Do I need a lip lift? Will it make me look better? (Photo)

Question

I have no upper teeth show when I speak or smile. My upper teeth almost disappears when I smile even tho it's big (I have lip fillers). I hate how my smile looks fake and exaggerated I am really considering a lip lift but at the same time I'm so scared that it might not turn out the way I imagined and its irreversible I want it to make me look better not worse. I don't want to ruin my face and regret my decision. Does lip lift look natural? Does it alter nose shape? Is it the right thing for me?

David K. Isaacs, MD, FACS · Answer

The main point to understand is that a Lip Lift and Lip Fillers are 2 different treatments, and therefore they address different problems. In other words, many  try to address their issue with fillers when surgery should be considered, and vice versa. 
Lip fillers are commonly performed and can look great. I have injected many patients who came in for a lip lift consult but opted for fillers instead. But that's mainly because the cosmetic problem was better treated with fillers and not with a lip lift. 
However, lip fillers can also look funny and fake. 
Here are some issues with lip filler injections:
injected into wrong location of lipincorrect type of filler usedinjected in suboptimal amountsinjected on "top" of prior fillerinjected to treat another problem of the lip 
When new patients see me because they're unhappy with their prior lip fillers, I may dissolve the filler so as to set the "reset" button so to speak. I will then either re-inject filler or perform a lip lift depending on the cosmetic problem and our goals.

Gary Linkov, MD · Answer

There are surgical and non-surgical approaches to lip augmentation. Non-surgical approaches include botox (slight lift, reducing gum show) and filler (volume restoration). Surgically, you can have two separate incisions under the nose (italian), one incision under the nose (bull horn), one incision at the red/white upper lip junction (gull wing) or two separate incision at the corners, or a combination, depending on your desired look and anatomy. 
In your situation, I would recommend dissolving the lip fillers and then measuring the philtrum, this will guide the decision making. 
Consult with an experienced lip surgeon for a complete range of options that are appropriate for your situation. I have patients visiting from other countries for these exact procedures. 
Gary Linkov, MD
Manhattan

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. An excellent technique for lip augmentation is fat injections because it offers the only natural method for potential permanent results. Since the fat cells are from the patient's own body, they are not recognize as foreign and will not cause an allergic reaction. I suggest that you move forward and consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon to discuss your options.
Best wishes,

Greg Bran, MD, PhD · Answer

Hi Sara Thank you for your question. According to your photos your lips have additional volume due to filler injection. However, the upper lip appears to be a bit "heavy" which leads to minimal dental show, even when smiling. We subdivide the distance between your nose and your lips into two parts: the skin part is called the philtre upper lip and the red part is called the labial upper lip. Whenever the philtral lip is elongated (either by DNA or due to ageing) having filler is not a great solution. Even though the labial lip gains volume, it drops due to the overall length of your upper lip. Simulating a realistic outcome of a  lip lift procedure is straight forward and very easy to be done during an in-person consultation. I advise you to find an experienced lip lift surgeon to discuss your goals and fears in person. Good luck!
For further info about lip lift surgery check out the link please.
Kind regards, 
Greg Bran MD PhD
Dual board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Todd B. Koch, MD · Answer

A lip lift will have 2 effects on your appearance.  It will shorten the upper lip and evert the red portion of the lip producing more show. Lip fillers may not be needed after having this procedure. You can simulate the results by lifting the upper lip with your finger.  If this maneuver provides more tooth show than you may be a candidate. Lip fillers way down the lip and will decrease tooth show.  Consult with a Plastic Surgeon in your area.

Marcus Davis, MBBS, MRM, FRCSEd (Plast) · Answer

Dear Sara,
Thank you for your pictures and question. Looking at you pictures you do not have a long enough distance between the bottom of your nose and the top of your top lip to benefit from a lip lift - a lip lift would make this distance too short for you, especially when you smile.
Your lip fillers are obvious and have made your lips too full, and with all the filler that you have not only within your lip but also above it at the white roll, it is actually distorting your lip proportions so as to be both unnatural and also cause less tooth show when you talk and smile as the lip is too large and is being pushed downwards from the volume of filler as aforementioned. This is unfortunately all too common nowadays with practitioners injecting lips without understanding the natural proportions of anatomy and beauty.
I would recommend that you have no more fillers in your lip and allow those that you have to be absorbed and cleared naturally with time and then reassess the situation.
I wish you luck.
Best wishes,
Marcus

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