Lip Lift / Lip Advancement

Before Your Surgery

• Pick up your prescriptions well ahead of surgery. We send them to your pharmacy at least 2 weeks in advance. Open the bag well ahead of your surgery and make sure nothing is missing. Call us right away if your antibiotics or pain medication are missing.

• Purchase MiraLAX (stool softener), Tylenol (for pain), hypochlorous acid (HOCl) spray, and cool compress supplies.
• Starting 1 week before surgery, spray hypochlorous acid (HOCl) on your upper lip and the skin beneath your nose 3 times a day as an antiseptic.
• Start your antiviral medication 72 hours before surgery.
• Get Arnica tablets. Start them the day after surgery and take as directed.
• If you are having sedation or general anesthesia: nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery.
• Prepare your recovery area at home with fluids, appropriate foods, and assistance.
• Starting 2 weeks before surgery, avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, alcohol, and blood-thinning supplements. Check with your prescribing doctor before stopping any prescription blood thinner.
• Stop all nicotine (smoking, vaping, patches, gum) at least 2 weeks before surgery; 4 weeks is preferred.
• Moderate caffeine is fine; one cup of coffee or tea is acceptable.
• For men: shave fully 48 hours before surgery, but not the day before. We need to see the pattern of your facial hair, but no actual beard.

The Night Before & Day of Surgery

• Take two showers: one the night before surgery and one the morning of surgery. Each time, wash your hair well and use antibacterial soap on your face and body.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that buttons or zips in the front.
• Arrive without makeup, lotions, skin products, sunblock, deodorant, or hair products.
• Remove jewelry and piercings. Do not wear contact lenses; wear your glasses instead.
• Remove hair extensions, weaves, braids, and lash extensions if possible. They can harbor bacteria.
• Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you initially. You will not be released to an Uber or taxi.

The First Week

• Sleep on your back with your upper body elevated about 45° (recliner, wedge pillow, or several pillows).
• Gently use small, lightweight cool compresses for 15–20 minutes about every hour while awake for the first 3 days.
• Never place ice or frozen materials directly on the skin. Numb skin can get frostbite.
• Rest, hydrate, and walk gently and regularly to promote circulation. Rise slowly and have assistance at first; you may feel weak.
• Avoid bending, straining, or lifting.
• Eat fresh pineapple, including the center core, or drink cold-pressed pineapple juice. Its bromelain helps reduce swelling.
• You may shower 48 hours after surgery. Use lukewarm water and gentle pressure. Do not let the spray hit your incisions directly; let the water run over them gently. Do not rub your incisions; fresh incisions can open if handled roughly. Be careful of falling.

Medications

• Take your antiviral medication as prescribed until finished.
• Start your antibiotics the evening of surgery, once your nausea has passed and you can keep food down. Take them as prescribed until finished, and tell us if you have any reaction.
• Use your prescribed pain medication, or Tylenol if pain is mild. Do not take the two together; most prescription pain medications already contain Tylenol.
• Do not exceed 4,000 mg of Tylenol (acetaminophen) in 24 hours.
• Use your nausea medication as needed, if prescribed.
• Begin a stool softener when you start narcotic pain medication. Do not strain during bowel movements.
• Start your Medrol steroid dose pack the day after surgery: 6 pills on the first day, then 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 on the days that follow, until finished. If your pharmacy gives you the pills loose in a bottle, follow the same schedule.

Incision Care

• Clean incisions gently 3–4 times a day with a Q-tip dipped in diluted hydrogen peroxide. Roll the Q-tip; do not scrub.
  • Mix half peroxide and half water in the cap, then discard the excess.
• Apply your prescribed ointment very gently 3–4 times a day. If you run out, use Vaseline.
• Continue your hypochlorous acid (HOCl) spray on your incision 3 times a day.
• Do not pick or pull at incisions.
• Be gentle. Incisions can open in the first 3 weeks if handled roughly.
• Dr. Naderi typically removes sutures 5–7 days after surgery.
• Protect healing skin and incisions from direct sun exposure for 3 months. Wear a large hat.
• Avoid tight-necked shirts such as turtlenecks.
• Starting 2 weeks after surgery, apply scar gel daily for 6 months. Do not pull on your lip when applying it.
• For men: do not shave for 3 weeks. After that, use a manual razor carefully, without pulling down on or stretching your lip.

Activity and Recovery

• Do not lift more than 20 pounds for the first month.
• No exercise for the first month. You may then gradually resume and build back slowly, with the goal of returning to full activity by about 3 months.
• Most patients return to work in 1 week.
• Do not drive while taking narcotic pain medication or while you feel impaired.
• Do not fly for 7–10 days after surgery. Flying can increase swelling for the first few months, so avoid unnecessary flights during that time.

What Is Normal

• Swelling and bruising
• Mild bleeding
• Tightness, numbness, or mild itching
• Mild asymmetries of the lip and smile
• A very swollen upper lip and a very noticeable incision in the beginning. Be patient; healing takes time.
• Your scar. It can take a year or longer for the scar to thin out and improve.
• Stiffness. Your upper lip and smile can feel stiff, and this can also take a year or longer to improve.

If you are ever unsure, Dr. Naderi and our team are always available. Take a few clear, well-lit photos and email them to Surgery@NaderiCenter.com. For anything more urgent, please call the office so we get your message quickly.