Upper Lip Lift
An upper lip lift is a procedure for patients who are unhappy with the length between their upper lip and bottom of nose. The upper lip refers to the area between the base of the columella (the middle column of the nose) and the reddish pink of the top lip. A longer upper lip can visually drag the mouth downward, creating a serious look to the face. As we age, the volume of the lips shrink and this can also visually lengthen the upper lip as well. For people with a thin top lip and/or a long upper lip—this surgery can positively enhance the overall face and create a younger looking mouth.
As a general rule, the ideal upper lip is said to range from 11-15 millimeters. However, this varies from patient to patient depending upon their overall size and surrounding facial features.
Dr. Sigler uses the subnasale lip lift or bullhorn upper lip lift technique which removes a gull-wing shape of skin just under the nose and sutures tiny stitches tightly around the corners of the nose and into the nostrils themselves to hide any scars. Dr. Sigler also sutures into the SMAS layer to avoid pulling the nose downward and creating a rabbit nose effect as some less skilled surgeons might do.
Corner Lip Lift
For some patients with downturned corners of their mouths, a corner lip lift can help. Dr. Sigler removes a triangle of skin from the corners of the mouths to pull them upwards, reducing or even eliminating their sharp downturn. Like the lip lift, stitches are first placed under the skin at the SMAS layer to securely pull the muscle upward, and then the skin is stiched delicately in the corners to minimize pulling and scarring.
"When traveling to another country for medical tourism, communication is a top concern. Dr. Sigler speaks fluent English so you can be assured you can directly communicate your expectations and goals to her. All communication with her practice minus the first email was done directly with Dr. Sigler, including payment and scheduling, which gave me additional peace of mind.....My experience getting a lip lift from Dr. Alicia Sigler in Tijuana, Mexico was amazing. I look so much younger, friendlier, and feminine. This simple procedure can totally transform your face." — New York patient on blog
"The recovery was super easy and I had no pain after the first day. Dr. Sigler is an absolute gem and her work is very natural."— San Diego patient on
RealSelf
"The Tijuana CER Surgery Center is inmacualte...like walking into a 5 star hotel lobby and the surgery center is a new state of the art facility. Impressive to say the least. Dr. Sigler is so careful to be sure you have all the right blood testing and health medical clearance before surgery. She is very professional and by the book protocol.....even more detailed than the USA doctors I've had surgery with. I'm feeling so happy and confident and loving having done this lip lift with Dr. Alicia Sigler in Tijuana, México."— Hawaii patient on
RealSelf
"Dr. Sigler is an impressive practitioner and the facility is great as well. I felt comfortable from start to finish. She is warm, intelligent, I trust her fully, and I am sincerely grateful for everything so far. I had many questions which she always answers promptly, and she made me feel very comfortable the entire time. She let me know clearly what she recommended and why, and she also explained why she doesn't recommend certain procedures I (badly) wanted. I appreciate this! I generally felt she kept my ultimate goals in mind and offered the best solution for my needs. I would recommend her to friends and family any day."— Canadian patient on
RealSelf
An upper lipt lift shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip by removing a gullwing shape of skin beneath the nostrils and then lifts the skin upward where the sutures are carefully hidden up into each nostril and tightly to the natural creases. Scars generally fade well and become invisible.
A corner lip lift removes a wedge shape area of skin by the corners of the mouth and then lifted upward to eliminate the downturn 'frown' that is often associated with aging or unhappiness.
An upper lip lift can:
Shorten the distance between your upper lip and nose.
Increase the amount of lip vermillion seen, giving you a fuller, more youthful top lip.
Expose your upper teeth more, producing a brighter looking smile.
Help even out an asymetrical top lip.
Create a generally more youthful look to your face and mouth area.
An upper lip lift cannot:
Give you plumper lips (fillers or fat transfer can help) dramatically increase the vermillion showing if you have a very thin upper lip.
Remove all wrinkles above your top lip if you have smoker's lines
A corner lip lift can:
Reduce the downturn corners of your mouth.
Give you a happier, more relaxed look to your face.
A corner lip lift cannot:
Increase the size of your lips.
Give you a pouty look.
