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Lip lift (bullhorn / subnasal) · Istanbul & Izmir, Turkey
Lip lift in Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey, a surgical shortening, not a filler
A lip lift shortens the skin between the base of the nose and the top of the lip, so more of the upper lip shows at rest — something filler adds volume to but cannot actually create. JFS Clinic plans your surgery in Istanbul or Izmir, Turkey; your surgeon confirms your technique and your personal quote after reviewing your photos.
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Key facts
Lip lift surgery in Turkey at a glance
Your quote and your dates
Lip lift Turkey cost and available dates
Your lip lift is quoted individually rather than sold as a fixed package, because the technique and the amount of skin removed depend on your anatomy. Send two close-up photos and your coordinator comes back with your personal quote and the dates your surgeon has free, usually within a few days of your message.
Am I a candidate?
Who is a good candidate for a lip lift?
A philtrum that has lengthened by several millimetres over the decades cannot be shortened by filler, exercise or any non-surgical treatment — filler adds volume inside the lip, it does not move the lip border upward. A lip lift is the only treatment that changes that distance itself.
A long philtrum, why filler alone cannot fix it
The philtrum is the strip of skin between the base of the nose and the edge of the upper lip, and its length is mostly set by genetics and by the gradual stretching that comes with age. As skin loses elasticity over the decades, the philtrum lengthens and the upper lip itself appears to retreat and thin, showing less of the pink lip border even when the lip volume underneath has not really changed. Filler can plump the lip from within, but it cannot pull the skin border upward or shorten the distance above it — that requires removing a measured strip of skin so the two edges are drawn together and stitched, which is what a lip lift does.
Signs a lip lift may suit you
- A long or lengthening distance between your nose and your upper lip, often more noticeable with age.
- Little to no upper lip visible when your face is at rest, even though you feel your lip volume is adequate.
- Filler has plumped your lip before but has not changed how much of it shows at rest.
- You are a non-smoker, or able to stop smoking well before and after surgery — smoking slows healing around the incision.
- You are in good general health, with no condition that would make local anaesthetic with sedation unsafe.
| Subnasal (bullhorn) lip lift | Corner lip lift | |
|---|---|---|
| What it changes | Shortens the whole philtrum, shows more of the upper lip | Lifts the outer corners of the mouth |
| Incision | Along the base of the nose, shaped like a bullhorn | Small, hidden in the natural corner crease |
| Typical candidate | A long philtrum with little upper lip showing | A downturned mouth corner, independent philtrum length |
What to discuss at your lip lift consultation
- How much your philtrum would need to shorten to show the amount of lip you want.
- Whether a subnasal, corner or combined technique fits your face shape and your goals.
- Where your scar will sit and how it is expected to fade over the following months.
- Whether a rhinoplasty or other facial surgery should be planned in the same trip.
- Your full medical history, including any previous lip or facial surgery or filler.
This is general guidance, not a diagnosis. Your surgeon confirms what fits once they have reviewed your photos and your health history in full.
Not every lip lift is the same
Types of lip lift, subnasal, corner and central techniques
The three main types of lip lift are subnasal (bullhorn), corner and central — three different incision lines for three different problems. Your surgeon measures your philtrum length in millimetres before deciding which one fits, not the other way around.
- 1Subnasal (bullhorn) incision under the nose
- 2Strip of skin removed above the lip
- 3Central lift along the lip border
- 4Corner lift at the mouth corners
How a lip lift is done
| Technique | Best for | Incision | Scar visibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subnasal (bullhorn) lip liftMost common | A long philtrum with little upper lip showing at rest | Along the base of the nose, shaped like a bullhorn | Usually fades into the natural shadow under the nose within months |
| Central (direct) lip lift | A shorter lift, usually combined with other lip reshaping | A line within the philtrum, following its natural grooves | Can be more visible than a subnasal scar in some patients |
| Corner lip lift | A downturned mouth corner, independent of philtrum length | Small, hidden in the natural corner crease | Usually well hidden once healed |
| Lip lift with filler | Patients who want added fullness alongside a shorter philtrum | Same as the chosen technique above | Same as the chosen technique above |
Scar position always depends on which technique fits your face — your surgeon marks the exact line with you before surgery.
Subnasal vs corner lip lift, how your surgeon decides
The choice is not about what you ask for, it is about what your face shows at the consultation. Your surgeon measures the distance from the base of your nose to the edge of your upper lip, checks how much lip shows at rest, and looks at whether your mouth corners sit level or turn down. A long philtrum with little upper lip showing usually points to a subnasal lip lift; mouth corners that turn down, with an otherwise normal philtrum length, point toward a corner lip lift instead.
A central lip lift is considered less often, usually when a patient wants a smaller change hidden within the natural grooves of the philtrum rather than along the base of the nose. Some patients combine a lip lift with filler afterwards once swelling has settled, adding fullness on top of the shorter philtrum the surgery has already created — the two are complementary rather than substitutes for each other.
