Z Facial Plastic Surgery

Lip Lift in Miami

Introduction To Lip Lift

At our premier practice in Miami, the lip lift is a top favorite procedure for enhancement as well as rejuvenation of the central face. The aesthetics and attractiveness of the face can be heavily influenced by lip volume, shape, and its length in relation to the rest of the lower face. Whether it is due to age or genetics, a lip lift offers long-lasting enhancement of the central face by improving proportions and augmenting the lip shape to one that is both natural and attractive.

Dr. Z is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and an expert in cosmetic procedures of the face. Below, we’ve provided information about the procedure and frequently asked questions. If you’re interested in visiting Dr. Z at his Miami-based office for a lip lift consultation or have questions about the procedure, please contact us today. We look forward to meeting you!

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Blonde | lip lift | Dr. Z Facial Plastic Surgery

What is a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is a relatively simple yet very precise and delicate procedure that involves removing upper lip skin from underneath the nose in order to improve the aesthetics of the central face.

The DETAILED answer:

Some people are born with a naturally longer top lip, while others find that their lip has elongated with age. In either case, this can reflect negatively on one’s appearance. It can make the lower half of the face appear longer and unbalanced, the top lip to become flat, or the top teeth to be hidden when you smile. These factors are augmented by a lip lift, which shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip, improves lip shape, enhances lip volume, and can also allow for better tooth show when smiling or speaking. We frequently refer to this as a facelift for the central face. While this is a relatively “simple” procedure it must be done with a very high level of precision and specific technique in order to get the best results and avoid complications. The design of the incision, the amount of skin removed, the method of elevating the lip skin, and the placement of anchoring sutures are all critical to a successful result.

Who are the Best Candidates for a Lip Lift?

Patients with unbalanced or longer upper lip skin, flattened lip shape, poor lip volume, or lack of tooth show.

The DETAILED answer:

Candidate selection is very important. As mentioned above, this procedure is for those that want to enhance their central facial aesthetics, decrease a long upper lip, or improve the volume and shape of the upper lip. This is a great procedure for both younger and older adults as long as they fit the criteria. It is important to note that some patients may meet the criteria above but still not qualify as ideal patients based on other factors. These other factors are difficult to simply explain as they are based on a few other surrounding aesthetic factors and the overall balance of the lower face. The best way to know if this is the right procedure is to have a formal consultation with Dr. Z to understand the changes that this would provide for your specific anatomy.

Some criteria that might make you a poor candidate for this procedure are a very gummy smile, long teeth with lots of dental show, or a short upper lip. A wide lip base compared to a narrow nasal base would not necessarily rule someone out as a candidate, but it might mean that they also require a corner of the mouth lip lift.

Asian model | lip lift | Dr. Z Facial Plastic Surgery

Lip Lift: The Essentials

What’s the First Step

Follow provided instructions, avoid specific medications, and obtain any necessary clearances.

The DETAILED answer:

The first step to getting a lip lift in Miami is booking a consultation. During your appointment, you’ll be able to express your aesthetic goals and Dr. Z will determine if you are a good candidate for a lip lift. If you decide to proceed and book surgery with us, we will provide specific written instructions that are very important to follow.

In general, we ask that patients avoid specific medications such as Advil (and others) that increase bleeding, refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking (or other nicotine products), and obtain any necessary medical clearances. Since you cannot drive yourself, we require that patients arrange transportation with either a relative, friend, or trusted care service (ie care.com). You CANNOT simply take a taxi, uber, Lyft, or another similar service. It is also a very good idea to read the POST-procedure instructions ahead of time, as this will help you prepare all the care necessities and understand them better when explained in the office.

How is a Lip Lift performed?

Skin is excised from underneath the nose and the lip is elevated anywhere between 3 – 12mm.

The DETAILED answer:

Most patients opt to do this awake with local numbing as it is a fairly quick procedure (~1 hour). We give our patients anti-anxiety and pain medication to keep them very comfortable, with most napping through the surgery. The upper lip measurements are taken and a marker is used to trace out the planned excision. This is done with patients sitting upright to get the ideal design and a very specific amount of skin. The top lip is completely numbed with a few injections of lidocaine. The excess skin is excised along the carefully planned markings. The skin of the upper lip is then freed (elevated) and shifted upward, attaching it to the base of the nose with absorbable sutures under the skin. This elevation and deep suturing are critical to the success of the procedure. The skin edges are then closed with very thin little sutures in order to make the incision as seamless as possible. These surface sutures are typically removed on day 5. The keys to performing this successfully are designing the excision properly, freeing the skin, and closing appropriately in the deep layer. The nuances and details of each of these steps are what differentiate it from simply cutting out skin.

Lip Lift Recovery

The majority of lip lift recovery is during the first 5 – 7 days.

The DETAILED answer:

As with all surgery, recovery can vary. Sutures are typically removed on day 5 at which point patients are generally “socially acceptable” and can appear in public without attracting obvious attention to the area. There is a large amount of swelling between days 1-3 but this begins to rapidly subside on day 4. Patients do not often take narcotic prescription pain medications after this procedure as it is usually mild and manageable with Tylenol. We strongly encourage frequent cold compresses during the first 48 hours as this helps with swelling. There are certain activity restrictions. Patients are asked to avoid excessive movement of the upper lip, either by pulling on the lip or with specific facial expressions/activities. It is also best to avoid foods that require a lot of chewing or wide-mouth opening (burgers). Exercise is limited to walking during the first week. The incision visibility is also variable. It may be minimally visible as early as 2 weeks, or it may have a persistent redness for weeks to months. The redness is camouflaged with makeup. Scar cream/ointment is strongly encouraged. It is also very important to avoid direct sun exposure to your lip lift incision (or any other incision).

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pretty lips | lip lift | Dr. Z Facial Plastic Surgery

Why choose Dr. Z for your lip lift?

Dr. Z is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who has performed thousands of surgeries and non-surgical procedures. Not only does he have the medical expertise to produce the results you’re looking for, but also has an artistic eye and understands modern style and trends. Dr. Zhuravsky has a lot of experience with performing high-quality lip lifts that give his patients a very high level of satisfaction.

How Much Does a Lip Lift Cost in Miami?

The cost of a lip lift in Miami can vary on a number of factors, with expertise and level of care being a top factor. The procedure seems like it may be straightforward, but it does require the fine details to be performed properly in order to have a successful result. We do not have the lowest prices but we keep pricing at a fair level relative to the care and expertise provided. Since prices change with time, we do not post them on the website but will be happy to give a quote when you call our office.

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Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re looking for more information or are interested in booking an appointment for a lip lift in Miami, the first step is to book a consultation. Our team will reach out to you to schedule a time for you to come in and meet with Dr. Z. We look forward to hearing from you!

Lip Lift FAQs