Lip augmentation (fat transfer)

This technique offers a permanent lip augmentation.
Most of the time, the operation is carried out under local anaesthesia or under sedation. It consists in transferring the patient's fat in the thin lips to broaden them.
Lips correction can be realized through one isolated surgery. However, a more or less important portion of the injected fat can resorb. This is the reason why a second session is always discussed to correct a too important resorption. 

• Fat cells are injected directly under the labial muscle (obricular muscle) to (re)create (a) plump lip(s). Additionally, we proceed to a micro-injection in the lip contour to recreate the lip border.
• The procedure lasts between 30 minutes (1 lip) and 1 hour (2 lips).
• The scars are placed at the corners of the mouth and are invisible.

Before the procedure

A thorough clinical and photographic study of the necessary corrections will be done. In case of lipostructure and facial rejuvenation, the modalities of ageing need to be evaluated by comparing photographies of the youth of the patient and his/her actual state. A preoperative check-up is made following your surgeon’s recommendations. An anaesthesiologist will see you in consultation at the latest 48 hours before the operation.

Smoking is not prohibited but it is advised to stop smoking one month before the operation because it affects healing. No aspirin-based medication should be taken during the 10 days preceding the operation.

The procedure

Every surgeon has his or her personal technical habits which he or she adapts to every new case, in order to obtain the best possible results. However, there are common principles:

A precise marking of fat extraction areas and of the injection areas is carried out at first. An atraumatic extraction of the fat tissues is realized through a micro incision hidden in the natural folds, with a very thin suction cannula. The incision is made in discrete area with some fat tissues or with an excess of tissues. Fat is centrifuged a few minutes. This way, intact fat cells that will be injected are separated from other elements. Reinjection of fat tissues is made through 1 mm incisions with micro cannulas.

Micro cells of fat are injected in different layers and in multiple different directions in order to increase the contact surface between the transferred cells and the receiving tissues. Fat cells will benefit a better surviving rate. This technique consisting in an engraftment of living cells, if the technique is appropriate and if the graft takes, the transferred cells will remain alive in the organism, making the result permanent: the transferred cells will live as long as the tissues around them will. The duration of the procedure depends on the amount of fat injected and on the number of body areas to treat. It can vary from 30 minutes to 1 hour in case of lipostructure.

After the procedure

Pains are usually minor.

Tissue swelling (oedema) can appear during the first 48 hours after the operation and will disappear in 5 to 15 days. Bruising appears in the first hours after surgery where fat has been transferred. They disappear in 10 to 20 days after the operation. The operation being minor and superficial, physical recovery is usually quick. However, swelling and bruising imply social discomfort and family, professional and social life needs to be adapted. Treated areas must not be exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation at least 4 weeks after the operation to avoid the risks of permanent pigmentation. Bruising and swelling will disappear, the result will be appreciated 2 or 3 weeks after the operation.