Lip Augmentation is a process where the lips are enhanced by means of fillers or implants. This procedure is usually combined with other cosmetic procedures like Face lift, cheek implant, brow lift, rhinoplasty or chin implant. The basic intention of doing this procedure is to help create a more desired look for the patient.

Reasons why a Lip Augmentation is done

People are now looking for enhanced features that can enhance the way they look. Cosmetic Surgery can help you re-design your features and give you the kind of look you always wanted. Your cosmetic surgeon would address all your needs prior to doing any surgery, so as to set the right expectations and help you understand as to how much is possible.

Anyone who is looking for “fuller” lips, will be a suitable candidate for this procedure. Women who have thinning lips or wrinkles around their lip line due to ageing can greatly benefit from a Lip Augmentation procedure.

Types of Lip Augmentation procedures

There are different methods used by surgeons to do Lip Augmentation

• Lip Implants
• Lip Augmentation with Fillers
• Lip Augmentation with Fat transfer

Procedure

Lip Implants

The cosmetic surgeon does the procedure of Lip Augmentation with the help of implants. The implant used is shaped like a small tube and filled with Synthetic material. A small needle is used to insert this tube through tiny incisions. It has been found that the results of Lip implants are long lasting. The procedure usually takes an hour and is fairly simple. The cosmetic surgeon first makes an incision on your lips. These incisions are usually made at the corners of the mouth but can be made on other areas of the lip. A thin tunnel is then created, to help accommodate the implant.

This needs to be done with precision so as to ensure that the implant sits in place to provide a more natural look. The implant is inserted in the tunnel and then thread it through the lip. Finally, the lip implant will be precisely trimmed to the proper length, and the incisions will be closed.

Lip Augmentation with Fillers

There are different kinds of fillers available which the patient can choose from. The effectiveness of the filler as well as the duration of its effect would vary depending on the type that is chosen. The lip augmentation procedure is quite simple and has a low incidence of lip sensitivity.

Lip Augmentation with Fat Transfer

This is a revolutionary method of lip augmentation that helps increase the volume of lips. In this procedure, the cosmetic surgeon first, carefully prepares fat through the help of liposuction from one part of the body which can be used as a filler by injecting it into the lips. Since the tissue used is from the same body, rejection is out of the question giving you a natural appearance.

Associated Risks

Risks are rare but do exist. Some of the risks associated with this procedure include:

• Lumping
• Scarring
• Numbness
• Cold sores
• Asymmetrical lips

Recovery

The benefits of a Lip Augmentation procedure include fuller, shapelier lips, and a more vivacious, youthful appearance. Many patients experience long-lasting results that look completely natural.

The extent of the patient’s recovery depends largely on which lip augmentation method you choose. For lip fillers, only a topical anesthetic to numb the injection site is typically required, and recovery consists of mild discomfort for one to two days. The healing period for lip implants and fat transfer is longer and may involve several weeks of recovery.

Be sure to talk to your surgeon about the best procedure that can be used for you.