An awake lip lift refers to the type of anesthesia used. The surgical technique utilized for the actual lip lift varies.

Lip Shape

Lip Size

Erin Storm, PA-C

Definitive guide on Awake Lip Lift, including the procedure overview, benefits, risks, recovery, before & after photos, costs, and more.

“Aging of the Upper Lip: Part II. Evidence-Based Rejuvenation of the Upper Lip-A Review of 500 Consecutive Cases.”

“Lip Lifting: Not Just Fullness-Everything You Need to Know about Lifting and Creating Youthful, Beautiful Lips.”

Awake Lip Lift 

An awake lip lift refers to general anesthesia not being used during the lip lift surgery. Depending on the candidate, anesthesiologist, and plastic surgeon, one of many lip lift surgery techniques can be utilized during an awake lip lift. 

There are multiple variations of anesthesia, however, they can broadly be categorized into general anesthetics versus local anesthetics. General anesthesia is most often an intravenous sedation (IV sedation) in which an anesthesiologist monitors vital signs to ensure a patient is properly sedated. In the awake lip lift, a patient experiences ‘conscious sedation’ or twilight anesthesia with regional anesthesia or local anesthetics. 

As in traditional lip lift plastic surgeries, the upper lip and lower lip will be altered to create natural appearing results. The ‘awake’ component indicates only local anesthesia will be used. Often, tumescent fluid, which is a combination of epinephrine, local anesthetics like lidocaine, and saline, is used to anesthetize the upper lip, lower lip, and base of the nose. 

Of note, in injectable lip filler lip lifting techniques, like Juvederm®, Restylane®, or even Botox® injections, only local anesthetics are typically used so there is not an ‘awake’ variation of these cosmetic procedures.

Awake Lip Lift

Lip Shaping Solutions

Lips

Head

Face

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- Stop taking blood thinning medications two weeks prior to surgery. Blood thinners may include Advil, Tylenol, Aspirin, and prescription anticoagulants
- Stop smoking four weeks prior to the procedure and continue cessation for four weeks post op
- Do not drink alcohol two days prior to the procedure 
- Do not eat or drink at least six hours prior to surgery

Before Treatment

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- Tumescent fluid and lidocaine administered to localized area
- Lip lift surgery (upper lip lift or lower lip lift) performed according to chosen surgical technique

During Treatment

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- Swelling, bruising, and pain of the lip

Immediately After Treatment

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- Bruising and swelling may persist
- Complete wound healing may take several weeks
- Activities can be resumed as directed by the plastic surgeon

1-14 Days After Treatment & Beyond

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- The results will be dependent on the surgical technique chosen
- An awake lip lift will generally have less post operating room recovery time, however, long term recovery time of the plastic surgery will remain unchanged 
- Lip lift results will be affected by aging and gravity

Result Notes

An awake lip lift is a plastic surgery procedure utilized to rejuvenate the appearance of the lips. Here is a quick guide for what to expect before, during, and after an awake lip lift:

An awake lip lift refers to the type of anesthesia used during the plastic surgery, namely the use of a local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia. The surgical technique utilized for the actual lip lift varies.

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Awake Lip Lift

Concerns Treated

Lip Shape

Lip Size

Concerns Treated

Lip Shape

Lip Size

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Scan. Simulate. Share.

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Awake Lip Lift

Concerns Treated

Lip Shape

Lip Size

Concerns Treated

Lip Shape

Lip Size

Discover science-backed solutions from AEDIT Medshop

Related Procedures

Learn More About Awake Lip Lift in The AEDITION

Why Cupid’s Bow Procedures Are The Next Generation Of Lip Augmentation

Why It’s Time To Trade Your Lip Filler For A Lip Lift

Awake Surgeries: What To Know About Not Going Under

AI Plastic Surgeon™

Scan. Simulate. Share.

Text to download The AI Plastic Surgeon by AEDIT

Learn More About
Awake Lip Lift in The AEDITION