Is a Lip Lift Painful?

The procedure itself will be pain-free due to anesthesia. You should expect some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort post-surgery, but pain medication and cold compresses will help with these symptoms.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Dr. Chopra will have you return to our office about a week after surgery so that he can monitor your recovery and remove any bandages or sutures. He will also let you know when he wants to see you next.

How Long Until I See Results?

While many patients will be able to see some positive results immediately following your procedure, you should expect to see better results in about three months, with your final lip ratio settling at the one-year mark.

Can I Combine a Lip Lift With Other Procedures?

A lip lift can be combined with other procedures, such as facelifts or skin treatments, to achieve a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Dr. Chopra can recommend the best combination based on your individual needs and goals.

What Are the Risks Associated With a Lip Lift?

A lip lift has the following risks associated with it that are important to outline: Allergic reactions to anesthesia Blood loss during or after surgery Infection Nerve damage Poor wound healing or scarring Scarring Uneven lips If you experience any long-lasting or unexpected reactions during your recovery, please contact us at Chopra Cosmetic Surgery immediately.

Fairfax, VA | Washington, D.C.

Lip Lift

Introduction

Introduction to Lip Lift

As we age, many people notice changes in their facial features, particularly around the lips. A common concern is the loss of volume in the upper lip, which can lead to a longer appearance and reduced visibility of the upper teeth. A lip lift can address these issues by shortening the distance between the nose and lip, enhancing the shape and fullness of the upper lip, and revealing more of your teeth. This procedure offers long-lasting results, making it popular for those seeking a natural, youthful appearance. If you are interested in learning more about a lip lift in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas, schedule a consultation with award-winning plastic surgeon Dr. Vinod Chopra at Chopra Cosmetic Surgery in Fairfax, VA. Please read below for more information.

Before + After Gallery

Before
Before
Before
Before

View Results

What is a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is a surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the appearance of your upper lip by reducing the distance between the base of the nose and the lip. This change enhances the fullness of the upper lip and exposes more of the upper teeth, which is especially beneficial for individuals whose lips have elongated due to aging.

Unlike lip fillers, which add volume to the lips, a lip lift offers a permanent solution that provides a more natural, youthful look without repeated treatments.

A woman with tan complexion and dark brown hair- Lip Lift in Fairfax, VA

Types of Lip Lift Procedures

There are several types of lip lift techniques, each tailored to the patient’s unique needs and desired results. The most common procedures include:

The gull-wing lip lift is a popular technique that enhances the shape of the lips by removing tissue directly under the nose. The incision is shaped like a gull’s wing, and the procedure involves lifting the red portion of the lip, which results in increased lip fullness and a more defined lip contour.

The subnasal lip lift, also known as the bullhorn lip lift, is a less invasive procedure that removes a small amount of tissue beneath the base of the nose. This method effectively lifts the upper lip to expose more of the red portion, giving the lips a fuller, more youthful appearance.

For those with downturned corners of the mouth, the corner lip lift can help. This technique involves making incisions at the outer edges of the upper lip and removing small triangular sections of tissue to lift the corners of the mouth and create a subtle smile. This procedure can also be applied to the lower lip to correct deep grooves beneath the lip.

Liposuction alone may be an option for individuals with good skin elasticity and minimal excess skin. This procedure uses a small incision to remove fat, offering a shorter recovery time and less noticeable scarring.

- The gull-wing lip lift is a popular technique that enhances the shape of the lips by removing tissue directly under the nose. The incision is shaped like a gull’s wing, and the procedure involves lifting the red portion of the lip, which results in increased lip fullness and a more defined lip contour.
- The subnasal lip lift, also known as the bullhorn lip lift, is a less invasive procedure that removes a small amount of tissue beneath the base of the nose. This method effectively lifts the upper lip to expose more of the red portion, giving the lips a fuller, more youthful appearance.
- For those with downturned corners of the mouth, the corner lip lift can help. This technique involves making incisions at the outer edges of the upper lip and removing small triangular sections of tissue to lift the corners of the mouth and create a subtle smile. This procedure can also be applied to the lower lip to correct deep grooves beneath the lip.
- Liposuction alone may be an option for individuals with good skin elasticity and minimal excess skin. This procedure uses a small incision to remove fat, offering a shorter recovery time and less noticeable scarring.

What Are the Benefits of a Lip Lift?

Our patients who have received a lip lift in Washington, D.C., have enjoyed its many benefits, including the facial rejuvenation it offers. Some other benefits include:

Balancing symmetry in lips
Shortens the distance between the lips and nose
Causes increased lip show
Increasing the projection of Cupid’s bow
Improvement in “smoker’s” lines or the lines in the skin above the lip
Shortens the length of the midface
Reduction in the need for lip filler

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Lip Lift?