Reduce or remove wrinkles from the mouth area
You are an ideal candidate if:
• You are in good health
• You do not smoke
• Your pre-op lab work is normal
• You have reached your desired weight
• You are willing to follow post-operative instructions
• You are able to take 7-14 days off work to rest at home and heal
Pricing may vary upon each patient's specific request and condition. Contact Dr. Sigler for pricing and payment by clicking
this link for a consultation or by phone:
English:
+1 (619) 735-6832
Spanish:
+52 (664) 634-3790
Consultation
During the consultation, your medical history will be taken in order for Dr. Sigler to evaluate your general health. A careful examination will also be conducted. Together with Dr. Sigler, you will discuss the procedure and communicate your desires, your concerns and the results you hope to achieve. You may bring photographs to show Dr. Sigler examples of what you are looking for. Dr. Sigler will go over details of the procedure itself and the possible risks and complications as it pertains to any medical or structural issues she sees in your case. She will go over the type of anesthesia to be used. Once you have all your questions answered, you will both agree on a surgery plan and a proposed date. Photos are taken before and after the surgery in order to determine the amount of improvement.
Setting Your Surgery Date
A deposit is required to confirm the date and time of the procedure. See pricing and payment above for details.
If You Smoke
If you smoke, this habit should be stopped at least two months prior to surgery. This includes vaping and marijuana smoking.
Two Weeks Prior to Surgery
Review and download this list of medications and supplements to avoid. Stop taking any medication on this list two to three weeks before the surgery. Avoid any intake of aspirin, ibuprofen, Naproxen (excedrin, Motrin, Aleve, Advil), vitamins that include vitamin E, and energy drinks as well. Arrange for family or friends to be available for assistance when you return home to recuperate. Clear your schedule. Make a list and organize your environment to be safe and conducive to bedrest. Stock your kitchen and plan ahead for a period of time spent watching TV, reading or simply relaxing.
Labwork
Pre-op labwork should be done two weeks before the surgery with your own doctor, and then sent to Dr. Sigler. If you prefer Dr. Sigler to do the labwork, you will need to make arrangements prior to your surgery date. Required labwork includes: CBC (Complete Blood Count), CMP (Chemical Metabolic Panel), PT (Prothrombin Time) and INR, PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time) and any other labwork specific to your particular medical condition(s), such as a Thyroid Hormonal Panel.If you are over 50, it will be necessary to have a cardiovascular assessment including an EKG and possibly a chest x-ray. Dr. Sigler will advise.
Approval for Surgery
If you are currently undergoing treatment for a medical condition or disease, a letter from your treating specialist must be sent to Dr. Sigler at least two weeks prior to the surgery stating you are cleared to go ahead with the procedure, and include any pre-op and post-op recommendations in order to avoid possible complications during or after the surgical procedure.
Night before Surgery
You are required to fast for at least 8 hours prior to surgery. Eat a lighter dinner and do not eat or drink past midnight.
Day of Surgery
Do not eat or drink anything except a little water. Allow sufficient time to get to the surgery center. Using Dr. Sigler’s car service is usually the most efficient way to ensure a timely arrival. Intake is typically scheduled two hours prior to the actual surgery. You will meet with Dr. Sigler for your pre-op consultation, pre-op photos and markings on body or face, and for a final discussion about your procedure. Paperwork is completed and final prepping by your surgical team is carefully performed.
3-5 days off work.
5-7 days regular activities (keep head elevated to avoid excessive blood flow)
2-3 weeks regular exercise
You can expect redness around the incision areas. Swelling is common and bruising may occur. Keep the head elevated and use ice or cold compresses every few hours for the first three days and three nights. week to reduce swelling and bruising. Continue to use for the rest of the first week if swelling and brusing are still present.It is important to keep the stitches covered in antibiotic ointment.
Use extra pillows to prop yourself up at a 45 degree angle in bed or on the couch. Rest and sleep on your back for the first week. Avoid physical efforts such as bending over or lifting anything heavier than 1 pound for the first two weeks in order to keep strain and blood flow away from the neck and face.
Post-surgery pain is minimal to moderate and the area above the lips may feel tight; accompanying soreness may be treated with analgesics.
Avoid heat or sunlight to the face in orde to reduce swelling. Avoiding sunlight to bruises on face will avoid permanent dark discoloration to the skin.
Swelling and discoloration will begin to disappear in a week or two. Ultimately, like any incision, it may take 3 months to a year for the scar to fully mature and disappear depending upon your healing and lifestyle.
"Before I used to look like I was tired all the time, or that I didn't get a good night's rest. After the eye lid surgery my eyes look wide open like I used to have them when I was younger. Now, no one asks if I had a restless night."—Cesar, age 60
"My upper eye-lids were so heavy that I was having touble reading or looking at the computer. Having Dr. Sigler do the upper eyelid surgery improved my vision and my eyes look prettier too."—Monique, age 53
"This surgery made me feel more attractive because now I can wear makeup on my eyes wihout it getting smeared."—Breanda, age 45