Meet Dr. Thomas Buonassisi, Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

As one of Canada’s top cosmetic facial surgeons, Dr. Thomas Buonassisi leads the team at 8 West Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Clinic and carries extensive experience, having performed facial cosmetic surgery for over 20 years. Dr. Buonassisi has travelled the world to train with renowned experts in the field, working closely with top surgeons in the United States and Australia.

What makes Dr. Buonassisi one of the most respected and well-known facial cosmetic surgeons?

  • Board Certification in Facial Plastic Surgery
  • American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • American Board of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
  • Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  • Over 20 Years Experience
  • Thousands of Facial Cosmetic Surgeries Performed
  • RealSelf Verified Surgeon
  • Voted 2018, 2019, 2020 Best Cosmetic Surgeon in Vancouver

Being an expert in his field, Dr. Thomas Buonassisi has performed thousands of facial cosmetic procedures and has honed his surgical skills into an artform.

 
 

Benefits of Lip Lift Surgery

For the ideal candidate, a Lip Lift is an excellent surgical option for those wanting to alter the shape and appearance of their top lip. It is a great permanent procedure for those who wish to enjoy these Lip Lift benefits:

 

  • Effectively combat a common sign of aging where the area between the nostrils and upper lip (the philtrum) loses volume and becomes longer than it once was
  • Exposes more of the red of the top lip (the vermillion), giving your lips a natural and overall fuller appearance
  • Enhancing a smile that is hidden by the top lip, giving your smile a more striking presence
  • Adjusting any asymmetry in the upper lip to add balance and proportion to your smile and face

 

Those who enjoy the benefits of Lip Fillers may also be an ideal candidate for Lip Lift Surgery, depending on some factors. Discuss this with your injector, or one of our knowledgeable patient care managers to determine if a Lip Lift is right for you.

How Lip Lift Surgery is Performed

The most common procedure is called the Bullhorn Lip Lift, where Dr. Buonassisi removes the skin just below and to the sides of the nostrils and raises the upper lip to the desired position.
 
Your Lip Lift procedure takes about 1 hour, and is performed under local anaesthetic, such as lidocaine, to numb the area. This helps to ensure that you are pain-free and experience minimal or no discomfort during your surgery.
 
Dr. Buonassisi will begin by drawing an outline below your nostrils (resembling a bullhorn shape) to show where he will place the incisions. Dr. Buonassisi will then proceed by removing a tiny strip of skin and tissue, tightening the muscle, and lifting the lip to the desired new position, anchoring the skin to the base of the nose.
 
He will then complete the surgery by placing dissolvable stitches where the incisions were. These are placed in a strategic way so that any scarring will be disguised in the natural folds and creases of your nose and upper lip.

 

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Lift Lip Surgery?

Lip Lift Surgery is a highly customizable procedure, and Dr. Buonassisi crafts your surgery based off of your unique facial composition, and with your individual lip goals in mind.
 
Once your procedure is complete, most patients wish to take about 1 week off from work, or other social activities to allow any redness and swelling to subside.
 
Swelling and the discreet scar will heal completely in approximately 3 months. Any redness and scarring can easily be covered with makeup, and we also have a number of scar management options available, such as ProFractional Laser – just ask your patient care manager or Dr. Buonassisi about these during your discussions.
 
Due to swelling after your surgery, your upper lip will appear fuller and will settle after a couple of months. Because the results of a lip lift are permanent, you’ll come away with long-lasting, natural, and refreshed results the same day.

 

Who is a Candidate for Lip Lift surgery?

While Lip Lifts are becoming increasingly popular, there are very specific factors that determine your candidacy. This is because the Lip Lift procedure targets only the upper lip, and works by reducing the space between upper lip and the base of the nose (the philtrum).
 
If any of the following applies to you and your desired results, Lip Lift Surgery may be perfect for you:
 

  • You’ve always had an elongated distance between the base of the nostrils and the top lip border and want to shorten it
  • Your natural lip line has lowered as a result of aging and your lips look smaller than they once did
  • You want to expose more of your upper teeth to form a larger and more striking smile
  • You want to increase or decrease the look of a cupid’s bow or expose more of the vermillion for a fuller look
  • You want luscious lips that balance the proportions of your face

 
For those who are not a candidate for Lip Lift Surgery, but are still wanting similar results, you may wish to consider Dermal Fillers. Just speak with our lovely staff who can assist in booking you a free consultation with our incredibly experienced Registered Nurse Injectors.
 

What’s Covered in Your Pre-Assessment Call

Step 1: Request Your Complimentary Pre-Assessment Session with the 8 West Clinic Team

A pre-consultation call is a complimentary service that is required for anyone considering Lip Lift Surgery. In your pre-assessment session with a Patient Care Manager, they will conduct a photo review with yourself and Dr. Buonassisi on your behalf to confirm that you are a candidate for the procedure. They will also discuss the surgery cost, timeline, process as well as any other options that Dr. Buonassisi may have suggested achieving your desired results.

 

Step 2: Schedule Your Consultation with Dr. Buonassisi

Meet Dr. Buonassisi in person (or online if you are an out-of-town patient) for expectations setting. The surgical consultation is by far the most important part of the cosmetic surgery process because this is the communication tool that helps explain what can be achieved in surgery.
 
You may ask Dr. Buonassisi to share real patient Before and After photos to help illustrate what can be achieved with the particular surgery you are discussing. This is also your opportunity to ask him any questions.
 

Step 3: Schedule Your Surgery and Receive Ongoing Care in Follow Up Visits

Our team of medical professionals and patient care managers are here to make your experience a smooth, informative and positive one. We manage all the details of your surgery and schedule a series of follow-up appointments to ensure you are healing well and are happy with your results! We are here to help answer all of your questions about recovery.

 

Learn More with a Pre-Assessment Call 

The decision to proceed with Lip Lift surgery should be made with the utmost level of care and attention. While it can be exciting to think about how you may look with a Lip Lift, it is important to be informed about both the risks and benefits of surgery.
 
To begin your complimentary pre-assessment session today, call us on (604) 733 1669 or complete this online form to receive a call back from a patient care manager.
 

The pre-consultation discussion is a complimentary service with our award-winning, knowledgeable and friendly patient care team, which is available to anyone considering any surgery. This service includes a review of your photos to help determine if a Lip Lift surgery is right for you, plus a discussion of costs and possible surgery dates on top of any other questions you may have before you decide if you are ready to meet Dr. Thomas Buonassisi in person.  

REQUEST A COMPLIMENTARY PRE-ASSESSMENT CALL