Am I a Good Candidate for an Upper Lip V-Y Advancement?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello, I am interested in an upper vy lip advancement for both volume and elevation, but do not know if I am a good candidate. Also, would like to talk about the technique in general since so few docs do it — even though it seems like a great surgery. Curious as to risks and outcomes.

A:You are not a good candidate for V-Y upper lip enhancement as you have a long upper lip. The V-Y procedure adds volume but can not elevate the lip or decrease the distance between the nose and the upper lip. With a good Cupid’s bow shape the more appropriate procedure for your upper lip enhancement is a subnasal lip lift combined with lateral vermilion advancements.