Bulhorn — upper lip plastic surgery

What is a bullhorn

The bullhorn operation involves making a cut in the shape of the letter W, which is why it got its name (bullhorn). The incision is performed under the nose, the volume of the excised skin is determined depending on the desired result. After removing the excess skin, the wound is sutured. The scar located in the natural skin fold becomes almost invisible after healing.

Surgery is especially effective in correcting age-related skin changes, so it is often performed in conjunction with a facelift or SMAS lift. With the help of the operation, you can expand and lift the upper lip, increase the width of the red lip border. The surgeon can also reduce the length of the skin part of the upper lip. In this way, the proportions are harmonized, and the visual perception of the lips and the face as a whole is improved. The procedure also has a pronounced rejuvenating effect.

However, the Bulhorn plastic surgery is limited by the width of the base of the nose, since it is in this part that the incision is performed. In some cases, in order to achieve optimal results, the surgeon has to use a combined technique, complementing the bullhorn with a corner lift operation or V-Y plastic surgery.

Indications

Bulhorn surgery is indicated in the following cases:

• The upper lip is too long and disharmonious;

• the red border of the upper lip is too narrow, turned inwards;

• The upper teeth are not visible when talking or smiling.;

• insufficient expression of "Cupid's arch";;

• lip asymmetry;

• age-related skin changes: sagging, sagging, drooping corners;

• the patient's dissatisfaction with the shape of the lips.

If ptosis of the middle part of the face is noted (omission of tissue in the cheek area, deep nasolabial folds and nasolabial sulcus), isolated bulhorn surgery will not have a noticeable rejuvenating effect. Such patients are recommended to undergo surgery along with a facelift. The opposite is also true: if you forget about your upper lip during anti-aging facial surgery, the shape of your mouth will betray your age.

Contraindications

The operation is considered a minor surgical intervention. It is contraindicated only for serious diseases:

• blood clotting disorders;

• infectious and inflammatory processes in the acute phase;

• decompensated chronic diseases: hypertension, diabetes mellitus;

• severe cardiovascular, endocrine, and nervous diseases;

• pregnancy and feeding;

• age up to 18 years (in the absence of medical indications).

How is the operation going

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation or under combined anesthesia. The average duration is 30 to 60 minutes.

Before starting the operation, the surgeon applies markings at the base of the patient's nose. The incisions are made symmetrically: one under the base of the nose, the second a few millimeters lower. The width and length of the incision depend on the patient's request. For example, if you want to lift the corners of your lips, the incision will be wider at the wings of the nose and in the center, or the incisions will be made only at the nostrils. If you want to make the Cupid's arch clearer, the visually wider part of the incision will, on the contrary, fall under the septum between the nostrils.

After excision of the skin strip, the incision is sutured in layers. After complete healing, a thin scar will form, which will be almost invisible from the outside.

Recovery

After the operation, the patient remains under observation at the clinic for several hours, and then, if everything is fine, the doctor lets him go home. The stitches are removed on day 4 and 6. The operation does not cause significant inconvenience, there may be only slight discomfort and numbness in the lip area. Full lip restoration takes no more than 10-14 days. There are no postoperative edema or bruises. During this period, it is recommended to:

• take medications prescribed by your doctor;

• refrain from visiting baths and saunas, swimming in the pool;

• avoid physical activity.

After about 2 weeks, the patient will be able to return to his usual lifestyle.

Question-answer

Do I need to follow any special recommendations after surgery?

The plastic surgeon provides the patient with recommendations on how to avoid complications and return to their usual lifestyle as soon as possible upon discharge. After complete healing, there are no restrictions.

How long does the result last?

The effect of a high-quality bullhorn operation will be lifelong. Correction may be required only with severe age-related deformity of facial features.

What are the possible risks and complications?

Possible complications include:

• wide visible scars (atrophic or hypertrophic);

• a change in the shape of the lower part of the nose (downward displacement of the nasal septum, a change in the shape of the nostrils);

• postoperative suppuration of the wound;

• damage to the facial nerve.