5 years post lip lift - Can I get a medial lift without getting another traditional lift lip?

Thank you for sharing this — it’s completely understandable to feel frustrated when you didn’t get the full improvement you were hoping for. After five years, your tissues are fully healed and stable, so this is an appropriate time to reassess your options.

A medial lip lift can sometimes be done on its own after a previous subnasal (traditional) lip lift, but it depends on a few key factors:

1. Your current anatomy
If the central portion of your lip still has good lift from your previous surgery but the outer thirds lack pink show or projection, a targeted medial or modified corner lift might help balance things. This is something that can be evaluated by looking at your incision line, remaining philtral length, and how much lift remains.

2. Scar placement and tissue mobility
Because you’ve already had a lift, the surgeon needs to make sure there’s still enough soft, mobile tissue to work with. In many cases, there is — but it requires careful planning.

3. Avoiding over-shortening
A second full lip lift is not necessarily required. In fact, over-shortening the philtrum can lead to an unnatural look, so a precise medial or lateral adjustment is often preferred in revision cases.

4. Alternative enhancements
Sometimes adding subtle volume to the lateral portions of the upper lip (either with HA filler or fat grafting) gives the same visual improvement you’re seeking without needing a new incision. This depends on your goals and whether you prefer a surgical vs. nonsurgical approach.

The bottom line:
Yes, a medial or more localized secondary lift can be an option without repeating the entire procedure — but it needs to be evaluated carefully to make sure the proportions remain natural and balanced. Revision lip work is very specialized, but with the right provider, it can absolutely address the persistent issue you’re describing.