lip implants are a cosmetic procedure used to improve the fullness and plumpness of the lips.
according to the american society of plastic surgeons, over 30,000 people received lip augmentation in 2018, with that number steadily increasing each year since the early 2000s.
what is a lip implant?
lip implants are a type of permanent lip augmentation that uses plastic implants to plump the lips. two types of implants can be used:
● silicone
expanded polytetrafluoroethylene
while both types of implants are safe, a 2002 animal study found the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to be more favorable in terms of tissue response. this implant is also softer and easier to compress than the silicone option, which means it may feel more natural and less noticeable in the lip.
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
who’s a good candidate for a lip implant?
lip implants are a great long-term augmentation option for anyone who:
● has relatively symmetrical lips
● has enough lip tissue to stretch over and hide the implant
● has an aversion to frequent procedures
● prefers a permanent lip augmentation solution
● prefers to save money over the long term
if you feel that you’re a good candidate for lip implants, you’ll first need to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
this consultation will help the surgeon determine if you’re a good lip implant candidate. if you are, the surgeon will then measure you for implants, give you information on what to expect for the procedure, and schedule the surgery.
what’s the procedure like?
once you’ve scheduled your lip implant surgery, you’ll need to prepare.
surgery prep
if you smoke or take blood thinners, you’ll be asked to stop doing so before the surgery. if you have oral herpes, you may also be asked to take antiviral medications.
surgical steps
lip implants are an in-office procedure. your surgeon will first sterilize the area and use a local anesthetic to numb the lips. while lip implantation can be performed under
general anesthesia, it isn’t required.
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.
recovery
the recovery time for lip implantation is usually 1 to 3 days.
however, for 7 to 14 daystrusted source following the surgery, your surgeon will recommend that you avoid any kind of pressure or pulling around the lip area. this includes opening your mouth too wide and compressing your lips too much, as the implants can shift out of place.
it can take 1 to 2 weeks for the tissue to begin scarring and holding the implant in place.
in some cases, pain medication can be taken as necessary. ice packs and head elevation can also help to minimize
swelling and scarring after recovery.