Your Options in Lip Augmentation

Relevant lip area components
· The vermilion (the visible part of the lips)
· The cupid’s bow
· Skin below the nasal columella (the front of that fleshy division between the nostrils)
What does lip augmentation do?
Using one of the options below, it creates fuller lips and reduces the fine wrinkles around the mouth. (Not all cosmetic surgeons use all of these treatments.)
Some scottgreenbergmd.com/filler.htm injectables

· Collagen – is taken from cows which means there’s some risk of an allergic reaction. Your doctor will do a test for this. Collagen will last anywhere from 1 to 3 months, after which time the body has absorbed it and another injection is necessary.

· Autologen – this is your own collagen, taken from somewhere else on your body. So there’ll be no risk of any allergic reaction, but it can be re-absorbed.

· Dermalogen – this is collagen taken from a deceased human donor (also known as injectable Human Tissue Matrix). Your body will probably not reject it, but again, it will be absorbed and need to be repeated.

· Fat — lasts a little longer than 3 months. Fat injections can sometimes have unsought results such as lumpiness and scarring. The fat can be taken from your own body, from the thighs or abdomen, which will ensure no allergic reaction.

· Fascia – this is a kind of connective tissue taken either from your own body or from a deceased human donor. As with the collagen, it gets absorbed by the body and has to be repeated. It can also be surgically implanted.

· Artecoll – this is a synthetic material, which means there’s a greater chance of an allergic reaction than there is with a fat or collagen injection. It’s long-lasting and often permanent. It consists of very tiny spheres contained in collagen. Over a period of 2 to 4 months, the collagen will be absorbed and your body will create a fibrous capsule around the spheres, holding them in position.

· HylaForm – this is made from natural body substances. You won’t be at risk for infection, but again, it gets absorbed and will have to be repeated.

· Restylane – is a manufactured substance, but it contains hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in humans. So there shouldn’t be any allergic reaction. It’s a clear gel and is biodegradable, so it will be absorbed after about 6 months.
Some surgical implants

· Fat grafting — is the insertion of your own fat into your lips. Results vary from person to person. Because it’s your own tissue, your body might well reabsorb it. However, results are sometimes permanent.

· Local flap grafts – this is a procedure that takes tissue and skin from the inside of your mouth. It’s looked upon as a last resort by many surgeons because all lip reconstruction has to maintain full function of the entire mouth. Taking a flap of tissue from within the mouth brings risk that isn’t encountered by the other methods.

· Alloderm – this is a collagen from a deceased human donor, made into an appropriately sized implant. The implants are inserted through tiny incisions on the inside of the lip. They last up to a year or so.

· Gore-Tex – is a synthetic substance that can bring permanent results. Your body won’t absorb them, but it might have an allergic reaction. Other such substances are soft ePTFE and SoftForm.

Recovery Time

Injectables

When injectables are used, there is little you have to do afterwards. Just let time do the healing and be careful with the area. For a couple of days, there’ll be some swelling and maybe a little bruising. When you leave the doctor’s surgery, you’ll have an icepack of some kind and you can continue to use ice to help the swelling subside.

The pain will be easily managed by an over-the-counter product such as Tylenol. Your lips will feel extra sensitive and it would be wise to avoid lipstick and any kissing.
There might be need for a “touch-up” afterwards. Some doctors are cautious about how much they inject and would rather inject too little, correcting it later, than inject too much and have to remove it later.

Implants and other surgery
Since these are done either with general anesthesia or local anesthetic combined with IV sedation, you’ll need a ride home afterwards. Your cosmetic surgeon will give you printed instructions for post-op care of yourself, as well as a pain prescription and antibiotic. Be sure and follow his directions.

· Incision Care: For swelling and bruising, use icepacks often during the first day or so. The swelling should mostly subside after a couple of weeks, though some may linger. Be very gentle and don’t touch your lips.

Enjoy total rest for the first couple of days.
Stick to a liquid or soft diet until the stitches come out, which will be in about a week. Try to avoid much talking or laughing, even smiling, during the first week.
Rinse your mouth with salt water 5 or 6 times a day during the first week. Also during that week, keep the incision and sutures very clean.

· Watch for infection: Avoid putting any lotions or creams on your lips; just use whatever your cosmetic surgeon advised. Take your temperature each day. Take the antibiotic on time, and watch closely for any oozing from the suture line. If you notice any that’s greenish or yellowish, contact your surgeon immediately.

· Numbness: You’ll probably feel some numbness or tingling for perhaps a month or two. Be careful with hot foods because if you have any numbness you might not notice immediately if you burn yourself.

There’ll probably be a follow-up visit the next day, and again after a week and 4 weeks. Your cosmetic surgeon will check that healing is progressing as expected, and that the shape and symmetry of your lips is satisfactory.

Avoid sunlight until your lips are fully healed, and then use a lip balm with an SPF factor of at least 15.

Finding a good cosmetic surgeon
Since cosmetic surgery has become so popular in the last 10 years or so, some doctors have taken short cut training to take advantage of this at a disservice to the general public. You want a properly trained and experienced surgeon, not one who might gain his basic experience on you! Choose a plastic surgeon who’s certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and one who’s a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

While you should by all means listen to your friends and acquaintances who may have had cosmetic surgery and want to recommend their doctor to you you should do your homework too, and check the doctor’s credentials.

Some questions to ask when interviewing plastic surgeons

· Do you have hospital privileges, and if so, which hospitals?
· Can you do the procedure in the hospital if I want to?
· If you do surgery in other facilities, are they accredited?
· How many breast reductions have you done?
· Can I speak to some of your previous patients about their experience with it?

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Tags: cosmetic surgery, diet, implant

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Tags: cosmetic surgery, diet, implant