With a little help from the skilled hands of Dr. Timothy Janiga, a lip lift procedure can improve visible signs of aging by enhancing the appearance of the upper lip. A lip lift surgery shortens the distance between the upper lip and the base of the nose. The procedure can increase the amount of “pink lip” seen, increase the appearance of teeth, and elevate the corners of your mouth, giving patients fuller lips with a more youthful appearance.
Lip lifts can be used for lip augmentation or to address other concerns regarding the shape of the lips and their proportion with the lower face. Dr. Janiga is a highly experienced plastic surgeon who offers three different lip lift techniques:
The subnasal lip lift is also known as a bullhorn lip lift, because it involves the removal of a small, bullhorn-shaped strip of skin from beneath the nose to elevate the upper lip. This shortens the philtrum and increases visibility of the upper teeth when smiling without directly adding volume.
A direct lip lift is a surgical technique designed to increase the visible height of the upper lip by removing a small strip of skin just above the lip border. This approach shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip (an area known as the philtrum) and creates the appearance of a fuller upper lip with a more defined shape.
A corner lip lift focuses on the outer corners of the upper lip to improve the look of a downturned or “sad” appearance. Small amounts of skin are removed at the corners of the lips, allowing the mouth to rest in a more neutral or subtly upturned position. This surgical procedure is especially beneficial for individuals whose lip corners droop due to natural aging or facial anatomy.
Dr. Timothy Janiga is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over two decades of experience and countless patient success stories. His calm, expert, and meticulous approach has transformed the lives of both cosmetic and reconstruction patients, helping them feel good in their bodies. Dr. Janiga is an expert in all aspects of plastic surgery and specializes in cosmetic facial surgery, body contouring, and breast surgery.
Before lip lift surgery, patients will schedule a consultation with Dr. Janiga to discuss the procedure in more detail and different surgical options. During this initial appointment, he will ask about your medical history to make sure you are in good overall health before undergoing surgery. Patients should have realistic expectations for their results and be committed to following all pre- and post-surgical instructions to ensure safety and optimal results.
Dr. Janiga performs lip lifts in the in-office operative suite or in conjunction with a facelift or other facial procedures in his Reno outpatient surgery center using general anesthesia. Usually, places an incision beneath the nose where there will be minimal noticeable scarring. Then, he removes excess skin and tissue from above the lip and elevates the lip to its new position. If the corners are needed to lift the sides of the lip also, this would be performed next, then sutures will be placed throughout to solidify the new position of the lip. On average, this cosmetic surgery takes an hour to an hour and a half, with an additional hour of recovery before going home.
I’m giving Dr. Janiga 5 stars because of I love the results of my surgeries. He listened to my concerns and we decided together the best options based on my budget and the outcome that I wanted. He did a Lip Lift for me in May 2015. I am so happy with the results. My thin flat upper lip now has that cute cupids bow and it looks natural. He did this surgery in his in his Office Surgical Suite.
As a patient of both Dr. Jennifer and Tim Janiga, I have the utmost praise for the care I have received. They are fantastic at what they do. The attention to detail and going ‘above and beyond’ is very much appreciated.
I recently underwent surgery with Dr. Tim Janiga and cannot recommend him enough. Dr. Janiga has a wonderful bedside manner and is a fantastic surgeon. Everything went smoothly, from the consult to post op care. The entire office staff is professional, helpful and incredibly kind. Both the office and Mountain West Surgical Center are beautiful and exceptionally clean, which gave me peace of mind. Thank you again Dr. Janiga and staff!
Swelling is common, and your mouth may feel tight for the first few weeks following the surgical lip lift. Depending on your lifestyle and need for discretion, seven days of recovery are recommended before you return to work, as stitches are removed at five to seven days after the lip enhancement. Swelling and discoloration will dramatically decrease within one to two weeks, with full results to be expected after one month.
After a lip lift, patients should eat a soft diet for 1-2 weeks and avoid drinking from straws. Dr. Janiga typically recommends that patients avoid strenuous exercise for at least three weeks. Once fully recovered, you will notice a more youthful and pleasant shape to your mouth and lips with natural-looking results. Unlike lip fillers, lip lift results are permanent, so patients can smile confidently for many years to come.
Choosing JanigaMDs for your lip lift means selecting a practice where surgical precision, aesthetic judgment, and patient-focused care come together to create refined, natural-looking results. Dr. Timothy Janiga is a board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced training and extensive experience in facial procedures that demand meticulous attention to detail. He completed a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Michigan, a top medical program, and has been performing facial plastic surgery for over two decades. This experience and level of expertise are especially important in lip lift surgery, where small adjustments can make a significant impact on facial balance. His approach emphasizes harmony between the lips, nose, and overall facial proportions, ensuring results that enhance your appearance without looking artificial.
Dr. Janiga’s expertise has been widely recognized through numerous professional honors and patient-driven awards. He has earned repeated “Top Doctor in Nevada” awards, been named among the 10 Best Plastic Surgeons for patient satisfaction, and received national recognition as part of America’s Most Honored Professionals – Top 5%. These accolades reflect consistent excellence, patient trust, and a long-standing commitment to exceptional outcomes. His involvement in leading professional organizations like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons further demonstrates his dedication to maintaining the highest standards in aesthetic surgery.
JanigaMDs offers a comprehensive care environment with a large selection of facial rejuvenation procedures. As the only practice in the region combining board-certified plastic surgery and dermatology, patients benefit from coordinated treatment planning that considers both structure and skin quality. From consultation to recovery, JanigaMDs delivers thoughtful, personalized care, making us a trusted choice for lip lift surgery.
We evaluate patients interested in a lip lift in our Reno/Tahoe offices. To arrange for a consultation with Dr. Timothy Janiga, please send us an email or call 775-364-0224.
JanigaMDs is the only practice in Reno where patients can consult with both a board-certified dermatologist and a board-certified plastic surgeon in one visit.
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Founded in 2010, the team at JanigaMDs has been proven to provide the utmost care for all patients. With a 4.7 rating over almost 700 reviews, JanigaMDs is the premier aesthetic practice in Northern Nevada.
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