Corner Lip Lift Melbourne (Commissuroplasty or Cheiloplasty)

It can be performed on its own, though it is more often performed together with an upper lip lift. Dr Jeremy Richardson, a Specialist Plastic Surgeon based in Melbourne, performs this procedure based on each patient’s individual anatomy, health, and suitability, which he assesses carefully during a consultation.

What Does the Procedure Involve?

A corner lip lift is performed through small incisions placed at the corners of the mouth along the lip margin. The tissue is carefully repositioned to elevate and evert (roll out) the lip corners, and the incisions are then closed. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes and is performed as day surgery, so an overnight hospital stay is not required in most cases, although timing and length of stay can vary depending on individual circumstances.

The procedure can be performed under either local anaesthesia, where the area is numbed while you remain awake, or under general anaesthesia, where you are fully asleep. The most appropriate option depends on the individual patient’s circumstances, overall health, and preferences, and is something Dr Richardson discusses with each patient during the consultation.

Who May Be Suitable for a Corner Lip Lift?

Whether this procedure is appropriate depends on a number of individual factors, including facial anatomy, overall health, and medical history. These are things Dr Richardson assesses in detail during a consultation. He takes a considered approach to patient assessment and provides a clear, clinical view of whether the procedure is appropriate for each individual’s situation.

Corner lip lift surgery is not appropriate for everyone. A thorough consultation is the most reliable way to understand whether the procedure may be suitable for you, and what it can realistically achieve in your specific case. Surgery is a serious decision, and Dr Richardson ensures each patient has clear, accurate, and complete information before deciding whether to proceed.

Risks and Potential Complications

As with all surgical procedures, a corner lip lift carries risks and potential complications. These vary between patients and depend on a range of individual factors. Risks may include:

• Scarring — Because the incisions are placed at the corners of the mouth, there will be external scars at those sites. How scars heal differs between individuals and depends on factors such as skin type, genetics, and how well aftercare instructions are followed. Scar appearance can change as healing progresses over time.
• Asymmetry — The position or appearance of the lip corners may differ between the two sides of the face. In some cases, further assessment or revision may be required.
• Infection — Any surgical procedure involving incisions carries a risk of infection. Signs may include increasing pain, swelling, warmth, or discharge in the days following the procedure.
• Changes to sensation — Temporary or, in rare cases, longer-lasting changes in sensation around the corners of the mouth can occur following surgery.
• Prolonged swelling — Swelling around the mouth is expected after surgery and will gradually settle over a period of weeks. How long this takes varies between patients.
• Changes in appearance over time — The way the lip corners look immediately after surgery may differ from the long-term result, as the tissue continues to settle and heal. Individual results vary.

This is not a complete list of all possible risks. Dr Richardson discusses the specific risks relevant to each patient’s anatomy and health history during the consultation.

What to Expect During Recovery

Recovery from a corner lip lift varies from patient to patient. Swelling and mild discomfort around the mouth and lip area are expected in the days following surgery and will gradually settle over a period of weeks. Some bruising may also be present in the initial recovery period.

Patients are given specific aftercare instructions, which may include guidance on diet, activity restrictions, oral hygiene, and how to care for the incision sites while the area heals. Time away from work and daily activities will depend on each patient’s individual circumstances and the nature of their routine, as well as how their body heals. Recovery timelines differ between individuals, and this is something Dr Richardson discusses in detail at the consultation.

Because the incisions are made at the corners of the mouth, an area that moves frequently during everyday activities like eating, talking, and drinking, it is important to follow aftercare advice closely during the healing period.

The Consultation Process

A consultation with Dr Richardson is an essential step before any decision about surgery is made. During this appointment, he takes a thorough medical history, examines the patient’s facial anatomy, and discusses what the patient is hoping to understand about the procedure. He explains what the surgery involves in plain terms, outlines the relevant risks, describes what recovery may look like for that specific patient, and answers any questions.

Dr Richardson provides a clear, clinical view of whether a corner lip lift is appropriate for each patient’s individual situation, including what the procedure can and cannot achieve. Patients are encouraged to consider the information provided and to ask further questions before making any decision about whether to proceed.

Why Choose Dr Richardson for Corner Lip Lift Surgery in Melbourne

Dr Jeremy Richardson is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon and Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS Plast) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. This is the recognised specialist qualification for plastic surgeons in Australia, awarded after completing an accredited training programme and formal examinations. His training included an international fellowship at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom, with a specific focus on head and neck surgery, as well as additional aesthetic surgical training in London’s Harley Street Medical District.

He is an ANZBCPS Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon and a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS), the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and the Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (AAFPS). These memberships reflect a continued engagement with the standards and developments in plastic and aesthetic surgical practice, both in Australia and internationally.

A corner lip lift requires a precise understanding of the anatomy of the lower face, the structural relationship between the oral commissures, the surrounding tissue, and the overlying skin. Dr Richardson’s specialist training in head and neck surgery, combined with his broader experience in facial plastic and reconstructive procedures, means he brings a thorough clinical understanding to the assessment and performance of this procedure. During a consultation, Dr Richardson assesses each person’s facial anatomy, explains what the procedure involves, and discusses what results may be realistic in their situation.