Facial Feminization Surgery: Upper Lip Lift

When women leave their mouths half open, the upper teeth are usually exposed. In general, female upper lips are shorter than male upper lips in relation to the overall height of the face (the upper lip is the whole flexible and movable area below the nose, and not merely the vermillion border, as it’s commonly believed).
In men, the upper teeth are not so frequently exposed. It is a typical feminine trait that is also characteristic of youth, since as years go by the upper lip droops and covers the teeth.
As regards the vermillion border, it’s considered more feminine when it’s fleshy and has a good projection.

Upper lip lift is one of simplest and swiftest facial surgeries. However, it achieves a distinct feminizing change that is permanent.
The surgeon cuts and removes a small portion of skin and muscle that is shaped like a bull horn from just below the nose. The lower border of the resulting gap is pulled upwards to the upper border and both are joined together with stitches. The external face of the lip becomes shorter, which has the following benefits:

• a) the lip is rolled up, so a larger vermillion area results visible.
• b) the resulting curvature increases the lip projection.
• c) the upper teeth can be exposed about 3 or 4 mm.

If in spite of this surgery the lip is still too thin, an injectable product can be applied at the moment of the surgery or afterwards.

There is not need to be hospitalized.

Anesthesia
Local.

How long will it take?
Between 60 and 90 minutes.

What kind of bandages will I need, when will they be removed?
You will have a small piece of gauze below your nose. Two days later you will be able to replace it with a band-aid.

What will the scars look like?
The resulting scar will be just below the nose where it joins the lip, under its shadow. Soon it becomes very difficult to notice.

How long will it take?
About one hour.

When will the stitches be removed?
Between 7 and 10 days after the surgery.

What about swelling and bruises?
The lip may be swollen during the first two or three days. Bruises are not likely to develop.

During the first days, the area will feel tight and the lip may be a bit rigid when you talk or eat.

Every surgery, no matter how simple it may be, has certain risks, and we should not rule them out. However, it is very unlikely for an upper lip lift to present any complications when performed by a qualified surgeon.

• Adverse reactions to anesthesia.
• Infections may develop but, if you take the right antibiotics, they will be less likely to develop.
• Hypertrophic scars or keloids (excessive scar tissue that is more visible and prominent than usual due to genetic traits of certain skin types).
• Asymmetry.
• Dehiscence (some stitches may come off) since the area is subject to tension and constant movement.