How long should I wait for lip fillers to dissolve before having a lip lift surgery (or should I get them dissolved)?

Question

Months ago I had a successful rhinoplasty which was agreed with the surgeon to be done with an upper lip lift. On the morning of the surgeries, the surgeon suggested he would prefer to do lip fillers instead of too much cutting, and that it would have the same effect as th surgery. I haven’t been pleased with the result as it didn’t shorten the gap between my mouth and nose as hoped and, although conservative, the fillers failed to achieve the result, so I would like to have the original op.

James M. Pearson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. The Lip Lift procedure is performed to accentuate the size and/or shape of the upper lip by removing skin from the region underneath the nose. As the distance is decreased between the nose and the lip, the red lip is 'lifted'. In appropriate individuals, shortening this distance may impart or restore a more favorable balance to lips and face.It is always helpful for the Lip Lift surgeon to see your lips in their natural state without fillers. In some cases, a photo of that may suffice. Depending on your anatomy and your goals, it may or may not be advisable to have your lips evaluated and/or treated without fillers present. With that understanding, removal of existing lip filler is not always necessary in all cases. Consult with an experienced Lip Lift surgeon to learn about what is recommended in your particular case.

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thanks for the question. What type of filler did you have ? Depending on the type, it might well be mostly dissolved after 3 months (juvederm smile tends to dissolve quicker compared to juvederm volift/volbella or voluma).If you do not like the appearance, you can ask your surgeon to dissolve the filler with enzyme. I would ideally wait a week or so after the filler has been dissolved, before carrying out any surgery in the area. I hope this is of help to youBW

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Robby    I  would advice you schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon about this concern to help you make the right decision.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Fillers
do not shorten the distance between the nose and lip and do not significantly
change the appearance.  The technique I
recommend is the extended bullhorn lip lift. 
This lifts the corners as well as the central area, decreasing the
distance between the nose and lip, increases upper lip fullness and increases
incisor show.  Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Lucas Bryant, MD · Answer

Great question! Unfortunately, filler will generally not change the distance from your lip to your nose. The most commonly used lip fillers are hyaluronic acid based and last closer to 6-9 months before noticeable volume loss occurs. More permanent filler types have other challenges and are not as commonly used. To change your nose to lip distance really requires removal of the skin in that area. Often, the best method is to improve upon the shape of the lip (with a lip lift), and then add any additional volume as desired to make more voluptuous. If extra volume is simply added with filler in a lip that is not shaped correctly, you will get the commonly seen "sausage lip" appearance. Since filler and lip lifts treat different things, you do not necessarily need the filler reversed before surgery.

Eduardo Ochoa, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question Robby
Most of the fillers last from 10 to 18 months, depending on several factors such as the brand, type and amount of filler used, but if you are ready and want to have your lip lift surgery done I suggest you go ahead, I don´t really see why would you need to wait, it would have been helpful to see pictures from before and after the filler and to know where exactly it was injected but unless your lips were overdone I don´t think that the filler would interfere with the surgery. Discuss about this with your plastic surgeon, the worst that can happen is to wait for it to dissolve or ask your surgeon to dissolve it with hyaluronidase.

I hope you find this useful, and I wish you get the lips of your dreams!

Piotr Osuch, MD · Answer

Not always fillers have to be disssolved. If your lips weren't overdone, it should be possible to do lip lift without prior dissolving. Of course if you got big amount of filler injected, the surgeon may ask you to have it dissolved prior to your lip lift surgery. In such case it's good to do it 2-3 weeks prior to your LL.

How long should I wait for lip fillers to dissolve before having a lip lift surgery (or should I get them dissolved)?

Answers (7)

More Lip Lift Questions

What is the impact of a lip lift on lip lines and nasolabial folds?

How many millimeters will a lip lift drop on average?

Can I lift only the part in between my philtrum ridges to round out my lip? (photo)

Will dental work damage my lip lift? Will having my mouth so stretched open, for so long, do anything harmful to my lip lift?

Is it painful to have my my philtrum shortened or have an upper lip lift?

How do you increase upper lip vermillion show outside of cupid bow?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS