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Lip Lift Contents

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What Is a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is a minor, filler-free surgical procedure designed to enhance the upper lip and restore youthful balance to the lower face. As part of the natural aging process, skin and soft tissues lose elasticity, causing the upper lip to lengthen, roll inward, and hide the teeth. A lip lift removes a small strip of skin directly beneath the nose (often referred to as a bullhorn or subnasal lip lift) to elevate the upper lip and expose more of the natural vermilion border.

Unlike injectable dermal fillers, which add temporary volume and can sometimes look overdone or heavy, a lip lift permanently shortens the distance between the nose and mouth (the philtrum). This enhances the natural Cupid’s bow, increases upper lip volume, reveals a subtle tooth show when resting, and creates a beautifully defined pout without the need for recurring filler treatments.

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What does a lip lift do?

  • Shortens the lip length between nose and mouth
  • Increases the visibility of your upper teeth
  • Shortens the perceived length of the lower mid-face
  • Turns the Cupid’s Bow upwards and increases upper lip volume
  • Creates subtle improvement at the corners of the mouth
  • Can make the lips and lower face appear much younger
  • Improves the definition of the philtra columns (the vertical ridges above the lips that connect to the underside of the nose)
  • Decreases the need for fillers
  • Creates a more youthful facial balance

Who is a good candidate for a lip lift?

As you age, the upper lip loses volume, and the tissues stretch, increasing the distance between the nose and upper lip. Lip lifting helps restore a more youthful facial balance and natural book and improves the definition of the upper lip. For patients who have distorted their upper lip from too much filler, lip augmentation in San Antonio by Hill Country can provide a more natural-looking, fuller, and defined upper lip.

What to Expect During Your Lip Lift Consultation

Your consultation at Hill Country Plastic Surgery is a private, one-on-one session with your surgeon to design your custom treatment plan:

  • Facial Assessment: We evaluate your upper lip, measure your philtrum length, and take pre-operative photos to plan your exact surgical lift.
  • Health & Safety Review: Your surgeon reviews your medical history, medications, and surgical candidacy to ensure a safe procedure.
  • Custom Plan & Transparent Pricing: You leave with a personalized surgical recommendation, clear pricing details, and access to all consultation notes via our secure patient portal.
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Why Choose Hill Country Plastic Surgery
for Your Lip Lift?

A lip lift requires exceptional precision, advanced knowledge of facial anatomy, and a keen artistic eye. At Hill Country Plastic Surgery, your procedure is guided by double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Amita Shah and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Farber, two premier facial plastic surgeons serving San Antonio and Boerne.

  • Specialized Facial Aesthetic Training: Both Dr. Shah and Dr. Farber completed prestigious post-residency fellowships, including Dr. Farber's specialized fellowship in craniofacial aesthetic surgery at NYU Langone. Their deep structural understanding of facial anatomy ensures natural-looking, beautifully balanced results.
  • Dual-Surgeon Expertise: Operating side by side for over seven years, Dr. Shah and Dr. Farber bring combined expertise and meticulous precision to every procedure, setting a high standard for patient safety and consistent outcomes.
  • Natural, Permanent Results Without Heavy Fillers: Our surgeons specialize in advanced surgical techniques, such as the subnasal bullhorn lip lift, that elevate tissue and conceal incisions within the nose's natural shadow. This creates a permanent, youthful pout without the bulky or overfilled appearance that dermal fillers can cause.
  • Compassionate, Patient-Centered Care: From your initial consultation to your final follow-up, our team provides warm, individualized attention to ensure you feel supported, educated, and comfortable every step of the way.

Experience the difference of world-class facial plastic surgery. Discover how Dr. Farber and Dr. Shah can help you achieve a naturally refreshed, confident smile.

Contact Us Today

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How Is a Lip Lift Performed?

A lip lift is a quick in-office procedure performed while you remain completely awake under local anesthesia. Your surgeon makes a precise, fine incision directly within the natural crease beneath the base of your nose (often called a subnasal bullhorn incision). A small strip of excess skin is removed, and the underlying lip tissue is carefully elevated and secured with delicate sutures. This elevates the upper lip, shortens the philtrum, and creates a fuller, permanent pout without relying on dermal fillers.

What to Expect During Lip Lift Recovery?

Lip lift recovery is fast and manageable, with most patients returning to social activities within 7 to 10 days. Mild swelling and tightness near the upper lip peak over the first 48 hours, then gradually resolve. Sutures are placed discreetly inside the natural shadow of your nose and removed within 5 to 7 days. You can resume light routine tasks immediately, though strenuous workouts should be avoided for 2 weeks. As swelling subsides, your refined lip position and youthful smile reveal long-lasting, natural-looking results.

View Our Pre & Post-Op Instructions

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Complementary Procedures to a Lip Lift

While a lip lift dramatically enhances the upper lip and restores youthful proportion to the lower face, combining it with complementary facial treatments can create a complete, harmonious refresh. During your consultation at Hill Country Plastic Surgery, Dr. Shah and Dr. Farber can help you design a customized treatment plan that aligns with your aesthetic goals.

  • Facelift & Neck Lift: Addresses deeper facial tissue laxity, jowling, and neck sagging to ensure your lower face and jawline match the refreshed, youthful position of your new lip contour.
  • Facial Injectables: Restores lost volume to the midface, cheeks, or marionette lines, or subtly enhances the lower lip to maintain balanced proportions with your newly lifted upper lip.
  • Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Brightens tired, heavy eyes by removing excess upper lid skin or under-eye bags, complementing your lower-face transformation with an awakened upper-face appearance.

How much does a lip lift cost?

The cost of a lip lift varies from patient to patient, and the technique used. All faces are different, and some need more correction than others. It is recommended that you come in to see the surgeons at Hill Country Plastic Surgery to get your customized lip lift consultation.

What level of discomfort should I expect after my lip lift?

Most of our patients experience little to no pain the day after surgery. In the operating room, they receive a local anesthetic that helps control pain during the day of surgery. We provide specialized aftercare instructions to reduce swelling and discomfort.

What is the expected recovery after a lip lift?

Recovery time after a lip lift is about 1-2 weeks. During the first week, patients may experience some swelling and bruising.

Begin your journey.

Your journey to a happier, more confident life starts with a private, in-depth consultation with your surgeon, where we learn about you and your vision and goals. Discover San Antonio’s premier clinic for plastic surgery.

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