Halo's Lip Augmentation With Fat Injections

I'm a 25 year oldmother of three that decided to have lip augmentation while I was doing research for a rhinoplasty and septoplasty. I stumbled across a web page showing pictures of the results of the combination of both a rhinoplasty and lip augmentation and was very impressed. I researched both procedures and had a couple consultations before I decided on my plastic surgeon. I decided to get a lip augmentation first to feel out my surgeon's skills because it seemed less permanent than a rhinoplasty / septoplasty. Once I had chosen my surgeon I talked with him about what type of lip augmentation to have.

Together we decided that fat injections would be the best for my situation. I wanted something safe and healthy with as much of a lasting result as possible. We chose fat injections because I liked the idea of using my own fat instead of something artificial for my first try at plastic surgery. I also liked the fact that my body was more likely to accept my own fat as a permanent graft. My surgeon explained the procedure, pre and post op instructions, showed me before and after pictures, answered my questions, and we set up the surgery date. He told me to expect a lot of initial swelling and to plan my time off accordingly. The staff was really helpful answering my many pre surgery questions. They were very informative and made sure I was well prepared, which helped a lot.

Surgery day I was very nervous and jittery, but also excited. The surgeon answered my last minute questions patiently and the staff prepared me for surgery, and then we took my before pictures (which are completely unflattering as pictures of me always are). The procedure itself was more uncomfortable than painful. The surgeon was careful to make sure I felt as little discomfort as possible. I had my eyes covered the whole surgery, light relaxing music playing in the background, and a plush padded surgery table/chair. I received local anesthesia to my lips and the site where the fat was removed (my tummy). The injections of the local anesthesia were the hardest part of the whole thing. It was like getting a shot that doesn't hurt too badly, only you get quite a few of them before the area stops being sensitive. Once they were done, I only felt pressure and an occasional twinge here or there. A plus of this procedure is that I received a mini lipo sculpting in the area around my navel where the surgeon removed the fat to be used for the injections.

The surgeon then cleaned the fat that had been removed, made small incisions at the corners of my well numbed lips, and injected the purified fat into my lips. The hardest part of this for me was that once all the fat was injected, my surgeon had to sculpt the fat into place by squeezing and massaging the area, which was already pretty sensitive by then. The good thing was, that part only took a minute or two at the most. And then Ta-Da!, I had huge, full, luscious lips. They cleaned me up, bandaged me, and I got dressed in my warm, comfy clothes.

My first glance into the mirror and I thought "Oh my God I look like a duck" and "Wow, these lips make my nose look tiny!" (which it isn't) Then I remembered that they had told me to expect some overcompensation because only between 10 and 30 percent of the fat injected may take as a permanent graft. I thought to myself "Good, if I'm 1/3 of this size when this is done healing, I'll be happy." I drove myself home (which I wouldn't recommend if you can help it) and took a pain pill and went to sleep.

My surgeon or his staff called regularly over the next week to check on how I felt, which I thought was very nice. My lips were extremely tender and swollen for the first week, and I had a hard time talking normally and drinking. Drooling at the most inconvenient moment was the norm for the first few days too. By the second day I was eating soft solids again (very slowly). My top lip had only bruised slightly by one corner. My stomach had bruised significantly, but that was my own fault. I had taken it upon myself to try to do light chores around the house that I should have just asked for help with. The third day I felt the worst. Ice packs helped to take the swelling down, and felt good too. I lived with a constant coating of Vaseline lip ointment on my lips, which helped A LOT. By the sixth day I was back to light activities, but still hiding at home with my huge lips and resting a lot.

At my one week post op appointment I was able to smile a little lopsidedly and tell my dr. how much I loved my new lips. By two weeks, I felt like I wanted to go out in public again. Actually, I felt like a million dollars. My lips weren't as swollen or tender, just slightly sensitive and much, much fuller. I went shopping and bought tons of lipstick. At one month, I was at about 40% of what was initially injected. Right now, at two months post op, I would say that I'm at about 30 percent, just like the doctor said. My lips have become pretty even and the slight lumpiness that I was worried about is almost gone now. I'm very happy with the results and will definitely do it again (I'm aiming for the 50% look), next time but under general anesthesia and combined with a septoplasty/rhinoplasty. I'm working on getting my before and after pictures on the computer too.

Halo