understand your aesthetic goals and assess your facial anatomy. They will examine the area around your lips and nose, discuss your desired outcome, and explain how a lip lift can potentially enhance your appearance. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the procedure, including how to prepare and what to expect during recovery. If a lip lift is right for you, our surgeons will develop a personalized treatment plan to achieve your desired results. This initial consultation is also the perfect time to discuss any other treatments, such as Botox, Daxxify, Sculptra, or cheek or chin fillers, that could complement your procedure for a balanced, harmonious look.
Your Lip Lift Procedure
The procedure begins with the application of local anesthesia to ensure you remain comfortable throughout. Once the area is fully numbed, Dr. Chao or Dr. Gallus will make a small, precise incision along the base of the nose, where it can be discreetly hidden within the natural crease.
Next, your surgeon will carefully remove a small amount of excess skin, allowing her to subtly lift and reshape the upper lip. This adjustment not only enhances the fullness of the upper lip but also improves the overall proportions of the mouth area. Once the desired look is achieved, the incision is meticulously closed with fine sutures to promote minimal scarring.
The entire procedure typically takes about 1-2 hours, and many patients choose to combine it with other facial rejuvenation treatments, such as facial fillers, for a more comprehensive transformation.
Your Safety = Beautiful Results
Lip Lift at Restore SD
At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, patient safety comes first. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus and Yale-trained facial plastic surgeon Dr. Janet Chao operate in a private, on-site Quad A-accredited surgery center, with state-of-the-art equipment and LED surgical lighting. They proudly work with a board-certified anesthesiologist and hold privileges at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.
Recovery
Recovery after a lip lift is generally quick and straightforward, allowing most patients to resume their daily activities within a short period. Immediately following the procedure, you can expect some mild swelling and bruising around the upper lip and nose area. These effects are normal and typically subside within the first week, revealing the enhanced shape and lift of the upper lip. Dr. Chao or Dr. Gallus will schedule a follow-up appointment to remove the stitches approximately 5-7 days after your procedure, ensuring your incision heals smoothly.
Full recovery usually takes about 1-2 weeks, though many patients notice a significant improvement in lip shape and facial balance leading up to their final results. Throughout your recovery, Dr. Gallus, Dr. Chao and the patient care team at Restore SD Plastic Surgery will provide detailed post-operative care instructions to help minimize discomfort, manage swelling, and promote optimal healing. They are always available to answer any questions you may have and will guide you through each step of your recovery journey.
Results
The results of a lip lift are noticeable almost immediately after the initial swelling subsides, typically within a week. Patients can enjoy a more lifted, defined upper lip that enhances their overall facial harmony. Unlike temporary treatments such as lip fillers or a Botox lip flip, a lip lift offers long-lasting results, with many patients enjoying their enhanced lip shape for years to come. To help maintain the results, it’s recommended that you follow you surgeon’s aftercare instructions, avoid excessive sun exposure, and adopt a healthy skincare routine. These measures can help ensure the longevity of your lip lift, allowing you to enjoy your beautiful, balanced smile for the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lip Lifts
Why Choose Restore SD Plastic Surgery for Your Lip Lift
Dr. Katerina Gallus is an experienced and accomplished board-certified female plastic surgeon in San Diego who enjoys positively impacting her patients’ lives through modern plastic surgery techniques. As a member of several professional plastic surgery societies, and the founder and owner of Restore SD Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gallus is passionate about female leadership and excellence in the plastic surgery field.
Dr. Janet Chao is a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience in lip lift procedures. Her artistic eye and surgical precision ensure that patients achieve natural, beautiful results that enhance their overall appearance.
At Restore SD, our all-female team is dedicated to providing a comfortable and supportive environment where your aesthetic goals are our top priority. Together, Dr. Gallus, Dr. Chao and the entire Restore SD team will guide you through every step of your facial rejuvenation journey.
Dr. Katerina Gallus
Female Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Gallus has over 20 years of experience and is a fully credentialed, board certified plastic surgeon. She will partner with you to develop a tailored surgical plan that prioritizes your safety and results.
Dr. Chao’s elite facial plastic surgery training and remarkable attention to detail offers patients safe, natural-looking results. She will work closely with you to understand your goals and concerns to bring your aesthetic vision to life.
“I had my procedure a year ago this past September…They went above and beyond to make sure everything went well, including my recovery.”
—Google Review for Restore SD Plastic Surgery
Ready to enhance your smile and facial harmony? Contact Restore SD Plastic Surgery today to schedule your lip lift consultation with Dr. Katerina Gallus or Dr. Janet Chao. We proudly serve patients throughout San Diego, La Jolla, and Del Mar.
- Lip Lift Benefits
- Glossary
- Permanent results compared to temporary fillers
- Creates a more youthful and balanced appearance
- Increases upper lip visibility and enhances the smile
- Natural-looking results with minimal scarring
- Anesthesia: Medication used to prevent pain during surgical procedures. Local anesthesia numbs a specific area, allowing patients to remain awake but comfortable during treatments like lip lifts.
- Augmentation: The process of increasing or enhancing the size, shape, or volume of a body part, often used in the context of lip or breast augmentation to add fullness.
- Botox: A neurotoxin injection that temporarily relaxes muscles to reduce the appearance of wrinkles or to subtly enhance the lips (as in a Botox lip flip).
- Collagen: A natural protein that provides structure and elasticity to the skin. Collagen production declines with age, leading to wrinkles and skin laxity.
- Dermal Fillers: Injectable treatments, often made from hyaluronic acid, used to add volume to the face, plump lips, and smooth wrinkles. Popular brands include Juvederm and Restylane.
- Facial Harmony: The balanced and symmetrical appearance of facial features, often a goal in procedures like lip lifts and other facial surgeries.
- Facial Rejuvenation: Cosmetic treatments that aim to restore a youthful appearance to the face. This can include surgical procedures, like facelifts or lip lifts, and non-surgical treatments, such as fillers, Botox, and laser resurfacing.
- Hyaluronic Acid (HA): A naturally occurring substance in the skin that retains moisture, providing volume and hydration. HA is commonly used in dermal fillers to add fullness to lips and other areas of the face.
- Incision: A small surgical cut made during procedures like a lip lift to access and adjust underlying tissues.
- Lip Augmentation: A general term for procedures that enhance the fullness, shape, and contour of the lips, including both surgical options (like lip lifts) and non-surgical treatments (like lip fillers).
- Lip Flip: A non-surgical cosmetic treatment using Botox to relax the muscles around the mouth, allowing the upper lip to appear slightly lifted and fuller.
- Plastic Surgery: A surgical specialty focused on reconstructing or enhancing the body’s appearance. This can include aesthetic (cosmetic) procedures as well as reconstructive surgeries.
- Proportion: The relationship between the sizes of different facial features, which is key to achieving a balanced, natural look in facial plastic surgery.
- Recovery Time: The period after a surgical or cosmetic procedure during which the body heals. Recovery time varies depending on the treatment but typically lasts 1-2 weeks for a lip lift.
- Resorption: The process by which the body breaks down and absorbs tissue or substances, relevant to dermal fillers, which are gradually absorbed by the body over time.
- Sutures: Medical stitches used to close incisions after surgery. Fine sutures are typically used in lip lifts to minimize scarring.
- Upper Lip Lift: A surgical procedure that shortens the space between the nose and the upper lip, lifting and reshaping the lip to create a more youthful, prominent appearance.
- Volume Loss: The reduction of fullness in areas like the lips and cheeks due to aging, often addressed with fillers or surgical procedures like a lip lift to restore volume.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Katerina Gallus — Updated on Jan 6, 2025
