Lip Lift at FFS Institute: Feminizing the Upper Lip, Backed by Thousands of Successful FFS Procedures

“For the first time, when I look in the mirror, I can truly see me on the outside, the same person I have always known myself to be on the inside,” says Iris O., a patient of Dr. Henry Chen. 

At FFS Institute, Iris’s consultation included morphing software that previewed realistic surgical outcomes before treatment, helping align expectations with the planned result. The lips are a prominent gender-recognition cue, making their shape and position an important consideration in facial feminization.

An FFS lip lift addresses this area by shortening the philtrum and increasing upper-lip show. Even a modest change in upper-lip position can improve facial harmony, allowing the lips, nose, and surrounding facial features to work together in proportions that many patients seek through facial feminization surgery.

Key Takeaways

• A lip lift shortens the philtrum to increase vermilion show, while lip augmentation adds volume through fillers or fat transfer. These are distinct procedures that address different anatomical concerns and may be used together or independently.
• An elongated philtrum with little upper lip visible at rest is the primary anatomical indicator for a lip lift. Not every FFS patient requires one.
• Dr. Henry Chen has performed thousands of successful FFS procedures, including lip lifts, with the goal of achieving natural-looking results aligned with each patient’s anatomy and identity, rather than a one-size-fits-all template.
• Peer-reviewed data on the bullhorn technique report high patient satisfaction, minor and largely transient complications, and revision rates of 0.6% to 6.7%.
• After surgery, follow-up visits are scheduled at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months to monitor healing and address concerns early.

How Do the Lips Signal Feminine or Masculine Facial Features?

The lips signal feminine or masculine facial features through differences in philtrum length, upper lip height, vermilion show, Cupid’s bow definition, upper incisal show, and overall lip proportions. Together, these anatomical features influence how the upper lip relates to the nose, teeth, and lower face, creating proportions that are commonly perceived as more traditionally feminine or masculine.

• Philtrum length is one of the primary anatomical markers. The philtrum, the vertical groove between the base of the nose and the upper lip, tends to be shorter in traditionally feminine anatomy. 

In a 27-year series of 988 patients assigned male at birth, the distance from the base of the nose to the upper lip border averaged 13.3 mm in patients with feminine anatomy, compared with 16.7 mm in those with masculine anatomy. 

The authors describe a target of around 13 mm when feminizing the lip. Masculine-coded anatomy often presents with a longer philtrum, elongating the midface and reducing the amount of upper lip visible at rest.

• Upper lip height follows the same pattern overall. The same series measured the upper lip from the base of the nose to the lip line at approximately 19.7 mm in feminine anatomy versus 22.7 mm in masculine anatomy.
• Vermilion show, the amount of pink lip tissue visible when the lips are at rest, tends to be greater in traditionally feminine lip anatomy. The 988-patient series notes that female lips “tend to be shorter and fuller in the vermilion area compared with male lips, which are usually longer and thinner.” Masculine-coded lips often display a narrower vermilion border sitting lower beneath the nose.
• Cupid’s bow, the double-curved peak of the upper lip, tends to be more pronounced in a traditionally feminine lip shape. Masculine-coded anatomy may present with a flatter, less defined upper lip contour.
• Upper incisal show, the degree to which the upper front teeth are visible when the lips are slightly parted at rest, also differs. A 2024 review of lip feminization in JPRAS Open found that a masculine appearance is typically associated with greater upper lip height, labial volume, and mouth width, while a feminine appearance is associated with increased upper incisor show and a softer, tapered chin shape.

Lip volume is often described as a feminine cue, and fuller upper lips are commonly associated with traditionally feminine anatomy. The evidence is more nuanced than that shorthand suggests, which is why volume is assessed individually rather than assumed.

A lip lift addresses several of these markers at once by shortening the philtrum, increasing vermilion show, and refining upper lip definition. Understanding how the features interact helps you make an informed decision about whether a lip lift fits your goals for facial harmony.

What Is Lip Feminization Surgery?

Lip feminization surgery refers to surgical and nonsurgical procedures used to reshape and reposition the lips to make facial features appear more traditionally feminine. These procedures address distinct anatomical concerns: some change lip height and position, while others add volume and contour.

Lip feminization is one component within the broader scope of facial feminization surgery, which combines multiple procedures to align appearance with gender identity. The two primary surgical pathways are the upper lip lift and lip augmentation.

