|
1. How many
techniques are there to augment the lips?
1. How many techniques are there to augment the lips?A lot. Seriously, there are so many that you should read this website in its entirety. Such options are...
Back to Top2. What types of injectables are out there and what are the differences? Most of what is out there in injectables is temporary. Collagen, which has been the leader, usually lasts only 3 months and requires a skin/allergy test. Fascian lasts a little longer although not by much. In theory, Fascian™ sounds wonderful -- it is made up of fascia lata, strips of the tough covering that surrounds the outer thigh muscle. It is harvested from cadavers. Cymetra Micronized AlloDerm™ isn't exactly getting rave reviews either. Cymetra does not last as long as the AlloDerm allograft (dermis graft) itself, being that the injectable is somewhat broken down already. The company (LifeCell) advises that it should be layered over a 2 year period for best benefits. The benefit of an injectable is the volume it can give the lips. The poutiness is much more defined compared to the implants which gives a more subtle, defined lip. Only downfall -- which is a big one -- is that most injectables are not permanent. There are a few injectables that are permanent, such as Artecoll, Argiform, Metacrill, Bioformacryl, etc.. Artecoll is made from PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) The Artecoll is formulated into microspheres (extremely small round bits) and blended with 0.3% lidocaine for comfort and collagen (3.5%) as well. The collagen is broken down by the body yet the PMMA microspheres are left behind to be encapsulated by the body's own collagen. These microspheres are networked together by your body's collagen structure therefore creating augmentation. Argiform and other polyacrylamide implants are made from a polymer that holds moisture. This type of product has been used in medicine and also in agriculture for decades. Please read the Micro-Implant Section for more on Artecoll and other permanent options, including the reported risks. Back to Top3. Are there any permanent options in lip augmentation?There are permanent and reversible options like Gore-Tex, which I have, and Softform soft tissue augmentation implants (or the newer second gen version... UltraSoft®. These implants are made from (ePTFE) (expanded polytetrafluoro-ethylene). It is a white tubular type of rubbery material -- the same thing used in Gore-Tex boots and rain jackets, but of course a sterile medical grade. It has been used for decades in the body for all sorts of applications. These are the most popular and probably the only approved standard synthetic implants are considered permanent. Of course, there are injectable permanent options which create that poofy, Angelina Jolie look. Although these are new and I suggest to wait on more time under their belts to prove themselves. Besides one may be very close to approval! Back to Top4. How is lip augmentation with lip implants performed?The surgery is not
at all complex nor does it take a substantial amount of time to perform. The
surgeon, after making the necessary 4 incisions at each corner of the mouth, threads the strip through either lip and cuts the implant to
the size the patient's individual lip needs to be augmented. The ends of the
implant are then rounded with small, intricate cuts to ensure proper healing and
little to no friction to the inside of the lip. The incision areas are then
sutured with a thin, either dissolving or non-dissolving suture material. There
will be only the smallest amount of blood, miniscule actually, during the
procedure due to the injections of lidocaine and epinephrine. The patient may
have a drop or two inside of their mouth mixed with the patient's excess saliva
that may appear to be a lot of blood -- it isn't. Back to Top5. Where are the incisions made?In a lip augmentation procedure with lip implants, the incisions are made on the very corners of the lip on each side resulting in 4 small incisions and little or no scarring. The lips tend to heal quit fast as long as you don't mess with them. These means NO TOUCHING or picking!!
