Lip Augmentation with Fillers or Fat Transfer
Lip augmentation refers to lip enhancements that make the lips fuller. The most common method of accomplishing lip augmentation is with soft tissue fillers such as JUVÉDERM® or Restylane®. Another popular option for a more permanent result is undergoing micro fat grafting (fat transfer) to the lips.
Lip Augmentation Benefits
Dr. Tong’s patients enjoy many benefits from lip augmentation, such as:
- Fuller, more voluptuous lips
- An enhanced Cupid’s bow
- Reduced wrinkles around the lips
- Improved balance of facial features
- Healthier, more youthful appearance
Lip Augmentation with Fillers: The Procedure
Lip augmentation using dermal fillers is a brief in-office procedure that yields impressive and immediate results. Dr. Tong will gently inject the filler of choice into your lips, sculpting them to a fuller, more youthful pout. These days, many fillers already contain lidocaine (a common local anesthetic) so additional topical anesthetic is typically not needed. Following the injections, you will be given an ice pack to keep swelling down and will be able to return to your normal routine immediately.
Lip Augmentation with Fat Transfer: The Procedure
Fat transfer lip augmentation is also an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthetic or with light sedation. The fat transfer is performed in the operating room. Dr. Tong will harvest fat from your own body, generally from the abdomen or the inner thigh. Harvest is performed with a syringe in a process similar to liposuction, except the amount of fat removal is minimal, and no liposuction machine is used. This fat will be purified via centrifugation, then injected into your lips. Fat transfer procedures have less predictability than augmentation with fillers. The reason is that transferred fat cells require ingrowth of blood vessels fat to survive. Typically there will be loss of some of the fat volume because the vessel ingrowth is never 100%. Due to this fact, more volume is added as a means to compensate for the loss of volume. Lip augmentation with fat transfer takes between 60 and 90 minutes, and you will be able to go home immediately following treatment.
Lip Augmentation Recovery
After lip augmentation with fillers, it is normal to experience mild to moderate swelling, redness, and bruising. This can be reduced with cold compresses (being careful not to apply pressure), and should subside within a few days. Recovery from fat transfer takes longer due to the greater volume of fat that is injected, and the more invasive nature of the surgery. Patients are advised to minimize speaking and other movements of the lips, and to avoid compression of the area during the first several weeks after surgery. The outcome of fat transfer varies. Some patients may require more than one procedure to obtain their desired volume.
Your Lip Augmentation Consultation
Dr. Tong believes that patient education is essential to achieving optimal results with lip augmentation. During your lip augmentation consultation at his office in Toronto, you will have the opportunity to candidly discuss your goals and concerns, then you and Dr. Tong will decide together on the most appropriate treatment plan.
To learn more about lip augmentation, please give us a call at (647) 496-5842 or contact us via this website.
Dr. Lawrence Tong has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.