WHY LIPS?
In normal conversation, we look from eye-to-eye and then to lips. Next to eyelids, most people notice aging changes that affect the lips and the perioral region the most.
“Well, the last time I had a picture taken I could hardly see my eyes because of the weight of heavy eyelid. Then I paid attention to how I was actually using my eyes and I really noticed when I was looking at anything especially the computer I was straining my forehead to see better. Since I have had it done I no longer have to lift the forehead and tilt my head to see. It is amazing! I love…” D. Rock 63 Yrs Old with Fat Droopy Eyes – Salt Lake City, UT
WHAT PROCEDURES ARE AVAILABLE TO REJUVENATE LIPS?
Rejuvenation of lips can be achieved using minimally invasive techniques to surgical procedures. A detailed knowledge of the facial and perioral anatomy is vital whenever treating the lips or the perioral region, with surgery or fillers
HOW ARE LIPS ASSESSED?
With great care and attention to surrounding surface anatomical contours and changes
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR LIPS?
- Fillers: fillers can be used to achieve a number of different effects. In younger patients, creating further fullness to the lips can look very pleasing. In other age groups, fillers are used to recreate the curves and prominences of youth: the philtral columns, the cupid’s bow, the ridge along the lips, upward turning corners of the mouth, and fullness.
- Lasers: with collagen degeneration and thinning of the skin associated with aging (and with smoking), vertical lip lines develop. These can be improved with fractionated or more aggressive lasers.
- Botox: treatment of the depressor angularis orbicularis allows one improve the downturn to the corners of the mouth that develops over time.
- Surgical shortening of the long vertical lip: using well-hidden incisions, the elongation of the distance between the nose and the lip can be reduced. This not only gives the lips a more youthful position, but also improves the pink show of the upper lip.
- Lateral elevation of the angles of the lips may be achieved with surgery resection and repair.
“I had a excellent eye lift done by Dr. Patel. He knows what he is doing and is very pleasant. Dr.Patel was easy to get an appointment and he works with you. The office staff was very pleasant and made you feel calm.” D. Gull Highly recommended for eye lift surgery – Salt Lake City, UT
“I DON’T WANT TO LOOK LIKE A DUCK AFTER LIP FILLERS”?
An aesthetic eye with judicious attention to race, sex, age, the relation of other facial structures, and natural history (of aging) are vital to augment lips and create more youthful lips so that the result is “invisible”to others.
Simply filling the upper and lower lips, especially when done to excess, leaves very undesirable results: no wonder people do not want to be left with “duck lips.”This is avoidable! An understanding of the normal anatomy of the lips and perioral region is vital
Surface anatomy and esthetic landmarks of upper lip 1. Philtral dimple/hollow (central esthetic unit of upper lip), 2. Philtral column, 3. Cupid’s bow, 4. White roll, 5. Tubercle, 6. Dry vermilion, 7. Wet vermilion,
8. Oral commissure, 9. Lateral esthetic unit of upper lip, 10. Cheek esthetic unit.
Simply filling the upper and lower lips, especially when done to excess, leaves very undesirable results: no wonder people do not want to be left with “duck lips.”This is avoidable! An understanding of the normal anatomy of the lips and perioral region is vital
Surface anatomy and esthetic landmarks of upper lip 1. Philtral dimple/hollow (central esthetic unit of upper lip), 2. Philtral column, 3. Cupid’s bow, 4. White roll, 5. Tubercle, 6. Dry vermilion, 7. Wet vermilion,
8. Oral commissure, 9. Lateral esthetic unit of upper lip, 10. Cheek esthetic unit.
WHAT KIND OF LIP AUGMENTATION WILL LOOK BEST ON ME?
Rejuvenation of lips is a combination of giving some volume, but also creating the ridges, grooves and prominences
inherent to beautiful youthful lips. This is where one needs to inject as an aesthete rather than by the numbers. With
the help of before-and-after photographs, it is possible to show you what would look best on you, without it looking in
any way “fake”. We have enough fake news, as it is.
REMEMBERING THE PROPER PROPORTIONS OF UPPER AND LOWER LIPS AS SHOWN BELOW IS IMPORTANT WHEN DESIGNING LIPS WITH FILLERS OR WITH SURGERY...
WHAT KIND OF FILLERS ARE BEST FOR LIPS?
If you are undergoing any kind of surgical procedure, we often use fat grafts to give you some degree of volume in your lips. This is especially important when performing face lifts, to obtain proper proportions. However, fat will give volume, but is not very good at giving the desired shape. This is where proper fillers give the best results. Hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane and Juvederm are very good as lip fillers. They are invisible to the feel after a few days, cause the
least risk of permanent problemsand are controllable.
least risk of permanent problemsand are controllable.
WHAT ARE LIP PROPORTIONS?
Generally, lower lips should be fuller than upper lips. The ratio varies according to age, sex and race. Furthermore, the degree of fullness should not be the same across the full length of the lips.
The upper lips, in Caucasians especially, should be fuller centrally and para-centrally and peter out towards the outer thirds as shown in the photograph.
The upper lips, in Caucasians especially, should be fuller centrally and para-centrally and peter out towards the outer thirds as shown in the photograph.
