Lip Lift

Surgical Lip Lift in San Antonio, TX

The lips are a central feature in your overall facial appearance, which explains why lip modifications are an increasingly sought-after cosmetic trend. Many patients choose to temporarily plump their lips using dermal fillers and lip augmentation; however, if you’re seeking a permanent change, you might want to consider a surgical lip lift.

Here, Dr. Jose Barrera of San Antonio, Texas, discusses everything related to surgical lip lifts, including what it entails, the different approaches available, the procedure’s benefits, who is a good candidate, and how much you might expect to pay.

Continue reading to learn more about surgical lip lifts in San Antonio, TX with triple board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jose Barrera. You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Barrera by contacting us online or calling  (210) 468-5426 today. Also be sure to review our surgical lip lift before and after photos to see some of our actual patients’ transformations!

What Is a Surgical Lip Lift?

A lip lift is a surgical procedure that increases the lips’ vermilion border by shortening the space between the upper lip and the nose.

The vermilion is the soft, pink, fleshy skin that composes the lips. By removing skin between the nose and upper lip, a lip lift reveals a more generous amount of the lips’ vermilion flesh. The surgery creates a fuller, more pronounced appearance, while also showing slightly more of the upper front teeth

Types of Lip Lifts

Surgeons can choose from several techniques to perform a lip lift. Patients must understand the differences between each procedure to make an informed decision about which type of lip lift best suits their needs.

Direct Lip Lift

The direct lip lift creates a larger, more defined vermilion and lip border. Dr. Barrera removes a thin sliver of skin just above the upper when performing this surgery. Then, he delicately sutures the remaining skin back together, which pulls the upper lip up toward the nose, resulting in a more pronounced vermilion.

Subnasal Bullhorn LIp lift

A common type of lip lift, the subnasal bullhorn is a discreet procedure that leaves minimal scarring. Dr. Barrera makes the incision along the base of the nose. Closing this small incision pulls up the skin between the nose and upper lip.

Central Lip Lift

Like a subnasal bullhorn, a central lip lift focuses on the skin directly above the front two teeth.

Corner Lip Lift

The corner lip lift, sometimes called a “grin lift,” pulls the lips’ corners higher, setting them in a permanent, friendly-looking position. Many people get a corner lip lift done at the same time as a subnasal bullhorn to provide a comprehensive makeover of their lips.

Endonasal Lip Lift

The endonasal lip lift is a type of lift lip in which Dr. Barrera will remove a small section of skin at the base of the nose and then reattach carefully constructed skin flaps high inside the nose to create a lifting effect. Studies indicate that this lift achieves enhanced stability, hides scarring, creates less tension in visible areas, restores dental show, increases pout and visible vermillion, and yields longer-lasting results.

What Can I Expect Before, During, and After My San antonio Lip Lift Procedure?

A successful, satisfying lip lift has several different stages, each of which Dr. Barrera will walk you through during your consultation.

Before Lip lift surgery

Initially, patients must choose to get a lip lift. This decision starts by doing your homework on the various procedural options and available surgeons, then continues through a consultation with Dr. Barrera.

Once you have set a date for your surgery, you’ll need to do several essential things to ensure the operation goes as smoothly as possible and maximize your recovery.

  • Patients should stop smoking for at least two weeks leading up to the surgery, as the chemicals inhaled while smoking can compromise anesthesia and healing.
  • Make sure not to consume alcohol for at least two days before the procedure, as it can also interfere with anesthesia.
  • Avoid blood-thinning medications such as aspirin for the two weeks leading up to the surgery, as blood thinners can compromise blood clotting and healing.

During lip lift surgery

On the day of the surgery, depending on the type of lip lift you’re getting, you can either drive yourself to Dr. Barrera’s San Antonio office or get a friend or family member to accompany you.

A lip lift takes place in Dr. Barrera’s office using local anesthesia. The procedure is brief, generally taking between 45 minutes to an hour.

After lip lift surgery

Once Dr. Barrera completes lip lift surgery, patients can return home immediately. We highly recommend complete rest for the 24 hours following the procedure, while avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol in the weeks during healing. 

Patients need to avoid moving the mouth too much, and using a small toothbrush and sleeping face up are also good ideas to encourage proper and rapid healing.

Lip Lift San antonio - FAQs

Your Lip Lift consultation with Dr. Barrera, a board-certified and double fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon, is a great time to learn more about the procedure, Dr. Barrera, and realistic outcomes. Before your consultation, we suggest you compile a list of questions to ask. If you are unsure of what to ask, Dr. Jose Barrera can help. Here, Dr. Jose Barrera, MD, San Antonio facial plastic surgeon shares important questions to ask during your consultation.

Most patients take six to eight weeks to see full results from the lip lift. The incision will close within the first two to three weeks, but it will take longer for the more permanent results to reveal themselves. With lip lift surgery, results generally keep improving until a year after the procedure, as the lips and skin of the face fully set in their new position.

Yes. A lip lift takes place while you’re under local anesthesia, and while we strongly recommend resting for at least 24 hours after your lip lift, you can travel after that initial healing period.

There are inherent risks associated with all surgeries, such as scarring, swelling, and infection. The lip lift is a relatively low-risk procedure when performed by a trained, board-certified, and highly experienced reconstructive plastic surgeon such as Dr. Barrera.

One characteristic common to most lip lift surgery patients is when their top lip entirely hides their upper teeth, even when smiling. Revealing some of the teeth when smiling is an attractive characteristic, and a lip lift can help with this. Ideal candidates are healthy people who enter the process with realistic expectations and understand what the procedure can do for them.

Lip lifts in San Antonio, TX, generally cost between $2,000 and $5,000. The exact price of the procedure depends on the type of lip lift you choose, and Dr. Barrera can give you a more accurate cost during your consultation.

 

Surgical Lip Lift in San Antonio, TX

The lip lift can be a relatively simple solution for patients looking to improve the appearance of their lips and overall face. For a no-obligation consultation, contact Dr. Jose Barrera via our convenient online form or by calling 210-468-5426.