Lip Enhancement and Verafil Saline Implants for Lips
Wrinkles, acne scars, the desire for fuller cheeks, lips and chin, and correction of depressed areas after
tumor removal or trauma, continue to stimulate innovative work. The field of plastic surgery is still searching
for the ideal "filler material." For many years collagen & newer fillers has been of benefit in these areas and has worked well
but its duration is limited (six months) and requires re-injecting once, twice or more per year.
The utilization of one's own liquefied fat has re-emerged as an option over the last couple of years. The fat is
removed through a fine needle-syringe aspiration technique from the stomach wall, buttock, hip or inner knee areas,
then injected into the lip areas, acne or scar depressions, wrinkles hands, etc. It can also be used to add fullness
to one's cheek bones or chin. We would like to stress it is not recommended for the breast areas as it can later
manifest calcifications which may be suspicious on mammograms.
There is other work being performed on the use of other liquefied tissues of the body such as cartilage, dermis,
etc., although this is in the clinical investigative stages.
How long will it last?
Fat seems to be ideal with the exception of its somewhat unpredictable resorption rate. Approximately fifty percent
of the injected fat will resorb over four to six weeks. The remainder may stay stable for several months or may continue
to slowly resorb up to a year. At least a 25% improvement is felt to be stable. Many patients maintain an improvement
for up to a couple of years but, again, the exact predictability of resorption is really based on one's anatomy and
physiology. Sometimes an improvement lasts longer after several injections.
Is there a concern about allergic reactions using fat?
No. It is your own tissue
See Before & After Photos >>
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