I am considering a rhinoplasty and a lip lift - which procedure should I have done first?

Hello, and thank you for your question. There should be no issue on which procedure should come first. A lip lift will not alter your nose, and a rhinoplasty won’t affect the lip. A lip lift and rhinoplasty can be performed at the same time too. That way, you don’t go through two healing periods.

I recommend consulting with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon who can do a proper evaluation, determine your eligibility for both procedures, and customize the best procedure plan for you.

Typically, a rhinoplasty would be done first. You are correct that it would change the philtrum. If you did a lip lift first, then the rhinoplasty changed the philtrum, it would also change the appearance of the lift. These procedures are not generally done together because the lip lift incision would be pulling down, while the incision under the nose would be pulling up. Having them pull in opposite directions affects their ability to heal and ends up leaving larger scars. Occasionally a rhinoplasty will lift the philtrum to a position where you may no longer want/need the lift. I recommend that a rhinoplasty is done first (and is fully healed) before you make a decision for a lip lift.

Hi,

It is possible to do the rhinoplasty and lip lift at the same time. Your goal for the rhinoplasty is modest and should be reliably achieved if performed by a rhinoplasty expert. Regarding a lip lift, in the last photograph you posted, you appear to have a lot of tooth show in repose (at rest with lips gently parted). This is usually considered a contraindication as a lip lift will exaggerate tooth show further. A rhinoplasty will not impact philtral length.

Best,
MS