Asklepion / Anews / 2008 / 03.03. – 16.03.2008 / Surgical lip enlargement
Surgical lip enlargement
Was nature stingy in giving you thin lips? Plastic surgery can help you if this is your case.
From a surgical perspective lip enlargement can be performed using one of two methods. The first is called augmentation, which involves the application of various types of implants in the lips; the second method is augmentation of the red part of the lips by means of a surgical procedure.
Augmentation using implants
During this procedure the doctor (surgeon or dermatologist) inserts an implant near the round muscle of the lip, increasing the volume of the lip. There are a number of types of implants available today – these are divided according to the material used to produce them:
* hydrogel, silicone – injection implants from micro-granules of these synthetic materials. Their main advantage is the lifespan of the procedure. Drawbacks include the feeling off having a foreign body in the lip, the impossibility of removing the implant, and the possibility of the material “travelling,” i.e. shifting from the original position.
* biological implants – synthetically processed injection implants from biological materials. These mainly concern collagen (either from cows or human, including collection from the patient), artecoll (micro-granule of hydroxyapatite and collagen), and hyaluronic acid and its derivatives (such as Restylane, Hylaform). The advantage of using these materials is the immediate results, which don't require any special post-operation care. The drawback is the short lifespan of the effect.
* patient’s own liquid material – material acquired from the patient’s body. Fat globules or a so-called “tissue cocktail” collected from the dermis are used. The use of these materials naturally requires a more demanding surgical procedures and thorough post-operation care. Swelling and bruises are to be expected after the procedure.
* solid synthetic materials – includes the use of Goretex, polyurethane, hydrogel, freeze-dried hard brain mater or freeze-dried fascia. The advantage of these materials is the immediate results and easy implant handling. Drawbacks include the feeling of a foreign body, a more demanding surgical procedure, and the possibility of rejection by the body.
* patient’s own solid material – mainly concerns the patient’s own fat grafts and implants made from dermis or fascia. The advantage of these materials is the natural look of enhancement. The drawback is a demanding surgical procedure with thorough post-operation care and possible swelling and bruising.
Surgical enhancement of the red part of the lip
This procedure does not involve implants; instead, the surgeon expands the lips by moving tissue. The two most frequent methods are:
* movement of the surrounding tissue – mainly involves the V-Y shift of the mucous membrane on the inner side of the lip, which produces visible scars.
A double-phase shift is typically performed: in the first phase the mucous membrane in the middle part of the lip is loosened and shifted and after 3 – 6 months the mucous membrane on both sides of the lip are expanded in the same manner simultaneously. The advantage of this method is immediate enhancement with visual control, as well as the possibility to repeat the procedure. Unfortunately the procedure sometimes produces “empty lip” – the resulting red part of the lip appears empty and during movement (when the client is speaking) a horizontal wrinkle forms in the middle of the lip. This procedure is also not recommended for long lips that have a long white part and a small red part – the resulting enhanced lip is typically too high.
Tissue can also be shifted in a single phase procedure: the mucous membrane is cut in the shape of a W and is loosened on the entire lip up to the white skin approximately 2 mm above the lip line. The operation must be very sparing to avoid necrosis of the mucous membrane. This method works on the principle that in the place where the lip is damaged excess tissue will form, thus increasing the size of the lip.
* excision of skin – during this procedure part of the skin above the edge of the red part of the lip or just below the nose is cut out. After the cut is stitched the lip is hitched up and enlarged. The basic drawbacks of these two methods are a frequently highly visible scar, a short lip, or a flat red part.
MUDr. Michal Samudovský
Asklepion offers all of the lip enhancement procedures described above. Injection implants are performed by specialists in the department of dermatology and the surgical methods are performed by experienced surgeons in the department of plastic surgery. Call 234 716 111 to book a consultation to help you decide which procedure is best for you.
