Am I a good 4mm lip lift candidate? (Photo)

Question

Here are a variety of angles of my lip. It is about 15mm philtrum. Am I a good lip lift candidate? I am concerned about the fact that when I smile, my philtrum shortens a lot. My surgeon said we will remove 4mm. I am scheduled for surgery in May.

Berke Ozucer, MD · Answer

hello jkkkk,
i've looked at your photos, and considered your numbers. in my experience 15mm lips with good upper teeth shows like yours are relatively not so good candidates for liplift. let me explain why: because 4 mm excision makes so little difference its not worth having a scar (no matter how meticulous we are all cuts heal with a scar unfortunately) so the main idea is if you are not going to benefit 'a lot' from a surgery its not worth having a scar. i would not advise resecting more than 4. i thought you have harmonious lips and a beatiful smile and i don't think a liplift has a lot to contribute to that.
hope my answer helps, please consider my experience and you'll know what to do best yourselfgood luck, doctor be+

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

I can tell you that the decision to have a lip lift procedure is a personal one and should be based on your individual circumstances and goals, as well as the professional advice of your plastic surgeon.
Philtrum length can vary greatly among individuals, but generally, a length of 11-13mm in females and 13-15mm in males is considered within the average range. If you and your surgeon have decided that a lip lift is the best course of action to achieve the look you desire, then you are likely a good candidate.
Do keep in mind that everyone's anatomy is unique, and the way your face changes when you smile is a natural process. A lip lift will shorten the philtrum and may enhance the overall proportions of your face, but it may not change the way your philtrum shortens when you smile.
Communication with your surgeon is key. Make sure all your concerns are addressed, and that you have realistic expectations about the outcome. It's also always a good idea to get a second opinion if you're unsure.

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

Don't worry about numbers.  The only thing that matters is tooth show.  You need a photo where you mouth is slightly open but at rest.  I can then assess the amount of tooth show present. This will permit a determination of what is best.

Am I a good 4mm lip lift candidate? (Photo)

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Am I a good 4mm lip lift candidate? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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