Procedure | Surgical
Lip Implant
Lip implants are a cosmetic procedure used to improve the fullness and plumpness of the lips. Lip implants are a type of permanent lip augmentation that uses plastic implants to plump the lips, considered as an alternative to temporary lip fillers for lip augmentation.
Two types of implants can be used: silicone,
and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene
In addition to plastic lip implants, two other types of implant procedures can be performed:
Tissue grafting: uses an implant of skin from the lower stomach area to fill the lip.
Fat grafting: uses fat that has been transferred from the abdomen to fill the lip.
A tunnel in the lip is created which follows the shape of the lip. Once the curved alligator clamp has reached the end of the tunnel, the clamp opens. The implant is grasped and dragged into the lip tunnel and positioned underneath the lip fat and above the lip muscles. Once the implants are in place, the incisions are closed with one or two absorbable sutures.
Prior to the surgery, you’ll be asked to stop smoke or take blood thinners. Do cleanse your face on the day of the surgery and do not apply any makeup.
After sterilization and anesthesia, your doctor will take the following steps to insert your implants:
• An incision will be made on either corner of the mouth.
• A clamp is inserted into the incisions and a pocket (or tunnel) is created.
• Once the tunnel has been created, the clamp will open, and the implant will be inserted.
• The clamp is removed, the implant remains inside of the lip, and the incision is closed with small sutures.
• If there are no complications, the entire surgery takes roughly 30 minutes, and you can drive home afterward.
The recovery time for lip implantation is usually 1 to 3days.
For 7 to 14 days following the surgery:
• Avoid any kind of pressure or pulling around the lip area. This includes opening your mouth too wide and compressing your lips too much
• Ice packs and head elevation can also help to minimize swelling and scarring after recovery.
• Rest quietly the rest of your surgery day. The next day you can perform routine activities
• Eat foods that are soft and require minimal chewing. No hot or salty foods or fluids for 48 hours.
• No smoking for at least two weeks.
• No drinking of alcohol while recovery.
• In some cases, pain medication can be taken as necessary.
It can take 1 to 2 weeks for the tissue to begin scarring and holding the implant in place.
Lip implants are a long-term augmentation option, and many people see great results with them. However, not everyone is happy with the way their lips look after surgery. If you’re not happy with your lip implants, surgery will be required to remove them.
After the surgery, the risk of side effects is usually minimal, and you should be able to fully resume normal activities after recovery.
In some cases, your lip implant may shift or move. If this happens, another surgery may be required to repair the implant.
Lip implants are generally safe, but as with any cosmetic surgery, there are some risks:
• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Allergy to the anesthetic (lidocaine) or implant.