An upper lip lift shortens the philtrum and increases vermilion show. The 2024 JPRAS Open review found that a lip lift is the procedure most commonly performed to feminize lip appearance and has proven effective for that purpose. The most common technique is the bullhorn method, which removes a small crescent of skin at the base of the nose to elevate the lip.

Lip augmentation adds volume and contour to the lip tissue itself. FFS Institute offers fat transfer as a surgical option and injectable fillers as a nonsurgical one.

Nonsurgical lip feminization works as an alternative or a complement to surgery. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are the predominant injectable choice, with thinner formulations used to define the vermilion border and thicker ones to add volume to the lip body.

The same 2024 review makes an important point about patient selection: not everyone assigned male or female at birth fits these population averages, whether they are cisgender or transgender. Gender-related lip characteristics exist on a spectrum. 

Careful assessment of individual anatomy, goals, and lip morphology determines whether a lip lift, lip augmentation, dermal fillers, or no lip procedure at all is appropriate within a complete FFS plan.

What Is the Difference Between a Lip Lift and Lip Fillers?

The difference between a lip lift and lip fillers is that a lip lift permanently shortens the philtrum and repositions the upper lip, while lip fillers temporarily add volume without changing lip position or philtrum height. Both procedures can improve lip appearance, but they address different anatomical concerns and differ in permanence, reversibility, recovery, and candidacy.

• Permanence: A lip lift removes tissue beneath the nose, and the change cannot be undone. The incision sits at the base of the nose, within the natural creases where the scar settles into the surrounding anatomy.
• Reversibility: Lip fillers add temporary volume, and hyaluronic acid fillers last 6 to 12 months, sometimes up to 2 years, before the body absorbs them. Unlike a lip lift, hyaluronic acid fillers can be broken down early with hyaluronidase, an enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid, if you are unhappy with the result.
• Recovery: A lip lift involves surgical recovery: sutures, swelling that peaks around days three to five, and suture removal at approximately day seven. Dermal filler injections involve minimal downtime, typically a day or two of mild swelling, after which most activities resume immediately.
• What each changes: A lip lift repositions the lip upward to increase vermilion show and reduce philtrum height. Injectable fillers add volume and definition without changing lip position.
• Candidacy: Patients with an elongated philtrum and limited upper lip show are typically better served by a lip lift, because the procedure addresses the underlying structural issue. Those seeking added fullness without structural change may be better suited to dermal fillers or to a combination of both, depending on individual anatomy.

One patient, Makayla H., reflected on her lip lift as part of her facial feminization surgery: “I have to blink multiple times when I look at the mirror because of how beautiful I look after surgery.” That permanent structural change is unique to the lip lift and is something that injectable fillers, which require repeat treatments to maintain volume, cannot achieve.

The right choice depends on what you want to change, how long you want results to last, and your comfort with surgical recovery versus minimal downtime.

How Is an FFS Lip Lift Performed?

An FFS lip lift can be performed through the subnasal bullhorn technique, which removes a measured strip of skin beneath the nose to shorten the philtrum, elevate the upper lip, and increase visible vermilion. During facial feminization surgery, an FFS lip lift complements other procedures by improving upper-lip position and overall facial harmony rather than increasing lip volume.

At FFS Institute, we perform the FFS lip lift through an incision hidden at the base of the nose, within the natural creases where the nostrils meet the upper lip. By removing a carefully measured portion of skin beneath the nose, we shorten the philtrum and reveal more of the vermilion, the pink portion of the upper lip. The amount of skin removed is tailored to your anatomy rather than determined by a standard formula.

The amount of skin removed is measured according to your anatomy rather than applied as a formula. In the 988-patient series, resection ranged from 2 mm to 9 mm, with an average of 5 mm, and a 2026 evidence-based review of lip lift techniques reports excision heights of 4 mm to 10 mm across published series. 

Conservative, individualized excision is what keeps the lip from looking pulled or overly tight, and the surgeons in the 988-patient series describe carrying the incision line into the floor of the nostrils to make “the closure more concealed and the scar barely noticeable.”

Before surgery, Dr. Chen uses morphing software during your consultation to help you visualize realistic outcomes based on your own anatomy. Three-dimensional printed surgical guides can inform incision placement.

