Lip Lift
Create youthful, naturally fuller lips with precision surgical enhancement.
Dr. Saiqa Khan, MD, FACS, delivers beautiful, permanent lip enhancement using advanced lip lift techniques that shorten the upper lip, reveal more tooth show, and create the naturally full, youthful lips you desire.
About Lip Lift
Lip lift surgery permanently enhances lip appearance by shortening the distance between the nose and upper lip while increasing lip volume and tooth show. Dr. Khan specializes in precise techniques that create natural-looking results while preserving lip function and achieving beautiful proportions that complement your facial features.
Surgical Techniques:
- Subnasal Lip Lift – The Most common approach is removing skin just below the nose
- Corner Lip Lift – Addresses downturned mouth corners for happier expression
- Central Lip Lift – Focuses on the central upper lip for targeted enhancement
- Direct Lip Lift – Removes skin directly above the lip border for maximum effect
Enhancement Benefits:
- Increased upper lip fullness and projection
- Enhanced teeth show when smiling and at rest
- Shortened philtrum (nose-to-lip distance) for youthful proportions
- Improved lip definition and vermilion border visibility
- More balanced facial proportions and harmony
Natural Results:
- Permanent Enhancement – Unlike fillers, results last indefinitely
- Functional Preservation – Maintains normal lip movement and sensation
- Proportional Improvement – Creates balanced, natural-looking fullness
- Complementary Enhancement – Works beautifully with existing facial features
Combination Options:
- Lower Lip Enhancement – Can be combined for complete lip transformation
- Corner Lift Integration – Addresses both volume and mouth position
- Facial Rejuvenation – Complements other facial procedures for comprehensive enhancement
Dr. Khan carefully evaluates your facial anatomy, lip proportions, and aesthetic goals to design a lip lift approach that creates a beautiful, natural-looking enhancement.
Surgical Techniques:
- Subnasal Lip Lift – The Most common approach is removing skin just below the nose
- Corner Lip Lift – Addresses downturned mouth corners for happier expression
- Central Lip Lift – Focuses on the central upper lip for targeted enhancement
- Direct Lip Lift – Removes skin directly above the lip border for maximum effect
Enhancement Benefits:
- Increased upper lip fullness and projection
- Enhanced teeth show when smiling and at rest
- Shortened philtrum (nose-to-lip distance) for youthful proportions
- Improved lip definition and vermilion border visibility
- More balanced facial proportions and harmony
Natural Results:
- Permanent Enhancement – Unlike fillers, results last indefinitely
- Functional Preservation – Maintains normal lip movement and sensation
- Proportional Improvement – Creates balanced, natural-looking fullness
- Complementary Enhancement – Works beautifully with existing facial features
Combination Options:
- Lower Lip Enhancement – Can be combined for complete lip transformation
- Corner Lift Integration – Addresses both volume and mouth position
- Facial Rejuvenation – Complements other facial procedures for comprehensive enhancement
Dr. Khan carefully evaluates your facial anatomy, lip proportions, and aesthetic goals to design a lip lift approach that creates a beautiful, natural-looking enhancement.
Why Patients Choose Lip Lift
Individuals seek lip lift surgery to address specific concerns about lip appearance and facial balance:
- Creating fuller upper lips without the need for repeated filler injections
- Addressing thin lips that make them appear older or less attractive
- Shortening an elongated upper lip that hides teeth when smiling
- Correcting age-related lip thinning and loss of definition
- Achieving better facial balance and proportion with enhanced lips
- Gaining permanent results that don't require ongoing maintenance
"Dr. Khan gave me the full, natural lips I always wanted. The results look completely natural, and I love that I no longer need filler appointments. It's changed how I feel about my smile."— Emma L.
The Empowered Approach
Facial Harmony Focus
Dr. Khan evaluates your entire facial structure to ensure your lip enhancement creates beautiful proportion and complements your natural features.
Precision Technique
Benefit from meticulous surgical planning and execution that creates natural-looking results while minimizing visible scarring.
Permanent Solution
Experience long-lasting lip enhancement that eliminates the need for repeated filler treatments and provides consistent, beautiful results.
Natural Enhancement Philosophy
Receive treatment designed to enhance your natural beauty rather than create an artificial appearance
Your Consultation Experience
Your lip enhancement journey begins with a detailed consultation with Dr. Khan. During this appointment, you'll discuss:
- Your specific goals for lip appearance and facial balance
- Assessment of current lip proportions, philtrum length, and facial harmony
- Surgical technique recommendations based on your anatomy and desired outcomes
- Recovery expectations and activity restrictions during healing
- Comparison with non-surgical alternatives and long-term value
- Before and after photo review showing natural lip lift results
What to bring:
- List of current medications and supplements
- Medical history, including previous lip or facial procedures
- Information about your lifestyle and social commitments
- Photos showing your desired lip appearance (optional)
- Questions about technique options and expected results
Lip Lift FAQ
Lip lift provides a permanent surgical enhancement by shortening the upper lip and increasing natural fullness, whereas lip fillers offer temporary volume enhancement that lasts 6-12 months. Lip lift creates structural change by removing skin and repositioning tissue, resulting in increased tooth show, better lip proportions, and permanent improvement. Fillers add volume through injection but don't address philtrum length or tooth show. Lip lift is best suited for patients with long philtrums or thin upper lips who desire permanent results, while fillers are ideal for those seeking temporary volume enhancement. Many patients opt for a lip lift to avoid recurring filler appointments and achieve more natural-looking, proportionate results. Dr. Khan helps determine which approach or combination will best achieve your goals based on your anatomy and desired outcomes.
