You'll want to wait about a week to return to any strenuous activity, but light exercise, such as taking a walk the day after surgery, will help to reduce swelling and any discomfort. Avoid doing anything that puts pressure on the lip and nasal area for a couple of weeks.
Avoid medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, others) for two weeks before and after surgery. These medications may increase bleeding. Substances to Avoid: Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, for these will dramatically slow the healing process.
Recovery after surgery
It is not uncommon for the lip-lift incisions to take about six to eight weeks to begin to look good. You may also experience tightness in the affected area for two to four months. You should expect long-lasting results from your lip lift.
An upper lip lift does change your smile for about two weeks while healing from the initial swelling, but after that, your smile should return to normal. You may find that your teeth show a little bit more than before, but for the most part the surgery makes your smile better.
Lip lifts are outpatient procedures. You can shower with care after 48 hours.
Start using recommended mouthrinses very gently 2 days after the procedure, unless otherwise instructed by your periodontist. You may start brushing, flossing and using other dental aids on other non-surgical areas one day after the surgery.
A gentle kiss can be shared 7-10 days following Lip Lift surgery, once sutures have been removed. Engaging in more passionate kissing can resume approximately 2-3 weeks post-op as long as you're not experiencing any pain or discomfort.
Scars from the incision will take upwards of a full year to fully heal, but the upper lip really begins to look pretty good within a few weeks. Nowadays, most patients will begin using a topical silicone gel on the incision line to help promote better scarring.
Do Lip Lifts Look Natural? In most cases, the result is a natural-looking fuller smile that many patients refer to as “younger-looking lips. It can be performed independently or combined with other procedures like a brow lift to achieve even more dramatic results.
The scar can be somewhat noticeable for about three or four weeks, but is easily hidden with makeup.
Upper lip lifts are notorious for distorting the nasal base, causing scarring and nasal widening. All lip lifts have the potential to change the nose to some degree. The Modified Upper Lip Lift minimizes the tension on the nose by avoiding any lifting to the skin of the nose.
The lip lift is considered a safe and effective technique. Although complications are rare, as this is a surgical procedure, there is always a small chance for complications to occur. Risks include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, nerve damage, and unexpected scarring.
Food & drink to avoid
– Alcohol – though it's tempting to toast to your lovely results, drinking in the first 24 hours could lead to bruising and swelling. – Caffeine – whether in food or drink form, could slow down the healing process as it can cause dehydration.
The results of a surgical lip lift are permanent, however, your lips and overall face will continue to mature. Normal aging changes should be expected.
Subnasal Bullhorn Lift
The bullhorn lift is the most common type of lip lift performed today. This lift removes skin from immediately below the nose and elevates the center and sides of the upper lip closer to the nose.
A lip lift can make your lips look bigger by increasing the amount of visible pink lip tissue, creating a more pronounced and defined upper lip. By removing a small strip of skin from under the nose, the upper lip is lifted, and more of the pink portion of the upper lip is exposed.
If the scar is on the lip or cheek it can be massaged between your finger and thumb. Using a little aqueous cream on the scar will help to move your fingers smoothly over the wound and prevent any drying. Massage for approximately 10-15 minutes, three to four times a day at first.
Longevity: Results of a lift lip should last for several years. As you age, the area will naturally begin to stretch and curl inward again. Pros: Long-lasting volume and definition without injections. Cons: More downtime upfront than a non-surgical procedure.
Lip Lift surgery is not painful. We administer a local anesthetic into the upper lip area to begin the process. This works quickly to numb deeper layers of the skin and the superficial tissue that will be repositioned for a more youthful appearance.
Diet: You should drink clear liquids immediately following your surgery. The day after surgery, you should begin slowly advancing to a solid diet, starting with bland foods. If you experience any nausea or vomiting, resume a clear diet for another 24 hours.
Does a Lip Lift Change the Nose? The upper lip's skin and the nose's base are very closely linked. As such, if a plastic surgeon doesn't have the appropriate skills or experience, a lip lift can distort the appearance of the nose, particularly the base and the nostrils.
Additionally, with results lasting up to 10 years or more, a lip lift's longevity makes this procedure one to strongly consider. According to RealSelf, approximately 92% of patients felt their lip lift was “worth it.”