Is it better to do rhinoplasty and lip lift at the same time?

The two procedures can be done together, but I prefer to separate them. Rhinoplasty causes post op swelling of the whole area, including the upper lip. I want the incision line of a lip lift to heal as good as possible without the extra swelling of rhinoplasty. A lip lift can easily be done as a local procedure once the swelling goes down and the location of the new nose is noted.

Hello! Thank you for your question.
As far as I can understand from your question ,the columellar incision for rhinoplasty and the bullhorn incision for a lip lift sit right next to each other at the base of the nose. Combining them can create excessive tension on the skin edges during post-op swelling, which increases the risk of a more visible scar.efining your nose tip and shortening the upper lip distance at the same time creates an instant, youthful, and delicate feminine balance to your lower face.
It would be better face to face consultation.
Best Regards!

In appropriately selected patients, I often recommend performing a rhinoplasty and lip lift during the same operation. Since both procedures influence the balance of the central face, evaluating and treating them together can help achieve a more harmonious result.
In my practice, I frequently combine a closed rhinoplasty with a lip lift. This allows for a single anesthesia, one recovery period, and enables me to fine-tune the relationship between the nose, upper lip, and smile during the same procedure.
When an open rhinoplasty is planned, however, the decision requires additional consideration. Because both procedures involve the columellar and upper lip region, some surgeons prefer to stage the operations to minimize concerns regarding soft tissue vascularity, wound healing, and postoperative swelling. Although combining the procedures can still be performed safely in selected patients, careful surgical planning and meticulous technique are essential.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your anatomy, the extent of the rhinoplasty, and your aesthetic goals. Factors such as nasal tip projection, upper lip length, incisor show, and overall facial proportions should all be evaluated before deciding whether to combine the procedures.

If a lip lift is done at the same time as a rhinoplasty, especially an open rhinoplasty, you could have healing problems because the blood supple to the columella is disrupted by the lip lift. I’ve actually seen this problem on the internet. Not a great idea, even doing them separately

I literally wrote the paper that showed that these two procedures are safely done together. Doing them together is cost effective and time efficient. But, they can be done in any order as well.

Yes, rhinoplasty and lip lift can be done at the same time in selected patients, but it depends on the exact rhinoplasty plan and the anatomy of the upper lip and nasal base.
The advantage of doing them together is that the surgeon can plan the nose, columella, nostril base, and upper lip relationship as one aesthetic unit. It also means one anesthesia and one recovery period. This can be useful when both procedures affect the same central facial area.
However, in some cases it may be better to stage them. Rhinoplasty can change the nasolabial angle, tip rotation, columella show, and the way the upper lip appears. If the rhinoplasty plan includes significant tip rotation or nasal base work, doing a lip lift at the same time may increase the risk of over-shortening the upper lip or creating an unnatural result.
My general approach would be conservative. If only a mild rhinoplasty and a clearly indicated lip lift are planned, they can often be combined safely. If the nose requires major structural changes, I may prefer to complete the rhinoplasty first, allow healing, and then decide whether a lip lift is still needed.
The best decision should be made after an in-person examination and measurements of the upper lip length, tooth show, nasal base, and facial proportions.

It is easier to do both of them at the same time and there is usually no adverse effect of doing them together. However, they can be done separately if you prefer.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hello and thank you for your question. I never recommend having a lip lift and rhinoplasty at the same time. The extra swelling will put tension on the lip lift scar and form a much worse scar. It is better to separate these by at least six months. Make sure you are going to a surgeon with hundreds of long-term before and after pictures on their website with standardized lighting and standardized backgrounds. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon