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Lip Lift

41 Procedures ( View All )

12 Face Procedures

Lip Lifts with Dr. Shumway | San Diego, CA

Looking like you’ve “had work done” may or may not be a plus for you. Some people really like dramatic changes and exaggerated looks. Others prefer more subtle differences that do not call attention to themselves. When it comes to lip lifting surgery, our cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Robert Shumway, can certainly appreciate and help patients with all kinds of preferences. As an accomplished San Diego, CA cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Shumway is proficient in minimally invasive aesthetic procedures, such as a customized lip lift procedure to shorten an elongated upper lip, lip reduction to refine overly full or asymmetric lips, or lip augmentation to enhance volume further if desired.Lip lift surgery can transform the curves and peaks of the lips, providing a newly defined, beautiful mouth. This surgery is minimally invasive, heals rather quickly, and can be performed simultaneously with other cosmetic surgeries or alone. In a private consultation, Dr. Shumway will learn more about you, examine your facial features, discuss your cosmetic goals, and determine whether a lip lift surgery will help you meet your lip lift surgery goals.
Dr. Shumway

Meet Dr. Shumway

San Diego board-certified facial plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Robert A. Shumway is the Medical Director of Shumway Cosmetic Surgery. With over 20 years of experience, he offers advanced face, breast, body, and skin procedures tailored to each patient’s goals. He is especially known for his expertise in transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA), a scar-free implant technique performed through the navel, and was the first to bring it to Europe in 2018. Patients considering facial plastic surgery often look for a surgeon who treats the nose as part of the whole face, and Dr. Shumway’s attention to facial balance can help guide rhinoplasty procedures that look natural.

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Who is an Ideal Lip Lift Candidate?

Great candidates for a lip lift want to change the lips beyond just fullness. Reasons for pursuing lip lift procedure options can include:
  • Asymmetrical lips
  • Thin and unshapely lips
  • Lips spaced too close or too far from the nose
  • Lips covering your upper row of teeth
  • Lips always in the “frown” position
During your consultation with Dr. Shumway, please explain your unique needs and specific concerns so that the proper lip procedure can be chosen. At times, patients request a total lip lift surgery when they in fact simply need this gummy smile concealing procedure. Ideal candidates often seek a lip lift procedure to reveal a pinker lip, shorten the distance between the nose and upper lip, or refine the corners of the mouth. Others may benefit from targeted lip reduction to slim heavy tissue, or staged lip augmentation to enhance shape and definition. Dr. Shumway will help you understand which blend of these options can safely give you the result you want.

What Lip Lift Techniques Are Available in San Diego, CA?

Your lips are unique to you! There are many approaches that can be utilized during lip lift surgery. However, the most frequently requested techniques are:
  • Gull-wing lip liftThis technique is performed to boost the appearance of the Vermilion border, also known as the line that curves the upper lip, which forms the top of the Cupid’s bow (center of the top lip). During this procedure, the skin tissue is meticulously detached, and the lips are lifted to strengthen the appeal of the lip line.
  • Sub-nasal lip liftWhen the philtrum (space between the nose and top lip) is too long, the philtrum can upstage the lips. A subnasal lip lift employing this technique would require a small portion of skin beneath the nose to be removed, so it could be sutured in a higher position. This will naturally lift the lip into a new elevated position. The sub-nasal lip lift technique makes the lips appear fuller and larger, emphasizing the Cupid’s bow and increasing the volume of the Vermilion border.
  • Corner lip liftThis approach gently elevates the downturned corners of the mouth to soften a chronic “frowning” expression. This targeted lip lifting surgery can be especially helpful for patients who feel their mouth looks sad even when they are at rest.
  • Central lip liftSmall, precisely placed incisions help lift only the central portion of the upper lip for patients who want a more defined Cupid’s bow without a dramatic change in width. These techniques can be combined with a limited lip reduction to remove excess bulk or with in-office lip augmentation for added volume and shape. Each lip lift procedure is tailored so your lips look natural from all angles.
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Schedule a Consultation

Ready to take the next step? Schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Shumway today and discover the best options to achieve your aesthetic goals. During your consultation, you can ask about rhinoplasty surgery, nose reshaping surgery, cosmetic rhinoplasty, or a nose job that also addresses breathing, and Dr. Shumway will explain which rhinoplasty procedures may suit you.

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Lip Lift vs. Lip Augmentation: The Differences and How They Work Together

A lip lift procedure changes the position and shape of the upper lip by removing a small amount of skin and lifting the lip closer to the nose. Lip lifting surgery is ideal when the space between the nose and lip is too long, the upper teeth are hidden when you smile, or the Cupid’s bow lacks definition. In contrast, lip augmentation focuses on adding volume and contour, usually with fillers or implants, without surgically shortening the lip.Lip reduction does the opposite of augmentation by carefully removing tissue to reduce bulk or asymmetry, while still preserving a natural, balanced look. Many patients benefit from combining a conservative lip lift procedure to reveal pinker lips with subtle lip augmentation to enhance fullness, rather than over-filling a long upper lip. In consultation, Dr. Shumway will explain how these techniques can be sequenced or paired for the most harmonious and flattering outcome.

What Are Non-Surgical Lip Augmentation Options?