The amount of skin to remove is measured in millimetres along the midline, judged against your nose shape, your teeth and your smile rather than a single fixed number. Your surgeon also looks at how symmetrical your nostrils and cupid's bow are to begin with, since the markings have to account for small natural asymmetries so the healed result looks balanced rather than mechanically even.
Why patients choose us
Our aim is simple: that you fly home happy with your new look and with how you were looked after, from your first message to your last check-up.
How soon
How soon can you have a lip lift in Turkey?
Most JFS patients are in Istanbul or Izmir for their lip lift within about a week of their first message. There is no waiting list, and you choose the dates that suit you.
- 1
Send two photos
Message us on WhatsApp or use the form, with two close-up photos of your lips and nose, from the front and the side, and a few lines about your goals and any previous filler or surgery.
- 2
Get your personal quote
Your coordinator shares them with Op. Dr. Onur Evren Yılmaz. You receive a suggested technique, your personal quote and the dates available, free of charge.
- 3
Choose your dates
You book your flights. Your coordinator organises the clinic visit, the hotel and every transfer, plus a short list of what to pause before you travel.
- 4
Fly to Istanbul or Izmir
Your 4 days in Turkey begin with your consultation, so nothing about your surgery is finalised until your surgeon has seen you in person.
What can delay your lip lift date
Being able to travel within a week does not mean you should if your skin is not ready yet. Your surgeon weighs a short list of factors before the operation is confirmed, and will happily push the date back a few days when your consultation calls for it. Your safety comes before the booking.
| Factor | Why it matters | What usually happens |
|---|---|---|
| Smoking or nicotine | Nicotine narrows blood vessels and slows healing along the incision | You are asked to stop for several weeks before and after surgery |
| Active cold sores | Surgery near an active outbreak raises the risk of a flare and slower healing | Surgery is rescheduled until the outbreak has fully cleared |
| Recent lip filler | Fresh filler can shift the lip shape your surgeon is planning around | Most surgeons prefer to wait a few weeks after your last filler session |
| Blood thinners and some supplements | They can increase bleeding during and after surgery | Your surgeon tells you what to pause and when. Never stop prescribed medication without your own doctor's advice |
| A recent dental or facial procedure | Swelling in the same area can make the surgical markings harder to judge accurately | Surgery is planned once any swelling nearby has settled |
If you live in the UK, the NHS does not fund a lip lift, since it is considered a cosmetic operation rather than a medical necessity, so most people compare private clinics, at home and abroad, by surgeon, technique and total cost. Wherever you go, ask three things before you book: how soon you can be seen, what happens if swelling or a cold sore delays your surgery, and who looks after you once you are home.
Your 4 days in Turkey
How long to stay in Turkey for a lip lift
Most JFS lip lift patients spend 4 days in Turkey, door to door. Your coordinator is with you from the moment you land, and transfers between the airport, hotel and clinic are included.
- Day
1Arrival & consultation
Your coordinator meets you at the airport and takes you to your surgeon, who confirms your technique and marks the plan with you in person.
TransferConsultation - Day
2Surgery
Your lip lift takes place under local anaesthetic with sedation, typically under an hour. You return to your hotel the same day.
SurgeryDay case - Day
3Check-up
Dressing and swelling check at the clinic, with advice on when your stitches will dissolve or need removing, before you are cleared to travel.
Check-up - Day
4Fly home
Final instructions and your aftercare kit — how to keep the area clean and when to expect the swelling to settle. Your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp.
TransferAftercare
Lip lift recovery in Istanbul or Izmir, clinic and hotel
Your coordinator books your hotel in the city where you have surgery — Istanbul or Izmir — and confirms the transfers in your written plan. Your coordinator stays close by through the quieter days before your check-up and flight home.
Patient videos
JFS Clinic Turkey reviews in patients' own words
Quote & what's included
Lip lift Turkey quote and what it includes
- Surgery and a same-day discharge — no hospital night needed
- 3 nights in the hotel during your trip
- All transfers — airport, hotel, clinic
- Personal coordinator who speaks your language
- Check-up and aftercare (aftercare items listed in your quote)
What changes your quote: whether you choose a subnasal or corner technique, how much skin is removed, and whether a second procedure such as a rhinoplasty is combined in the same trip. A single corner lip lift typically costs less than a full subnasal lift, which in turn costs less than a combined operation with another facial surgery. Your final quote is confirmed after your surgeon reviews your photos and your in-person consultation.
The operation
How a lip lift is done, step by step
A lip lift is done under local anaesthetic with sedation in typically under an hour: your surgeon marks the bullhorn line, removes a measured strip of skin above the lip, then draws the border upward and closes the incision with fine sutures.
