AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LIP AUGMENTATION?

If you are unsatisfied with the fullness of your lips, you may be a good candidate for lip augmentation. Ideal candidates should be physically healthy and non-smokers. Before making the decision to undergo lip augmentation, you should schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to make sure that this is the right procedure for your aesthetic goals. In some cases, another treatment option, such as a brow lift, maybe the best course for you.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR CONSULTATION

When you schedule a consultation with the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago, you will meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon that will review your medical history and perform a facial balance evaluation to ensure that you are a good candidate for lip augmentation. Your plastic surgeon will discuss your treatment options with you and recommend the type of filler that best suits your goals.

HOW IS LIP AUGMENTATION PERFORMED?

The manner in which lip augmentation is performed varies depending on the recommended course of treatment—dermal fillers or fat grafting. Unlike most plastic surgery procedures, dermal fillers can be administered in-office by a plastic surgeon.

There are several types of dermal fillers, which range from semi-permanent to permanent and vary in softness and material. Most dermal fillers are made from natural ingredients found elsewhere in the body, or otherwise synthetic materials that mimic and stimulate production of collagen in the body.

To administer dermal fillers, your plastic surgeon will mark the appropriate injection sites on your face. Injections take only moments and are relatively painless. The dermal filler is massaged into the injection site, and subsequent injections are made until results are achieved.

An alternative to dermal fillers is fat grafting, the process of taking excess fat from parts of the body, purifying it, and injecting it into the lips to augment them. Many find that a benefit to fat grafting is that it does not involve any foreign substances. If you have any known allergies to implant materials, you may be an ideal candidate for fat transfer.

RECOVERY AFTER LIP AUGMENTATION

For dermal fillers, recovery is almost immediate, as are the visible results. You may be given an ice pack to reduce swelling. The injection sites will likely feel tender for a couple of days after the injections but are not typically painful enough to require medication.

If you opt for fat grafting lip augmentation, swelling, and bruising are normal after the procedure, and should go down significantly between the first and second week after the procedure. Be prepared to wait for at least seven to ten days before returning to your normal level of activity. By the third week, swelling should be completely gone and results should be apparent.

POTENTIAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LIP AUGMENTATION

Complications from dermal fillers used for lip augmentation are uncommon, but there are always potential risks associated with any procedure. The risks involved may also vary according to the type of dermal filler used, so be sure to discuss this with your plastic surgeon in your consultation. The risks generally associated with lip augmentation may include:

• Swelling and bruising at the injection site
• Asymmetry
• Lumps beneath the skin
• Changes in skin sensation

Regardless of the complexity of the procedure, always ensure that your plastic surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and that the procedure is being performed in an accredited hospital or surgical facility.

WHAT DOES LIP AUGMENTATION COST?

The cost of dermal fillers varies by several factors, so an average is difficult to ascertain. Your location, surgeon, type of dermal fillers, and the number of injections required to achieve results will all affect the cost of the procedure. Be sure to discuss costs with your plastic surgeon during your consultation.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

If you would like fuller, more voluminous lips, or even if you have questions about the procedure and treatment options for lip augmentation, schedule a consultation with the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago. You will speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon, who will discuss your specific aesthetic goals and determine if lip augmentation is right for you.

All surgical procedures by the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago are performed at top hospitals in Chicago and CMS or AAAASF-certified surgical centers for safety.