[ArtificialBeauty]

Lip Augmentation
So you want to improve the appearance of your lips? You’ve got your reasons. Plumping your pucker often improves self-confidence and sexual confidence.

The good news is that you have many options to improve the appearance of your lips. The methods we discuss here also reduce fine lines and wrinkles around your lips. It’s important to be realistic, too: Injections or implants can enhance and improve your natural look, but they’re not about performing miracles.

Who are the best candidates for lip augmentation?
You must be in good general health overall. You are not a good candidate for lip augmentation if you have oral herpes; certain diseases such as diabetes or lupus; any scarring or connective tissues disorders; blood clotting problems.

Like any other cosmetic surgery, lip augmentation a lot of responsibility. You can only determine for yourself if you’re ready. We’ve included the most popular injections and implants here; this information should serve as a general overview only and should not replace your doctor’s advice. Once you’ve selected a doctor, you will communicate with him or her and decide together which option best suits your needs.

As with any medical procedure, you should tell your doctor of any allergies or any medications that you are taking, and you will be required to discuss your medical history. Certain diseases can increase your chances of complications, such as blood clots, diabetes or poor circulation. If you are a smoker, this may also be a complicating factor.

Injections
Your surgeon will most likely use topical anesthesia (painkiller applied directly to the lips) for injections. These are performed on an outpatient basis in your doctor’s office or an outpatient center and you will be sent home the same day.

1. Artecoll

What it is: Synthetic material that plumps lips.
Drawbacks: Higher risk of allergic reaction, since it’s synthetic, but it has more staying power than collagen or fat injections.

2. Autologen

What it is: If you’ve got it, why not use it? This is your own collagen, extracted from your body and pumped back into your lips.
Benefits: The best part is there’s no risk of allergic reaction to that which your own body created. However, it is temporary.

3. Collagen

What it is: We go down on the farm to extract this material from cows.
Drawbacks: It’s a temporary fix, and can last from as little as four weeks to three months. This can be a good thing, though, if you aren’t ready to take on permanent injections and you just want to get a feel for what it’s like. There is also a risk of allergic reaction, so it’s best to have your surgeon give you a pre-test to make sure you don’t react.

4. Dermalogen

What it is: Giving of themselves, we extract this from deceased human donors. It’s also called injectable Human Tissue Matrix.
Drawbacks: This is also a temporary fix, but your body should not reject it.

5. Fascia

What it is: We also get fascia (aka white connective tissue) from deceased humans, or we can cultivate it in our own bodies, and this can be injected or implanted surgically. Fascia can be cultivated in certain parts of the body for use in injections, such as certain areas of the scalp.
Drawback: Within about one year of the injections, your body will re-absorb the fascia.

6. Fat

What it is: This comes from you, too. Your surgeon can tap the resources of your body by taking fat from your thighs or abdomen.
Benefits: Again, like autologen, there is no risk of allergic reaction because it’s from you.

7. HylaForm

What it is: Tissue that is created from a molecular component of the human body.
Drawbacks: Hylaform is only a temporary fix and repeat treatments needed.

8. Restylane

What it is: This is a clear gel used to increase volume in the lips. It contains hyaluronic acid, which naturally occurs in humans, so there’s little chance for an allergic reaction.
Drawbacks: It’s biodegradable, so your body will absorb it within about six months of the injection.

Implants and surgeries
You will most likely receive local anesthesia. A procedure can take up to two hours at your doctor’s office or outpatient center, depending on the complexity, and you will be sent home the same day.

Alloderm

What it is: Collagen sheets created from deceased humans. Your surgeon will insert these through tiny incisions made on the inside part of the lip. Offers temporary fix, lasting up to 12 months.

Fat grafting

What it is: This is the surgical method of inserting your own fat into your lips to achieve the desired fullness. You may achiever permanent results, but this method varies from person to person. Because it’s your own fat, there is a chance that your body can reabsorb it.

Gore-Tex, SoftForm and soft ePTFE

What it is: If you want a permanent look, one of these three may be your best bet. These are the three synthetic options that are permanent. Unlike some of the other options we’ve listed above, your body will not absorb these; however, because they are synthetic, there is a risk of allergic reaction.

Local flap grafts

What it is: This takes tissue and skin from the inside flap of your mouth. It’s far more invasive than any other technique, and is often the last resort among plastic surgeons.

Your surgeon may also be able to make an incision along the upper line of your lip.

How long will my recovery take?
Your recovery will depend on your lifestyle, and which procedure you undergo. If you are having injections, your recovery can take just a couple days. Any swelling or bruising can last longer, however.

If you are having surgical implants or grafts, your recovery can take up to two weeks after the surgery.

It’s important that you know yourself. Discuss how much time you think you’ll need for recovery with your doctor. It may be necessary to take some time off work. You will need at least three days off from work, at minimum. If you are physically active, you will not be able to exercise for a few days after injections and perhaps for a few weeks after surgical implants.

How to prepare
It’s important that you have someone with you who can drive you home from the operation. If you are a smoker, you may be required to stop smoking for a period before the procedure. You should follow your doctor’s instructions carefully on this. Make sure you wear loose, comfortable clothing; be especially mindful of the shirt or blouse you choose to wear that day: it should be button down, if possible, so you do not have to pull it over your face. You should not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications.

Before your procedure, establish a home recovery area with the following:

Ice;
Comfortable pillows on which you can prop yourself;
Ointment or cream as recommended by your doctor;
Plenty of soft foods, such as jello, pudding, oatmeal and yogurt that do not require chewing;
Telephone within reaching distance of your recovery area.
Risks and complications
As with any surgery, there are risks and complications. You can have allergic reactions to implants as we’ve described above or allergic reaction to anesthesia.

You can experience bleeding; an implant that hardens, which may require removal. You also risk infection or perhaps even nerve damage in some cases. It’s very important that you discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to surgery and that you make your doctor aware of any existing medical conditions which may cause further complications.

Call your doctor immediately if:

You experience extreme swelling;
You develop a fever.
Does insurance cover lip augmentation?
Insurance may cover lip augmentation if the procedure is being completed for reconstructive purposes, such as a congenital defect or as reconstruction after an injury or accident; however, if you are undergoing this procedure purely for cosmetic purposes, you’re most likely on your own to pay the bill. Make sure you understand all of your doctor’s charges, including anesthesia, follow up care, etc. Make sure to obtain an estimate of the charges beforehand and work out a payment plan if necessary.

It’s also very important that you realize elective cosmetic surgery may impact your current insurance. Your carrier can increase your premiums and it can affect future coverage. Make sure you ask your insurance carrier about its policy on elective, cosmetic surgery so you’re not surprised in the future.

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/healt...sp?index=11019