Fuller, plumper lips can be achieved by a variety of lip augmentation techniques. Your plastic surgeon will help you to select the lip augmentation method that is best for you. The techniques chosen will depend on individual patient factors and your goals for the procedure, as well as your surgeon's recommendation.
The simplest technique for lip augmentation is injection with fat or collagen. For fat injection, a tiny amount of fat is taken from another area of your body, using a small needle attached to a syringe. Sometimes patients who are undergoing lipoplasty will ask their surgeon to use some of the sectioned fat to augment their lips. After processing to remove excess fluids, the fat is injected to create a fuller, rejuvenated lip. Following lip augmentation with fat or collagen, your lips may be somewhat swollen for a few hours, but you should be able to return immediately to work or social activities. Results are temporary, and repeat treatments are necessary to maintain the desired effect.
There are other natural and synthetic materials that can be injected into the lips to create volume. These substances come from a variety of sources. Each has its own particular benefits and disadvantages. Your plastic surgeon can review the current options with you.
Surgical methods of lip augmentation offer yet another alternative. One technique uses dermal fat grafts, with the fat still attached to the deeper layers of skin that are harvested from your own body and transplanted to your lips. In addition, there are a variety of materials derived from other sources that can be implanted, requiring only tiny incisions for placement. Some of these materials eventually become integrated with your natural tissues. Stitches are removed after a few days. Swelling may last longer, and there may be some initial discomfort when eating or drinking. You should be able to return to work within a week. |
