patient 101
Before
After
Lip Lift
Before
After
Lip Lift
Before
After
Lip Lift
Before
After
Lip Lift
Before
After
Over time, the upper lip lengthens and thins, the visible pink portion of the lip rolls inward, and the upper teeth show less when smiling or speaking. Some patients are simply born with a long upper lip that hides the teeth and minimizes the lip’s natural shape.
A lip lift addresses these concerns by removing a precise crescent of skin just under the nose, which shortens the white portion of the upper lip, gently rolls the pink lip outward, and increases tooth show. The result is a softer, more youthful, and more inviting smile.
Good candidates have a long upper lip, minimal tooth show when smiling, a thin or downturned upper lip, or simply want a more permanent alternative to lip filler. Healthy adults with realistic expectations and well-positioned upper teeth tend to be excellent candidates. Patients who have repeatedly tried filler and felt that the result still does not produce the lip shape they want often find that a lip lift achieves what filler alone cannot.
In Bend, Central Oregon, and across the Pacific Northwest, patients are increasingly choosing lip lifts as a long-lasting, natural-looking alternative to ongoing injectable treatments. Many are tired of returning every six to twelve months for filler, while others have noticed that their lips are slowly disappearing as they age. A lip lift offers a one-time procedure that improves both lip proportion and tooth show, helping the smile look more youthful and engaged.
A lip lift is typically performed in the office under local anesthesia, often with light oral sedation. The procedure takes about an hour. The incision is hidden in the natural shadow at the base of the nose, where it heals as a discreet line that fades significantly over several months. Most patients experience mild swelling and bruising for about a week and return to work within five to seven days. Sutures are removed at about one week. Final results settle over several months as the scar matures and the lip relaxes into its new position.
From the Surgeon
Dr. Jourdan Carboy, MD explains her approach to lip lift surgery — why the structure of the upper lip changes over time, how the subnasal technique works, and what natural, lasting results look like. A permanent alternative to ongoing filler, tailored to your anatomy.
Dr. Carboy approaches this procedure with meticulous attention to symmetry, proportion, and scar placement.
A lip lift is typically performed in the office under local anesthesia, often with light oral sedation. The procedure takes about an hour.
Most patients experience mild swelling and bruising for about a week and return to work within five to seven days.
Final results settle over several months as the scar matures and the lip relaxes into its new position.
The average procedure time varies based on your personalized treatment plan and the complexity of the procedure performed
Most patients are able to return to light daily activities within a short recovery period while healing continues gradually over time
Your follow-up appointments are designed to monitor healing, support, recovery, and ensure your results continue progressing naturally.
The location of your procedure is determined vary based on your personalized needs and the complexity of the procedure performed
We understand that choosing a procedure is a deeply personal decision. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about treatment, recovery, results, and the overall Alpenaura experience.
The incision is placed precisely in the crease where the nose meets the lip, following its natural shadow. In the early weeks it appears as a fine pink line, and with proper care it typically fades to a thin, pale mark that is difficult to notice in conversation — most patients can wear no makeup over it once fully healed. Careful incision design and closure are what make the difference, and they are a point of particular attention in Dr. Carboy's technique.
Filler adds volume; a lip lift changes structure. The procedure shortens the space between the nose and upper lip and rolls the lip slightly outward, revealing more of the pink lip and often more tooth show when you smile — things no amount of filler can achieve. The result is also permanent, whereas filler requires maintenance every several months. Many patients choose a lip lift precisely because they want to stop the filler cycle or because filler alone began to look heavy rather than lifted.
A lip lift is a permanent structural change — the shortened distance between nose and lip does not revert. Your lips will continue to age naturally with the rest of your face, but the improved proportion the lift creates is lasting. Unlike filler, there is nothing to repeat or maintain.
Discomfort is typically mild. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia in most cases, so you are comfortable throughout, and afterward most patients describe tightness and mild soreness rather than significant pain — usually well managed with over-the-counter medication for a few days. Swelling and a feeling of stiffness in the upper lip are normal in the first week and settle quickly.
Yes. A lip lift and filler solve different problems and pair well: the lift improves proportion and structure, and filler can later add volume or definition if you want it. Many patients find they need far less filler after a lift — or none at all — because the lift reveals lip fullness that was previously hidden. If filler is part of your aesthetic plan, Dr. Carboy can coordinate timing, typically once healing is complete.
Most patients return to work and social activities within five to seven days, once initial swelling and any bruising have settled — sooner if you're comfortable with a small healing incision being visible. Sutures are typically removed within the first week. Strenuous exercise is usually restricted for about two weeks, and you'll want to avoid stretching the upper lip (wide smiling, large bites) while the incision matures in the early weeks.
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Experience personalized plastic surgery and aesthetic care designed to enhance confidence with natural, refined results.
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Experience personalized plastic surgery and aesthetic care designed to enhance confidence with natural, refined results.