Lip Surgery

Augmentation and Reduction

Your lips are the beauty behind your smile, so if you dislike the way they look, either by thinking they are too full, or too thin, then you may have considered lip augmentation or reduction. Indeed your lips are one of the most important characteristics of your face.

People who have wrinkles, laugh lines, crooked lips or fine lines may also consider lip surgery. If your lips lack definition, it might make you feel self-conscious about being photographed or even smiling.

Lip augmentation and lip surgery can be performed by the esteemed Dr. Humberto Palladino, who specializes in facial cosmetic procedures. He is board-certified and has won numerous awards for his work, making him one of the most sought-after lip surgeons in Fort Lauderdale, South Florida, Miami, North Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and the surrounding areas. He can show you before and after images of your cosmetic lip enhancement through the use of a marvelous technology called the Vectra 3D Imaging system, which can help you to decide whether a lip augmentation or reduction is right for you.

Are full, plump, kissable lips in your future? You can also combine lip surgery with many other types of cosmetic corrections, such as facelifts, blepharoplasty (eyes), rhinoplasty (nose), neck lifts, chin implants, fat injections and many more. Discuss the imperfections you most want to address and discover what else you can do to coincide with lip augmentation or reduction when you attend a consultation.

The Procedure – What to Expect

Lip surgery is an easy and uncomplicated type of cosmetic procedure compared to other cosmetic corrections. Some patients opt for injectable dermal filler such as Juvederm or Restylane. The fillers are synthetic gels that are made up of hyaluronic acid (HA), which is similar to the HA found in your own body. Another treatment method uses the fat within your own body, which Dr. Palladino transfers from another part of your body.

Once applied to your lips, the dermal fillers absorb underneath the skin to give you a fuller effect and to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. This is only a temporary fix. If you want a more permanent solution to attain luscious lips, it might be better to get lip implants. PermaLip by Surgisil or AlloDerm fillers offer a long-term solution.

Dermal fillers are chosen more often than lip implants because of their ability to enhance the natural shape, texture, volume and structure of the lips. They also yield less swelling and bruising, with more control over the volume. Dr. Palladino applies the treatments until you reach the desired lip fullness, and the bumps or lumps easily dissolve so it creates a nice, smooth look that many people find desirable.

Another permanent solution is through the lip fat injections. This is less controllable, but the procedure can be repeated without any distress to the patient. Lip surgery rarely needs to be done in an operating room, unless it is combined with other facial procedures. Most people can complete the lip augmentation with local anesthesia, making it much less painful than other cosmetic surgeries.

Lip augmentations are also very quick and hassle-free. You don’t need to schedule time off from work or miss any social obligations. The doctor applies a local, topical, numbing solution to ease any discomfort. Much like going to the dentist, your lips might feel numb after the lip procedure. Dr. Palladino marks your lips up with a special pen to identify where the fine needles should go to inject the lip fillers.

After you go home, it may feel good to ice your lips with an ice pack if you notice any swelling. However, use caution not to apply too much pressure on the treated area. Avoid using lipstick, lip gloss, or any type of lotions or creams. It might feel strange at first to have those big, full lips, but after the swelling subsides, your lips will be voluptuous!

Are There any Risks to Lip Surgery?

Lip augmentation is less extreme than other types of cosmetic procedures, but nonetheless it is important to know of any potential complications. Even though you may not require incisions, your lips are one very sensitive part of your body. It is important to choose a qualified and experienced doctor. Dr. Palladino has over a decade of experience in doing lip surgeries and other facial corrective procedures.

Risks of lip surgery are often associated to the HA fillers. Rest assured, these are only temporary. Some of the things you may or may not experience include:

• Bruising or swelling
• Some bleeding from the needle injection points
• Lip stiffening
• Allergic reactions, such as itching
• Soreness or tenderness at the injection sites
• Crooked lips
• Lumps, bumps or irregularities
• Infection

Rest assured, Dr. Palladino takes every precaution to ensure the quality of his services and lip augmentation procedures.

Pricing

Lip augmentation is typically priced based upon the number of filler tubes needed to adjust the lips to a patient’s desired fullness. The cost is determined per visit and per needle. Some patients need multiple treatments to obtain the desired results.

Other variables include the plastic surgeon’s fee, filler, medical supplies and staff support. The average person typically only needs one to three treatments, putting the lip augmentation cost in the range of $400 to $1,800. When combined with a face lift or another procedure, this is also just a ballpark. Lip surgery is not covered by health insurance.

Learn More About Lip Surgery

Upon healing successfully following lip augmentation surgery, you will have a whole new reason to smile!

Find out if lip surgery is suitable for you! Schedule a consultation