Lip augmentation surgery, also known as lip implant surgery, is a lip enhancement procedure performed in the aim to increase the fullness of the lips. Unlike injections such as collagen, or surgeries such as a lip lift, which are used to treat problems of wrinkling or drooping, lip augmentation surgery promises to change the shape of the lip itself.

Most suitable for individuals whose lips have lost their shape due to time, who have suffered disfigurement from an accident, or who were born with a congenital defect, statistics provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimate that over 25,000 Americans had lip augmentation surgery in 2006 alone.

There are many options available when considering lip augmentation. The materials and options available today include:

Alloderm

Alloderm consists of freeze-dried collagen sheets that can be surgically implanted into the lips. Obtained from deceased human donors, surgery using this implant results in soft, natural looking, pliable lips. Unfortunately the materials used in an Alloderm implant shrink over the course of a year, as does its effects. The average cost for surgery using Alloderm ranges between $2,500 and $4,000.

Fascia

A dense white connective tissue that envelops the muscles, fascia is found in many areas of the body, including the scalp and above either ear. Costing between $1500 and $3000, lip augmentation surgery using fascia necessitates a surgery prior to the actual lip augmentation in order that the fascia may be harvested from the patient. The results of this procedure generally last for six months to a year.

Gore-Tex

A cross between cloth and rubber, Gore-Tex offers results that, although producing lips which are slightly stiff, will last for years. Although rare, this material has been found to push its way out of the lips over time. Lip augmentation using Gore-Tex costs between $2,500 and $4,000.

Advanta

Created of a material similar to Gore-Tex, the Advanta implant is considered to produce smoother, more pliable lips than Gore-Tex. Furthermore, its one piece construction offers patients a more comfortable, more natural looking implant. The surgery, which takes about 5 minutes per lip, can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000.

Local Flap Grafts

Local flap grafts bring material from the inside of the mouth to the outside in order to enhance the lips. In this procedure, an incision is made on the inside of the mouth and the tissue inside the mouth is pushed upward and outward into the lip. In another method, an incision is made along the upper lip line, the skin above the lip is removed, and the lip is then stitched along the line of the incision. Although the results are temporary, the cost of lip augmentation using local flap grafts can range between $4,000 and $7,000.

Fat Injection

Lip implants using the injection of fat involve the harvesting of fat from the patient’s body followed by the injection of that fat into the lips. This method, when performed by a skilled surgeon, can provide natural, permanent results. Swelling and bruising following this method may last for two to three weeks. Although there is usually some initial shrinkage during the first 3 months following the procedure, and fat injections can cause lumping or scarring in the hands of an inexperienced surgeon, it is currently considered to be the most reliable option for lip augmentation. Lip enhancement surgery using the injection of fat can cost anywhere between $500 and $1,000 per area.
Although the method of the surgery can vary widely depending upon the type of material being used, lip augmentation surgery is generally an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia which takes between 15 minutes and two hours to complete. If sheets of material are used, as in the case of Alloderm implants, small incisions are made at the corners of the mouth through which the sheets of material are threaded to provide a smooth, even contour. Although swelling and bruising lasting for up to a week following surgery is not uncommon, normal activities can usually be resumed immediately.

Significant complications arising from lip augmentation surgery are rare; however, all cosmetic surgery procedures do carry some risks. These include excessive bleeding, infection, reaction to anesthesia, slow healing, or an unexpected result. Furthermore, other possible complications including asymmetrical lips, cold sores, numbness, scarring, swelling, and permanent stiffness in the lip have been known to occur. Implant displacement or rejection as well as allergic reactions such as itching, redness, and swelling also represent potential complications. For more information on lip augmentation surgery, contact your cosmetic surgeon.