Your lip lift is performed under general anesthesia at FFS Institute’s K&B Surgical Center in Beverly Hills, accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Local anesthesia is sometimes used for a standalone upper lip lift, but general anesthesia supports airway management, pain control, and patient comfort when the lip lift is part of a larger FFS plan.

Once you are under anesthesia, the surgeon makes the subnasal incision, removes the planned amount of skin, and closes the incision with fine sutures. A 2026 review notes that meticulous alignment at the alar base, where the nostril meets the cheek, is critical to prevent notching of the nostril rim.

Sutures are removed approximately seven days after surgery during your scheduled wound check. At that visit, the team assesses how the incision is healing and confirms there are no signs of infection or other complications.

Swelling peaks around days three to five and then improves over the following weeks, though mild swelling can persist longer. Results continue to refine over the following months as swelling resolves and tissue settles.

The change the procedure produces is measurable. Across the seven published series pooled in the 2026 evidence-based review, the traditional bullhorn technique shortened philtral length from an average of 14.02 mm to 12.03 mm, increased vermilion height from 5.05 mm to 7.01 mm, and increased upper incisor show from 1.51 mm to 3.50 mm. 

Those are millimeter-scale changes, which is precisely why the procedure reads as a refinement of your own features rather than a dramatic alteration, and why the assessment beforehand has to be exact. Results vary by anatomy, healing, and the scope of your surgical plan.

Who Is a Good Candidate for an FFS Lip Lift?

A good candidate for an FFS lip lift is someone with an elongated philtrum and limited upper-lip show at rest, where little vermilion is visible. That combination of anatomical features suggests that the upper lip may benefit from repositioning as part of a facial feminization surgery plan. Not every patient undergoing facial feminization surgery needs an FFS lip lift.

As the 2024 JPRAS Open review emphasizes, gender-related lip characteristics exist on a spectrum, and population averages do not define every individual. For that reason, we evaluate your facial anatomy as a whole rather than applying a standard template or relying on a single measurement.

Good candidates include transgender women, nonbinary people, and cisgender women whose lip anatomy matches the clinical indication. Candidacy rests on anatomical findings and your personal aesthetic goals, not on identity alone. If your philtrum is elongated and your upper lip shows minimal vermilion at rest, a lip lift may help create a more balanced, traditionally feminine lip contour.

If your upper lip already shows adequate vermilion, or your primary concern is volume rather than position, then fat transfer, dermal fillers, or another form of lip augmentation may serve you better. Our surgeons recommend the approach that fits your anatomy and goals.

Poor candidates include those with unrealistic expectations about surgical outcomes, poorly controlled mental or physical health concerns, or medical conditions that preclude surgery, such as heart disease, bleeding disorders, or difficulty tolerating general anesthesia. Surgical fitness must be established before any procedure.

During your consultation, Dr. Henry Chen evaluates your lip anatomy individually using clinical examination, morphing software, and, when appropriate, as part of your broader facial feminization surgery planning, facial CT imaging to better understand your underlying anatomy. As one patient shared after meeting with Dr. Chen, he has “a method and plan that is informed by trans concerns.”

If a lip lift is not right for your face, our surgeons will say so and recommend alternatives, because protecting your long-term result matters more than adding a procedure.

What Is the Best Age for an FFS Lip Lift?

FFS Institute accepts patients 18 years old and older. The governing principle is that facial skeletal structures should be fully mature before permanent structural changes are made.

Facial bones typically finish developing by the late teens and early 20s. Our surgeons approach cases involving younger patients with heightened caution while the skeleton is still developing.

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care, version 8, frames surgical eligibility in terms of readiness and anatomical maturity rather than a fixed chronological cutoff beyond adulthood. Because a lip lift removes skin permanently, the underlying facial proportions need to be stable if the result is to stay balanced as you age.

There is no upper age limit, provided you are in adequate health for general anesthesia and hold realistic goals aligned with your anatomy. Dr. Chen weighs skeletal maturity, healing capacity, and surgical goals individually rather than applying a single age threshold.

What Is Lip Augmentation, and When Is It Used Alongside a Lip Lift?

Lip augmentation adds volume to the lips and is used alongside a lip lift when both increased lip fullness and improved upper-lip position are needed. The two procedures address different concerns: a lip lift shortens an elongated philtrum to increase upper vermilion show, while lip augmentation increases lip volume. When both concerns are present, the procedures may be combined as part of a facial feminization surgery plan.