Your lip lift starts with the markings, drawn while you are sitting upright so your surgeon can see exactly how your face moves and smiles. For a subnasal technique, the marking follows a bullhorn shape along the base of the nose, dipping down around each nostril, with the width of the strip measured in millimetres against how much extra upper lip you want to show. Local anaesthetic is then injected along the line, and sedation keeps you relaxed and comfortable for the rest of the operation.
The operation itself begins with the incision, cut along the bullhorn line marked a few minutes earlier. Your surgeon removes the measured strip of skin between the incision and the top of the lip, working carefully around the base of each nostril where the skin is thinnest and the shape matters most for a natural result.
Inside the lift
Lip lift in four steps
- 1Bullhorn line markedDrawn along the base of the nose while you sit upright.
- 2Strip of skin removedA measured amount comes away above the lip border.
- 3Lip border drawn upwardThe edges are brought together under gentle tension.
- 4Incision closedFine sutures close the line along the natural shadow.
Lip lift in four steps
With the strip of skin removed, the lip border is drawn upward and the two cut edges are brought together under gentle, even tension — just enough to shorten the philtrum to the planned length without pulling so tight that the lip looks stiff or strained. Your surgeon checks the shape against your smile before closing, since the final line has to look balanced when your face is moving, not only at rest.
The incision is closed with fine sutures along the natural shadow where the base of the nose meets the upper lip, chosen specifically because that line is where a scar is most easily hidden once it has healed. Dissolving stitches are common for this closure, though some surgeons use sutures that are removed a few days later at your check-up; either way, the stitch line itself is very short compared with most facial procedures.
Throughout the operation your surgeon checks your comfort regularly, topping up the local anaesthetic if needed and adjusting the sedation so you stay relaxed without being put fully to sleep. A subnasal lip lift typically takes under an hour from the first mark to the last stitch; a corner lip lift on its own is usually quicker, while a combined operation with a rhinoplasty or other facial surgery takes longer simply because there is more surgical ground to cover.
Once the dressing is on, you rest in the recovery area for a short while so the clinic team can check your lip shape and your comfort before you leave. There is no hospital stay — most patients are back at their hotel within an hour or two of the surgery ending, with written instructions for icing the area and keeping it clean over the following days.
Recovery, day by day
Lip lift recovery time, week by week
Recovery from a lip lift is faster than most facial surgery: most visible swelling is gone within a week, stitches dissolve or come out around day 4, and the scar keeps fading for up to a year. Move the slider to any point after surgery to see how most people feel, what they can do and what to avoid.
Recovery from a lip lift happens faster than most facial surgery because the operation works on skin alone, not muscle or bone. The first few days are about swelling and tightness around the stitch line — you ice the area gently, sleep with your head raised and avoid wide smiling or stretching the lip. By the end of the first week most of the visible swelling has settled and stitches are either dissolving or ready to come out, which is usually when people feel comfortable being seen without explaining anything.
The stitch line itself needs the most care — kept clean and often covered with a thin layer of ointment for the first week, since that is what keeps the eventual scar as fine as possible. Smiling, laughing and anything that stretches the upper lip are kept gentle rather than avoided altogether, since some movement is normal and unavoidable in daily life; your surgeon tells you exactly how much to hold back for your particular closure.
Typical timeline for a subnasal lip lift. Your surgeon may give you a different plan, especially for a combined operation.
| Activity | Days 1-3 | Week 1 | Weeks 2-4 | Week 6 | Months 3-6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily activities | Resting, icing, limited talking and smiling | Most light daily activities resumed | Full normal routine | No restriction | No restriction |
| Desk work | Not yet — swelling is at its most visible | Most people are comfortable returning | Full days comfortable | No restriction | No restriction |
| Makeup over the scar | Avoid — the area needs to stay clean | Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up | Set by your surgeon after your check-up | Usually cleared, with sun protection underneath | No restriction |
| Flying | Day 4, after your check-up | Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up | Set by your surgeon after your check-up | Cleared by your surgeon as you heal | No restriction |
| Exercise | Not yet | Light walking only | Gradual return, avoiding sharp impact to the face | Normal exercise, as cleared by your surgeon | No restriction |
| Sun exposure on the scar | Avoid direct sun | Avoid direct sun, use protection | Sun protection required | Sun protection required | Sun protection recommended long-term |
Typical timeline for a subnasal lip lift, built from the recovery guidance above. Cells marked "Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up" vary too much by individual healing to generalise — ask at your consultation.
Our aim for you
Our aim is simple: that you fly home happy with your new look and with how you were looked after, from your first message to your last check-up.
What to expect
Lip lift results and scar healing
Most of the early swelling is gone within about a week, and the lip shape keeps softening into its final look over the following six to eight weeks as the deeper tissue settles. Many patients notice more upper lip showing almost immediately, while the smile looks fully natural, rather than slightly held, once the stitch-line tension has fully relaxed.
