Surgical Lip Enhancement

Lip implants are an excellent option for those desiring longer term effects. The options include donated human collagen implants and synthetic implants. The best human graft in our experience is a dense collagen implant called Fasciablast. This is a freeze-dried graft from a human donor, which has been screened, tested and treated with a FDA approved process for nonviable human implant grafts. The implant is placed through an incision at the corner of each side of the mouth. It is placed in a pocket created under the mucosa of the lips. Once in place, the grafts are rehydrated which causes them to expand and soften. The lips will be noticeably swollen for at least 5 days after surgery and will be stiff for several weeks. For this reason, your smile may seem different and pursing of your lips will be difficult until the grafts soften and the swelling resolves. Although these grafts can create long lasting effects, it is not possible to predict what degree of permanent augmentation will occur. For this reason, some patients choose to have a permanent synthetic implant placed. In the past, the problem with synthetic implants is that they have been too stiff and the tendency for shrinkage and extrusion has been too high. A new implant on the market called Advanta seems to have greatly lessened the potential for these problems.