Lip Lift & Gummy Smile Correction Sydney
Achieving a balanced, proportionate smile is a key element of facial harmony. Dr Barnouti offers specialized surgical procedures to address an elongated upper lip or correct excessive gum exposure during facial animation.
Planning your treatment (Surgical and non surgical Soft treatment)
The Lip Lift consultation
There are 2 main treatments for the lip:
1- Soft treatment (non surgical): using injectable fillers to relax the mouth muscle and/or Laser to help resurfacing the skin.
The effects usually last 3 to 6 months, at which time another injection is essential. After numerous treatments, the effects may begin to last longer, occasionally up to 9 months. We recommend treatment every three months for the first year, and then repeat treatment as needed.
This treatment is provided on the same consultation day. Lip treatment with soft tissue fillers usually leaves no bruises as it is done from inside the lip.
2-Surgical treatment: this involves a variety of surgical techniques to enhance the shape and volume of the lip. They range from a simple fat injection (using your own fat) to minor surgical procedures. They provide you with a permanent lip enhancement. The incision/scar is generally inside the mouth and is completely invisible. Unlike soft treatments, surgical procedures give you longer lasting results.
After Lip Lift Treatment
Soft treatment: you will have no scars; you will be returning home or work immediately after the treatment, able to drive your own car and will be reviewed in the clinic in 2 weeks time if required.
If surgery performed, the wound on the under surface of the lip needs no dressing, the sutures are dissolvable and require no removal.
Patients will be instructed to have only cold fluids and cold meals for 48hours. Antibiotics may be prescribed.
You will need to return to the clinic in a week’s time for a wound review.
Gummy Smile Correction
For patients who expose excessive gum tissue when smiling, surgical correction involves either repositioning the upper lip or releasing the hyperactive muscles that elevate the lip too highly. This brings the smile back into proportion with the rest of the lower face.
Getting you back to work and standard duties
Soft treatment: short downtime, minor swelling that will take 4-7 days to resolve; you will be encouraged to return back to work immediately after.
Surgical correction: The lip will be swollen for 5-10 days depending on the complexity of the procedure; you will need 1 day rest followed by light duties. Normal duties in 7 days time.
Sydney Lip Lift Costs
| Procedure | Price Estimate | Conditions / Comments |
|---|
| Lip lift | $4,990 | This price includes surgeon fee, Local anaesthetic fee & 6 weeks follow up. Additional hospital fees apply. |
| Lip Reduction | $4,200 - $5,900 | One lip ( either upper or lower ) reduction is $4,200. Upper and lower lips reduction is $5,900 Includes surgeon fee, assistant surgeon fee, anaesthetist fee and all follow up visits cost. Hospital cost is additional |
FAQs Lip Lift & Gummy Smile Correction
As with any invasive procedure, lip surgery carries risks. These may include infection, bleeding, noticeable scarring, asymmetry, delayed wound healing, and temporary or permanent changes in lip sensation or movement. A detailed discussion regarding the specific risks pertaining to your individual anatomy will occur during your consultation.
Please read our Risks and Complications of Plastic Surgery page.
Under the April 2026 AHPRA and Medical Board of Australia regulations, all patients seeking cosmetic surgery must obtain a referral from their General Practitioner (GP). This regulation ensures that your physical and psychological health is independently assessed before consulting a specialist. It also triggers a mandatory 7-day cooling-off period to ensure you have sufficient time to make a fully informed decision without pressure.
Following surgical treatment, patients are typically instructed to consume only cold fluids and cold meals for the first 48 hours to protect the internal incisions. The lip will experience swelling for 5 to 10 days, depending on the surgical complexity. Most patients require at least one day of complete rest, followed by light duties, and can generally return to normal daily activities within 7 days. The sutures used are dissolvable and do not require manual removal.
Yes, it is common for patients to combine a lip lift with other facial contouring procedures, such as a rhinoplasty (nose surgery), cheek augmentation, or a facelift, to achieve overall facial harmony. Combining surgeries allows for a single anaesthetic and a consolidated recovery timeline. Your specialist plastic surgeon will comprehensively assess your medical history during your consultation to ensure that combining procedures is clinically appropriate for you.
Based on our current estimates:
- Lip Lift Surgery: Approximately $4,990. This includes the specialist surgeon’s fee, local anaesthetic fee, and six weeks of post-operative follow-up.
Lip Reduction: Estimated at $4,200 for a single lip (upper or lower), or $5,900 for both lips. This includes the surgeon, assistant surgeon, and anaesthetist fees. Please note that hospital or day surgery fees are an additional cost. A formal, itemised quote is provided after your mandatory clinical consultation.
Non-surgical (soft) treatments involve injectable fillers or laser skin resurfacing to relax muscles or temporarily add volume, typically lasting 3 to 9 months. Conversely, a surgical lip lift or lip enhancement (such as using your own fat via fat injection) alters the physical anatomy to provide a permanent structural change. Surgical gummy smile correction involves repositioning the upper lip or releasing hyperactive muscles to ensure proportionate gum exposure during facial animation.
Page Content Clinically Reviewed by Dr Barnouti
Dr. Barnouti (MED: 0001192783) is a Board-Certified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 25 years of experience performing advanced cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), a member of ASAPS, and serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of NSW.
Dr. Barnouti operates out of leading, fully accredited Sydney hospitals with a strict focus on patient safety.
Dr. Barnouti (MED: 0001192783)