Not every patient interested in improving their lips needs or wants lip lifting surgery right away. Non-surgical lip augmentation options can be a great way to test-drive a new look or refine results after a surgical lip lift procedure. The most common non-surgical approach is hyaluronic acid–based fillers, which can add soft, flexible volume to the upper and lower lips and gently smooth fine lines around the mouth.In some cases, small amounts of filler can complement a lip reduction by smoothing contours or balancing the lower lip with a newly lifted upper lip. Other non-surgical tools, such as skin resurfacing or energy-based treatments around the mouth, can improve texture and help the lips and surrounding skin look more youthful. During your visit, Dr. Shumway will explain how non-surgical lip augmentation can support or extend the results of your lip lift procedure.

What to Expect from a Lip Lift in La Jolla

A lip lift is sensitive in nature but typically provides lovely outcomes. Depending on the agreed upon technique, the lip lift may be completed within minutes or could take several hours. In addition to some pain, you should expect some swelling and bruising the first two weeks after a lip lift as the face and lips adjust. After the bruising and swelling have gone down, you should see marked enhancement and impressive results.We will also prepare you with instructions on how to care for your surgery site at home during your recovery. Scar care is vital to limit the visibility of your surgical scar.

Lip Lift Recovery: How to Prevent Lip Lift Scarring

After lip lift surgery, it is normal to experience swelling, tightness, and mild bruising for the first several days. Most patients are able to speak, eat soft foods, and move their lips carefully right away, but will need to avoid strenuous exercise and excessive mouth movements until cleared by Dr. Shumway. Keeping your head elevated, using cold compresses as directed, and following all medication instructions will help you feel more comfortable during this early phase of recovery.Scar care is essential for a great result. Incisions for a lip lift procedure are placed in natural creases at the base of the nose or along the lip border whenever possible, making them less visible. To help prevent a noticeable lip lift scar, you will be instructed on gentle cleansing, avoidance of sun exposure, and the use of recommended scar products once the incision has closed. Avoiding smoking and attending all follow-up appointments will also support smooth healing and keep your lip reduction, lip lifting surgery, or lip augmentation results looking their best.

How Do I Maintain Lip Lift Results?

Lip lift results are designed to be long-lasting, but good habits will help you maintain them. Protecting the delicate skin around the lips from sun damage with daily sunscreen and lip balm is key, especially after a lip lift procedure. Staying well hydrated, avoiding smoking, and minimizing repetitive pursing movements (like frequent straw use) can all help preserve the smoothness and shape you achieved with lip lifting surgery.Over time, some patients choose small refinements such as light non-surgical lip augmentation to enhance fullness, or targeted skin treatments to soften fine lines around the mouth. If you previously had lip reduction, maintaining a stable weight and following your surgeon’s advice about oral care will support your result. Regular check-ins with Dr. Shumway allow you to address changes early and keep your lips looking refreshed for years.

You’ll Have Lovely Lips

Although lip surgeries are intricate in nature, they often yield stunning results. You do not have to be concerned with leaving Shumway Cosmetic Surgery with “duck lips,” or lips that have obviously been dramatically enhanced. Dr. Shumway performs lip lift procedures that provide phenomenal yet organic-appearing outcomes that increase the overall look of your face. If you are considering a lip lift and believe that now is the time, please contact Shumway Cosmetic Surgery to make an appointment.From a subtle lip lift procedure that simply reveals more of your natural lip, to more comprehensive lip lifting surgery with possible lip reduction or follow-up lip augmentation, every plan is crafted to keep your lips in harmony with the rest of your features.

Schedule a Consultation

Ready to take the next step? Schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Shumway today and discover the best options to achieve your aesthetic goals.During this visit, you can review lip lift before and after photos, discuss whether lip lifting surgery, lip reduction, lip augmentation, or a combination would best suit you, and map out a timeline that works with your schedule.

La Jolla Lip Lift – FAQ’s

How much does a lift lip cost?

A lip lift starts at $4,500. During your consultation, we will discuss all that is necessary to reach the cosmetic surgery goals you have in mind. In the consultation, Dr. Shumway will evaluate your appropriateness for the lip lift with all of your facial features to give you facial balance. He may make alternative recommendations based on what is possible for your lips. Then, we will discuss your fees for the procedures you have with Dr. Shumway.

Why not just use a cosmetic injectable?

Cosmetic dermal fillers can be injected into your lips to create more fullness where it is needed. However, this will not solve the aesthetic concerns a lip lift would address. A filler will only project the lip outwardly, not raise it into a new position on your face. Plus, cosmetic injectable fillers are a temporary solution that requires maintenance injections to refresh the results. Dr. Shumway will discuss your options in a detailed consultation at our office in San Diego, CA.

Will I have a scar?

Since a lip lift will require an incision, it will leave a very small scar. Dr. Shumway places the incision inconspicuously at the bottom of the nose (in a crease). The sutures will be made inside the inner lip where they will not be observable for everyone to see. With the proper scar care routine, your lip lift incision mark will be minimal to nearly invisible.

If it doesn’t plump my lips, why should I have a lip lift?

It all comes down to the placement of your lips on your face. A lip lift is not meant to fill out your lip. It will redefine the shape and position of the lips to make them more aesthetically pleasing. Many patients see Dr. Shumway when they want to transform their “Cupid’s bow” and shorten the space between the top lip and the base of the nose (it is recommended that the vertical space be 12 – 15 mm in height for the best cosmetic result). If you want to have fuller lips, you can ask Dr. Shumway about dermal fillers (injectables), or a lip implant.

What facial concerns can a lip lift procedure improve?

A lip lift procedure can shorten an overly long space between the nose and upper lip, reveal more of the pink portion of the lip, and refi