What is a Lip lift?
A lip lift is a cosmetic procedure that raises the upper lip to a more youthful, balanced, and relaxed smile.
Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez specializes in custom lip lift procedures designed to complement each patient’s natural features. With over 25 years of surgical experience and more than 400 successful lip lifts performed on patients of diverse backgrounds, he applies a meticulous, individualized approach to every surgery. He has earned a reputation for creating refined, natural-looking results that enhance each patient’s unique beauty.
Dr. Rodriguez performs two types of lip lifts:
Upper Lip Lift
An upper lip lift shortens the space between the upper lip and the base of the nose. This increases the amount of visible pink lip, exposing more teeth, and creating fuller, more youthful-looking lips.
Corner Lip Lift
A corner lip lift focuses on the corners of the mouth, improving the appearance of a permanent frown or downturned lips.
What Issues Can a Lip Lift Fix?
My upper lip covers my teeth too much, and I want my upper lip to look fuller.
A lip lift can address concerns such as:
Upper lip lift
- Teeth do not show when smiling
- Long space (greater than 1.5 cm) between the nose and upper lip
- Thin, flat lips
- Fillers result in "duck lips"
Corner lip lift
- Permanent frown
- Downturned corners of the mouth
Who benefits from an upper lip lift?
Anyone with a long space above their upper lip can benefit from an upper lip lift. Some people are born with a longer space, while others begin to notice it more with age.
Regardless of age, an upper lip lift shortens that space, enhancing both the upper lip and the smile. Even patients in their twenties see great results.
In addition, patients who experience "duck lips" from lip filler injections will see a vast improvement with a lip lift instead. After a lip lift, fillers will no longer create that effect.
Can lips be lifted with fillers instead?
No, fillers do not lift the lips. While fillers enhance volume, they cannot shorten the space above the upper lip. If this space is too long, fillers push the lip outward instead of lifting it, creating the "duck lips" appearance.
Patients with a longer upper lip space are better candidates for a lip lift first, followed by fillers if additional volume is needed.How much space is too long?
The ideal distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip varies by gender.
- For women, the ideal distance from the nose to the upper lip is 1.0 - 1.2 cm.
- For men, this space is typically longer, around 1.3 - 1.5 cm.
I am roughly 4 months post-op from an upper lip lift performed by Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez. Results are Amazing. Having this procedure was one of my best decisions and so glad I found the Best of the Best to perform it.
Athena B.
How is a Lip lift performed?
Lip lift procedures are performed in-office under local anesthesia. No IV sedation is needed, as the area is fully numbed. The procedure takes about 90 minutes.
Upper lip lift surgery
Dr. Rodriguez performs an upper lip lift by excising a small strip of skin at the base of your nose and elevating the lip to its new position.
His technique lifts only the skin without cutting muscles or nerves, ensuring a more natural result with preserved function.
Corner lip lift surgery
Dr. Rodriguez removes a small wedge of skin from each corner of the mouth and lifts the corners slightly using dissolvable sutures. This procedure, often called "smile surgery," works similarly to the upper lip lift, but focuses on the corners of the mouth.
Both procedures are subtle and, when performed correctly, don't affect your ability to show a normal range of facial expressions.
I had my lip lift procedure 9 days ago with Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez, and I am thrilled with my results. The scar is barely noticeable and my lips look amazing.
realself patient
What are the preoperative requirements?
No pre-op testing is required for either the upper lip lift or the corner lip lift, as both are performed with local anesthesia. However, you should:
- Quit smoking 2 weeks before the procedure
- Stop taking aspirin 2 weeks before the procedure
What is Lip lift Post-Op recovery like?
After the lip lift procedure, you can go home to recover. For the first few days, stick to soft foods, and plan to return to work within 3-4 days. However, swelling and tightness may persist for a few weeks.
Since dissolvable sutures are used, you won’t need to return for removal. If you’re traveling from out of town, plan to stay in Baltimore for at least one night after the surgery.
During the first two weeks, expect some redness around the incision. If redness continues, apply an over-the-counter steroid cream. The scar under your nose will fade over time.
My experience with Dr. Rodriguez has been exceptional! He performed a lip lift for me and I am over the moon happy with the results.
realself patient
What are the risks and possible complications?
Though lip lifts generally provide good results, you should be aware of potential risks and complications, including:
- Uneven or asymmetrical lips after healing
- Scarring
- Swelling
- Infection
- Keloid in (in rare cases)
- Scar revision surgery (if necessary)
How much does a Lip lift cost?
The cost of a lip lift depends on the type of procedure and surgical specifics. Prices for lift surgery performed under local anesthesia in 2025 are as follows:
| Type of Lip Lift | 2025 Price |
|---|---|
| Upper lip lift | $3,500 |
| Corner lip lift | $2,800 |
| Upper lip lift with Corner lip lift | $5,000 |
Can I finance my Lip lift?
Yes, we offer 6 month, no interest financing to make your procedure more affordable. Call us at 410-404-8100 or see our financing page for additional financing information.
If you’ve never had another plastic surgery experience, Dr. Rodriguez’s bedside manner may be lost on you. He’s conscientious, respectful, and dedicated to obtaining the best result.
realself patient
Dr. Rodriguez: Trusted lip lift surgeon in Baltimore
With over 25 years of surgical experience and more than 400 lip lift procedures performed, Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez helps patients from Baltimore, Towson, Columbia, and beyond achieve youthful, natural-looking results. Each procedure is customized to refine the lips’ shape and proportion while preserving the patient’s unique facial features.
All lip lifts are performed safely under local anesthesia in our Quad A-accredited surgical center. Every patient also receives direct access to Dr. Rodriguez’s personal cell phone after surgery to ensure attentive, personalized recovery care.
Dr. Rodriguez’s lip lift technique lifts only the skin, avoiding the muscle to preserve natural lip movement and reduce the risk of nerve injury. Each procedure is meticulously planned with detailed surgical markings and confirmed through two in-person meetings before surgery. He speaks fluent English, Spanish, and French and is dedicated to delivering natural results with individualized care.
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NOTICE
Patients depicted in our before and after galleries have provided their written consent to display their photos online. Every patient is unique, and surgical results may vary. Please contact us if you have any questions.