click for a larger image Back to Top6.What should I expect post-operatively?You should expect to be very full lipped post-operatively. You will have difficulty drinking or eating without spilling as well. there will be pain, especially to pressure. You may feel numb in the lips for several days from the swelling putting pressure on the nerves in your lips. You should be thankful for this, because when the numbness dissipates you will feel more pain. Your pain relievers prescribed by your doctor should alleviate this pain. You will have your sutures removed in about 7 to 10 days. And it hurts a little bit so beware. The swelling will be apparent, but you had the surgery for augmentation, didn't you. The swelling will subside, probably more than you would like it to. Back to Top7. Is it quite painful? Is there much bruising?It takes about a week for most of the swelling to subside, although it will be sensitive to light to medium pressure for about 3 weeks. There is really not much bruising with average cases, although it should be looked upon as individual. Some are prone to bruising more than others. Some doctors prescribe a pharmaceutical grade Arnica montana product called SinEcch and a topical ointment as well. These two products are thought to decrease both bruising and swelling in all procedures and in most cases have shown a significant decrease in both complaints. You may also want to ask your surgeon about the use of Bromelain or drinking pineapple juice for several days pre-operatively. Back to Top8. Will I have to pre-medicate for dental work?It is quite possible that you will have to pre-medicate to prevent infection in the cavity where the lip implant (or any implant for that matter) is located. It is thought by some surgeons that plaque and bacteria is set free during dental work, even a routine cleaning, and will enter into the blood stream via minute lacerations in the mouth. The bacteria searches for weaknesses in your body to latch itself onto and may do so, causing an infection. Besides, $12. USD isn't much to spend on the salvation of your $2,000.-$4,000. USD lip implants. However, this is controversial and some surgeons believe that there same type of bacteria is released during flossing. I have personally never had a problem after the initial healing period -- although I did have an infection which required removal with my first set. Ironically my dentist may have caused the infection by irritating my newly implant Gore-Tex with his overly large, bacteria-coated -- yet gloved -- hand in my mouth. Back to Top9. When will I be able to see the results?The results are immediate. Your lips will be quite large and swollen and you will see a difference in the swelling as it subsides in the first week post-operatively. The swelling will more than likely subside more than you would like as you will become accustomed to their enormous size and think that your lips are small in comparison. You should take photos before and after to compare and look back on your old lips' size. After viewing the before and after photos you should be able to appreciate a change in the lip volume. 10. What are the risks of lip augmentation?There are not too many risks associated with lip augmentation in comparison to other elective procedures, but there are enough to pay attention and have concern. It typically depends on the chosen implant or filler. Let's start with Gore-Tex... There can be infection and irritation if the ends of the implant are too long for the cavity or not rounded, if needed. The good thing is that it is reversible and can be readily removed. UltraSoft is more hollow and has thinner walls than its predecessor, Softform, allowing your own tissues to grow into the implant like the others but resulting in a softer feel. If an infection arises, this may make it a little more difficult to remove. Dermalogen, AlloDerm, and other forms of tissue-grafts or derivatives supposedly are absorbed within your body with no after-effects. New injectable fillers, that may be approved for the U.S. like Restylane, and Hylaform supposedly have no side effects. Artecoll is yet another, as is a hopeful Argiform hydrophilic polyacrylamide (hydrogel). Although safety studies must be performed for polacrylamide products due to the residual unpolymerized acrylamide. The (ePTFE) (expanded polytetrafluoro-ethylene) implants are hollow allowing your tissues to grow into the implant. This can make it difficult to remove unless an infection is present. There may be shifting of either implant or deformity from excess scar tissue arising from an infection or the hands of an unskilled doctor. Or quite possibly from your body attempting to reject the foreign material. There may be permanent discolorations from the bruising. Possible hematomas resulting in additional surgeries and excessive scarring from delayed healing or trauma.
Back to Top11. What is Arnica montana or Bromelain, I have heard that these homeopathics reduce swelling and bruising? Which is the best kind to take?also known
as: Mountain
Tobacco, Mountain Arnica, Common Arnica, Leopard's Bane and Sneezewort from the plant of the:
Pineapple habitat: Indigenous to southern Brazil and Paraguay, The fruit is now grown all over in green houses and in the fields of Spain, Guatemala, Hawaii and more. The pineapple is a tropical plant and thrives in hot, humid places. Although it can survive cold snaps, it is not recommended for the more northern areas if intended to be grown outdoors. Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory formula containing the proteolytic enzyme from the stems of pineapples. Proteolytic enzymes are capable of dissolving proteins. It is most often used after sports injuries, to relive edema and after surgical procedures to help with swelling. ALWAYS ASK YOUR SURGEON FIRST BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATION. Back to Top12. I have heard that the risk of infection is quite high in lip implants, is this true?The reason the risk of infection is high is the incision site and location of the procedure. The mouth is a very dirty place on the body and harbors bacteria growth. It is a prime habitat for bacteria as it is warm, moist and frequently is given food by its host (you). Especially if you go to the dentist you can disrupt even more bacteria and it may possibly latch itself onto your body's weak areas including avascular tissue (having no or few blood vessels) capsules that form around implants, possibly infecting it. Plus your mobile tissues take longer to heal than those of which are not very mobile. You move your lips quite often, hardly giving them a chance to heal. That is also why it is of utmost importance for your doctor to smooth any edges of an implant (if needed) prohibiting the implant from irritating the wound from the inside. I speak from experience. If you try and keep your mouth clean, rising regularly with Listerine and not pick at the incision sites, your wounds will have less of a chance of becoming infected. Back to Top13. How are lip implants comparable with injectables?Many injectables wear off but give wonderful, voluptuous and immediate results. Many injectables are cheaper, but more expensive in the long run. Implants and permanent injectables (injectable micro implants) give results which are long lasting yet are more invasive than a regular injection of say, Restylane or bovine collagen. It's really your call. If you would like permanent, yet reversible results, get the regular non-injectable synthetic implants. Such as Gore-Tex, Softform or the new UltraSoft and even the new Advanta® Implant. If it is a very full, pouty mouth that you desire and don't want anything permanent, get the temporary injectables -- but be prepared to waste a lot of money on touch ups and maintenance. Oh and if your doctor doesn't have the product you are looking for, go to another doctor. Like I said, it's really your call and your body. Back to Top14. Is lip augmentation reversible?Lip augmentation with most injectables is temporary so, yes, figuratively -- it is reversible. Lip augmentation with the Gore-Tex and Softform implant is reversible, only with the Softform implant it may be more invasive and difficult as it's implant shape is tubular allowing your body's tissues to grow into the implant. The Gore-Tex implant's surface may be porous but it is relatively easy to remove. The Artecoll is reported to be quite difficult in removing -- it is approved in Canada, UK and Europe for Acne pock correction not soft tissue augmentation. At least not yet. Back to Top15. Will my significant other be able to feel it when we kiss?It really depends on whether or not you had very thin lips beforehand. If you had very thin lips and shoved an implant into a tight space it is quite possible for he or she to be able to feel the implant. But! the good thing is, you get used to it, very quickly. You will be able to feel it as it is in your body. I have asked my significant other and he said he could not even feel it right after I got them (right after being about 2 weeks) because of the swelling . It did take me a while before I was ready to kiss him again, I was very protective if my lips as I thought it to be very painful in comparison to other surgeries. He says he still can't feel them. Back to Top16. Will the movement of my lips be hindered or look "odd" when animated? It is quite possible that you will notice a difference in your smile, how you speak and sensation after a lip enhancement procedure. Especially during the healing stage . Lip implants can feel very stiff and immobile -- it takes some getting used to. My bottom lip implant sometimes stretches oddly (in my opinion) across my top teeth (I have a slight overbite) if I do a fake smile or half smile . I notice this and smile naturally rather than look strange. Smile big! You can't expect not to have a change in this area -- your lips sit atop the orbicularis oris muscle and also move with the use of direct labial tractor muscles. Not to mention the contraction of levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, the levator labii superioris, and/or the zygomaticus minora wil aso lift the upper lip and set it into motion. If this isn't enough, the depressor labii inferioris and/or platysma par labialis will also cause movement. Plus there are many other facial muscles which may inadvertently animate the lips -- NO WONDER this surgery is delicate and causes discomfort even when you try not to move. The muscles of the lips move involuntary as well, any change to this area be it surgical or injectable is bound to change or affect its movements either slightly or hinder them severely. 17. What is the best lip implant or procedure for me? Which do you recommend? This is a choice only you can make. I get asked this all the time and so many factors are involved. Number one is the fact that you must be evaluated by a physician -- I am not a physician and do not know your needs as an individual. The material or product that you may want may not be available in the United States, much less your area. New and improved products are developed all the time, it is only a matter of waiting for that material. Impatience is a factor. If you had to wait 2 years for an expensive product that you KNOW will work and be like you want -- or take a cheap route that is risky -- most people live in the now and take the chance. I personally got the best product at the time and it has served me well until I am ready to take it out and get something better. But I am still waiting because one is not approved, the other is not available in the states and is still very new. Plus I am weight options -- I think long term instead of short and quite frankly one of the steps in my lip plan is very permanent. Remember to think ahead, and go for what is safe and proven- - not some whim. The choice is yours and you must make it.
Please visit our Lip Augmentation-specific Website for more information...
home
| facial procedures | body
procedures | surgeon info
| consultation info | surgery
preparation Are you lost? View Site Index
Yes
They're Fake! Cosmetic Plastic Surgery & Beauty Network
|