Lip lift scars are strategically placed to be as inconspicuous as possible, typically hidden at the base of the nose where they blend with natural facial contours. The subnasal approach places the incision just below the nose in the natural crease, making scars nearly invisible once healed. Dr. Khan uses precise closure techniques with very fine sutures to optimize healing and minimize scarring. Initially, incision lines may appear slightly pink or raised, but they will fade significantly over 3-6 months to become thin, barely visible lines. Most patients are amazed at how well lip lift scars heal and how natural their results appear. Proper scar care, including massage, sun protection, and following post-operative instructions, helps ensure optimal healing. The dramatic improvement in lip appearance far outweighs any minimal scarring for most patients.
Lip lift results are permanent because the procedure creates structural changes by removing skin and repositioning tissues rather than adding temporary volume. Unlike fillers that gradually dissolve, the shortened philtrum, increased lip fullness, and enhanced tooth show from lip lift surgery last indefinitely. While natural aging continues and lips may change subtly over time, the improvement achieved through surgery remains. Most patients never require repeat procedures and enjoy their enhanced lip appearance for the rest of their lives. Factors that help maintain optimal results include sun protection, good skincare, not smoking, and maintaining a stable weight. Some patients may opt for minor touch-ups years later as part of their overall facial aging process. Still, the core improvement from lip lift surgery provides a lasting enhancement that doesn't require ongoing maintenance, unlike filler treatments.
Lip lift recovery is typically faster and easier than many other facial procedures. Week 1: Swelling and bruising peak; sutures are removed around day 5-7, and a soft diet is recommended. Week 2: Most swelling subsides, return to regular diet and light activities. Weeks 3-4: Gradual return to all activities, including exercise, continued improvement in appearance. Most patients return to work within 1-2 weeks and feel comfortable socially within 2-3 weeks. Pain is typically mild and well-controlled with over-the-counter medication. Avoiding strenuous exercise and activities that stretch the lip area is important initially. The lip area heals relatively quickly due to an excellent blood supply. Dr. Khan provides detailed recovery instructions, including wound care, activity restrictions, and follow-up schedule to ensure optimal healing and results.
Lip lift surgery in the Sugar Land and greater Houston area typically ranges from $4,000 to $7,000, depending on the surgical technique used, complexity of the procedure, facility fees, and whether additional procedures are combined. A subnasal lip lift typically costs $4,000-$6,000, while combined procedures or more complex cases range from $6,000 to $7,000. Factors affecting price include the specific technique used, the extent of enhancement required, the time required for surgery, and the type of anesthesia. At Empowered Plastic Surgery, our comprehensive fee includes pre-surgical consultations, surgical facility fees, anesthesia services, all surgical supplies, post-operative care supplies, and follow-up appointments. We offer financing through CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit with 0% interest options and extended payment terms up to 60 months. When considering long-term value, lip lift often provides better cost-effectiveness than repeated filler treatments over time.
Good lip lift candidates have specific anatomical features and realistic expectations about surgical enhancement. Ideal candidates include patients with a long philtrum (nose-to-lip distance over 15-20mm), thin upper lips with minimal tooth show, good overall health, realistic expectations, and a desire for permanent rather than temporary enhancement. The procedure works best for patients seeking natural-looking improvement rather than dramatic change. Poor candidates include those with very short philtrums, unrealistic expectations about results, active smokers unwilling to quit, and patients better suited for filler enhancement. Age is less important than anatomy; some younger patients benefit from a lip lift, while other procedures may better serve others. Dr. Khan evaluates your facial proportions, lip anatomy, and goals during consultation to determine if lip lift will achieve your desired results safely and effectively.
Your Investment
Lip lift surgery is an investment in permanent facial enhancement that provides lasting beauty and confidence, enhancing your appearance for years to come. At Empowered Plastic Surgery, our comprehensive fee includes:
- Pre-surgical consultations
- Surgical facility fees
- Anesthesia services
- Post-operative care supplies
- All follow-up appointments
Permanent Enhancement Value – Lip lift surgery provides exceptional long-term value through:
- Permanent results that eliminate the need for repeated filler treatments
- Enhanced facial harmony and youthful proportions that last indefinitely
- Increased confidence in your natural beauty and smile
- Cost-effectiveness compared to ongoing filler maintenance over time
Financing Options
We partner with CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, and PatientFi to offer flexible payment plans with:
- 0% interest options for qualified applicants
- Extended payment terms up to 60 months
- Quick online application process
Learn more about our financing options.
