What is a Lip augmentation?
Lip augmentation is a procedure that gives you fuller lips and can be performed on the upper lip, lower lip, or both lips. The lip can be augmented with your own tissues (Fat transfer) or biological tissue fillers (Juvederm or Restylane). Results with biologic fillers typically last 6-9 months, while your own fat is a more long lasting solution.
Lip augmentation is very popular because it produces immediate results which can be subtle or dramatic. The degree of fullness of each lip (upper and lower) can be controlled as your lips can be injected with different amounts.
If you choose to augment your lips with Restylane or Juvederm, those injections will be performed by Dr. Rodriguez personally.
What problems does a Lip augmentation address?
My lips are thin and I really want fuller lips.
The lips are an important feature of your facial appearance. Lip augmentation can generally address the following concerns:
- thin upper and/or lower lip
- loss of volume in the lip (or lips)
- lips that 'disappear' when you smile
However, patients should be aware that Lip augmentation is not a good solution if they also have a long upper lip. While Lip augmentation is great for creating fuller, plumper lips, it will not address a long upper lip. In fact, using fillers if you have a long upper lip can produce a 'duck-lip' look, which is often not attractive at all.
When a Lip Lift is Preferred
When an upper lip that touches the bottom lip at rest gets fillers, the fuller lips have nowhere to go but outwards (like duck lips). A Lip lift is the only way to reduce the long space between the top of your top lip and the bottom of your nose.
If you have a long upper lip, you might want to consider a Lip lift, with or without augmentation. Often times, the Lip lift has such a great result that patients do not even consider the lip augmentation afterwards. However, both procedures can be done if desired.
How is a Lip augmentation performed?
Type of Anesthesia
Lip augmentation performed with Restylane or Juvederm can be performed within 30 minutes. The lips are first numbed with a combination of Lidocaine and Marcaine. The injections are then performed.
Permanent Lip Augmentation with your own fat can be performed within a 1-2 hour time frame, while under local anesthesia or monitored IV sedation. Having lip augmentation done as a local procedure in the office is comparable to the experience you might have with a dental procedure.
What types of fillers are used to augment lips?
There are two basic filler choices when it comes to lip augmentation:
- Biologic tissue fillers (dermal fillers)
- Your own fat
Biologic tissue fillers (dermal fillers):
Biologic tissue fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm are absorbable. Restylane is made from a component of naturally occurring joint fluid. Juvederm is made by Allergan, the same company that manufactures silicone breast implants. Results from Restylane and Juvederm each last for approximately 6 months. We do not use collagen for lip injections as some patients have developed adverse reactions.
Juvederm and Restylane are prepackaged in a syringe and injected directly into the lips. To fill both the top and bottom lips, up to two syringes may be used. If you want a subtle look, only one syringe may be needed to fill both lips.
However, to achieve 'full lips' you may need two syringes to fill out both the upper and lower lips.
Before the injection and to help with discomfort, a numbing cream or a nerve block can be performed so that you do not feel anything. In addition, ice packs can be applied to reduce the sensation that you feel with the injections. The entire injection procedure usually takes 20 - 30 minutes.
Fat injections to lips
Fat Injections require a little more surgical time than either of the above methods, as Liposuction is first performed to remove a small amount of fat. This fat is then decanted and centrifuged and then re-injected into the lips.
Approximately 40% of the fat will not survive the first two weeks. This is because we can not realistically ask you to limit your mouth movement for 2 weeks. When you are eating and talking the fat grafts will be disrupted, thus the loss of fat in the first 2 weeks. However, if you are willing to accept that only half of the fat will last permanently, this procedure looks fantastic.
We do try to 'over-inject' knowing that in three to four weeks the final result will be closer to what you desire. Even with some eventual fat loss, this procedure has beautiful natural results.
What are the preoperative requirements?
Lip augmentation with fillers
Lip augmentation with injectable fillers is performed in the office setting. There is no preparation required. However, if you are pregnant or your immune system is compromised, it is a good idea to check with your doctor first. If you are a smoker, it is a good idea to stop 1 week before your injections. However, patients who smoke can have fillers.
Lip augmentation With Your Own Fat
Both of these procedures are performed in the operating room, under sterile conditions. Lip augmentation can be performed under local anesthesia, or with IV sedation. If you elect to have a lip augmentation with local anesthesia, no pre-op testing is required.
If you are a smoker, you should stop smoking 2-3 weeks before surgery.
What is Lip augmentation Post-Op recovery like?
Patients who have the procedure performed with their own fat should stop smoking for 2 weeks after surgery. Those who have the augmentation with fillers can resume smoking, but it is always a good idea to quit for your general health.
Lip augmentation with fillers
For Lip augmentation performed with Restylane or Juvederm injectables, you can return to work the following day. You may have a small bruise at the injection site, but if so, that should go away completely within a few days.
Lip augmentation With Your Own Fat
The recovery period for fat injections can take up to 2 weeks for the swelling to subside. We do ask you to avoid sleeping on your stomach for up to 1 week and avoid foods that require a lot of chewing.
What are the risks and possible complications?
Side effects and risks associated with Lip augmentations are usually temporary and include (but aren't limited to):
- bruising
- swelling
- redness, tenderness
- infection
- allergic reactions
- asymmetry
- need for more filler or fat injections to achieve the desired results
How much does a Lip augmentation cost?
Lip augmentation with injections is less expensive than with permanent lip implants. However, keep in mind that injectable fillers only last approximately 6-9 months, so those should factor into your consideration as well.
Lip augmentation costs in 2024 are as follows:
| Type of Lip augmentation | 2024 Price |
|---|---|
| Injectable Fillers (top + bottom lips) | $700 - $1,400 |
| Permanent Lip Implants (top only) | $3,000 |
| Fat Transfer to Lips | $3500 |
The actual price of injectable fillers depends on which product and how many vials, are used.
I’m very happy with procedure and outcome of results.
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NOTICE
Patients depicted in our before and after galleries have provided their written consent to display their photos online. Every patient is unique, and surgical results may vary. Please contact us if you have any questions.