Biological Implants
Biological implants can be fashioned from many of the body's tissues, including skin, fat, fascia, and tendons.The look and feel can be quite natural. Called autologous, meaning the tissue comes from one's own body, these implants are long-lasting;
however, most of the substance will eventually be absorbed by your body. As a result, the procedure will have to be repeated at regular intervals.
Autologous implants, often processed from fat removed from the abdomen by liposuction, are more complex than most other types of lip augmentation implant surgery.The reason is that two procedures are needed, one to remove the fat and the other to implant it. Still, an advantage of human-tissue implants is that there's almost no risk your body will reject them.
Similarly, donor tissues are processed and purified, so the risk of infection or disease transmission also is low. Alloderm TM is the brand name for donor skin that's specially processed and then precut in various sizes for implantation. Alloderm implants are soft and feel natural, and since your own cells will grow into the implants, the effect is long-lasting - often two years or more.
Other Lip Procedures
Laser lip rejuvenation does not enlarge the lips, but it can smooth out lines and wrinkles on and around them. Botox injections are sometimes used to augment the effect of fillers; chemical peels may achieve similar results.
A lip lift is surgery to remove a strip of skin beneath the nose, shortening the distance between the nasal columella and the upper lip.This procedure also makes the vermillion more visible. The incision is hidden at the base of the nose and is closed with tiny absorbable sutures, which disappear in about a week.
Other procedures bring tissue from the inside to the outside of the lips. Lip advance ment, for example, elevates and reshapes the inner lip lining to enlarge the vermillion.
Lip lifts and advancement are more complicated than implant procedures and the recovery time is longer. Your doctor will recommend the best technique for you based on your unique features, your goals, and your medical history.
Are You a Candidate?
If you're a healthy man or woman of almost any age and you'd like to have fuller, smoother lips, you could be a candidate for lip augmentation. These days, the number of lip augmentation patients ages 19 to 34 is about the same as in those ages 35 to 50.
Before lip augmentation surgery, your teeth and gums should be in good condition. Necessary dental work should be done well in advance of your surgery. Ask your plastic surgeon how long you should wait after dental work to have lip augmentation surgery. Some experts believe that even minor dental work such as a cleaning releases bacteria and can make you more vulnerable to infection after your surgery.
People who have recurrent oral herpes (cold sores) should postpone surgery if the herpes is active. Some doctors will not perform lip augmentation on anyone with a history of recurrent oral herpes because the surgery may activate the virus. Tell your doctor if you have severe allergies, including an allergy to lidocaine, a local anesthetic that's part of some augmentation products. If a skin test is required for the implant you want and you're found to be allergic to the substance, your doctor will help you choose another implant material.
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