I have several friends who have chosen cosmetic surgery, and lip augmentation is popular among them. The change in one friend has been remarkably positive, vastly improving her confidence after her fat grafting procedure. Based on her example alone, I would recommend this minor procedure to anyone.
There are several techniques employed in lip augmentation. Often, only a local anesthetic is needed, and the healing process involves only minor discomfort after a couple of days. Among the most common procedures are the following:
Collagen
Made from collagen found in bovine epidermis, collagen is used as a temporary enhancement. The treatment lasts for up to three months and can be repeated when required. Tests are done in advance to ensure that there is no allergic response. If a patient is found to have an allergic response, several alternatives are available.
Fat
In this treatment, fat cells are taken from another area of the patient’s body and then injected. This procedure is often preferred to collagen injection since there is no chance of allergic reaction, and the results tend to last longer.
Fat grafting
The patient’s own body fat is taken from an area such as the abdomen, and transplanted into the lips. The treatment usually results in a permanent enhancement.
Autologen
Autologen is a form of collagen that is extracted from the patients themselves. Again, there are no chances of allergic infection and the results are long lasting.
There are many other procedures, such as the popular and quite successful use of AlloDerm. The use of Alloderm sounds a bit scary, since it is extracted from a cadaver. However, it is one of the best, most reliable forms of semi-permanent lip augmentation, often lasting up to six months or more, with only a very small chance of infection.
Other techniques involve surgical implants using various synthetic materials, which can essentially last a lifetime and have been proven safe and effective.
Consult Your Doctor
There are a number plastic surgeons that are reputable and caring and often offer free consultation.
What Will my Friends and Family say?
This might be the biggest hurdle to jump when considering any sort of lip augmentation procedure. Those that love you will support you. Quite honestly, most people you deal with in life, even close friends, may never notice. Unless your procedure results in a radical alteration, they will most likely sense an overall change about you. Your family and closest friends will inevitably support you and maybe even join you, once they see the positive changes.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate medical professional.
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