Can a lateral raise to the sides of the lips be done, and if so, how soon? (photos)

Question

I’m devastated. Had a lip lift seven weeks ago (Aug 1) but have not seen any (!) change in appearance since day 14. I went to see my surgeon at week five who told me to be patient and used filler to the sides of the lips to reduce the rabbit look. The lip also tilts slightly outwards and forward. - Will my now gigantic nose go back to normal? - Can a lateral raise to the sides of the mouth be done and if so, how soon? I cannot even begin to worry about the nasal sill and scarring. Thank you!

Gary Linkov, MD · Answer

Considering your starting point, I will go out on a limb and say that I think the surgery was done reasonably well. 7 weeks is still really early. I would not have injected filler at this point but your surgeon was clearly trying to make you happy. Give it more time before you judge the ultimate outcome. Corner lifts are also imperfect as the scarring by the vermillion border can be problematic.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

As you have learned a subnasal lip lift is a central lip lifting procedure only. It can never raise up the sides or the lateral part of the upper lip. With your preoperative lip distance and shape such a result can be expected with just a lip lift only. This is why lateral vermilion advancements may need to be done in conjunction with a central lip lift in some patients. You could have that done secondarily at any time.

Can a lateral raise to the sides of the lips be done, and if so, how soon? (photos)

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Can a lateral raise to the sides of the lips be done, and if so, how soon? (photos)

Answers (2)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.