Some patients have adequate lip volume but need repositioning to improve upper lip show and facial balance. Others have good lip position but want more fullness. At FFS Institute, we recommend an FFS lip lift, lip augmentation, or a combination of both, tailored to your anatomy and aesthetic goals rather than a one-size-fits-all treatment plan.

• Nonsurgical augmentation: hyaluronic acid fillers

Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers offer a nonsurgical route to temporary volume. Products such as Juvéderm and Restylane are commonly used and produce immediate results that last roughly 6 to 12 months, with duration varying by individual metabolism and formulation. 

Injectable fillers require repeat appointments to maintain results but carry minimal downtime, and their reversibility makes them an accessible way to explore lip volume changes before committing to surgery.

• Surgical augmentation: fat grafting and fat transfer

Fat grafting, also called fat transfer or lipofilling, is a surgical approach to longer-lasting volume. Fat is harvested from other parts of the body and transferred to the lips to add lip volume. Only a portion of transferred fat survives the initial healing period, and the surviving fat cells generally remain stable over the long term. FFS Institute lists fat transfer among the procedures it performs.

Fat transfer outcomes depend on technique and patient factors. The lip region moves constantly, which affects how much transferred fat survives, and placement and surgical skill directly influence the result. Fat transfer suits patients seeking longer-lasting augmentation without implants, though outcomes are less predictable than with fillers.

• Combining a lip lift with lip augmentation

When both are planned together, sequencing matters. Performing the lip lift before lower-face procedures avoids the swelling that would otherwise interfere with precise incision placement and healing.

Not every FFS patient requires lip augmentation in addition to a lip lift. Dr. Chen assesses lip anatomy, goals, and existing volume before recommending augmentation. Fullness is not exclusive to any single gender, so volume is added only when anatomy and aesthetic goals genuinely support it.

How Does a Lip Lift Fit Into a Broader FFS Surgical Plan?

A lip lift fits into a broader facial feminization surgery plan by improving upper-lip proportions while complementing procedures that reshape the forehead, nose, jaw, chin, and neck. At FFS Institute, we plan facial feminization surgery as a comprehensive reconstruction of facial harmony rather than a series of isolated procedures. 

Depending on your anatomy and goals, your surgical plan may include forehead contouring, scalp advancement, brow lift, eyelid lift, feminizing rhinoplasty, cheek augmentation, jaw contouring, genioplasty (chin contouring), tracheal shave, fat transfer, and facelift or neck lift procedures alongside an FFS lip lift.

Surgical sequencing matters for safety and precision. A lip lift is performed before lower-face procedures such as jaw contouring or genioplasty, because those surgeries produce substantial swelling that would interfere with precise incision placement at the upper lip. Operating on the lip while the surrounding anatomy is unswollen preserves that precision. 

When a lip lift is combined with an open rhinoplasty, the procedures can be performed through separate columellar incisions without an increased risk of tissue necrosis or excessive scarring. A 2024 peer-reviewed review published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery—Open (JPRAS Open) supports the safety of this combined approach.

Most patients complete FFS in two stages, spaced months apart, which allows the body to heal fully and swelling to resolve before the next stage. In select cases, single-stage FFS is appropriate, combining multiple procedures into a single anesthesia session. The decision rests on your anatomy, health, and the scope of procedures planned, never on cost or convenience.

Grouping procedures into a single stage has a practical benefit beyond convenience: procedures performed together share a single anesthesia and a single facility fee rather than incurring both twice. That said, the grouping is decided on surgical grounds. A lip lift is a small addition to an operation that is already underway, which is one reason it is frequently folded into a stage built around a larger procedure rather than scheduled on its own.

Combining multiple procedures also means working through insurance approvals, which can extend the planning window. Emmy, your patient care coordinator, supports you through that process so you understand your timeline, coverage options, and next steps. One patient, Valerie V., noted on Healthgrades that although insurance approval timelines added to her planning period, the overall experience was positive once the process moved forward.

Throughout your plan, the unifying goal is facial harmony across all three facial thirds. A lip lift that improves the relationship between the nose, lips, and chin complements feminizing rhinoplasty, cheek augmentation, chin contouring, and jaw reshaping, so every procedure contributes to a balanced, integrated facial result rather than isolated improvements.

Is FFS the Same As Plastic Surgery, and Where Does a Lip Lift Fit in?

Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is a specialized area of plastic surgery, and a lip lift is one procedure that may be included in an individualized FFS plan. While plastic surgery covers cosmetic and reconstructive procedures for many purposes, facial feminization surgery specifically reshapes facial anatomy to align appearance with gender identity and create more traditionally feminine features.

For patients diagnosed with gender dysphoria, facial feminization surgery is recognized as gender-affirming medical care rather than routine cosmetic enhancement. It is also why insurance may cover portions of FFS when procedures are deemed medically necessary, why major medical organizations recognize the care, and why the WPATH Standards of Care, version 8, includes facial procedures within the scope of gender-affirming surgery.

A lip lift is not a routine add-on to every FFS plan. It is selected based on your individual lip anatomy, your goals, and the overall balance your surgeon is working toward. An upper lip lift removes a small amount of skin above the vermilion border to shorten the distance between nose and upper lip, increase visible lip area, and refine lip shape. Whether it is right for you depends on measurements taken during the consultation.

The evidence behind that care is substantive. A 2023 study in Annals of Surgery examined 169 transfeminine patients using validated instruments and found that completion of FFS independently predicted improvements in anxiety, depression, social isolation, and global mental health. 

The authors concluded that “gender-affirming FFS improves the quality of life by multiple psychosocial domains in transfeminine patients.” A lip lift, when it belongs in your individualized plan, sits within care that produces measurable psychosocial outcomes.

Why Does Surgical Training Matter for Your FFS Lip Lift?

Surgical training matters for your FFS lip lift because the procedure alters the relationships among the upper lip, nose, teeth, and surrounding facial structures rather than just the skin beneath the nose. Achieving a natural-looking result requires understanding how the philtrum, upper lip height, nasal base, upper jaw, and lower face work together as a single anatomical system.

When the philtrum is shortened, the distance between the nasal base and the upper incisor teeth changes. That change interacts with the shape of the nose, the projection of the upper jaw, and the balance of the lower face. A surgeon who performs the technical steps without accounting for those relationships can produce asymmetry, an unnatural lip contour, or functional problems.

Equally important is knowing when not to perform a lip lift. That judgment requires the same anatomical depth as performing one.

Dr. Henry Chen, MD, MBA, FACS, is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) and the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS). 

His fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, one of roughly 40 positions awarded each year nationally, trained him under Dr. Edwin F. Williams III, a past president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. That training is craniofacial-informed, grounded in the skeletal and soft-tissue relationships of the face, and it enables an honest assessment of whether a lip lift genuinely serves your goals.

Volume and focus matter alongside credentials. Dr. Chen has spent nearly 20 years in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, including roughly 12 years at Cedars-Sinai, where he remains affiliated as an assistant professor in the Otolaryngology Residency Program. FFS Institute is dedicated exclusively to facial feminization, which means lip surgery is assessed by someone who routinely evaluates these proportions rather than only occasionally.

Dr. Chen’s peer-reviewed publications in the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery and JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery reflect that grounding, and his role as a nationally invited lecturer on facial feminization surgery reflects recognition by the wider surgical community.

A fellow surgeon put it this way: “Dr. Chen does incredible work and has amazing bedside manners. As a fellow surgeon, I refer him all my patients who need plastic surgery of the face.” That endorsement comes from a credentialed peer making a professional judgment about surgical skill.

His recognition as a Los Angeles Magazine Top Doctor (2019 to 2026) and a Southern California Super Doctor (2020 to 2026) reflects sustained, multi-year standing among facial plastic surgeons in one of the most competitive markets in the country.

What Are the Risks and Downsides of an FFS Lip Lift?

The risks and downsides of an FFS lip lift include scarring, temporary swelling and bruising, asymmetry, inflammation, altered sensation, delayed wound healing, the permanence of the procedure, and the possibility of revision surgery. While serious complications are uncommon, every surgical procedure carries risk, and understanding those risks is an important part of deciding whether an FFS lip lift is right for you.

• Scarring is the concern patients raise most often. A 2025 qualitative analysis of 25 patient-written accounts of dissatisfaction after lip lift, drawn from RealSelf reviews, found that 60% expressed concerns about scars. Of those 15 patients, seven described the scar as hypertrophic, meaning thickened and raised, and eight described it as noticeable or large. 

Because that analysis deliberately sampled dissatisfied patients, those proportions describe what troubles unhappy patients most, not the rate at which scarring occurs.

