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Lip Augmentation

Baltimore, Maryland Lip Augmentation Surgery Dr. Adam Summers

At the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Summers helps Baltimore lip augmentation patients achieve enhanced lips. To learn more about the different options for lip augmentation, please read the following paragraphs detailing the procedure.

Introduction:
Your smile is one of the most important parts of your face, but thin or uneven lips can diminish all of your other attractive features. Lip augmentation is a great way to achieve the memorable smile (and kissable lips) you have always wanted.

There are several different types of lip augmentation. The most common procedures involve the injection of natural or synthetic substances. Other procedures include the insertion of implants.

By far, the most common procedure used to enhance the appearance of thin lips is injection of hyaluronic acid (e.g. Restylane, Juvederm, Captique, etc.) However, each of these substances is fully absorbed over time. For those patients who desire a longer lasting result, Dr. Summers performs a surgical lip augmentation procedure.

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[toggle title=”Procedure Goals:” open=”no”]Surgical Lip Enhancement:

If you have small, thin lips, lip augmentation can make them fuller and sexier.
Asymmetrical lips can be reshaped with lip augmentation procedures.
Lip augmentation can repair damaged lip tissue.
If your upper lip droops, it can be lifted through lip augmentation.
Wrinkles around the lips can sometimes be reduced with lip augmentation. [/toggle]
[toggle title=”The Procedure:” open=”no”]A surgical lip augmentation is an outpatient procedure at the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center. Typically, Dr. Summers performs the procedure under a local anesthetic only, but you may choose to have sedation. [/toggle]
[toggle title=”Fat Transfer Procedure:” open=”no”] With fat transfer procedures, Dr. Summers first harvests the fat from the abdominal or buttock region. After the fat is purified, Dr. Summers will inject the fat into the lips and sculpt the lips to obtain the desired size and shape.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Lip Implants: ” open=”no”]When implants (e.g. Gortex, Alloderm) have been chosen, Dr. Summers will make an incision in the corner of each lip (this typically heals without a visible scar) to insert the implant. The incisions are closed with absorbable sutures.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Fascial Implants:” open=”no”]Fascia is a soft but tough layer of tissue found throughout the body. Fascia can be harvested from the scalp, face or thighs and used to augment the lips. The rate of absorbtion appears to be less than that of fat, thus achieving a long lasting result.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Dermal Implants:” open=”no”] The dermis is the living cell layer that is underneath the surface of the skin. This cellular layer can be harvested from skin that is removed from other procedures (e.g. abdominoplasty) and used to augment the lips. The rate of absorbtion is similar to fascia, resulting in a long lasting effect.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Recovery:” open=”no”]After your lip augmentation procedure at the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center, you may go home and resume normal activities the same day. If you were given a sedative for your lip augmentation procedure, you will need someone to drive you home. You will experience tenderness and swelling after the procedure, which will cause your lips to look larger than they will be ultimately. The swelling usually disappears within a week, but the tenderness may remain awhile longer. Dr. Summers will prescribe pain medication for you to alleviate any post-operative discomfort. However, after a surgical lip augmentation procedure many patients report surprisingly little pain after the procedure. In fact, most patients experience numbness, which makes it difficult to use your lips normally (e.g. for drinking, etc.) for a couple of days. If the stitches have not been absorbed, they will be removed one week after the procedure. When permanent lip implants are used, the shape of your smile may be slightly altered, but the movement of your lips and mouth will remain very natural.

Note: Patients with a history of cold sores should alert Dr. Summers so he can prescribe appropriate anti-viral medication prior to the procedure.

In addition to helping lip augmentation patients, Dr. Summers offers other facial procedures at his Baltimore plastic surgery center. Please visit these pages to learn about how Dr. Summers helps Baltimore rhinoplasty, facelift, forehead lift, eyelid lift and otoplasty patients.[/toggle]

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Augmentation:

Click on a question below to see the answer.
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[toggle title=”Q: Can I have several procedures performed simultaneously?” open=”no”]A:It is a relatively common practice for a plastic surgeon to perform multiple procedures during one operation.  This allows the surgeon to better “sculpt” your final appearance.  In addition, having several procedures done simultaneously saves you the expense of paying the operating room and anesthesia costs more than once.  However, having too much done at one time can lead to complications.  The decision to have multiple procedures done depends on which procedures are being done, the extent of surgery, the operating time, and your age/health.  Ultimately, the surgeon decides whether or not it is appropriate to include more than one procedure in your operation.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Q:What happens during my initial consultation?” open=”no”]A: During your consultation we will discuss your desired changes and expectations, review your medical history and current health, and make an assessment on whether the procedure(s) in question are right for you.  This is a good time to ask specific questions about the procedure so that you are fully prepared, mentally and emotionally, for surgery.  We will discuss the results that can be achieved, with the aid of photos and/or computer imaging.  When a final decision is made, you will need to sign an informed consent stating that you are fully aware and understand what is entailed by your pending operation, including the potential complications and secondary effects.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Q:How long will it take to recover from my surgery?” open=”no”]A: Expect to be SWOLLEN for 1-2 weeks after surgery.  This is entirely normal and is a result of the surgical trauma.  Once the swelling has resolved, you will be able to engage in any desired activity except for limitations placed on you as a result of the harvesting of fat or fascia.[/toggle]
[toggle title=” Q:Will my insurance cover the surgery?” open=”no”]A: Insurance providers generally cover costs for reconstructive surgery but not for cosmetic surgery.  For example, insurance providers will often pay for breast augmentation to reconstruct a breast following a mastectomy; breast reduction to remedy back pain caused by heavy breasts; eyelid surgery to remove sagging skin that blocks vision; nose surgery to allow for a patient to breathe better; or tummy tucks to remedy the vertical separation of abdomen muscles known as diastasis.  Insurance providers are required by law to cover breast reconstruction surgery and any cosmetic operations necessary to create symmetry in either breast. If your surgery is covered by insurance, pre-certification is required.  We will be happy to assist you with the process.[/toggle]
[toggle title=” Q:What other procedures does Dr. Summers perform?” open=”no”]A:  Maryland Plastic Surgery is Maryland’s premiere cosmetic surgery center and medical spa. The Center’s director, Dr. Adam Summers, is an expert cosmetic surgeon who uses advanced techniques to achieve natural looking results.  Just 15 minutes from Baltimore, Howard County (Columbia) and Annapolis, the Center specializes in tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast augmentationbreast liftliposuctionrhinoplasty, and facelift procedures. © Baltimore Maryland Plastic Surgery Center and Medical Spa.[/toggle][/accordian]

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