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Lip Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, and Benefits and Side Effects

Last Updated: Jul 06, 2023

What Is Lip Surgery?

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Lip surgery, or 'lip augmentation,' is a cosmetic procedure that can give a person fuller, more voluptuous lips. This minimally invasive procedure is perfect for people whose lips have thinned with age, giving them a more youthful appearance. Furthermore, you must note that there are several different kinds of lip augmentation procedures, each with its own results, recovery duration, and possible risks.

There are some procedures for fuller lips that are nonsurgical and use fillers that only plump up your lips temporarily. However, this article talks about the other procedures, which usually involve the use of injections or making small incisions in the lips or face for long-lasting or permanent results.

Types of Lip Surgery

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Fat Grafting

If you are looking for a way to add fullness to your lips, fat grafting (also known as autologous fat injections or fat transfer) may be a good option for you. This lip augmentation procedure involves the surgeon taking fat from another area of the patient's body—usually the stomach—and injecting it into their lips in order to make them fuller and more voluptuous. However, a team of medical professionals purifies the fat before injecting it, so the patient can be sure that it is safe and effective.

Lip Fillers

A lip filler, which is also known as a dermal filler, is a man-made substance that is injected into the lips or the skin around the mouth in order to plump them up or add volume to them. In this procedure, a very fine, thin needle is used by a healthcare professional to inject the dermal filler into the patient's lips or face. The procedure does not usually take long, and most people can have it done in their doctor's office or on an outpatient basis.

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Lip Implants

Lip implants are basically a kind of permanent lip augmentation that involves the use of plastic implants in order to add volume to the lips or plump them up. It must be acknowledged that silicone and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene are the two main types of lip implants.These cosmetic procedures essentially involve a plastic surgeon making a small incision at each corner of the patient's mouth. Then, an implant is inserted to add volume and fullness to the patient's lips.

Even though both of the above-mentioned types of implants are totally safe, an animal study that was conducted in 2002 found expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to be more favorable and effective in terms of tissue response. This type of implant is not only much softer but also easier to compress than the other (silicone) one. This simply means that it may feel more natural and be less noticeable on the lips.

Lip Lift

A lip lift is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is essentially carried out to shorten the distance between the nose of a person and the top of their lip, which is known as the 'philtrum.' This procedure is generally conducted by one or more plastic surgeons on an outpatient basis. The surgeon will remove any excess skin between the patient's nose and upper lip in order to raise their lips.

In other words, a lip lift increases the amount of visible pink tissue, resulting in fuller, more pronounced lips. The procedure also increases the area that the patient's upper central teeth show when the lips are at rest or relaxed. It can be a great option for someone who has a desire to add some height to their lips instead of volume.

Benefits of Lip Surgery:

  • Perfect lips
  • Enhanced overall facial appearance
  • Natural fullness
  • Younger look
  • Increased confidence or self-esteem
  • Gradual progression
  • A minimally invasive procedure
  • Little to no risks or side effects
  • Speedy recovery

Why Is Lip Surgery Done?

Lip augmentation, or 'lip surgery,' is basically a cosmetic procedure that can give a person fuller, more voluptuous, and better-looking lips. So, if your lips have thinned out with age and time, a lip augmentation procedure can help you create a more youthful appearance.

The procedure, unlike other surgeries, is not very complex (rather, it is simple) and can be done conveniently under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Lip surgery is relatively new but has been becoming a very popular cosmetic procedure in recent years. So, if you want a bigger, fuller mouth with perfect lips, you must acknowledge that lip surgery might be one of the best ways to achieve it.

What Are the Risks of Lip Surgery?

  • Bleeding and pain
  • Scarring or bruising
  • Swelling
  • Infection
  • Lip stiffening
  • Discoloration or tenderness
  • Tissue death (rare)

Note: You can avoid most of the abovementioned risks by entrusting experienced doctors and surgeons, such as the medical professionals at Pristyn Care.

