Can the nasal base be anchored back up after a lip lift? (Photos)

Question

I had a lip lift 3 years ago and it pulled down my nasal base. I absolutely hate my nostril show and flare now. I’m afraid an alarplasty will just make the nostril base smaller but not put it back up to it’s original position and will continue to still appear pulled. I’m wondering if there’s any way to anchor it back up and if this has been done before? Any recommendations would be helpful. I’m highly regretting this lip lift.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Lip lifts do not lower the nasal bone. The bone is ridged and attached to surrounding bone and tissue. What you have now is a more prominent columella and you will need the columella revised. This can be done with a rhinoplasty, if that is your only nasal complaint.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It does not appear that you have a significant change in position of nasal base and lips, based on these photos. I wonder why did you need a lip lift? However, if you want nasal base moved up for 3-5 mm it can be done. This may require a more experienced board certified plastic surgeon, possibly someone who has extensive cleft lip/nose experience. Good luck

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

I completely understand your frustration—changes in the nasal base after a lip lift can be very distressing, especially when it affects the balance of your face and nostril appearance. What you’re describing—where the nasal base appears pulled down and the nostrils flare more—is something we do see in some patients after a lip lift, particularly if the lift was aggressive or altered the support of the columella and nasal base.

Alarplasty alone typically reduces nostril width or flare but doesn’t really lift the nasal base. To address a downward-pulled nasal base, surgical options exist, but they are more specialized than a standard alarplasty. Surgeons can perform procedures that re-anchor the alar base or columella to more supportive structures of the nose, sometimes using internal sutures or cartilage grafts to restore the original position. These techniques are more complex and require careful planning because the tissue has already been altered by your prior lip lift.

Yes, this kind of revision has been done before, but outcomes can be variable depending on your tissue quality, the amount of previous scarring, and how much support remains in the nasal base. Realistic expectations are crucial—it may not be possible to fully return to exactly how it looked before, but improvement in the position and symmetry is often achievable.

The best path forward is a consultation with a facial plastic surgeon or an experienced revision rhinoplasty specialist who can evaluate your specific anatomy and previous lip lift changes. They can outline which techniques might safely elevate your nasal base and improve nostril appearance.

It’s completely understandable to feel regret, but there are options to improve the situation—though they do require precise surgical expertise.

Can the nasal base be anchored back up after a lip lift? (Photos)

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