Lip Augmentation

• About Lip Augmentation
• Are You a Candidate for Lip Augmentation?
• About the Procedure
• What to Expect after the Procedure
• Possible Complications  

About Lip Augmentation

One of the most common procedures performed today is lip augmentation.  Whether to improve narrow and/or thin lips, or to reduce the signs of the aging process, lip augmentation is a convenient and relatively painless option for those seeking to enhance the overall appearance of one’s face. 

Are You a Candidate for Lip Augmentation Surgery?

Anyone seeking fuller lips is a candidate for lip augmentation. At the time of your consultation, Dr. Javaheri will examine your lips and their relation to the rest of your face and present the best option for achieving your desired results.

Dr. Javaheri will also ask you about your general medical history, specifically pertaining to any medical conditions that could cause problems during or after your surgery, such as drug allergies, active skin infections, or non-healed sores from injury. 

About the Procedure 

Injectables are the most common and probably the simplest to perform of all the lip augmentation options.

Collagen

Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that provides support to various parts of the human body including the skin, joints, bones and ligaments. Collagen is used primarily to fill lips, wrinkles, and lines and scars on the face, although it can be used to filllines on the neck, back, and chest as well.

Restylane

Restylane is a non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid consisting of complex sugar chains that when combined with the body’s own hyaluronic acid creates volume for fine lines, wrinkles, and lips. It requires no pre-testing and is injected in the same way as collagen.

Fat Transfer

The fat transfer procedure is known as autologous fat transplantation or micro-lipo-injection. It involves extracting fat cells from the patient’s abdomen, thighs, buttocks or elsewhere and re-injecting them beneath the surface of your lips.

After both the donor and recipient sites are cleansed and treated with a local anesthesia, the fat is withdrawn using a syringe with a large-bore needle or a cannula, which is attached to a suction device. The withdrawn fat is prepared and injected into the recipient site with a needle. Sometimes an adhesive bandage is applied over the injection site.

It is necessary to overfill the recipient site allow for fat absorption in the weeks following your treatment, and this may temporarily make your face appear abnormally puffy or swollen.

All of these procedures are usually administered at one of Dr. Javaheri’s office locations. However, if you are being hospitalized for a facelift, neck lift, brow lift, or any other procedure, your injections may be able to be administered in the hospital as well. Dr. Javaheri will determine at the time of your consultation if this will be appropriate for you.

With the exception of fat transfer, these procedures usually do not require the use of a local anesthetic,although you may feel some slight stinging or burning at the time of injection. 

What to Expect After the Procedure

Immediately following the procedure, you may feel some minor discomfort, stinging, or throbbing in the injected area. Occasionally some bruising or swelling may occur, though this is usually minor.

Recovery is almost immediate and you will be able to resume all your normal activities including eating, drinking, and wearing makeup.

The duration of the different injectables vary significantly from type and patient. Though some patients have reported results lasting almost a year depending on the injection type, the majority of patients find that some of the injected fullness disappears within three to six months after their last procedure. Therefore, repeated injections may be necessary. Dr. Javaheri will advise you on how to maintain your results with repeat treatments. 

Possible Complications

Individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities, and the outcome is never completely predictable. As with any surgical procedure, the risk of infection is always a possibility.

The side effects of all the injectable fillers include minor lumps, swelling, redness, bruising, itching, and occasional tenderness. Most of these symptoms will disappear after one to two days, though on occasion they may persist longer.

Call 415.923.3800 to schedule an appointment to discuss lip augmentation in San Francisco or Berkeley