• For an actual complication rate, a 2026 evidence-based review pooled seven studies covering 1,754 patients and reported no major complications. Minor complications included swelling, bruising, hypertrophic scarring in 4.6% of patients, transient altered sensation, and superficial skin separation. Revision rates across the studies ranged from 0.6% to 6.7%.
• The incision sits at the base of the nose, a visible area where scar placement and quality directly affect the result. If a scar becomes thick or uneven, it can trade one concern for another, which is why meticulous technique is not negotiable.
• Permanence limits your options if you are unhappy. The procedure removes skin, so revision means removing additional skin, which carries its own risks and is typically not undertaken until 12 months after surgery, once healing and swelling have fully resolved.
• Functional complications are uncommon. In that same 25-patient analysis of dissatisfied patients, three reported functional problems: two reported nasal flaring, and one reported difficulty with mouth closure and speech. Mild temporary numbness at the upper lip is a normal part of healing.
• Risk is managed through two levers: meticulous surgical technique and careful patient selection. The 2026 review mentioned above also reported that the bullhorn-shaped excision along the nasal base effectively conceals the scar within the alar creases, the natural folds where the nostrils meet the cheek.

Structured postoperative scar management, combined with follow-up at day seven and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, allows early identification of problems before they become lasting sources of regret. Results vary by anatomy, healing, and technique.

How Long Is the Recovery After an FFS Lip Lift?

Recovery after an FFS lip lift typically takes about 2 to 3 weeks for most daily activities, while the final result continues to refine over approximately 6 to 12 months. 

If your lip lift is performed as part of a broader facial feminization surgery plan, your overall recovery will be determined by the largest procedure, rather than the lip lift itself. Understanding what to expect at each stage can help you plan time away from work, prepare your recovery space, and arrange any support you may need.

The first week: swelling, sutures, and daily support

Swelling peaks around days three to five, then improves. Sutures at the base of the nose are typically removed at approximately day seven during a wound check with Dr. Chen or the surgical care team.

Emmy, your patient care coordinator, checks in with you daily through that first week. Dr. Chen sees you the day after surgery, either at the office or at your aftercare facility.

Soft foods are recommended in the early days because chewing and heavy lip movement stress the surgical site. Smoothies, yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and protein-rich broths all work well. High-protein foods support tissue repair, while anti-inflammatory options such as leafy greens and pineapple, which contains the enzyme bromelain, may help settle inflammation during healing.

Weeks two through four: returning to activity

By week two, most of the initial swelling has subsided, though some puffiness may remain. Scar care usually begins in this window: silicone scar gel and gentle massage are typically introduced one to two weeks after surgery.

Sun protection matters from this point on. Keep the incision out of direct sunlight, because ultraviolet exposure can darken a healing scar. Light activity and desk or remote work are generally comfortable in this window, while strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and anything that raises your blood pressure should wait.

The amount of time you need away from work depends on the scope of your surgery. For a standalone upper lip lift, most patients are back to normal daily activities and to work at around two weeks. When the lip lift is part of a combined, multi-area FFS plan, plan for up to 4 weeks, since recovery follows the largest procedure in the plan rather than the smallest.

Months two through six: settling and follow-up

The lip shape continues to refine through month six as residual swelling resolves and the final contour emerges.

Follow-up visits are scheduled at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. At each appointment, the surgical team assesses healing, checks the scar, and confirms your results are tracking toward your goals. Final results are typically evaluated at 12 months before any revision is considered, which gives tissue time to fully stabilize. Between appointments, you have direct access to the team by call or text.

How Visible Is the Scar After an FFS Lip Lift?

The bullhorn incision is placed directly beneath the nose within the natural alar crease, where it blends into the shadow cast by the nose. Clinical evidence consistently supports this placement as a key to minimizing scar visibility after healing. Published research also supports that approach:

• A 2024 systematic review of lip feminization techniques in JPRAS Open reported that, with meticulous surgical technique and placement within this natural shadow, the resulting scar can become almost invisible after healing.
• A 2026 evidence-based review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology likewise found that positioning the incision within the alar creases both conceals the scar and allows predictable shortening of the philtrum.

The first weeks and months matter most for scar quality. Starting one to two weeks after surgery, once sutures are out and the incision has closed, silicone scar gel is typically applied to the incision line, with gentle massage along its direction. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen and avoiding direct sun during early healing are standard recommendations.

