Q - What is lip augmentation?
Lip augmentation, also known as lip enhancement, is a plastic surgery procedure able to create fuller, plumper lips and also improve wrinkling around the mouth. Lip augmentation can be achieved through a variety of techniques including injectable fillers and implantable materials. Many injectable filler provide temporary results while most implants provide permanent results.
Q - How do I know if I’m a good candidate for lip augmentation?
If you are physically healthy, realistic in your expectations and looking to enhance the appearance of your lips, you may be a good candidate for lip augmentation. Injectable fillers providing temporary results can be ideal for patients looking to experiment with fuller lips rather than commit to the new look.
Q - What is collagen?
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein which comes from purified cow skin. It can be used as a soft-tissue filler to augment the lips, providing temporary results which may last up to six months.
Q - What is fat transfer?
Fat transfer is a procedure which may be used to augment the lips. Fat is removed from another area of the patient’s body, such as the abdomen, thighs or buttocks, and then injected into the lips. Results generally last an average of up to six months.
Q - What is AlloDerm?
AlloDerm is a natural collagen sheet which is made from donated human tissue. It is inserted through tiny incisions at the corners of the mouth. Once inserted, it becomes integrated with the natural tissues.
Q - What is SoftForm?
SoftForm is a synthetic implant which is made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). It can be used to augment the lips, providing permanent results.
Q - What is Gore-Tex?
Gore-Tex is a synthetic implant which is made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). It provides permanent results for lip augmentation.
Q - What is HylaForm?
HylaForm is soft tissue filler made of hyaluronic acid that is extracted from rooster combs. It can be injected into the lips, providing enhancement that may last up to six months.
Q - What is Radiance?
Radiance is a soft tissue filler that is made of calcium hydroxylapatite, a substance found in teeth and bone. Radiance is administered through injection and provides semi-permanent results.
Q - What is Restylane?
Restylane is a soft tissue filler made of non-animal derived hyaluronic acid. It is administered through injection and can provide results lasting up to one year.
Q - What will happen during a consultation for lip augmentation?
During your consultation for lip augmentation, the surgeon will talk to you about your goals, take a thorough medical history, and examine your lips. The surgeon will recommend a technique and explain all aspects of the procedure including the facility, the anesthesia, the recovery, the risks and the associated costs. Photographs may be also be taken of your lips at the time of consultation.
Q - Where do lip augmentation procedures take place?
Lip augmentation with injectable fillers often take place in a surgeon’s office, while surgical lip augmentation procedure may take place in a surgeon’s office-based facility, a hospital or an outpatient surgery center.
Q - Will I receive anesthesia for my lip augmentation procedure?
You may receive a topical or local anesthetic or a numbing agent when undergoing lip augmentation with injectable fillers. For surgical procedures, general anesthesia or local anesthesia combined with sedation may be used.
Q - How is lip augmentation performed?
For injectable fillers like collagen, Hylaform, Radiesse and Restylane, the lips are numbed and the filler material is then injected directly into the lips with a fine needle. Fat injection procedures have fat removed from another area of the body, such as the buttocks or hips, and the fat is then reinjected into the lips. For implants, small incisions may be made at the corners of the lips, the implant will be inserted and the incisions will be closed.
Q - How long is the procedure time for lip augmentation?
Lip augmentation may take as little as fifteen minutes when injectable fillers are used and a bit longer for surgical procedures.
Q - Where are the incisions located for lip augmentation?
The incisions for surgical lip augmentation are often made at the corners of the lips.
Q - Will I have scars after my lip augmentation procedure?
The incisions made for surgical lip augmentation procedures involving implants will result in scars though they tend to very small and well concealed at the corners of the lips.
Q - How much pain can I expect after my lip augmentation procedure?
You may experience some discomfort after surgical lip augmentation, but this can be relieved with pain medication if necessary. Injectable filler procedures typically involve minimal discomfort.
Q - What should I expect of the recovery after my lip augmentation procedure?
You can expect some swelling and bruising, which will typically fade within a few days to a week Recovery is generally mild after injectable filler procedures, and a bit more involved after surgical procedures. Stitches made for surgical procedure may be removed or dissolve on their own within about seven to ten days.
Q - How much time should I plan to take off from work after my lip augmentation procedure?
Most patient do not need to take any time off from work after lip augmentation with injectable fillers. For surgical procedures, normal activities and work may be resumed within about a week.
Q - When will the stitches be removed after my lip augmentation procedure?
The stitches after surgical lip augmentation procedures may be removed within seven to ten days.
Q - What risks are associated with lip augmentation?
The specific risks associated with lip augmentation will depend upon the particular technique. Some risks may include adverse allergic reactions, anesthesia reactions, bleeding, excessive scarring, hematoma, infection, lip asymmetry, and migration and extrusion of the implant.
Q - Will my lip augmentation procedure be covered by insurance?
Lip augmentation procedures which are solely cosmetic in nature are generally not covered by insurance. Patients should be sure to check with their own insurance company.
Q - Can I finance my lip augmentation procedure?
Financing is available for many plastic surgery procedures. |
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