Engage with Dr. Culver :
Engage with Dr. Culver :
Tired of lip filler that fades every few months? A lip lift is the permanent alternative. This short surgical procedure lifts and reshapes a long, thin, or aging upper lip, restoring fuller definition and natural tooth show that lasts. At her Dallas practice, board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Abby Culver takes an anatomy-first approach to the lip lift, for balanced results that still look like you.
Book a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Culver and see whether a lip lift fits your goals.
Lip lift surgery rewards precision. A few millimeters change how natural the result looks, which is why surgical training and aesthetic judgment matter more than the size of the incision.
Dr. Abby Culver brings verifiable academic and surgical credentials to every lip lift she performs in Dallas:
As a female plastic surgeon, Dr. Culver approaches lip aesthetics with an emphasis on proportion and restraint. Her goal with a lip lift is subtle, natural-looking balance between the upper and lower lip, not an overdone result. She plans each procedure around your individual anatomy, facial harmony, and the tooth show you want when you smile, so the change reads as refreshed rather than obvious.
See whether a lip lift fits your goals in a one-on-one consultation.
A surgical lip lift changes the structure of the upper lip, so the improvement is permanent. Unlike injectable filler, which adds temporary volume, a lip lift shortens an elongated philtrum and rolls the lip outward to show more pink lip and more upper teeth. The result is a fuller-looking upper lip that holds its shape over time.
Filler and surgery solve different problems. Lip filler plumps the body of the lip and fades within months, requiring ongoing maintenance. A lip lift makes a one-time structural change to the space between the nose and lip. For patients tired of repeat filler visits, the surgical approach offers lasting upper lip definition. During your consultation, Dr. Culver will help you decide which option, or combination, fits your anatomy and goals.
A lip lift can offer:
Individual results vary with anatomy, healing, and the amount of skin removed.
The best lip lift candidates have a specific concern the procedure is designed to address: a long upper lip, a thinning or aging lip, or reduced tooth show. Good candidates are in stable health, maintain a steady weight, do not smoke, and hold realistic expectations about a subtle, natural change. Dr. Culver confirms candidacy during an in-person exam of your lip proportions, skin quality, and facial balance.
You may be a candidate if you notice:
A lip lift is not right for everyone. Patients with a naturally short philtrum have little to gain, since shortening it further can crowd the space between nose and lip. Active smokers and people with certain healing conditions may face higher risks. If your main goal is added volume in the body of the lip, filler may suit you better. Dr. Culver will tell you honestly if surgery is not the best fit.
Dr. Culver selects the lip lift technique based on your anatomy and the change you want. For most patients she performs a subnasal lip lift, and in select cases a direct lip lift. Both are outpatient procedures, typically done under local anesthesia with sedation, and both place the incision where it heals as discreetly as possible.
The subnasal lip lift is the most common technique. Dr. Culver places a small incision at the base of the nose, shaped like a bullhorn to follow the natural contour of the nostrils. She removes a precise strip of skin, then lifts and repositions the upper lip in a slightly elevated position. This shortens the philtrum and increases tooth show. The incision sits in the crease where the nose meets the lip, so the scar is positioned to fade into a natural shadow line, though it remains permanent and visible on close inspection.
In select cases, Dr. Culver recommends a direct lip lift, with the incision placed along the upper lip border. This approach adds definition directly to the vermilion border and suits certain lip shapes, mild asymmetry, and older patients with specific concerns. Because the incision follows the edge of the lip, technique and suturing are key to keeping the scar subtle. Dr. Culver will explain why one approach fits your anatomy better during your consultation.
From your first visit through healing, Dr. Culver and her Dallas team guide each step of the lip lift process. Knowing what to expect helps you plan time off and set realistic expectations for how your results develop.
Your lip lift begins with a consultation. Dr. Culver reviews your medical history, examines your lip proportions and skin quality, and discusses your goals in detail. She measures the philtrum, assesses your tooth show, and recommends the technique and amount of skin removal suited to your face. This is the time to ask about the incision, recovery, scarring, and realistic outcomes so you can make an informed decision.
The procedure takes about one to two hours and is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation for your comfort. Dr. Culver makes the planned incision, removes a measured amount of skin, and closes with meticulous suturing to support discreet healing. Most patients go home the same day. Because it is an outpatient procedure, you will need someone to drive you home afterward.
Recovery from a lip lift is gradual but manageable, with limited downtime for most patients. Swelling and bruising are normal early on and ease over the following weeks. A general timeline looks like this:
Individual healing varies, and Dr. Culver provides personalized aftercare instructions.
A lip lift is a small, one-time procedure with a lasting payoff: a fuller, better-balanced upper lip and more natural tooth show, without the upkeep of repeat filler. As a board-certified female plastic surgeon trained at UT Southwestern, Dr. Abby Culver plans every upper lip lift around your anatomy, so the result reads as refreshed, not done. The next step is a conversation about your goals.
Book your consultation with Dr. Culver and get a lip lift plan built around your face.
A lip lift, also called an upper lip lift, is a surgical procedure that shortens the distance between the nose and the upper lip. By removing a small strip of skin below the nose, it raises the lip, reveals more pink lip and upper teeth, and creates a fuller, more youthful appearance. Results are permanent.
Most patients return to work and light activities within seven to ten days. Swelling and bruising are most noticeable in the first week, and sutures usually come out around days five to seven. Final results appear over the following weeks as swelling fully resolves. Individual healing varies from patient to patient.
A lip lift does leave a scar, placed in the crease at the base of the nose where it is positioned to be discreet. It is not scarless surgery, but with careful suturing and proper aftercare, the incision typically fades into a natural shadow line over several months.
A lip lift makes a permanent structural change, while lip filler adds temporary volume that fades within months. If you want lasting upper lip definition and more tooth show, a lip lift may suit you. If you prefer added fullness without surgery, filler may be the better fit. A consultation clarifies the choice.
Dr. Culver often plans a lip lift alongside other facial procedures to create balanced rejuvenation in a single recovery. Common combinations include the following.
A facelift addresses sagging skin and deeper aging across the mid and lower face. Pairing it with a lip lift refines both the overall facial contour and the upper lip in one surgical session, which consolidates recovery into a single period rather than two separate ones.
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, removes excess skin and puffiness around the eyes. Combined with a lip lift, it refreshes the upper and lower thirds of the face together, creating a more rested, balanced look. Because both use small, well-hidden incisions, many patients choose to recover from them in one period.
Chin enhancement, or a chin implant, improves facial proportion and profile balance. Performed alongside a lip lift, it harmonizes the lower face, since a balanced chin and a well-proportioned upper lip both contribute to overall facial harmony. Dr. Culver evaluates your profile to decide whether it adds to your result.
Injectable dermal fillers add temporary volume and can complement a lip lift by refining the body of the lip or smoothing nearby lines. Some patients combine a structural lip lift with filler, tailoring the balance of permanent and adjustable enhancement to their goals.
Abby Culver, MD
Dallas, TX 75209
Phone: (945) 218-5474
Monday – Thursday : 8:30am – 5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am- 4:00pm
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