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My first glance into the mirror and I thought 'Oh my God, I look like a duck!'
Pros:
fuller lips
improved profile
wearing lipstick looks good now
feel better about appearance
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Cons:
needed two weeks to recover completely
results are somewhat temporary
just the slightest bit uneven and lumpy
sensitive lips
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Cost:
$1250.00 for both lips and local anesthesia
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Healing time:
two weeks
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Pain-o-meter: 5
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I decided to have lip augmentation while I was researching rhinoplasty and septoplasty. I stumbled across a web page showing pictures of the results of the combination of both a rhinoplsaty and lip augmentation and was very impressed. I researched both procedures and had a couple consultations before I decided on my plastic surgeon.
Once I had chosen my surgeon I talked with him about what type of lip augmentation to have. Together we decided that fat injections would be the best for my situation. I wanted something safe and healthy with as much of a lasting result as possible. We chose fat injections because I liked the idea of using my own fat instead of something artificial.
I also liked the fact that my body was more likely to accept my own fat as a permanent graft. My surgeon explained the procedure, pre and post op instructions, showed me before and after pictures, and we set up the surgery date. They told me to expect a lot of initial swelling and to plan my time off accordingly. The staff was really helpful answering my many pre surgery questions.
They were very informative and made sure I was well prepared. Surgery day I was very nervous and jittery, but excited. The surgeon answered my last minute questions patiently and the staff prepared me for surgery, and then we took my before pictures. The procedure itself was more uncomfortable than painful.
The surgeon was careful to make sure I felt as little discomfort as possible. I received local anesthesia to my lips and the site where the fat was removed (my tummy). The injections of the local anesthesia were the hardest part of the whole thing. It was like getting a shot that doesn't hurt too badly, only you get quite a few of them before the area stops being sensitive.
Once they were done, I only felt pressure and an occasional twinge here or there. A plus of this procedure is that I received a mini lipo sculpting in the area around my navel where the surgeon removed the fat to be used for the injections. I had my eyes covered the whole surgery and light relaxing music playing in the backround. The surgeon then cleaned the fat that had been removed, made small incisions at the corners of my well numbed lips, and injected the fat back into my lips.
The worst part of this was once all the fat was injected, my surgeon had to sculpt the fat into place by squeezing and massaging the area, which was already pretty sensitive by then. The good thing was that part only took a minute or two at the most. And then Ta-Da, I had huge full luscious lips. They cleaned me up, bandaged me, and let me get dressed. My first glance into the mirror and I thought "Oh my God I look like a duck" and "Wow, these lips make my nose look tiny". (which it isn't)
Then I remembered that they had told me to expect some overcompensation because only between 10 and 30 percent of the fat injected takes as a permanent graft. I thought to myself "Good. If I'm 1/3 of this size when this is done healing, I'll be happy." I drove myself home (which I wouldn't recommend if you can help it) and took a pain pill and a nap.
My lips were extreemly tender and swollen for the first week, and I had a hard time talking and drinking. Drooling was the norm for the first few days too. My surgeon called to check on my progress, which I thought was very nice. By the second day I was eating solids again (very slowly). My top lip had only bruised slighlty by one corner. My stomache had bruised significantly, but that was my own fault. I had taken it upon myself to try to do light chores around the house that I should have just asked for help with.
The third day I felt the worst. Ice packs helped to take the swelling down, and felt good too. I lived with a constant coating of vasoline lip ointment on my lips, which helped A LOT. By the sixth day I was back to light activities, but still hiding at home with my huge lips and resting a lot.
At my one week post op appointment I was able to smile a little lopsidedly and tell my dr. how much I loved my new lips. By two weeks, I felt like I could go out in public again. My lips weren't as swollen or tender, just slightly sensitive and much, much fuller. I went shopping and bought tons of lipstick. At one month, I was at about 40% of what was initially injected.
Right now, at two months post op, I would say that I'm at about 30 percent, just like the doctor said. My lips have become pretty even and the slight lumpiness is almost gone now. I'm very happy with the results and will definately do it again (I'm aiming for the 50% look), next time maybe under general anesthesia and combined with a septoplasty/rhinoplasty.
Here are more details:
How results differed from what I expected:
my lips are a little more sensitive than I had expected
Biggest fears pre-procedure:
lips becoming uneven or lumpy or infected
Healing aids used:
post operative pain medication and antibiotic
Number of doctors consulted:
3
Number of years I thought about having the procedure:
1
Had an elective procedure before:
No
Complications or follow-up procedures:
Not Specified
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This information is not to substitute for professional medical advice. You
should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or
disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please
consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have
regarding your condition.
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Gender:
Female
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Age:
25
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Ethnic group:
Caucasian
Education:
Community college or university
Country:
United States
State/Province:
Illinois
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About 70 percent of young women try to lose weight. That dissatisfaction with their body weight stays with them into adulthood.
(Source: "the Role of Weight Management in the Health of Women" by Sachiko T. St. Jeor, professor and director of Nutrition Education and Research at the University of Nevada, School of Medicine)
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