Scars mature slowly. Expect the line to look its most obvious in the early weeks, to flatten and lighten noticeably by around six months, and to reach its final appearance at roughly a year. Judging the result before then tends to cause unnecessary worry.

Two technical details drive how the scar settles. The first is placement: an incision that follows the alar crease disappears into an existing shadow, while one placed even slightly below it sits on flat, lit skin. The second is closure. The 2026 review notes that meticulous alignment at the alar base is critical to prevent notching, a small step-off at the nostril rim that draws the eye more than the scar line itself does.

Hypertrophic scarring, characterized by a thick, raised, or darker scar, was reported in 4.6% of patients across the pooled review. The risk increases when incision placement or wound closure is imprecise, particularly in the hands of surgeons without extensive high-volume facial feminization surgery experience. Even small deviations at the alar base can make the scar more conspicuous. 

Dr. Chen’s specialization in facial feminization surgery, with thousands of successful FFS procedures performed, supports the refined incision placement and careful tissue handling that reduce the risk.

Does a Lip Lift Affect Speech, Eating, or Sensation?

Functional complications from a lip lift are uncommon and, when they occur, are usually temporary. Among the 25 dissatisfied patients whose accounts were analyzed in the 2025 study, one described difficulty with mouth closure and speech, and two described nasal flaring.

The reason functional problems stay rare is anatomical. A lip lift works in the skin and subcutaneous layer at the base of the nose. It does not divide the orbicularis oris, the ring of muscle that closes the lips and shapes speech, and it does not disturb the nerves supplying that muscle. Eating, drinking, and speaking depend on structures the procedure leaves intact.

Temporary mild numbness at the surgical site is a normal part of healing as small sensory nerve endings in the skin recover, and it typically resolves within weeks to a few months. Tightness when you smile or stretch the upper lip widely is also common early on and eases as swelling settles. When a lip lift is combined with other procedures such as rhinoplasty or a facelift, the surgical plan accounts for total tissue trauma to keep functional risk low.

How Does FFS Institute Approach the FFS Lip Lift?

FFS Institute approaches the FFS lip lift through individualized surgical planning based on your facial anatomy, imaging, and aesthetic goals, rather than treating it as a routine part of facial feminization surgery. 

We recommend an FFS lip lift only when your anatomy indicates that repositioning the upper lip will improve facial harmony. If your philtrum is already proportionate or your primary concern is lip volume rather than lip position, we may recommend fat transfer or another lip augmentation method instead.

Your planning begins before you arrive for your consultation. At FFS Institute, Emmy, our patient care coordinator, schedules a pre-consultation call to learn about your goals, concerns, and timeline so Dr. Henry Chen can begin your evaluation with a clear understanding of what matters most to you. 

As part of comprehensive facial feminization surgery planning, we recommend facial CT imaging to evaluate your underlying facial anatomy and support individualized surgical planning.

During the consultation, you review standardized photographs of your own face alongside cases with similar lip anatomy. Dr. Chen uses morphing software to show realistic outcomes aligned with your features and goals, which keeps expectations grounded.

All lip lift procedures are performed at K&B Surgical Center in Beverly Hills, accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Every surgeon and anesthesiologist is board-certified and holds full hospital admitting privileges.

If you are traveling to Beverly Hills for your lip lift or for a full facial feminization plan, Emmy coordinates surgical timing, aftercare facility arrangements, and recovery support. Out-of-town patients receive the same level of coordinated care as local ones.

Patient Kai G. reflected, “It made my life happier living as my true self,” which captures what this work means beyond the operating room. Dr. Chen’s commitment extends through his volunteer work with HELPS International in Guatemala, where he performs cleft lip repairs and tumor removals for patients without access to care, and through his participation in Mending Kids humanitarian surgeries in Los Angeles. That same care guides every lip lift at FFS Institute.

How Much Does an FFS Lip Lift Cost?

The cost of an FFS lip lift depends on whether it is performed as part of your broader facial feminization surgery plan, which is how we most commonly perform the procedure at FFS Institute. 

Rather than treating an FFS lip lift as a standalone procedure, we typically include it as one component of a personalized surgical plan. The total cost of comprehensive facial feminization surgery varies based on your anatomy, the number of procedures performed, and the complexity of your treatment plan. Comprehensive FFS commonly exceeds $100,000, although every surgical plan is individualized. 

Three factors drive your total: surgeon expertise, procedure complexity, and facility fees for an accredited surgical center with dedicated anesthesia.

