Lip Augmentation
Overview
Anyone who wishes they had a more prominent lip may consider lip augmentation with temporary fillers or a permanent implant to create a full, plump appearance. Also referred to as lip enlargement or lip enhancement, Fort Worth Plastic Surgery uses several techniques to enlarge the upper lip, lower lip, or both. We recommend patients begin with nonsurgical lip enhancements that use injectable fillers, like Juvéderm to determine how much volume they want to add. For more dramatic, longer-lasting lip augmentation, patients may consider lip implants made with a synthetic, flexible material. During the initial consultation, lip augmentation options will be thoroughly discussed before creating your unique treatment plan.
Lip Enhancement Options
- Lip Implants: This is an office surgical procedure that provides a permanent increase in lip size. There are two products available that most surgeons use, including PermaLip, which is a solid silicone material that offers a natural, soft result; and Advanta Lip, which uses a synthetic Gore-Tex material that offers a fuller result with a firmer feel.
- AlloDerm: This is a popular surgical method to enhance the lips. It consists of components from the most durable part of the skin, known as the dermis. It is harvested from cadavers and placed within the lips through tiny incisions. It integrates with the natural tissues and fibers within the lips to create a smooth, natural appearance.
- Fat Filler: This is a nonsurgical injection, also referred to as a fat transfer. The process involves removing fat through liposuction from the patient’s body, filtering this fat and then transferring it to the lips.
- Injectable Filler: This is a nonsurgical injection in the lips to create a fuller, plump look. There are a variety of filler products available including those made of collagen, hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, etc. These are marketed under various brand names and offer varying results.
Surgical Technique
The technique used to perform lip augmentation will depend on whether the patients’s choice involves a surgical or non-surgical procedure. Patients who choose a surgical procedure with an implant or with AlloDerm will have incisions starting on the outer corner of the mouth. These incisions allow the surgeon to create a tunnel within the lip where the implant can then be placed. The same approach is used for AlloDerm. Once the implants and/or tissue are in correct placement, we use dissolvable sutures to seal and close the incision.
Lip enhancement procedures by injection use a numbing anesthetic applied to the lips and surrounding tissue. In addition, Lidocaine is mixed with the product to provide a comfortable experience during the procedure. Injections are placed inside the lip until the desired fullness has been achieved. Some patients may need to have this process repeated depending on how quickly the body absorbs the injected material.
During/After Surgery
Lip augmentation (surgical and nonsurgical) is performed as an outpatient procedure in our medical practice or medical spa. The surgical process to place an implant typically takes about an hour and is performed under local anesthesia. Lip augmentation using an injectable filler is performed in-office and usually takes about 30 minutes. The lips will be sore and swollen for a few days. This subsides and the results are fuller, soft lips.