Lip suspension is a procedure which helps to give the lip a more defined and youthful appearance. This procedure can help solve, in whole or in part, lip problems such as vertical lengthening, thinning of the vermilion and a loss of volume of the lips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lip suspensions are generally carried out in the surgeon's office, an outpatient center, or in the hospital as an outpatient procedure.
There are several types of anesthesia but the most common forms are general, local and monitored anesthesia care. With a general anesthetic you will be asleep during your surgery. With a local anesthetic, you will be alert during your surgery and only the incision sites will be anesthetized. With monitored anesthesia care (MAC), you will be given medications to relax and the incision locations will be anesthetized. Your anesthesiologist will determine the best method of anesthesia for you depending upon your medical history and physical findings.
As with any surgery, there are risks such as bleeding, infection and a reaction to the anesthesia. Your doctor will inform you of the risks prior to surgery.
You are asked not to eat or drink anything past midnight the night before surgery. You will report to the doctor's clinic or preoperative nursing unit in the surgical center or hospital. An IV will be started but before any medications are given, your surgeon will identify you and you will be asked to sign an operative permit. At that time, any additional questions you may have will be answered.
Approximately 30 minutes if the procedure involves lip suspension only, but if you elect to have other procedures (e.g. midface lift, blepharoplasty) done at the same time, you will be in surgery longer.
The incision for the procedure will be made on the inside of the nose. The lip will be lifted by passing a suture through the inside of the nose to the inside of the upper lip. The lip height and outward roll desired is achieved by varying the suture tension when tying. This procedure will be repeated on the opposite side of the lip to achieve the desired elevation and symmetry. The incisions in the nose will be sutured. The exit holes in the lip are quite small and need not be sutured. There will be no visible sutures from this procedure.
Once the surgery is completed you will be taken to a postoperative room or recovery area. You will have an antibiotic ointment dressing on your lips. You will be given prescriptions for a pain and other medications as prescribed by your doctor. Prior to discharge you will be given instructions on how to care for your lips.
Maximum swelling usually occurs the day following the surgery. You should avoid excessive oral movements for a day or two and maintain an antibiotic ointment cover for several days. Dimpling in the skin is usually present in one or more suture sites - it will disappear in 3 to 12 weeks.
Be sure to call your doctor's office if the following symptoms appear:
- Extreme pain
- Fever
- Increasing redness or swelling around the incision sites
- Drainage from the incisions
Makeup can be used around the lip seven days after surgery and your hair may be washed a day or two following surgery. Exercising and social activities should be limited for a week.
It is impossible to estimate or guarantee how long the effects of the operation will last since it varies with the type of skin, the amount of wrinkling or sun damage, the patient's age and healing ability.
The surgeon's fee is discussed at the time of the first office visit and does not include the hospital or surgical center's facility or anesthesia costs. It is customary for all fees to be paid prior to surgery.