During consultation, Dr. Chen assesses whether a lip lift is indicated for your lip morphology and your goals using detailed anatomical analysis and morphing software. If so, the procedure is itemized in your complete surgical plan.

Many PPO plans may recognize portions of an FFS plan as medically necessary gender-affirming care when the criteria are met. Approval is never guaranteed and depends on your payer, your documentation, and which procedures are included. Coverage decisions also tend to turn on how the plan is documented rather than on the procedure list alone, which is why the paperwork is prepared carefully before anything is submitted.

Emmy handles insurance navigation and pre-authorizations, walking you through what your plan may or may not cover before you commit. CareCredit financing lets you spread payments over time, and FFS Institute offers structured payment plans.

To discuss your specific cost, insurance options, and financing, contact FFS Institute at (310) 237-1392 or schedule a consultation to review your personalized surgical plan.

Frequently Asked Questions About FFS Lip Lift

1. Is a lip lift always necessary for FFS?
   1. A lip lift is not required for every FFS patient because the need depends on individual anatomy. Dr. Chen evaluates philtrum length and vermilion show during consultation. If you have adequate vermilion show and a proportionate philtrum, you may reach your goals without one, and adding the procedure anyway would mean accepting a permanent change and a scar for very little gain.

2. Can a lip lift be combined with lip fillers?
   1. A lip lift can be combined with lip fillers. The lift addresses position by shortening the philtrum, while hyaluronic acid fillers address volume. Fillers are typically introduced after the lip lift has healed fully, so swelling can resolve first. Sequenced correctly, the two create a more balanced lip contour than either alone.

3. Will a lip lift change how my smile looks?
   1. A lip lift may increase upper incisal show, creating a softer, more open smile at rest. Changes are typically subtle because tissue removal is measured against your existing lip proportions. Published studies report that a lip lift increases maxillary incisor show, also called incisal show, from approximately 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm before surgery to 3.5mm to 5.0 mm afterward. Both terms refer to how much of the upper front teeth are visible when the lips are at rest or during a relaxed smile. This increase enhances tooth show while remaining a subtle refinement rather than creating a dramatically different smile. During your consultation, morphing software previews how your upper lip position and tooth show may change based on your anatomy.

4. Is a lip lift reversible?
   1. A lip lift is permanent because the excised skin cannot be restored. Permanence is a key part of informed consent, which is why anatomical assessment before surgery matters. An experienced surgeon evaluates your anatomy and communicates that permanence honestly rather than applying a standard approach. This is also why conservative excision is the norm: too little can be revised later, while too much cannot be undone.

5. How soon can I return to work after an FFS lip lift?
   1. Most patients return to work about two weeks after a standalone lip lift, with light or remote work often comfortable earlier. Sutures are removed approximately on day seven, after which visible swelling reduces steadily. When the lip lift is part of a combined multi-area FFS plan, plan for up to four weeks.

6. Does an FFS lip lift leave a visible scar?
   1. An FFS lip lift leaves a scar, but the bullhorn incision is placed within the natural crease below the nose to minimize visibility. A 2026 review of published series found the excision conceals the scar within the alar creases and reported hypertrophic scarring in 4.6% of patients. Standard scar management includes silicone scar gel and SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, and the line typically flattens and lightens within about 6 months.

Schedule a Consultation to Discuss Your FFS Lip Lift With Dr. Chen

If you’re ready to find out whether an FFS lip lift belongs in your facial feminization surgery plan, schedule a consultation with Dr. Henry Chen by calling FFS Institute at (310) 237-1392. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your facial anatomy, discuss your goals, and determine whether an FFS lip lift is the right approach for your facial harmony. If another procedure or combination of procedures would better achieve your goals, we’ll tell you that, too.

Our team will guide you through every step of the consultation process so you know what to expect before you arrive.

Your consultation includes a detailed evaluation of your facial structure, including your lip anatomy and how an FFS lip lift may work alongside other facial feminization surgery procedures. Dr. Chen uses imaging, morphing software, and a comprehensive anatomical assessment to develop recommendations tailored to your individual features rather than a standard treatment plan.

If surgery is recommended, your procedure will be performed at K&B Surgical Center, our AAAHC-accredited surgical facility in Beverly Hills. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Call (310) 237-1392 to schedule your consultation and begin planning your personalized facial feminization surgery.