Upper lip lift

Procedure goal

The goal of the procedure is to shorten the white part of the upper lip.

Anesthesia

usually local;

Duration

approximately 90 min

Stay in clinic

short, several-hour stay at the clinic;

Recovery period

• For several days, avoid hard foods and prolonged vocal strain (speaking requires moving the mouth, and the wound needs a few days of rest);
• Return to remote work at home without prolonged strain after a few days;
• Return to work with clients after 14 days – after this time, significant swelling and bruising disappear;
• Makeup can be applied to the scar area no earlier than one week after suture removal (usually 2 weeks after the procedure);
• Return to physical exertion/gentle sports after 2-3 weeks from the procedure;
• Scar protection from sun radiation for 1 year;

Medication after the procedure

• Generally available painkillers (usually not needed);
• Ointment for the suture line;

Follow-up examinations

• after about a week, local condition check, suture removal;
• after 3 months: final assessment of the surgery result;
• scar appearance improves up to 1 year after surgery;
• follow-up examination at any time, if needed;

Inevitable consequences always occur

• discomfort/ pain,
• swelling,
• bruising,
• scar (at the border of the nose base and the white part of the upper lip),
• skin sensation disturbance in the scar area;

Complications (may occur)

• hypertrophic scar / keloid (extremely rare);
• reaction to applied sutures, overcorrection;
• insufficient correction – may require another procedure; asymmetry always exists before the procedure, it may decrease, but it may also worsen;
• small epidermal cysts along the scar;
• hematoma in the wound, infection, prolonged healing;
• dissatisfaction with the result of the procedure (subjective feeling).