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About Us |
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Patient Education |
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Photo Gallery |
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The ASPS
Patient Photo Gallery currently includes
before and
after surgery pictures. |
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Lip Augmentation |
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Lip Implants |
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Lip Augmentation will increase the fullness of your upper lip, lower lip, or
both. It will not improve problems with lipstick bleed along your wrinkles. If
this is your main concern, consider Permanent
Make-up or a
Wrinkle Treatment. If your lips are full enough but too long or low, then
you should consider a Lip Lift,
which raises droopy lips. |
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The Procedure |
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Lip augmentation is an office procedure performed under local anesthesia.
Augmentation materials are available in liquid form for injection or sheet form
for surgical placement. If sheets of material are used, which are explained
below, small incisions will be made at the corners of your mouth. The sheets of
material will then be threaded through your lips to provide smooth, even
augmentation. The incisions are usually hidden inside your mouth. |
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Recovery |
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You may return to your regular routine immediately following lip
augmentation, unless you were sedated. If you were sedated, then you may resume
your usual activities the following day. Swelling and bruising last for three
days to one week. Discomfort is minimal, and prescription pain medication is
often not required.
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Options for Lip Augmentation |
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Available implants for lip augmentation can be classified as liquid form or
sheet form. Liquid collagen injections were once the mainstay of lip
augmentation, but they lost favor due to short-lived effects (they lasted no
more than 6 weeks). Collagen is explained further in the wrinkle section. Some
implants for lip augmentation are in sheet form. The three options for this are
Alloderm, Dermaplant, fascia, or Gore-Tex.
Newer inject able options include Restylane, which has the consistency of gel
and lasts 6-9 months; or Radiance, which has the consistency of toothpaste and
lasts 3-5 years.
Finally, your own fat can be used for lip
augmentation. This has the benefit of being easily accepted by your body and of
giving a permanent natural result.
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Alloderm and Dermaplant |
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Alloderm and Dermaplant are freeze-dried collagen that is prepared in sheet
form. The implant is obtained from deceased human donors. Its placement results
in soft, natural, and pliable lips. Drawbacks are that it will shrink over the
course of a year. At the end of a year (and sometimes sooner) you will look as
you did prior to your lip augmentation surgery. Due to its ease of placement and consistent results, sheet
collagen is the lip implant material of choice for many plastic surgeons. Its
temporary effect, however, has left plastic surgeons to continue to search for a
longer lasting alternative. |
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Fascia |
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Fascia is dense white connective tissue that envelops your muscles. In many
areas of the body, such area is the scalp above either ear, fascia can be
harvested for cosmetic use. Disadvantages of fascia are that it necessitates
surgery for harvest, hence another area of discomfort and potential
complications. Also, fascia will shrink and become absorbed by your body within
six to 12 months. The cost of this procedure is similar to that of Alloderm
placement. |
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Gore-Tex |
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Gore-Tex is a cross between cloth and rubber and is used to make high-quality
raincoats and other breathable, water-resistant outdoor gear. Gore-Tex may be
slightly stiff, but most recipients become accustomed to this. One advantage
over Alloderm and Dermaplant is that Gore-Tex will never shrink and will always
maintain its size. One
disadvantage is that it may potentially push its way out of your lips. |
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Fat Injection |
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Fat can be harvested from your body and injected into your lips for
augmentation. When performed using careful technique by a skilled surgeon, the
results can be smooth and lasting. There will be some initial shrinkage during
the first 3 months. Thereafter, your result will be permanent. Drawbacks of this
technique are that few surgeons are skilled in it; swelling and bruising may
last 2-3 weeks; and there is a limit to how large the lips can be made. However,
because the results are lasting, this is becoming the most reliable option for
lip augmentation. |
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Ask Your Plastic Surgeon About These Potential Complications |
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Cold sore outbreak
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Extrusion
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Infection
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Re-absorption
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Concluding Thoughts on Lip Augmentation |
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Lip augmentation has become popular due to the impressive cosmetic results
possible through this relatively simple procedure. However, because the ideal
implant material has not yet been identified, plastic surgeons continue to
research this area. Fat injection, in the hands of an experienced surgeon, shows
the best and longest lasting results. |
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New Page 1
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About Surgery |
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Areas of
surgery |
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Planning your surgery |
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