Is it okay to get a lip lift 6 months before my rhinoplasty or should I hold off?

Six months seems like a good amount of time to wait before having a Rhinoplasty done after the Lip Lift. As long as you are taking care of your incision after Lip lift properly so that it can heal up nicely. Six months is plenty of time.

Your idea of ​​putting a certain time period in between the surgeries instead of having rhinoplasty and lip lift surgery at the same time is very correct. You can have lip lift surgery first and then rhinoplasty 6 months later.

Surgeons will offer both rhinoplasty surgery and lip lift surgery at the same operation. This may be worth looking into. I hope this is helpful. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Those are both awesome procedures and you are correct to not do them at the same time. Ideal period between surgeries is 6-12 months. Lastly, I would recommend starting with the rhinoplasty. Hope this helps.

Hello, This is a great question that comes up frequently. In many cases it is ok to do them together, however when do them at different times, I prefer to do the rhinoplasty first and the lip lift 6 - 8 weeks after. Each case is unique and I decide mostly based on anatomy and what needs to be done during the surgeries. I chose to do the rhinoplasty before the lip lift in cases where we have to move the bottom portion of the those (the columella) up or down to a significant degree, or when we have to create significant reinforcement for a very weak columella. The reason is that when we measure lip lifts, it is very very precise, to the 1/2 millimeter. These measurements have to be done before injections or any swelling in order to get them just right. If we do the measurements and markings before surgery, then move the columella, it will change the measurements of the upper lip. If we wait to do the measurements immediately after surgery, there will be swelling and also distort the measurements. So in cases like this, it is best to do the rhinoplasty, allow for the nose to heal and majority of the swelling to subside over 6 - 8 weeks, then perform the lip lift with good predictability. Doing the procedures together has the obvious benefit of getting both surgeries done at once. This is something that is often chosen by our patients from out of town, who want to avoid traveling again, or those that don't want to take a second time to recover. It is also done when the base of the nose (the columella), does not have to be moved up or down to a significant degree, and will allow the lip lift to be done with precision. The two procedures are best done with their own separate incisions as this leads to the best aesthetic results. However, because the incisions are so close together, especially when the rhinoplasty involves a nostril (alar) reduction, there is a potential increased risk for skin necrosis (skin death) under the nose, particularly in revision cases. This is somewhat less of a risk with one incision, but that leads to an odd, unnatural appearance under the nose. I have done the procedures together many times with great results and no issues, including SELECT revision cases. I do NOT prefer to do the lip lift first and rhinoplasty later, as the rhinoplasty might change the lip due to the issues described above. Also, a good lip lift includes stabilization for the nasal base and nostrils. It is better to do that after the nose modifications are done. These are the main points of concern when deciding. The most important part is to find a surgeon that does both of the procedures very very well a they are both highly precise and nuanced. Discuss these points with them and see what they recommend based on your examination. Good luck!

Hello and thank you for your question. Rhinoplasty and lip lift should not be performed at the same time. The excessive swelling from both procedures at the same time can cause an adverse and very unsightly scar to form from the lip lift. I always recommend having rhinoplasty done first. 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

Hello from Istanbul,Lip lift and rhinoplasty can be done together by using the same incision. There is a drawback of this option; rotation of the tip of the nose will also cause slight lifting of the upper lip if the tip of the nose has a weak support. It can be a bit difficult to assess the lift of the lip when it is done together. Another option is to do the rhinoplasty first to see the position of the upper lip, than you can decide to get a lip lift surgery at least 3-6 months later. Best luck!

Hello,
When considering the timing of cosmetic procedures like a lip lift and rhinoplasty, the most crucial factor to consider is the experience and preference of your surgeon. Every surgeon has a unique approach based on their expertise, so the decision should be made in close consultation with them.
Before deciding on the timeline of the surgeries, it’s essential to ask yourself why you are getting these procedures in the first place. The goal of both the lip lift and rhinoplasty should be to create balance and harmony in your facial features. When done correctly, these procedures should complement each other, enhancing your beauty while maintaining or creating proportion.
In my professional experience, performing both the lip lift and rhinoplasty in a single session is often advantageous for several reasons:
Less anesthesia: Combining procedures minimizes the amount of anesthesia required, which is always preferable for the patient’s safety.
Less opening and closing of tissues: Performing the surgeries at the same time reduces the need for multiple incisions and closures, minimizing the risk of complications like scarring and prolonged recovery.
More cohesive result: A key point to consider is how much you want to lift the tip of your nose during rhinoplasty, as this can directly relate to the philtrum area (the space between your nose and upper lip.) The amount of lift in both areas should be balanced and this is why I prefer to perform these procedures at the same time.
If you choose to have a lip lift six months prior to your rhinoplasty, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:
Risk of Revision: The surgeon performing the rhinoplasty may need to adjust the area around your upper lip to ensure optimal harmony with your new nose. This could lead to a revision surgery, adding further cost, recovery time, and potential skin complications.
Compromising the Skin: Each procedure impacts the tissue around your mouth and nose, and performing surgeries months apart could lead to added tension or compromise the healing process in these sensitive areas.
In any case, for a lip lift, you must choose a surgeon who delivers excellent results, not just satisfactory ones. The central part of the face is delicate, and improper techniques can lead to scarring and tension, which could ruin the outcome and lead to severe aesthetic issues.
It’s also important to note that some surgeons may excel in one procedure but not the other. A surgeon might be great at lip lifts but not as skilled in rhinoplasty, or vice versa. Therefore, it’s often best to find a surgeon who is proficient in both procedures and understands the importance of facial balance.
As an additional note, when performing only a lip lift with a nose you already love, the projection will change. Additionally, gravity could bring your nose tip down and alter the balance of the face and contribute to widening of the nostrils.
For this reason, anyone considering a lip lift, might also consider tiplasty to preserve their existing nose, in my experience.
Some cases will need a 2 step lip-lift of any order due to the distance being too much to perform with optimal healing in one surgery.
Regardless of when you choose to have these procedures, the key is to ensure that your nose and lips work together in harmony. When performed correctly, a lip lift is a game changer which gives back years and increases femininity.
Whether performed simultaneously or six months apart, the end result should be a balanced and natural look that enhances your facial features as a whole.
Make sure to consult with a surgeon who understands the intricate balance between these two areas to avoid unnecessary revisions or complications.

Hi great question. Typically a lip lift is safe after rhinoplasty and can even be done at the same time without compromising blood flow to the nasal skin. I would recommend a consultation with a plastic surgeon specializing in rhinoplasty and lip lift surgery. Best of luck, Dr. Ghazizadeh

A full set of facial photographs are required to make a determination about two different surgical procedures and whether or not you're a candidate for each one. Probably best to do the rhinoplasty first then wait six months to do a lip lift.