I would really like to get a lip lift. What is the difference in risk and healing time when the muscle is hemmed?

There are several types of lip lift; corner lip lifts, internal lifts, and the most common, the upper lip lift, with or without volume expansion by various methods.  The treatment of the underlying structures are also important.  This is a very artistic procedure, and also a very technical one, so make sure you consult with careful surgeons who have your best interest in mind.  This is one operation that cannot be 'undone', so choose wisely.

The ideal candidate for the Elelyft, or upper lip lift, is someone with a philtral length of 14mm or longer, no upper dental show, and/or a thin upper lip. The nasal base to mouth width ratio needs to be taken into consideration to avoid leaving the lip corners down. 
The muscle is typically not touched, as to not disrupt normal function of the lips. After the skin is removed, specialized undermining is employed to reduce tension on the closure. 
Postoperatively, after a lip lift, you can anticipate bruising and swelling that will be noticeable to you and others for about 1 week. After the sutures are removed or dissolve, depending on the type used, there will be redness along the incision line for 4-6 weeks but this can be covered with makeup after about 10 days. Sometimes the upper lip lift is overcorrected with the initial procedure and will slowly assume its final position over weeks to months. 
Consult with an experienced lip surgeon for a complete range of options that are appropriate for your situation.
Gary Linkov, MD
Lip Specialist

A lip lift does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners.  A lip lift does not involve cutting the muscle or hemming it as you have described.  The wound is closed in layers.  Deep sutures, which last about 6 months and sometimes superficial sutures are needed as well but not always.  The sutures last until the wound has healed to minimize the scarring.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

There is no permanent effect of the lip lift surgery on speech or singing other than the initial 4-5 days of swelling following the surgery. The dissection is performed above the muscle so there is no change to the muscle itself. Specific sutures called subcuticular sutures are used to provide tension for the closure. Usually at 2 weeks, the incision is barely noticeable.   

I have done lip lifts for 40 years and have never had a patient have a problem with public speaking. You will have deep sutures that will pull on your lip and swelling.

Hi,No muscle should be excised or cut during a lip lift. It is a skin only excision. A critical component of would healing is a tension free closure and we achieve that by closing the lip is a layered fashion. The deep sutures do the bulk of the work and the superficial stitches just bring the skin edges together in a tension free manner.Best, 

Hi there, 
That's true that shorty after lip lift (say, first week post-op) your smiling/ wide mouth opening may be limited. For the first couple of days it's not recommended to do it. For the same reason we typically suggest to eat soft food/ drink smoothes, with a straw. But in the long term mouth expression is not affected as lip lift is skin only & muscles are not hemmed. 
I perform lip lifts on singers/ actresses. After lip lift they perform normally.

best regards, 
Piotr Osuch, plastic surgeon, MD, PhD

Lip lift does not affect your speech or singing. The muscle is not excised and sutured. The lip will feel swollen and stiff for a few days but that's a temporary effect. Consider a consultation with a lip lift expert to discuss the options. Best wishes

A lip lift should not affect the way you speak or sing. The procedure is typically skin-only and  does not involve manipulating the orbicularis oris, the muscle around your mouth. Your surgeon should be using special sutures and suturing techniques in order to minimize and tension across the incision while you heal for the best results. Hope this helps!
Johnson C. Lee, MD 
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon