What is a Lip Lift operation?

Lip lift is a surgical procedure, which aims to reduce the distance between the base of the nose and the red upper lip line. It is also known as philtrum shortening. The skin between the upper lip and nostrils is called the philtrum. Reducing the height of the philtrum (upper lip vertical height) can result in a more balanced proportion in the anatomical area between the base of the nose and the chin, and overall can improve the facial aesthetics.

How is it performed?

A lip lift is usually performed under local anaesthesia and lasts approximately 45-60 mins. Thought a small incision hidden below the nostrils, Dr.Jack removes the excess skin, lifts the muscle and improves the appearance of the lips by showing more of the red part of them. The ideal length of the philtrum is 11-13mm.

How is the Recovery after Lip Lift?

The first few days after the surgery the lip and cheek area might be swollen. The pain and swelling can be mild to moderate, and normally the pain is controlled by simple over the counter painkillers.

For the first 48 hours is advisable to use some ice packs at home and sleep with the head up, supported with a couple of pillows. A soft diet is recommended during this initial period and you may find helpful using a straw to drink water for the first couple of days. Any strenuous activities including exercise should be avoided for 2 weeks. 15 days after surgery, when the wound is completely dry and no scabs are present, the scar can be treated with silicone therapy and gentle massage.

Who is a good candidate?

A subnasal lip lift is indicated in patients who have a long philtrum, of more than 13mm, and this height is aimed to be reduced. These measurements however, may vary on individuals and a clinical assessment is essential. The individual facial characteristics and measurements along with the look that the patient wants to achieve will determine the amount of lift required.

Patients with a long philtrum who previously underwent lip augmentation with fillers may have experienced protrusion of the lip forward rather than an increase of red lip show – a condition also known as “duck lips”. In those patients, a subnasal lip lift can achieve a poutier and more natural upper lip. A surgical lip lift can permanently increase the vermillion show, increase tooth display, and generally improve the facial aesthetics and rejuvenate the lower face.

Patients who experience signs of facial aging may also benefit from Lip Lift surgery. As we age, the changes that occur specifically to the mouth and lip include:

• Loss of upper lip volume with soft tissue descent.
• Thinning of the vermillion border with less definition of the cupid’s bow and philtral columns.
• Bony resorption, which makes the lip look less prominent
• Vertical lengthening of the upper Lip complex, which appears deflated.
• Perioral rhytids (smokers or lipstick lines)

Does the subnasal lip lift address the corner of the mouth?

A classic surgical lip lift, also referred as “subnasal”, is very effective in elevating the central part of the upper lip, however it has little effect on the lateral part, at the level of the corner of the mouth. For those patients who have concerns with “downturned mouth” appearance, a corner lip lift may be a better option. A corner lift involves removing a small amount of skin form the corner of the mouth, with the final scar hidden at the junction between skin and vermillion border. Occasionally a subnasal lift can be combined with a corner lip lift for suitable patients.

However, due to genetics and the natural way that we store fat, the cheeks can be a difficult area to change. Dr.Jack Antoniou and Bellissimo Clinic offers buccal fat removal to help patients slim their cheeks and enhance their features.If you’re interested in buccal fat removal, read on to learn about the procedure.

What is buccal fat removal?

Buccal fat removal is an operation done under local anaesthesia. It’s also known as a buccal lipectomy or cheek reduction surgery. Buccal fat removal is a personalised procedure that aims to reduce fat in the cheeks and mid-face area. This involves removing fat from the cheek pad. The procedure can be performed alone to slim the face but is often used in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures like facelift, blepharoplasty, or chin augmentation. Full recovery usually takes about 3 weeks.

Who is a good candidate for buccal fat removal?

Candidates for buccal fat removal are those who are unhappy with round, chubby, or sunken cheeks under the cheekbones. To be a successful candidate, patients should first be at a stable weight and be in generally good health.

Recovery and Results

After buccal fat removal, patient can expect some facial swelling for the first several weeks. Once swelling has diminished, patient will begin to notice thinner, more contoured cheeks.
To learn more about buccal fat removal and to start customizing your facial rejuvenation treatment, contact our clinic today and schedule your consultation with Dr.Jack Antoniou.

In most cases, a dressing will be placed to cover the wound after surgery. You don’t have to remove the bandage to keep the ears in the proper position.

Unless otherwise directed, the dressing should remain in place for one week.

We usually recommend wearing an elastic band (ear band) for the next six weeks. It is best to wear the band even during the day.