The scar itself follows its own timeline. It usually starts pink, slightly raised and firm to the touch, softening over the following weeks. Keeping it out of direct sun for the first year and following your surgeon's advice on scar care helps it fade into the natural shadow under the nose, where most patients end up with a line that is hard to spot at conversational distance — though exactly how a scar matures still depends on your individual skin.
Results vary from patient to patient. Your surgeon will tell you what is realistic for your face at the consultation.
Your lip lift surgeon
Op. Dr. Onur Evren Yılmaz
Plastic surgeon · Izmir
Which surgeon operates, and in which city, is written in your quote.
Dr. Yılmaz specialises in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, with a particular focus on facial procedures — lip lifts, rhinoplasty and facelift surgery make up a regular part of his caseload.
- Meets you in person before surgery to plan your lip shape and your incision line
- Medicine: Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir · Plastic surgery residency: Ufuk University, Ankara (2012)
- Member, Turkish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
More about Dr. Yılmaz →He thinks everything through and talks it all over with you.
Questions
Lip lift in Turkey, frequently asked questions
How much does a lip lift cost in Turkey?
JFS Clinic does not sell a lip lift as a fixed package, because the technique and the amount of skin removed vary from patient to patient. Send two photos and your surgeon reviews them to confirm your personal quote, which still covers your clinic visit, hotel stay and transfers.
See our package prices →What are the downsides of a lip lift?
A lip lift leaves a permanent scar under the nose, which usually fades into the natural shadow there but never disappears completely. Swelling can make the lip look stiff or overly short for the first few weeks, and if too much skin is removed the result can look unnatural or make it harder to close the mouth fully — one reason the amount removed is measured carefully rather than guessed.
How long will a lip lift last?
The skin that is removed does not grow back, so the shorter distance between the nose and the top lip is permanent. Your lips will still age and change volume over the following decades like anyone else's, but the surgery itself is not something you repeat.
How soon can I have a lip lift in Turkey?
Within about a week of messaging is typical for JFS patients. Two photos get you a suggested technique and a personal quote; your surgeon only locks in the final date once they have seen you in person, moving it if that is the safer call.
From first message to surgery →Is it safe to have a lip lift in Turkey?
It is the surgeon and the clinic that keep an operation safe, wherever it takes place. Op. Dr. Onur Evren Yılmaz is a specialist plastic surgeon working in a clinic licensed for international patients, and JFS Clinic itself is licensed for health tourism. It is worth checking your own surgeon's qualifications and the aftercare plan before you commit to any clinic.
Where is the best country to get a lip lift?
No country can honestly claim to be the best for every patient, so compare clinics on standard points: the surgeon's specialist training and experience with facial surgery, a hospital licensed for international patients, a written price stating what it includes, and follow-up once you are home. At JFS Clinic you see your surgeon's name before booking and meet them before surgery. Op. Dr. Onur Evren Yılmaz, a plastic surgeon who completed his specialist training in 2012, operates, and your coordinator passes questions and photos from home to him on WhatsApp.
What's the difference between a subnasal and a corner lip lift?
A subnasal, or bullhorn, lip lift removes a strip of skin just under the nose to shorten the whole philtrum and show more of the upper lip. A corner lip lift removes a smaller amount of skin at the outer corners of the mouth to lift a downturned look. Your surgeon confirms which fits your face shape at your consultation.
Can a lip lift be combined with other facial surgery?
Often, yes. A lip lift is sometimes planned alongside a rhinoplasty or a facelift, since the incisions sit in nearby areas and the recovery can overlap. Your surgeon decides based on your anatomy and how long the combined surgery would safely take.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how painful is a lip lift?
Most patients put it at around 2-4 out of 10: tight and tender rather than sharply painful, because the surgery works on skin, not muscle or bone. Local anaesthetic with sedation keeps you comfortable, and over-the-counter pain relief is usually enough.
How soon will I see my final result?
Most visible swelling settles within the first week, and the lip shape continues softening into its final look over the following couple of months. The scar keeps fading for up to a year as it matures into the natural shadow under the nose. Results vary from patient to patient. Your surgeon will tell you what is realistic for your face at the consultation.
Often considered together
Treatments often combined with a lip lift
A lip lift is most often combined with a rhinoplasty or a facelift, since both share incisions near the nose and mouth and their 1-2 week recovery windows overlap closely.
Rhinoplasty
Often planned in the same trip, since the incisions sit in nearby areas of the face.
Explore →
Facelift & neck lift
Combined by some patients seeking a broader lower-face refresh alongside the lip lift.
Explore →
Eyelid surgery
Another facial procedure some patients plan in the same visit to Istanbul or Izmir.
Explore →Plastic surgery
See every facial and body procedure available at JFS Clinic.
Explore →Free lip lift consultation — Istanbul & Izmir
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