What should I expect from my consultation?

During your consultation, you will learn about the surgery and discuss your needs and concerns. Dr. Nabil Fakih will carefully examine your lips and the distance between nose and lips to assess it and to determine what type of procedure would best maximize your result. After your consultation we will take photographs for your medical record and we will discuss the surgery fees and scheduling dates. Prices can be discussed during your consultation. You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. You should provide any relevant information from your health doctors. Also provide information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries and medications that you currently take. It is important for you to provide complete information.

Who’s a good candidate for a lip lift?

A lip lift can be a good option for older people who want to reduce the space between the lips and the nose. With age, this space typically increases and can make lips look thinner. Also younger people who haven’t achieved the look they want from fillers, or if they find that fillers make their lips look unnaturally plump or duck-like, may prefer a lip lift. Some cases in young patient are genetic. The lip lift gives the upper lip a lighter and more defined appearance with greater volume and tooth show. As you age, the upper lip loses volume and increases in length. When performed in older patients, the lift helps restore a more youthful facial balance and sensuality around the mouth.

Measurements to take inconsideration

 Lip lift is indicated if you have a space between the base of your nose and the top of your lip > 1.5 centimeters. 

What does a Lip Lift do?

The end result of a lip lift is subtle, but the benefits are substantial. Several changes are noted almost immediately:

• Shortening of the lip length between the nose and mouth

• Increased tooth show

• Increased sensuality of the mouth

• Shortening of the perceived length of the lower midface

• Turning the Cupid’s bow upwards – lip eversion

• Increasing the volume of the pink and white lip

• Improvement of lipstick bleed lines and wrinkles

• Subtle improvement of the corners of the mouth

• Makes the lips and lower face appear younger

• Improves the definition of the philtral columns and Cupid’s bow

• Improvement by offsetting the balance seen in patients with a simian appearance around the mouth

• Decreased need for fillers

Types of Lip Lift

There are several types of lip lifts. It’s important to know the types and techniques so you can have an informed discussion with your surgeon about which is right for you.

• Direct lip lift : A direct lip lift, sometimes called a gullwing lip lift, creates a more defined lip border.A thin strip of skin is removed just above the upper lip, and the skin is pulled upwards, creating the illusion of a more pronounced vermillion (the pink part of the lips). This procedure has an incision on the upper lip area.

• Subnasal bullhorn: The subnasal bullhorn is one of the more common lip lift procedures. A surgeon will make an incision that’s typically hidden along the base of the nose where it’s less visible. The incision is often made in the shape of a bullhorn and the center, right, and left of the lip are all pulled up toward the nose.

• Endonasal Bullhorn: It is similar to a subnasal bullhorn lift but the incision part of it is hidden inside the nose. It shortens the space between the nose and the lips by an incision inside the nose.

• Corner lip lift : A corner lip lift is sometimes called a “grin lift” because it gives the face a more smiley appearance. It’s done by making two small incisions at both corners of the mouth and removing a small amount of skin. Some people will get this in tandem with another lip lift to give fuller lips. It’s an option for people who feel they have downturned lips.

• The Modified Indirect Lip Lift

This procedure has been pioneered by Dr. Nabil Fakih in order to address all the issues patients were having with the classic bull’s horn or gull wing lip lift. This has led him to research and do several subtle modifications, which, when combined, make this a virtually better scar and painless procedure. The procedure can be performed awake or under twilight anesthesia. Nearly all patients have the procedure performed with local anesthesia. Incisions are hidden under the base of the nose in a natural crease in patients who have nasal ridge, or inside the nose if the patient has no nasal ridge. The modifications in flap elevation and tension-free skin closure allow fast healing and rapid disappearance of incision sites.

What to avoid before surgery?

It is vitally important to avoid all blood thinning medications/supplements for 2 weeks prior to surgery. This includes any aspirin or aspirin-containing products as well as any anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen. It is generally fine to be take Tylenol (Acetaminophen). Avoid supplements such as Vitamin E including multi vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids such as fish oil and flax seed oil. All these medications can contribute to bleeding problems following surgery and can increase the amount of bruising.

Recovery

Following lip lift, mild swelling and bruising are expected and generally resolve after seven days, although the period of swelling and recovery will be slightly longer. Cold compresses can be applied for comfort and to minimize swelling. Sutures will be removed 4-5 days days following lip lift. Dr. Nabil Fakih suggests taking seven days off following this procedure, however many are able to return to work after 2 days. Light aerobic activity (light treadmill walking, stationary bicycle) may be resumed as early as seven days following lip lift, and more strenuous activity after four weeks. Your relationship with Dr. Nabil Fakih does not end after lip lift surgery; he will see you often through the first weeks and months following your lip lift.

Why Dr. Nabil Fakih?

Make sure a qualified doctor is performing your surgery. In addition to Dr. Nabil Fakih 's expertise, we offer an integrated pre-surgical, intra-surgical and post-surgical care, so as to optimize healing, we offer several technologies to our patients for an enhanced optimum recovery. We have implemented a specific-low-bruise-anesthesia during surgery to guarantee less bruising post-surgery, detailed suturing under 2.5x Loop vision for optimal aesthetic effect, toxin injection for the incision for better scar healing, Aerolase Neo to reduce bruising & incision redness, Aerolase EraPeel to blur any visible scar in case is needed, and finally Vitamindrip Boosterheal for a faster  recovery.