What effects does upper jaw surgery have on your face? Does it change the lips, cheekbones, or eyes?

Upper jaw surgery (also called LeFort I osteotomy or maxillary advancement) can create noticeable changes in the overall harmony of the face. Because the upper jaw supports your mid-face—including the nose, lips, and cheeks—adjusting its position often leads to both functional and aesthetic improvements.

Here is what typically changes:

1. Lips

Yes—upper jaw surgery often changes the appearance of the lips.

Why?
When the maxilla is moved forward or upward, the soft tissues follow.

You may notice:

The upper lip looks fuller

The lip may appear shorter and more defined

Reduced “gummy smile” if vertical height was corrected

Improved dental show when smiling

These changes are considered normal and usually settle within a few months.

2. Cheekbones

Upper jaw surgery itself does not cut or reposition the cheekbones, but:

Advancing the maxilla can give the mid-face a more lifted and structured appearance

The transition from cheek to upper lip becomes smoother

Some patients notice their cheeks look slightly fuller due to improved bone support

If significant cheekbone augmentation is desired, that would normally require a separate procedure (e.g., zygoma implants or fillers).

3. Eyes

Upper jaw surgery does not directly change the structure of the eyes, but it can affect the surrounding area:

The under-eye region may look smoother because the midface is projected forward

Tear troughs can appear less deep

Some patients feel their eyes look “brighter” simply because the facial proportions become more balanced

But the eyes themselves—their shape and size—do not change.

4. Nose

Many people are surprised that the nose may change slightly even though the surgery is for the jaw.

Typical changes include:

Slight upturn of the nasal tip

Subtle widening of the nose base

Improved nose-to-lip angle

Surgeons often use a V-Y closure or alar cinch suture to control nasal widening.

5. Overall Facial Balance

The biggest difference patients notice is the improvement in facial harmony:

Better profile line

Stronger mid-face support

More youthful, lifted appearance

More symmetrical smile

Upper jaw surgery is one of the procedures that can dramatically shift someone’s facial aesthetics while maintaining a natural look.

Planning Upper Jaw Surgery in Korea?

If you're researching jaw surgery or facial bone procedures in South Korea, you don’t need to contact each clinic one by one.

BeautsGO App is a tool many international patients use because it helps you:

Compare multiple Korean facial bone & orthodontic clinics

Check before/after cases from real patients

See transparent pricing across clinics

Request online consultations with several surgeons at once

Book appointments and manage schedules directly

Arrange airport pickup and translator services

This is especially helpful for jaw surgery, since you often need consultations with orthognathic surgeons + orthodontists.

Conclusion：What effects does upper jaw surgery have on your face?

Upper jaw surgery can make meaningful changes to your lips, midface, and overall facial balance. While it doesn't directly change your eyes or cheekbones, the enhanced mid-face projection often gives a more youthful and harmonious look.

If you’re considering getting this procedure in Korea, tools like BeautsGO make it easier to compare clinics and gather professional opinions before deciding.