A lip lift can be a fantastic way to achieve a more youthful, fuller smile by shortening the distance between the nose and the upper lip. However, as with any cosmetic procedure, things can go wrong, and the results can be devastating.
From severe scarring to difficulty moving your mouth normally, the consequences of a botched lip lift can drastically affect not only your appearance but also your ability to speak and eat comfortably. Let’s dive into some real-life stories of botched lip lifts, what can go wrong, and how to minimize your risks.
Real Stories of Botched Lip Lifts
If you’ve ever browsed sites like RealSelf or Reddit, you’ve probably seen people share their experiences with botched lip lifts. Some of these stories serve as important cautionary tales.
- RealSelf Story 1: Botched Lip Lift – This woman has been unable to close her mouth and has difficulty speaking and eating since her lip lift.
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- RealSelf Story 2: Devastated – This woman had a direct lip lift as well as lip reduction, leaving her lips severely scarred around her entire mouth.
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- RealSelf Story 3: Corner Lip Lift Scarring – This woman had an extended corner lip lift to improve the downturned appearance to her mouth. Even after 4 months, the scars are very apparent and impossible to hide.
These stories highlight the importance of choosing a skilled surgeon with plenty of experience in lip lifts. Unfortunately, when things go wrong, the consequences can be severe.
Complications After a Botched Lip Lift
Some of the most devastating issues that can occur after a botched lip lift include:
- Inability to close the mouth: This can occur if too much skin is removed or if the underlying muscle is damaged during surgery. Patients may struggle to fully close their lips, leading to a constantly open mouth, which can cause dryness and discomfort.
- Severe scarring: Mild scarring under the nose is usually treatable with lasers or microneedling, but severe scarring—especially around the corners of the mouth (oral commissures)—can be much harder to fix. Scarring in this area can distort the shape of the lips and make revision surgery more complex.
- Difficulty with articulation: Some patients report that after a botched lip lift, they find it hard to move their mouth normally, which can affect speech and the ability to express emotions through facial movements.
- Distortion of the nose: Because the incision is made just beneath the nostrils, poor surgical technique can lead to distortion of the nasal base. This can cause the nose to look unnaturally upturned or asymmetrical.
Techniques that Increase the Risk of Complications
1. Direct Lip Lift
Certain surgical techniques can increase the risk of complications and botched results. One of these is the direct lip lift, where an incision is made directly on the upper lip rather than under the nose. This technique can lead to visible scars on the lip itself, which is why it’s less commonly recommended by experienced surgeons.
2. Modified Extended Deep Plane Lip Lift
Another high-risk approach is the modified extended lip lift, where the skin is undermined all the way to the vermillion border (the line where the red part of the lip meets the skin). While this technique aims to lift more of the lip, it also increases the risk of scarring, asymmetry, and damage to muscle. When too much skin is undermined or removed, it can create a tight, unnatural look, or worse, prevent the mouth from closing properly.
3. Extended Corner Lip Lift (Commissuroplasty)
An extended corner lip lift, or commissuroplasty, is another technique that can lead to major problems. This technique is different from that of a conservative corner lip lift, where the incisions hide within the normal borders of the lip margin. An extended version of this technique leaves the scars extending out to the side, outside the normal boundaries of the mouth, in an attempt to create an upturned appearance to the mouth. This can lead to devastating scarring with the resemblance of the Joker.
How to Choose the Right Lip Lift Surgeon
There is a lot of skepticism around lip lifts, particularly because some non-invasive treatments for the lips have left people disappointed in the past. Lip lifts require precision, and because the results are permanent, the stakes are high. Patients who’ve experienced botched lip lifts often feel disillusioned with cosmetic surgery, especially after struggling with visible scars or functional problems like speaking and eating.
Choosing the right surgeon is crucial for a successful lip lift. With the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, the popularity of lip lifts skyrocketed almost overnight. This sudden surge has led to an influx of surgeons who now say they specialize in lip lifts, but it also means patients need to be extra discerning when choosing who to trust. Some surgeons have gained fame quickly due to viral before-and-after results, but the overwhelming demand can lead to burnout, which can negatively impact the patient experience.
To ensure the best results, it’s essential to choose a surgeon with a proven track record and plenty of before-and-after photos that align with your aesthetic goals. A trustworthy surgeon will always conduct a thorough consultation beforehand, explaining the procedure, the risks, and what to expect. If you’re meeting your surgeon for the first time on the day of your procedure, that’s a red flag—this kind of surgery requires thoughtful planning and clear communication to avoid complications.
If you’re traveling for your lip lift, make sure your surgeon has a well-defined travel policy, outlining how they handle post-op care and any complications that may arise. Be cautious of overly hyped surgeons who may not live up to the expectations their online presence creates. In the end, trust your instincts, do your research, and never rush into choosing a surgeon based solely on social media buzz.
Treating Complications From Botched Lip Lift Results
Scarring
If you’re dealing with mild scarring under the nose, there are several effective treatment options, including laser resurfacing, microneedling, and silicone scar therapy. These treatments can help minimize scar appearance and improve the overall texture of the skin. Nanofat can also be injected, which has regenerative properties to repair sacr tissue.
However, severe scarring, especially around the oral commissures, is more difficult to correct. Revision surgery may be required, but it’s often complex and comes with its own risks. If the scars are deep or cause distortion of the lips or mouth, achieving a fully natural look can be challenging.
Inability to Close the Mouth
If you cannot close your mouth after a lip lift, there may be some options for improvement. First, if you just had your surgery, swelling may be contributing to this. It takes several months for swelling and stiffness to subside.
After that, if it is still a problem, an incision can be made at the base of the nose to release a ligament in that area, which can cause some lengthening of the upper lip. Any sutures tethering the muscles around the mouth to the base of the nose can be released as well.
A last resort would be to add a skin graft at the base of the nose. This would still leave scarring, but is the most reliable way to lengthen the upper lip.
Final Thoughts
While a lip lift can offer beautiful, rejuvenating results, it’s essential to approach the procedure with caution. As we’ve seen from real patient stories, the consequences of a botched lip lift can be life-changing in the worst ways. Always choose a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience in lip lift surgeries, and make sure you have a clear understanding of the risks involved. If something does go wrong, know that there are options for revision, but prevention through choosing the right surgeon is always the best course of action.
You may also be interested in:
- Best Aftercare Products for Lip Lift Recovery
- Lip Lift Revision Surgery: When It’s Needed and What to Expect
- What is Lip Lift Recovery Like?
- Potential Lip Lift Complications: What You Need to Know Before Your Surgery
- How to Get a Natural Lip Lift Result
- What are Different Types of Lip Lifts?
- How to Reduce Scarring After a Lip Lift?
