Lip Augmentation
Houston, TX
Full, well-defined lips are a mark of beauty and sensuality – helping frame your beautiful teeth and smile. Unfortunately for most people, the lips start to lose volume with age, resulting in a thin lusterless appearance. Your once youthful smile may be marred by lips that are unflattering, which can ultimately lead to frustration with your appearance.
Lip augmentation plastic surgery aims to restore a fuller and plumper feel to your lips. This procedure may be completed via surgery for a long-lasting outcome or using non-surgical methods (dermal fillers) for a temporary solution.
Houston, TX plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Balinger offers lip augmentation procedures to patients in Houston, Conroe, and surrounding Texas areas. The surgeon understands that your best self is connected to your self-confidence. Working with a team of experienced clinicians, Dr. Christopher goes out of his way to make sure that each patient is comfortable, safe, and happy with their procedure outcome. The surgeon makes use of state of the art equipment and advanced surgical methods to achieve the best result while minimizing the risk of side effects such as scarring.
Can lip augmentation help me?
Lip augmentation – also referred to as lip enhancement – is a cosmetic treatment that increases the fullness of your lips through implants or lip injections. You may be an ideal candidate for this procedure if:
- You are in good physical and emotional health
- You have thin or asymmetrical lips
- You have wrinkles around the lips
- You wish to address lips that are flat or cosmetically unappealing
- You have a positive outlook and realistic expectations about the outcome of this procedure
Patients have different goals and motivations, and there really is no right or wrong age to have lip augmentation. Someone in their 20s may feel that they desire fuller lips and a better facial balance. Similarly, an older person may receive lip enhancement in order to address a blurry lip line, volume loss, or wrinkles around the mouth. When you visit Dr. Balinger for your Houston lip augmentation consultation, the surgeon will listen to you and examine your lips before recommending the best course of action.
Types of Lip Augmentation
Dr. Balinger offers several types of lip enhancement procedures to suit the needs of different patients.
Implants
This is a surgical option that also happens to be a popular choice for patients with thin lips. Small incisions are placed in the corners of the mouth to create a thin tunnel, where an implant is inserted and trimmed to the proper length. Lip implants are usually made from silicone or other sterile rubber-like materials. Many plastic surgeons use AlloDerm and GORE-TEX. Once the desired changes have been made, the incision will be closed and the treatment area covered. Lip augmentation with implants results in a full, plump look and requires about 10 days of recovery.
Fat Transfer
Lip augmentation may also be completed through a process known as fat grafting (fat transfer). In this type of procedure, excess fat will be removed from other parts of the body such as the thighs and abdomen, and then used to augment the lips. Since fat from the patient’s own body is used, there is no risk of allergic reactions. This type of surgical lip augmentation is a great option for patients who are looking to enhance their lips as well as get rid of unwanted fat from other parts of their body.
Lip Fillers
For patients who are looking to enhance the appearance of their lips but without undergoing cosmetic surgery, plastic surgeons use lip fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane. These are FDA-approved lip fillers that help improve the fullness and smoothness of your lips. Nonsurgical lip augmentation using lip fillers usually results in immediate results that can last as long as six months. You will need another treatment to maintain your results after this duration.
Dr. Christopher Balinger is uniquely positioned to recommend the best type of lip augmentation procedure for you. The surgeon will be happy to highlight the pros and cons of each method, as well as discuss its suitability for you.
Your Initial Lip Augmentation Consultation
During your first lip augmentation Houston TX consultation, Dr. Balinger will ask questions and examine the patient’s lips before moving forward to the next step. This initial consultation – which is offered free of charge at Dr. Balinger’s office – is an opportunity to learn more about what this treatment entails, and what you can expect from the procedure.
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Prepare for Your Lip Augmentation Surgery in Houston TX
Once Dr. Balinger creates a customized treatment plan for you, the surgeon will let you know how to prepare for the lip augmentation surgery. You will be asked to stop taking some medication and herbal supplements that can increase your risk of bleeding. Smoking is also forbidden in the weeks before the surgery because it can increase the risk of complications and impair healing. The surgeon will let you know what to do on the night before the surgery, and what supplies you need to have in place for a smooth recovery.
Your Surgical Experience
Lip augmentation is an outpatient procedure that is performed at Dr. Balinger’s in-office operating room or an accredited surgical facility. The surgeon will assess your lips and overall facial balance, then take pictures to determine symmetry and shape. Dr. Balinger will then determine what areas need to be fuller. The surgeon’s anesthesiologist will then numb the patient to ensure their comfort and safety throughout the procedure. Once the treatment is completed – in line with the selected surgical method – you will be allowed to go home almost immediately. Dr. Balinger’s team members are passionate about what they do and go out of their way to ensure an excellent patient experience.
Recovery After Lip Augmentation
How long it takes to recover after a lip augmentation depends on the type of procedure that you had. If you had lip augmentation surgery, you will need to take it easy. Bruising and swelling are common but tend to dissipate on their own with time. Dr. Balinger recommends that you apply ice packs on a regular basis at least during the first 24 – 48 hours. You will also be provided with anti-inflammatory products to minimize swelling. Make sure to strictly follow the surgeon’s aftercare instructions in order to ensure a speedy recovery after lip enhancement surgery. Recovery after nonsurgical lip augmentation (using lip fillers) requires almost no downtime. You will be able to get back to your daily routine within hours. Dr. Balinger’s office will be available to provide the support you need during your lip augmentation recovery.
Plan Your Procedure in Houston TX
The cost of lip augmentation depends on the type of procedure you had. Health insurers typically do not pay for lip augmentation because it is considered to be an elective cosmetic procedure. During your consultation visit with Dr. Balinger, the surgeon will provide more info and generate a cost estimate based on a personalized treatment plan developed for you. The surgeon offers financing options for his patients in Houston, Conroe, and surrounding TX areas.
Meet the Surgeon
Christopher Balinger, MD, brings keen professionalism to the operating table. With each patient, the surgeon creates a highly customized plan to achieve the desired procedure outcome while working to eliminate or minimize the risk of scarring and other side effects. Dr. Balinger is uniquely skilled to perform lip augmentation and a host of other cosmetic procedures. He works with a team of highly qualified support staff who are committed to the safety and well being of their patients. If you are looking for the best plastic surgeon in Houston for lip augmentation, get in touch with Dr. Balinger’s office today.
Average Cost
Varies according the the procedure
Procedure Time
Same Day
Recovery Time
A couple of days
