Once the area to be treated is numb, a small strip of skin beneath the nose (which is known as a “bullhorn” excision due to its shape) is surgically removed to prepare the area to be lifted. The exact shape and length of the excision is dependent entirely on the person who is undergoing the surgery as it will need to be modified and altered to help create their results and match their own individual characteristics.The excision is then closed with sutures to create a wound closure with as little tension as possible to aid the final appearance and recovery from surgery. A smaller amount of tension in the wound means that the risk of the scar stretching is much lower and that the results from surgery last much longer.

In the first few days following on from a lip lift surgery, both the lips and cheeks will be swollen and can be quite painful and tender to touch. The pain can normally be managed using over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol, but in rare cases stronger painkillers may be needed.

For the first 48 hours as a minimum, using ice packs to control the swelling is advised as well as sleeping with your head raised and supported by a number of pillows. It’s also advisable to stick to a soft or liquid diet where possible to avoid stressing the area that has undergone surgery.