How Do I Prepare for Lip Surgery?

If you are considering lip augmentation, you may be wondering how best to prepare for the procedure. So, here are a few things that you must keep in mind before going for lip surgery:

  • A few weeks before the surgery, you'll need to stop smoking and take blood-thinning medication, as both of these can increase the risk of bruising
  • You might also be advised to avoid certain pain-relieving drugs such as aspirin and herbal supplements such as multivitamins and fish oil
  • Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions on what to do (or not do) in the lead-up to the surgery, so be sure to follow their guidance

How Is Lip Surgery Done?

  • There are a few different ways that you can get fuller, more voluptuous lips. One popular method is fat grafting, which involves a plastic surgeon taking fat from a different area of your body and injecting this fat into your lips. Another popular option is lip fillers, in which a healthcare provider injects a dermal filler (or lip filler) into your lips or the area around your mouth.
  • Furthermore, if you are someone who is looking for a more permanent solution, you might want to consider lip implants. In this surgical procedure, a cosmetic surgeon makes small incisions in all corners of your mouth, and then an implant is inserted to add volume and fullness to your lips.
  • Another option to achieve fuller lips without surgery is a lip lift. In this procedure, the surgeon will remove any excess skin between the patient's nose and upper lip in order to raise their lips.
  • Before going for any of the above-mentioned procedures, you must consult an expert plastic surgeon to figure out which of these options is suitable for you and your unique needs.

Before the Procedure

Your cosmetic surgeon will almost certainly use local anesthesia before the procedure in order to numb the area around the incision so that you don't feel any pain. This also means that you will be awake during the procedure. However, if you are going to have multiple cosmetic surgeries, your doctor may use general anesthesia to make you sleep the entire time.

During the Procedure

Depending on the type of lip augmentation procedure you choose, here is what you can expect during the surgery:

Fat Grafting
In order to ensure that the fat injected into your lips comes from your own body, you will first have to undergo liposuction. This will usually occur in the area around your belly.Once the fat gets purified, your plastic surgeon can proceed with injecting it into your lips. The entire procedure should typically take somewhere between an hour and 90 minutes, which means it is quicker than other similar procedures.

Lip Fillers
The lip injections should take no more than 10 to 30 minutes, and a fine needle is used to inject the filler into the patient's lips. A cosmetic (or plastic) surgeon can assist you in selecting the best type of lip fillers to achieve your desired results.

Lip Implants
Lip implant surgery is a quick and simple procedure that can make your lips fuller and more voluptuous. During the surgery, your plastic surgeon will numb your lips and make small incisions in each corner of your mouth.They will then insert a tiny implant through the incisions and pull it through to the other side. The whole procedure will only take around 30 minutes, and thereafter, you will have full, beautiful lips!

Lip Lift
This cosmetic procedure generally takes around an hour to complete. Your plastic surgeon will numb the treatment area before making an incision under your nose. They will then remove a small strip of skin before lifting your upper lip. The incision will be closed with stitches. In another type of lip lift, the surgeon will make two small incisions on each side of your mouth and remove a bit of skin from those areas.

After the Procedure

After you've had lip augmentation, your plastic surgeon will give you some instructions on how to take care of your lips during the healing process. They may suggest:

  • Eating soft foods for the first few days
  • Elevating your head during sleep
  • Not moving your lips excessively
  • Using an ice pack on your lips for several days
  • By following these suggestions, you will not only help your lips heal faster but also get the best results possible.

How Much Does Lip Surgery Cost?

When it comes to the cost of lip (reshaping) surgery, India is a great option because it's relatively affordable compared to other countries. Prices can range from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 1,000,00 (INR) depending on the city, the doctor's experience, and the type of procedure.

Of course, these prices are just for reference and should not be considered the standard cost of the procedure. However, if you are looking for an accurate estimate, you can get that by contacting our team of experts and asking for a quote.

