Here at The Center for Facial Cosmetic Surgery we get asked a lot about the
various lip enhancement procedures that Dr. Clevens performs. We thought it warranted addressing and
posting some main points when considering a lip enhancement procedure.
If you are dissatisfied or self-conscious about your lips, lip augmentation
surgery can open up new possibilities for you to change your appearance and
self-image with full, voluptuous lips.
Dr. Clevens states, “Whether you have always had thin lips, or you want to
return your lips to the shape and fullness they had when you were younger, a
lip augmentation procedure may provide you with the look you want.”
During the consultation, you will have the opportunity to talk with Dr.
Clevens about the changes that you’d like to make in your appearance. He will
explain the different options available to you. Some of the options are
temporary in nature while others are permanent.
It is important that you explain the results that you would like. Bring
photos to show Dr. Clevens what you like and what you don’t like. He will be
able to tell you if you are a good candidate for lip augmentation. Think
about whether you would like a temporary result that can be achieved with an
injectable material like Restylane, Juvederm, Fat or a permanent option that
can be achieved with a minor surgical procedure.
Dr. Clevens is considered an ‘expert’ in lip surgery. He is a frequent
invited lecturer and teacher of lip rejuvenation at national and international
plastic surgery meetings. He was asked to create a teaching video for the
American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery demonstrating his lip surgery
techniques.
Injections involve filling the lip with a soft substance to create a fuller
appearance. Restylane, Juvederm, Fat, Collagen and Radiesse are the most widely
used injectable substances. Because the body slowly absorbs these
products, the results generally last between three and twelve months. The
procedure may be repeated as needed.
Fat injections are also placed in the lips with small needles. The fat used is
harvested from another area of the body -- most often the abdomen or the thighs
-- and is purified before it is injected into the lips. An advantage to this
lip augmentation is that there is no possibility of an allergic reaction. The
procedure is often performed more than once to achieve desired results.
There are numerous different substances that Dr. Clevens commonly uses as a
graft or implant material in the lips. Each option has its own advantages
and disadvantages that Dr. Clevens will discuss with you at the time of your
consult.
AlloDerm is a popular human-donor grafting material that is FDA approved and
proven safe in lip augmentation and facial reconstruction. Under a local
anesthesia, the material is inserted through tiny incisions made in the inside
corners of the mouth. Delicate absorbable stitches that dissolve are used. The
material is often absorbed, so that the results are only temporary, lasting
from 12-18 months. This procedure takes about 15 minutes in the office
under local anesthesia.
Advanta and Gore-Tex have been shown to produce reliable and predictable
results with few complications. These materials do not shrink and are never
absorbed into the body making the procedure permanent. It also remains in
place because scar tissue forms on both ends holding it in place.
To insert Advanta and Gore-Tex, a small incision is made in the inside of
the lip. The material is then made into the shape of a small tube and it is
inserted with a needle.
Fat grafting produces lasting results in most of the people who try it.
Although it is possible that the body will reabsorb it, many people choose fat
grafting because they are most comfortable with using the fat from their own
body to enhance their lips. The fat is harvested from another area of the body,
often the abdomen. It is then prepared and inserted with a needle into the lip
from more than one point.
Surgical enhancement of the lips provides a permanent alternative to
injections and implants. Surgical enhancement usually takes Dr. Clevens
less than one hour to perform in his office under local
anesthesia. Careful and fine incisions are created to shape the lips into
their desired shape and form. Direct Lip Lifting creates a fuller upper
and/or lower lip with imperceptible incisions. This precise procedure
allows the patient to state just how full you want your lip and that is where
Dr. Clevens can place the new lip line. As the lip ages, the corner of the
mouth tends to droop. Other procedures such as the Corner of the Lip Lift
enable the lip to be reshaped so that the frown can be improved and a youthful
upturned lip can be achieved.
Local flaps bring material from inside the mouth outside to enhance the
lips. Results are permanent. An incision may be made inside the mouth to push
the tissue inside the mouth upward, and outward, into the lip, sometimes in
conjunction with grafting. Or, an incision may be along the upper lip line. In
this case, skin above the lip is removed, and the lip is then stitched along
the line of the incision.
Most lip augmentation injections take less than fifteen minutes. Most
lip augmentation grafts, implants and procedures take less than one hour for
Dr. Clevens to perform. Sometimes procedures take longer than others. Dr.
Clevens will be able to tell you how long your procedure is likely to take.
Injections are performed in the office. Procedures are performed in the
office under local anesthesia, perhaps with light sedation as well. Whether or
not an anesthetic is necessary depends on the lip augmentation procedure.
Topical anesthesia is generally used before lip injections, so that the
procedure involves no discomfort. Generally, local anesthesia is used in
grafting procedures. This makes the procedure painless, although there may be
some discomfort afterward. Immediately following lip augmentation, the lips may
swell and hurt. Cold compresses should be used for 48 hours to control the
swelling. During this time, talking and chewing should be avoided as much as
possible. Oral pain medications may be used to control the discomfort.
Antibiotics may be given to reduce the possibility of infection. To help avoid
infection, it is also important to keep the lips clean. Most people report
little discomfort in the days after lip augmentation. However, grafts and flaps
usually involve more pain during recovery, and a longer recovery period, than
lip injections.
Injections: Most people return to normal, public activities within a couple of
days or less of an injection procedure. Bruising and swelling may last as long
as a week.
Grafts: People often wait between 5-7 days after graft procedures before
returning to their normal routine. During that recovery time, they may
experience some problems with drooling. Grafting also may leave the lips
feeling unnaturally stiff for 2 to 3 months after the procedure. Any
non-dissolving stitches may be removed about 7-10 days after the procedure.
Significant complications from aesthetic lip
enhancement procedures are rare and Dr. Clevens has extensive experience with
this type of procedure. As with any surgical procedure, however, there is
always a possibility of infection, or reaction to the anesthesia. Other
possible complications include: numbing, scarring, swelling, and stiffness in
the lip.
To reduce the risk of complications, it is important to follow all the
instructions you receive from Dr. Clevens before and after the procedure.
Center For Facial Cosmetic Surgery | 1344 S. Apollo Blvd. Suite 100, | Melbourne, FL 32901 | 321.951.3223 or 1.888.438.3223