Is it a bad idea to get a lip lift at the same time as a revision rhinoplasty?

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin - Winnetka & Chicago. This is a great question. It’s not automatically a bad idea, but combining a lip lift with a revision rhinoplasty does come with added considerations, and many surgeons prefer staging them unless the anatomy and goals are very clear. A lip lift shortens the philtrum and changes the position/rotation of the upper lip, while a rhinoplasty—especially a revision—can alter tip projection, rotation, and the relationship between the columella and lip. Because both procedures affect the central facial balance, doing them together can make it harder to predict the final proportions, and swelling from one can obscure healing of the other. Revision rhinoplasty also tends to have more scar tissue and a more delicate healing process, so some surgeons prefer not to introduce additional tension or incisions in the same region during that time.

Hi, thank you for sharing your situation—revision rhinoplasty can be particularly challenging, especially when donor cartilage is involved. I understand why you’re considering a lip lift at the same time; it’s natural to want to address multiple concerns in one surgery.
That said, combining a lip lift with a revision rhinoplasty can increase swelling, affect healing, and sometimes complicate the recovery process. The nose, especially after multiple surgeries, needs careful attention to minimize scarring, preserve structure, and ensure the graft takes properly. Any additional procedures around the upper lip can potentially interfere with the delicate healing of the nasal tip and surrounding tissue, and could make monitoring for complications more difficult.
It’s not strictly “impossible” to do both, but most surgeons—especially when rib or other donor cartilage is needed—recommend focusing on one procedure at a time to optimize outcomes and reduce risks. You can always revisit the lip lift once your rhinoplasty has fully healed, which also allows your surgeon to assess your new nasal proportions and determine the most natural lip position.
I know it’s frustrating to have gone through prior surgeries and now face more decisions, but prioritizing the healing of your revision rhinoplasty will give you the best long-term results and help avoid further complications.

I published an award winning paper many years ago already that showed the safety of rhinoplasty or revision rhinoplasty (even open) with lip lift, even when alar base reduction is done. We are very familiar with doing these together.