Facial Enhancements - Lip Augmentation and Reduction - By: Dave Stringham

Prior to surgery, a complete medical history is taken to evaluate the general health of the patient. A careful examination is also conducted. Your plastic surgeon will describe to you the type of anesthesia to be used, the procedure, choice of implant or filler material and why, and what results might realistically be expected and possible risks and complications. Digital photographs and imaging will be done before surgery to illustrate the amount of improvement. Pre-operative instructions will include the elimination of certain drugs containing aspirin in order to minimize the possibility of excess bleeding. Antibiotics will be prescribed for a few days prior to surgery to prevent infection.

Lip reduction is rarely performed for large lips, because this appearance is usually the result of a dental occlusion problem. If large looking lips are reduced, then an unnatural display of teeth or lip position usually is produced. Reduction or elimination of bumps or scars in the lip area occurring after trauma is a different circumstance.

Augmentation means making the whole lip bigger. Enhancement means accentuation of the lip by making the borders more pronounced. Soft form implants made of Teflon may be used to augment your lips. However, individual consultations will need to take place to determine if a patient is a good candidate. The infection rate on this method is fairly high, therefore, this option is not used often in our practice.

Dermis or Fat Transplantation is done by removing skin or fat from the patient's body, and preparing it properly to insert or reinject into the lips. This type of procedure is frequently performed. Because we are grafting your tissue this method (sometimes takes up to three treatments) results are long lasting or permanent. Dr. Gordon can help you decide if this method is a viable solution for you.

Many plastic surgeons have an array of FDA approved filler materials which do a terrific job of augmenting and enhancing the lips, the folds between nose and cheek, and multiple other areas of the face including forehead, lower eyelid, cheek, and chin.

There is minimal pain connected with the procedure and any discomfort is controlled with oral medication. Antibiotics may be prescribed in order to prevent infection. Patients are up and around the day of surgery; however, strenuous activities should be avoided for some time. The physician determines when normal activities can be resumed based on the extent of surgery, and the healing process.

Although complications are rare, there are certain inherent risks connected with every surgical procedure that should be thoroughly discussed with the physician. Patients can minimize complications by carefully following directions given by the physician.

About the Author

Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada, and cosmetic surgery procedures like liposuction, Rhinoplasty, and lip surgery.

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