The best candidates for a lip lift in Washington, D.C., will be those who are not interested in temporary boosts such as lip fillers. Ideal candidates will have some of the following characteristics:

Have thin or “bird” lips.
Low self-esteem due to a sagging mouth
Maintain realistic expectations
No underlying health issues
Those with asymmetric lips

What’s the First Step?

The first step in getting a lip lift in Washington, D.C. is to have a detailed consultation with Dr. Vinod Chopra. During this consultation, Dr. Chopra will discuss your goals, expectations, and the specific technique that will work best for you. He will also examine your facial anatomy to ensure the procedure complements your overall appearance.

Once you both agree to move forward, Dr. Chopra will design a treatment plan. You can take this plan to our patient concierge to schedule pricing options and receive pre-operative instructions.

What to Expect on the Day of Lip Lift Surgery

On the day of your lip lift in Washington, D.C., Dr. Chopra and his staff will receive you at Chopra Cosmetic Surgery, get you settled in your procedure room, and review the surgical plan in case of any outstanding questions. A lip lift can be performed in-office under local anesthesia, which numbs the area around the mouth while you remain awake. For those opting for a more extensive procedure or combining a lip lift with other surgeries, general anesthesia or sedation may be used.

Once you are numb, Dr. Chopra will begin by creating a hidden incision beneath the nose. Once he has access to the underlying tissue, he will gently lift it, moving the lips and mouth to the desired position. Once he feels he has met your aesthetic goals, he will seal the incision with sutures.

A lip lift will take less than an hour to complete without any complications.

Lip Lift Recovery

After the surgery, you can expect some swelling and discomfort around the incisions, which typically subside within a few days to a week. It is important to follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions, which may include keeping your head elevated while sleeping and avoiding excessive talking.

Sutures are usually removed within five days, and the healing process takes around six to eight weeks. Some tightness in the lips may persist for two to four months after the procedure, but the results will gradually become more visible as the area heals.

Recovery time typically takes six to eight weeks, with initial swelling and tightness improving after the first few days. You should avoid strenuous activities for at least two weeks after the procedure for the best results and follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions.

How Much Does a Lip Lift Cost in Washington, D.C.?

The Cost of a Lip Lift in Washington, D.C., and Fairfax, VA, will depend on a multitude of factors, including but not limited to the complexity of the procedure, Dr. Chopra’s fees, and the anesthetist’s fees. The fastest way to arrive at a price estimate is to schedule your consultation so that you can have a surgical plan that can be priced out.

Why Choose Dr. Chopra?

Dr. Chopra is an experienced plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic procedures, including lip lifts, at Chopra Cosmetic Surgery in Fairfax, VA. He is dedicated to providing high-quality care and helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals.

At Chopra Cosmetic Surgery, our mission is to provide our patients with exceptional and comprehensive care from Dr. V and our expertly trained and caring staff, who will also be beside you for your personal journey. Our team will attempt to ensure that every aspect of your care is executed compassionately, thoughtfully, and thoroughly. Our goal is to restore and rejuvenate you through a holistic approach. Dr. V addresses your concerns while ensuring an artfully balanced result that builds confidence and peace of mind.

Our team comprises plastic surgery specialists, nurses, and coordinators with extensive cosmetic medicine experience and expertise.

Dr. V is one of only a few surgeons to have completed a cosmetic and aesthetic fellowship. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) endorses his prestigious fellowship.

Lip Lift FAQ’S

A lip lift has the following risks associated with it that are important to outline:
- Allergic reactions to anesthesia
- Blood loss during or after surgery
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Poor wound healing or scarring
- Scarring
- Uneven lips
If you experience any long-lasting or unexpected reactions during your recovery, please contact us at Chopra Cosmetic Surgery immediately.

Patient Reviews

I moved to Philadelphia and drive back every few months just to see Dr. Chopra, I wouldn’t go anywhere else! They take such good care of me and make me feel so comfortable. The new office is beautiful- it’s a professional, clean, and comfortable environment. Carla is an angel, she is so helpful, supportive and so good to me and everyone. Highly recommend!

View Results
Ali L.
This location is amazing! Dr.Chopra and his team take the time to listen to my concerns, walk me through solutions and still manage to make me feel good about myself but more importantly: they don’t try and UP sale me! They offer real solutions, they do not just throw all procedures at me and they don’t play off my insecurities to get more $$ out of me. If you want to look better AND feel better about your procedure – come here! You should feel just as confident, if not more confident when you leave👍

View Results
Gina R.
The entire staff here is amazing and make the experience here incredibly comfortable and easy. Dr. Chopra’s ability to communicate and understand the issues I was having, while also providing his own honest medical opinions and recommendations was an amazing experience and helped me in this process a lot. His care and expertise in the procedures he completed left me feeling ecstatic about the results and I couldn’t be happier. Would definitely recommend this place to anybody thinking about a plastic surgery procedure.

View Results
Rehaan W.

Schedule a Consultation

For informational purposes only: A link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public.

Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at 703-962-2520