Lip Augmentation with Fat Transfer

Lip augmentation with fat transfer is a procedure that involves injecting the patient’s own fat tissue into the lips to increase volume and protrusion. Also called fat grafting, this procedure involves harvesting fat tissue from the patient's buttocks, stomach, or thighs, and then injecting it into the lips or surrounding facial areas to enhance appearance. This minimally invasive, outpatient procedure can be performed with local anesthesia. The cost varies between $3,000-$11,000.

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The Skinny

avg. recovery: 6 days
permanence: Temporary
Type: Injected
surgical: Yes
cost: $3000 - $11000

About the Procedure

Last Updated: 09.17.2021

During a lip augmentation with fat transfer procedure, the board certified plastic surgeon will harvest fat tissue from the buttocks, thighs, or stomach via liposuction. As very little fat tissue is removed, there are typically no visible differences to the harvesting area. The fat is then injected into the lips with a fine gauge needle. The blunt end of the needle will leave tiny 0.2 cm puncture wounds in the lips. This procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia and causes little discomfort. Using fat grafting to plump the lips is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed on an outpatient basis. It produces immediate results and requires only a few days to fully recover from in most cases. The patient should expect mild discomfort or swelling for 1-3 days after the procedure. Unlike an artificial implant, using the patient's own fat tissue eliminates the risk of bodily rejection. The chance for permanent integration is very high. Natural-looking results from this safe procedure typically last for 6-12 months before subsequent treatments are necessary. Single injection costs range from $3,000-$11,000.

The goal of a lip augmentation with fat transfer is to naturally enhance the volume of the lips by using a patient's own fat.

Concerns

Lip Augmentation with Fat Transfer addresses concerns such as:

What to Expect

Lip augmentation with fat transfer is a procedure that injects the patient’s own fat tissue into the lips to increase volume. Here is a quick guide for what to expect before, during, and after lip augmentation with fat transfer.

Before Treatment

Stop taking blood thinning medications for 2 weeks
Stop smoking 4 weeks before and after surgery
No alcohol 2 days prior
Stop all diet medicines, ephedrines, and asthma medications 2 days prior
No caffeine after midnight day of
Do not eat or drink 6 hours before surgery

During Treatment

Local anesthesia
Fat tissue is harvested via liposuction
Fat is purified
Fat is injected into the lips with a fine gauge needle

Recovery Notes

Recovery from a lip augmentation with fat grafting requires healing from both the injection site and where the fat was harvested. Healing time will vary based on the extent of the liposuction procedure. Bruising and swelling should be expected to last from 5-10 days. Most patients are able to go back to work within 2 days and can resume normal activities with 1 week.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for lip augmentation with fat transfer will have naturally thin lips or an age-related decrease in lip volume.

Not Recommended For

Lip augmentation with fat transfer is not recommended for candidates with infections in or around the mouth, heavy smokers unwilling to quit for a short period or patients who do not have an adequate harvesting site for liposuction.

Side Effects

Side effects from lip augmentation with fat transfer may include infection, pain, bruising, asymmetry, prolonged edema, fat necrosis, and fat calcification.