How do I prepare for a lip enhancement?
Your preparation for lip enhancement will depend on the type of procedure you and your aesthetic plastic surgeon chose. Your surgeon will provide thorough preoperative instructions and answer any questions you may have before your surgery, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery.
In advance of your procedure, your surgeon will ask you to:
- Stop smoking before undergoing surgery to promote better healing.
- Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding.
- Hydrate before and after surgery for safe recovery.
Lip enhancement is usually an outpatient procedure. If you are having a surgical procedure, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you at least the first night following your surgery.
What can I expect the day of my lip enhancement?
What you can expect depends on the type of lip enhancement you get. Be sure to consult with your surgeon before your surgery so you have the most accurate expectations.
Nonsurgical Lip Enhancement
- You may have your nonsurgical lip enhancement (injections with fillers, permanent makeup) at an aesthetic plastic surgeon’s office with little to no downtime and minimal preparation.
- In most cases, the procedure should take less than an hour.
- The surgeon or specialist may apply numbing cream and inject your lips with the agreed-upon style of filler to add volume and/or he or she will apply permanent makeup if desired.
- Your surgeon will give you instructions to follow once you leave the office.
Surgical Lip Enhancement
- You may have your lip enhancement surgery in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility, or office-based surgical suite.
- Lip enhancement procedures typically take thirty minutes to two hours to complete.
- The surgeon will administer medications for your comfort during the procedure.
- Surgeons commonly use general anesthesia for a lip enhancement procedure, however they may recommend local anesthesia or intravenous sedation in some instances.
- For your safety during the surgery, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
- Your surgeon will follow the surgical plan discussed with you before surgery.
- If you are having fat transfer surgery, the surgeon will perform liposuction to remove viable fat to be injected into your lips.
- After surgery, you may have stitches.
- You will go to a recovery area for continued monitoring.
- You may choose to go home on the day of surgery after a short observation period unless you and your aesthetic plastic surgeon have made other plans.