What to Do After Lip Surgery?

To protect your lip filler from any disturbance, you must avoid smoking or using drinking straws for at least the next 24 hours after the procedure. Contracting your lips or puckering may also cause the filler to shift from its position.

You should also avoid drinking any alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours after the surgical procedure, since alcohol can thin your blood and cause worse bruising on your lips.

What to Eat After Lip Surgery?

You will most likely be advised to follow a clear liquid diet immediately after your lip surgery. The day after surgery, begin slowly advancing your diet to solid foods, starting with bland ones. However, if you still feel nauseated or like throwing up, you must consider resuming the clear liquid diet for another 24 hours.

Is Lip Surgery Safe?

A lip augmentation procedure can take as little as 30 minutes and is often performed in combination with a facelift. This means you can have the desired shape and volume of lips instantly, and it's completely safe. However, it's important to get it done by experienced and expert plastic surgeons, like the ones at Pristyn Care.

Is Lip Surgery Painful?

Your healthcare provider will apply a topical anesthetic to your lips during your lip augmentation procedure. It will numb your lips and make the surgery quite comfortable for you. In most cases, people feel little to no pain during or after a lip augmentation procedure.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Lip Surgery?

The amount of time it takes to recover from lip augmentation surgery varies depending on the type of procedure you undergo. For example, the procedure for lip fillers may require very little to no recovery time at all. However, if you opt for surgical lip augmentation, you can expect to need a few days up to several weeks for bruising, redness, and swelling to go away completely.

Apart from that, you should also know that most people experience swelling for 24 to 48 hours after their lip filler procedure, but it could take up to a week for the swelling to completely go down.

So, if you have an upcoming event (or any other important occasion) where you want to look your best, it's important to schedule your injection at least two weeks in advance. This will give your lips plenty of time to recover from the procedure and make you look natural for your big day!

What Are the Side Effects of Lip Surgery?

  • Pain
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Lip stiffening
  • Swelling

It must be noted that you can avoid most of the abovementioned risks by entrusting experienced doctors and surgeons, such as the expert medical professionals you can find at Pristyn Care.

Lip Surgery Aftercare:

For the first 24 hours after your treatment, avoid using any harsh cleaning brushes or exfoliating agents. Also, you must avoid having any kind of facial massage for at least a couple of weeks following the procedure.

On the first day, you must avoid drinking through a straw, as it may put unnecessarily much pressure on the lips. And finally, do not consume any alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours after the procedure, especially if you have had lip fillers.

Most nonsurgical lip augmentation procedures allow you to return to work immediately, while surgical lip augmentation may require some downtime. With any lip augmentation procedure, your plastic surgeon may suggest avoiding exercise and other strenuous activities for up to several weeks. This will help ensure optimal results and minimize the risk of complications.

Conclusion

There are a number of different lip augmentation procedures that can be performed to achieve the desired look. Procedures can range from simple injections to fill the lips to more invasive procedures like full-on lip implants.

Lip augmentation is generally considered a safe cosmetic surgery, but it does come with its own risks and complications. If you are considering lip augmentation, be sure to talk with a board-certified plastic surgeon to make sure the procedure suits your needs and is right for you.

You should also know that lip augmentation surgery can be performed on anyone, including men, women, and even children of any age. The procedure can typically be carried out under general anesthesia or using an oral sedative.

A cosmetic surgeon will perform lip augmentation surgery on patients who are looking to improve the appearance of their lips. Lip augmentation surgery is often used to make a person’s lips appear more symmetrical and attractive.

Furthermore, we hope you enjoyed our article about lip augmentation surgery and found it informative as well as useful. Here at Pristyn Care, we know that choosing to undergo this procedure is a big decision, so we hope that we have been able to answer any questions you may have had. If you have any further questions, please do not shy away from contacting us!

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Written ByDr. Deepa Kadam MD - AyurvedaDermatology
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