Lip Lift - How Soon After Jaw Surgery?

[Eranthe]

Just a quick question ... when I was arranging my revision Le Fort I mentioned to my surgeon that my top lip had become quite thin and that I had to pull my bottom lip upwards to close my mouth, creating somewhat of a frown. He told me that was easily fixed with a procedure called a VY Lip. He said it would make it easier to close my mouth and give me more fleshiness, more of a pout. I agreed as that is exactly what I wanted.

However, since my surgery and the VY my lip has relaxed and dropped down flat over my teeth, like a curtain, covering my teeth entirely. It looks really horrible and adds about 10 years to my face. It also lengthens and flattens my face and makes my nose look big. I have been trying to work out why I look so ugly since the surgery (not swollen like last time, but just ugly) as I have almost no swelling ... and I have realized that this is the reason. There is too much space between my nose and the top of my lip.

I've done a bit of research today regarding VY Lip reversal procedures and was told I would need a lip lift to correct this. The procedure is a Bullhorn Lip Lift and it can be done in the chair under a local in under an hour. It is an external procedure where they cut away a small amount of skin directly underneath the nose (the scar is hidden under the tip of the nose) and it pulls the top lip up into a pout. My question is ... how long after jaw surgery should one wait before getting a lip lift?

At present I am only 6 weeks post-op and I realize things will still be settling at this time - however, my top lip is not swollen AT ALL ... it is just flat and is hanging stretched all the way down over my top teeth making me look like an old angry lady. I don't anticipate any more significant changes to the lip now unless, of course, it keeps on stretching down to my bloody chin!!!

I'd be greatful for any information or help you guys can offer

[jaime]

For starters, I would ask your oral surgeon and see what his opinion is on a time to wait.

My own surgeon told me to wait a year before I did any plastic surgery because it takes a full year for the swelling to go away. I'm not sure how old you are; I was 29 when I had the surgery and it really did take a whole year for the swelling to completely subside, which I knew because I did vlogs every month and could see the swelling. I would be very hesitant about getting any work done to my face before everything is done settling.

[snapdresser]

6 weeks post-op? You should have a really good idea of your final results at this point. You should go ahead and pull the trigger on the lip lift! Keep us posted on how everything works out!

[jaime]

6 weeks post-op? You should have a really good idea of your final results at this point. You should go ahead and pull the trigger on the lip lift! Keep us posted on how everything works out!

Whoa, don't you think he/she is probably still swollen? Six weeks is pretty early! IMHO even 6 months is too early, but I'm no phD.

[jawregret1]

Six weeks is too early!

[pantlover]

6 weeks is still pretty early IMO. i am almost to that point and most of my swelling is actually in my upper lip (and cheeks). I'd wait a couple more months at least but 6 months-1 year is what my surgeon recommended to wait until I considered plastic surgery.

[glennstanzalone]

Pretty sure snapdresser was being sarcastic. Wait, wait, wait and then wait some more.

[underbitewars]

I feel this may just be a slippery slope leading to more plastic surgeries. The problem is probably that your top jaw is overadvanced, and the most aesthetic solution would be to correct that.

[fixmenow]

Hey, how is your lip doing now? Can you please give us an update? I'm at 6 weeks and am feeling the same. My nose feels too high on my face and my upper lip too small.