FAQs
WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA WILL BE USED?
Facelifts are performed in an operating theatre for the sake of sterility and your comfort. We have a team of anesthesiologists and nurses who are trained to specifically look after patients undergoing these procedures.
WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA WILL BE USED?
General anesthesia is best for facelifts, although in some instances, sedation anesthesia may also be used.
WHAT KIND OF SUTURES ARE USED?
With a 3-D procedure, there are several layer of sutures, accurately placed to give the lifting, tightening and filling, without leaving any tell-tale pull-lines. Some are slow dissolving sutures, others are more permanent. The skin sutures are generally removed between 7 and 14 days.
DO YOU USE LASERS FOR THIS SURGERY?
Lasers will be used to treat peri-oral lines, “sleep lines” on the cheeks and other skin irregularities. The advantage of using all the skills and modalities available to us, rather than performing quick or weekend or one-hour facelifts is that it allows us to give you a remarkable improvement not only in the structure and appearance of the face, but also the health and smoothness of the skin as seen here:
HOW LONG DOES THE SURGERY TAKE?
Facelift surgery can take between 3 and 5 hours of surgery time, depending upon the planned procedures, patient’s face-type, age and other factors.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON RISKS OF FACELIFTS?
Bruising and swelling are de rigeur! However, significant long-lasting complications are rare.
Bleeding is not common as we pay close attention to proper hemostasis. On rare occasions, a small hematoma may collect.
Everyone will experience some numbness in the face: this resolves over weeks to months. This occurs because of the dissection of the face. This is not a complication.
Because of the dissection and repositioning of the tissues, it is common for there to be small differences in the smile between the right and left sides: this is usually only noticeable to the patient and to Dr. Patel! It recovers over a few weeks.
All faces have asymmetry and there will be some degree of asymmetry. This is to be expected.
Permanent weakness of nerves and muscles is rare.
The scars are usually very well hidden. However, some patients may have a tendency to cause hypertrophic scarring: in such cases, certain lasers and treatments will help. By-and-large, scars are rarely a problem. With Caucasian skin, pinkness of scars is to be expected for several weeks. With darker skin, some hyperpigmentation may occur.
Bleeding is not common as we pay close attention to proper hemostasis. On rare occasions, a small hematoma may collect.
Everyone will experience some numbness in the face: this resolves over weeks to months. This occurs because of the dissection of the face. This is not a complication.
Because of the dissection and repositioning of the tissues, it is common for there to be small differences in the smile between the right and left sides: this is usually only noticeable to the patient and to Dr. Patel! It recovers over a few weeks.
All faces have asymmetry and there will be some degree of asymmetry. This is to be expected.
Permanent weakness of nerves and muscles is rare.
The scars are usually very well hidden. However, some patients may have a tendency to cause hypertrophic scarring: in such cases, certain lasers and treatments will help. By-and-large, scars are rarely a problem. With Caucasian skin, pinkness of scars is to be expected for several weeks. With darker skin, some hyperpigmentation may occur.
HOW MUCH BRUISING AND SWELLING WILL I HAVE?
Bruising around the jawline and upper neck is common for the first two weeks. The face itself usually will not get much bruising, but may be pink from any laser work. Swelling is to be expected because of the extent of the surgery: the swelling abates over about two weeks.
DOES INSURANCE COVER FACELIFTS?
Only if insurance will buy you a Rolls Royce (Phantom, of course).
HOW PAINFUL IS A FACELIFT?
A sensation of firmness will be there because of the swelling: this is present for the first few days. Most patients do not need prescription pain medication after the first two to three days.
ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS AND WHEN MAY I RETURN TO WORK?
We will provide you with a special neck dressing which you will wear as much as you can for the first couple of weeks. You will also apply a moisturizer (any brand will do) to the face as healing skin and lasered skin requires moisturizer. Icing the face also helps for the first two to three days. Many of our patients will ice the face for longer as it feels good. You may be up-and-about the day after surgery. Gentle exercise (treadmill and stationary bicycle) may be commenced by day 3. More vigorous exercise like skiing and tennis may be resumed by about day 10.
SHOULD I LOSE WEIGHT BEFORE MY FACELIFT?
Ideally, you should be within about 3 – 5 pounds of your desired weight. Whereas I can create the most beautiful angles and curves in slim patients, if you are able to get close to your ideal weight, we can wonders as can be seen in this patient who lost some weight before her surgery and is absolutely chuffed at her result:
In the first few days, everyone will experience some degree of dryness and blurry vision. You will also feel that your lids look a little tight on the outer corner where you will also feel some of the deeper sutures if you put your finger there: this is of no concern. The tightness and the bumps under the skin settle over a few weeks.
More serious complications which are very rare include excessive bleeding, hemorrhage and loss of vision.
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Contact Info
Dr. BCK Patel MD, FRCS
1025E 3300S
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106, USA
(801) 413-3599 (phone/text)
E-Mail: bckpatelmd@gmail.com
bckpatel.info
Dr. BCK Patel MD, FRCS
617 E Riverside Dr Suite 101
Saint George, UT 84790, USA
(435) 215-0014
E: drbckpatel@gmail.com
