Lip Implants In Hoscar

Both women and men with thin lips sometimes seek ways to make them larger and fuller. As we age our lips seem as though they "deflate" or even thin out. The upper lip, in particular, is more prone to these signs of ageing such as "dropping" or thinning.

Lip augmentation or enhancement is a procedure offered by many cosmetic practitioners. The materials and methods which are used to plump out the lips can include dermal fillers, fat transfer from other parts of the body, lip implants using natural or man-made products and surgery which can re-shape the lips.

In this section we will describe the use of strips of different types of implant material for people who choose to undergo a more permanent procedure to improve the shape and size of their lips.
 
Although this procedure is considerably less common than the use of dermal fillers (which also include some more permanent options), there were just over 8,000 lip implant procedures performed in 2013 in the U.S., according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), which represents an increase of 2.3% on the 2012 figures. More recent data is not available.

There are no similar statistics available for the U.K. as yet, but we do know that lip implants are becoming increasingly popular in this country too.

If you are considering having a lip implant the following information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure. It can't answer all your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the practitioner. Please ask a practitioner about anything you don't understand.

During your first discussion with a practitioner, you should explain what you expect from the treatment and how you would like to look afterwards. He or she should tell you exactly what the treatment will involve, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this and other treatments to enhance the lips, as well as tell you how long it will take for you to recover from it.

You will need to be provided with information on and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of implant material available. If you choose a synthetic implant you would normally require a skin test before surgery to make sure that you are not allergic to the material.

A medical history should be taken by the practitioner to make sure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t have lip implants. Once this is established, you would normally be asked to sign a consent form which means that you have understood the potential benefits and risks associated with a lip implant.

Photographs may also be taken by the practitioner for use as a “before and after” comparison at a later date.

Anaesthesia

Local anaesthetic injections into the lip are all that is usually required to numb the area enough so that you feel no pain during the procedure. You may also be given a mild sedative to make you feel drowsy.

The procedure

The surgery is not at all complex nor does it take a substantial amount of time to perform – usually only around 30 minutes depending on the type of implant used.

The surgeon, after making the necessary 4 tiny cuts at each corner of the mouth, "threads" the strip of implant material through each lip and cuts the implant to the size of the patient’s lips. The incision areas are then stitched with a thin, either dissolving or non-dissolving, thread material.

Repeat procedure

No repeat procedure is required for synthetic implants as their effect is permanent, but if you choose to use a non-permanent implant material, you will need to return occasionally to have another implant inserted.

There will be only the smallest amount of blood and no actual pain during the lip implant procedure.

There will be pain afterwards, especially if you put any pressure around your lips, or you may feel numb in the lips for several days. The area around the mouth will also swell up. You should expect to be very "full lipped" after the operation. You may have some difficulty drinking or eating without spilling and you may notice a difference in your smile and how you speak - especially during the healing stage when lip implants can feel very stiff and immobile. This takes some time to get used to.

It takes about a week for most of the swelling to go down, although it will be sensitive to light to medium pressure for about 3 weeks. Usually there is little actual bruising following this procedure, but occasionally your surgeon may recommend arnica to help reduce any bruising that you may experience.

Following the operation, tiny scars at the point at which the implants went in and at the end of the implant are visible. These scars usually become unnoticeable over time and can be camouflaged with make-up.

There are not too many risks or side effects associated with lip implantation, but there are enough to be concerned about. Infection can occur, and in these cases, the implant may be removed, which is not always a straightforward procedure.

There may be some movement of the implant or development of scar tissue around the implant. If this happens, the lips can look deformed or the tissue in the lip area can become very hard.

Lip implants should be avoided in areas where the skin is swollen or where infections are present – e.g. active acne, or cold sores. This will reduce the risk of infection after the treatment.

Other people who may not be suitable candidates are those who have been taking isotretinoin in the last 12 months, those who have had any problems with healing or scarring in the past, and people who have a high level of tooth plaque or dental abscesses.

It is highly unlikely that anyone considering a lip implant operation would be able to access this free of charge on the National Health Service.

However we would always recommend that you visit your General Practitioner before embarking upon a cosmetic procedure involving surgery.

As well as their advice and guidance they may also be able to refer you to a local NHS Hospital for a consultation.

The NHS has set out the following guidelines on how to get cosmetic surgery through the NHS:

"To qualify for surgery on the NHS you must meet specific criteria as set out by your local health authority. The NHS will not pay for surgery for cosmetic reasons alone. Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery to correct, or improve, congenital abnormalities and injuries will usually be carried out free of charge.

NHS reconstructive surgery is performed by plastic surgeons who have had extensive training and belong to the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Surgeons who carry out cosmetic surgery through the NHS also belong to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

To receive cosmetic surgery from the NHS, you will normally need a referral from your GP. You will have a consultation with a plastic surgeon and an assessment by a psychiatrist, or psychologist. It will then be decided whether there is enough social, psychological, or physical benefit to be gained to justify surgery."

It is important to understand that the appearance of your lips also depends on the structure of your teeth underneath the lips. For instance a malocclusion (failure of the upper and lower teeth to meet properly when the jaws are closed) can make the upper lip look less full. Furthermore, tooth bonding and veneers can alter the surface of the teeth. They can push the lips outward, which gives the lips a fuller appearance. Before considering lip enhancement, you may need to look at your teeth and even consult a mouth surgeon to discuss your options.

Also, before considering a lip implant, it is probably wise to find a practitioner who is experienced in the use of temporary dermal fillers. They can give you a temporary treatment to see if you like the effect.

Lip enhancement with most fillers is temporary. However, some newer fillers claim to be permanent which can be difficult to reverse if there are problems.

If you would like to avoid having to return for repeat injections every 6 months or so, then a permanent synthetic lip implant (which is still reversible) may be the ideal solution.

There are also additional surgical procedures that may be suggested by your surgeon, which might be more appropriate than either dermal fillers or lip implants for you. These include:

• a lip lift, which can shorten the distance from your nose to your upper lip by removing a small crescent of skin right beneath the nose. The lip is then raised and the cut is hidden in the crease under the nose;
• a “V-to-Y procedure” which can make the lips stick out more in the centre to give a pouty look to your mouth. The cut is made in the shape of a “V” and is then stitched to create a “Y” shaped line under the nose;
• a mouth lift, which can remove the natural drooping at the corners of the mouth which can develop with age. A triangular cut is made at the corners of the mouth, literally to “curl them back up” again.