Lip Augmentation in Dothan, AL

Whether you have naturally slim lips or have lost fullness in your lips with age, nonsurgical or surgical lip augmentation may help create fuller, more shapely lips. Surgical lip enhancement may be done with an implant, fillers, or a lip lift (vermilion advancement) to obtain the look you want. Surgical lip augmentation can give you natural-looking results that are long lasting. For nonsurgical lip enhancement, there are several dermal fillers that can temporarily volumize the mouth for a fuller look. If you are interested in learning more about lip augmentation, contact Martin Plastic Surgery in Dothan, AL to schedule a consultation. Plastic surgeon Dr. Justin Martin will explain your options and help you create your custom treatment plan for lip augmentation.

• Lip Implants
  Providing the most lasting results, lip implants may be added to the lower and/or upper lips to improve the volume and shape of your mouth
• Fat Transfer
  By taking fat from one area of the body with minimally invasive liposuction and injecting the processed fat back into your lips, you can attain natural enhancement
• Lip Lift/Vermilion Advancement
  This technique surgical moves the outer lines of the lower and/or upper lips to expand the shape and area of the mouth
• Dermal Fillers
  Injectable dermal fillers, like Restylane or Juvéderm, can add temporary volume to the mouth and decrease the visibility of lip lines

Nonsurgical or surgical lip enhancement can give you more voluminous lips and a shapelier mouth. Based on your needs and goals, you may choose lip augmentation surgery for longer-lasting results or nonsurgical fillers to avoid recovery time. It may be good to begin with dermal fillers to understand how varying volume amounts appear and then get lip augmentation surgery. Ideal candidates for lower and/or upper lip enhancement at Martin Plastic Surgery:

• Have naturally thin lips or have age-related volume loss in the lips
• Have asymmetrical or uneven lips
• Want to balance the overall appearance of your face
• Have general good health

The approach taken during the procedure will vary depending on the chosen course of treatment:

• Lip Implants
  A thin incision will be created at the corner of the mouth so the implant(s) can be inserted below the skin. It can take a few weeks for swelling to subside and the implant(s) to settle into position; however, implants in the lips will give you improvements that last for a long time.
• Fat Transfer
  First, liposuction will extract fat from your thighs or other areas of your body that have unwanted fat. The fat will be cleaned and re-injected into your upper and/or lower lips until your goal is reached. Since a portion of fat may be reabsorbed during the recovery, your lips can be overfilled to account for this eventual loss. Lip augmentation using a fat transfer can be repeated over time to enhance or sustain your results, but typically your results will last for several years.
• Lip Lift/Vermilion Advancement
  For a lip lift, a thin incision is made on the lower and/or upper lip line. An area of skin outside the mouth will be removed, so the lips can be adjusted to replace the excised skin and stitched in place. This lip advancement surgery gives lasting improvements to the shape and size of the mouth.
• Dermal Fillers
  Minimally invasive lip enhancement may be achieved with dermal fillers, such as Restylane or Juvéderm. Injections can be done in one of our treatment rooms as an outpatient procedure. Based on the brand of dermal filler chosen, a local anesthetic may be in the formula or else a numbing cream may be applied on the treated area. Once your lips are cleaned, multiple injections will be administered in the selected areas and then the filler will be massaged for even results. You will be allowed to leave immediately after your treatment to continue your normal routine.

It is important to pay attention to the post-treatment instructions given by Dr. Martin to have 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, you should also expect the liposuctioned area to be tender. Cold compresses and nonprescription pain relievers are suggested to alleviate any discomfort and swelling. The improvements from a dermal filler may be visible anywhere from 9 – 12 months, based on the injectable used for your procedure. Surgical lip enhancements will give you long-lasting improvements; however, the natural aging process can alter your results in time. Talk to Dr. Martin about maintenance sessions to freshen up your lips.

How much does it cost?
The cost of lip augmentation is dependent on a number of factors including whether you are receiving implants or injectables. During your initial consultation with Dr. Martin, he can go over your treatment plan and discuss the estimated cost. We also accept a variety of payment options and we also offer several financing options.

Implant or filler?
The good news to this question is that there are many choices and alternatives, each one offering specific benefits to meet each patient’s goals and desires. If you want a more dramatic result, then implants may be right for you. However, if you are not ready to have surgery, but still desire long-term results, a filler may be ideal. During your consultation, Dr. Martin can discuss the pros and cons of all your options, so you can decide which is best for you.

Do implants look fake?
Lip implants are made with flexible, synthetic materials that are produced to result in a natural look and feel. After a few months, the lips will take on a normal appearance and the implant will integrate with the natural tissues of the lip. Most patients remark that their new lips look and feel both natural and soft.

Is this reversible?
Generally, most patients are very pleased with their results. However, if you are unhappy with your new look, you can opt to have your lip implants removed. With injectable fillers, the gel solution will slowly absorb into the body over time, which means that the lips will naturally become smaller. If you are unsure about implants, Dr. Martin may suggest fillers as they are less invasive.

What about scarring?
Scarring is very minimal with a lip augmentation surgery because the incision is placed on the outside of the mouth in the natural crease of the lips. Once healed, the incision is barely noticeable at all.

Martin Plastic Surgery wants to help you feel confident in the look and feel of your mouth. With surgical and nonsurgical lip enhancement options, you can have full, plump lips that enhance your overall appearance. Contact our Dothan, AL location to schedule a consultation with Dr. Martin. He will evaluate your shape and contour to develop a customized treatment plan to help you to acheive the look that you desire.