Do not wear earrings or glasses (if possible) for three weeks.

Recovery Period
In most cases, a dressing will be placed to cover the wound after surgery. You don’t have to remove the bandage to keep the ears in the proper position.

Unless otherwise directed, the dressing should remain in place for one week.

We usually recommend wearing an elastic band (ear band) for the next six weeks. It is best to wear the band even during the day.

Do not wear earrings or glasses (if possible) for three weeks.

Rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping surgery, improves the shape, size, and symmetry of a person’s nose, bringing it into better proportion with the rest of the face. When performed by a skilled, qualified cosmetic surgeon, rhinoplasty can be a rewarding and life-enhancing procedure—patients often notice that their overall appearance has improved, as the nose they see now looks natural, like the nose they have always thought they should have.The goals of nose reshaping are as individual as the patients who choose to have rhinoplasty. By reshaping the nasal structures, including bone, cartilage, and skin, a cosmetic surgeon can help achieve one or more of the following:

• Straighten a crooked nose
• Smooth a prominent bump in the bridge of the nose
• Reduce the length of an over-protruding nasal tip
• Refine the size of a bulbous nasal tip
• Narrow a nose that is too wide for the face
• Reduce the size of a nose that is too large
• Restore symmetry to the nose following injury
• Correct breathing problems by opening up blocked nasal passages

It is often said that having a facelift works to “turn back the clock” and patient look like a younger version of him or herself. By removing excess, sagging skin, smoothing deep folds, and lifting and tightening the deep facial tissues, a facelift surgery can help a patient look not just younger, but simply “better.” Facelift surgery is a complex procedure that requires extensive knowledge in facial anatomy, a very specific skill set of surgical techniques, and a highly-developed eye for aesthetic detail.

The end result is visible facial rejuvenation. With this type of facelift can be corrected many unaesthetic changes in the face and the consequences of age. The first step before the intervention is to go through a consultation with our specialist, where you will have the opportunity to comment on the desired result and how achievable it is. The patient has the ability to ask all the questions that interest him/her, as well as let the doctor know about any diseases. The patient will be informed about how the procedure is going, the recovery period, and receive instructions on what to do before and after the operation.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, although it can also be performed under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. The duration is about 2-3 hours. As a result of the facelift, the face looks younger, smoother and more attractive. The durability of the achieved effect is individual, up to several years and depends primarily on the condition of the skin. It is determined by its blood supply and elasticity, which decrease with age. In addition, smokers have thinner and weaker skin and the result usually lasts less time than non-smokers. To stabilize the result in smokers, it is recommended to stop smoking two weeks before and after the operation and use a face cream rich in oxygen. There is usually swelling and bruising after the operation. Cold compresses can help these symptoms go away faster.

What is eyelid surgery?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure which involves the removal of excess skin and fat surrounding the eyes. Essentially, by implementing this procedure, a plastic surgeon can repair and correct the area of the eye where the skin is extremely thin, and the first ageing signs can be noticed. Blepharoplasty can also help people who have dark circles and can improve vision.

Who is a good candidate for this kind of surgery?

In general, anyone can choose blepharoplasty as a solution in case they have a droopy eyelid. Another suitable candidate for this surgery could be someone whose eyelid looks weak, especially when vision is negatively affected due to an extremely droopy upper lid. It has also been noticed that after the repair of a droopy eyelid, women who used to find it difficult to apply make-up on their eyes, have shown to have a brighter and more relaxed look.

What is the procedure?

A blepharoplasty can be done under a local anaesthetic on the eyelid and it usually lasts between one to one and a half hours. A very important benefit of this surgery is the fact that the patient can leave and go home right after the surgery is finished. It is expected to notice some swelling around the area of the eyelid on the day of the surgery and within the following 5 days. During the recovery period, the patient needs to take care of the eyelid area using ice packs in order to reduce bruising and swelling.

In recent years, another method has been promoted for the correction of the eyelids, the so-called non-surgical blepharoplasty. This method follows the procedure of removing excess skin without any bleeding. However, a scientific study has not been published regarding this method yet. Therefore, patients should be considerably cautious with this one.

What can’t be repaired with blepharoplasty

Wrinkles and ageing scars around the eyes (goose’s feet) as well as saggy eyebrows. To repair this, blepharoplasty should be combined with other kinds of surgical procedures such as lifting and other techniques that can be recommended by your plastic surgeon.