LIP AUGMENTATION PLASTIC SURGERY IN ORANGE COUNTRY AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Not everyone is born with full lips of Angelina Jolie. For most other people, Lip Augmentation is the creation of fuller lips by a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon such as Dr. Siamak Agha. Lip augmentation also reduces the fine lines and wrinkles that are found around the mouth, particularly as women age.

There are a myriad of choices for injectables, implants, and surgical treatments for lip augmentation as practiced by Orange County Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Agha. These are described below.

Injectables Fillers

• Hyaluronic-based fillers such as Juvederm & Restylane – These synthetic materials mimic a natural body substance found in the skin called hyaluronic acid
• Collagen – a natural material extracted from cows skin
• Dermalogen – a natural material from donor tissue
• Fat – your own liposuctioned fat from sites such as thighs or abdomen

Depending on your desire and goals, when Dr. Agha uses fillers for lip augmentation, he injects the fillers artistically into the lip aesthetic segments to produce a customized and natural result.

Surgical Options

• Fascia – uses a type of connective tissue from your own body. The main disadvantage of this method is that most of the fascia will absorb after 6 months or so. Thus, the results will not be permanent.
• Lip implants- a number of lip implants are available. Most are synthetic materials that are placed through small incisions at the inner corner of the mouth. The produce a permanent result.
• Local flap grafts – surgical procedure in which tissue and skin from inside of the mouth is used to enhance lips. Is not a preferred choice and is often a last resort

Deciding on Lip Augmentation

After speaking with Dr. Agha about which treatment is right for you, a candidate for lip augmentation must first make sure that she is in perfect health before the procedure. Those with cold sores, scarring on the lips, or diseases, like lupus or diabetes, are not good candidates for the procedure. Anyone with a condition which causes blood clotting problems should also abstain from lip augmentation. Those with allergies to collagen and implants need to inform Dr. Agha before electing to have lip augmentation. Smokers are particularly vulnerable to developing certain complications. Medical history is very important and will be thoroughly reviewed by the doctor.

Recovery Time

Recovery time is dependent upon the type of procedure selected. For injections, recovery time is only a few hours or a day. Bruising or swelling may last a little longer. For implants, recovery time after surgery can last for two weeks. Healing time is different for each person electing to have lip augmentation.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance will occasionally cover the expense of lip augmentation, but only if the procedure is deemed necessary for reconstruction purposes after an accident, injury, or due to a birth defect. For the most part, lip augmentation is not covered by insurance.