Lip Augmentation
If you have always had slim lips or noticed less fullness in your lips as you get older, nonsurgical or surgical lip augmentation may help create a more shapely and full pout. Lip augmentation surgery using fat transfer or a dermal graft can give you the volume you want. Lip augmentation can provide amazing, long-lasting results. For lip augmentation without surgery, several injectable dermal fillers can temporarily volumize the mouth for a fuller look. If you are interested in learning more about surgical or nonsurgical augmentation, contact the MODERN Plastic Surgery & Medspa in New Orleans, LA, to schedule a consultation. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jules Walters will go over your options and develop your unique treatment plan for lip augmentation.
A dermal graft involves borrowing part of the dermis (a deeper layer of the skin) from another area of your body and surgically adding it to the lips to create more volume and structure to sunken-in places.
You can attain natural improvements by transferring fat from an area of your body with minimally invasive liposuction and putting the processed fat back into your lips via injection.
Injectables, including Restylane or Juvéderm, can add temporary volume to the mouth and reduce the visibility of vertical lip lines.
Nonsurgical or surgical lip enhancement can give you more voluminous lips and a shapelier mouth.
Based on your goals, you may decide on lip augmentation surgery for longer-lasting results or nonsurgical fillers to avoid recovery time. It may be good to begin with nonsurgical fillers to understand how varying volume amounts appear and then get lip augmentation surgery. You will be an ideal candidate for lower and/or upper lip enhancement if you:
The approach taken during the procedure will vary depending on the chosen course of treatment:
Before addressing the lips, a small amount of the dermis (the underlayer of the skin) combined with some fatty tissue will be removed from an area of the body (typically the abdomen). Dr. Walters will create a thin incision at the corner of the lips so the dermal graft can be layered into the right place. It can take a few days for swelling to subside and the graft to settle into position; while this method is considered mostly permanent, you may need a second augmentation procedure as the dermal fat graft can be partially reabsorbed and not survive after the first few months.
First, liposuction will extract fat from an area with unwanted fat deposits. The extracted fat will be cleaned and re-injected into your upper and/or lower lips until your goal is reached. Since a portion of fat is usually reabsorbed in time, your lips can be overfilled to account for this eventual loss. Lip augmentation using a fat transfer can be repeated to enhance or sustain your appearance, but your results usually last for several years.
Minimally invasive lip enhancement may be achieved with dermal fillers such as Restylane or Juvéderm. We perform injections in one of our treatment rooms as an outpatient procedure. Based on the brand of dermal filler, a local anesthetic may be included in the formula, or a numbing cream may be applied to the treated area. Once your lips are cleaned, multiple injections will be administered in the selected areas, and then the filler will be massaged to create smooth results. You can leave immediately after your treatment to continue your daily routine.
Lip augmentation surgery, if performed alone, is generally a fast, outpatient procedure done at an accredited facility. Based on the surgery performed, your procedure can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Some patients will choose to be put under general anesthesia for their procedure; however, local anesthesia can be available for some techniques. In your initial consultation, Dr. Walters will discuss what will be done during your procedure. Following surgery, you will be monitored before you are cleared to begin your healing at home. You may need to have a friend or family member drive you home if you are given general anesthesia.
Our care for you continues long after you leave the office. Your recovery experience includes:
It is important to pay attention to Dr. Walters’ aftercare instructions to ensure faster healing and the best results.
After either a nonsurgical or surgical lip enhancement, your mouth will most likely feel tender or sore for several days. If you had a fat transfer or dermal graft, you should expect the liposuctioned area to be tender. Ice packs and nonprescription pain relievers are suggested to reduce any inflammation and discomfort. The improvements from lip augmentation with a dermal filler may be visible for around 3 to 12 months, based on the specific injectable chosen for your procedure. Surgical lip augmentation will give you long-lasting improvements; however, the natural aging process can impact your results in time. Talk to Dr. Walters about maintenance sessions to freshen up your lips.
At the MODERN Plastic Surgery & Medspa, we want to help you feel confident in the shape and volume of your mouth.
With different lip enhancement treatments, you can enjoy plump, well-shaped lips that boost your total appearance. Contact our New Orleans or Metairie, LA, location to have a treatment consultation with plastic surgeon Dr. Walters. He will evaluate your needs and goals to develop a personalized augmentation treatment plan to achieve your desired pout.
If you would like to learn more about attaining the lips of your dreams, please request a consultation online or call our New Orleans, LA, plastic surgery practice at (504) 517-6200.
Dr. Walters draws from his exceptional training, experience, and skill to create beautiful, natural-looking results. He is board certified in both plastic surgery and general surgery, and completed extensive training in both aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
His memberships include:
His credentials, integrity, and patient-centered approach make him one of the best-rated plastic surgeons in New Orleans.
Read what real people have shared about their experiences at the MODERN Plastic Surgery & Medspa, from the results they achieved to the care they received along the way.
