Lip Enhancement Questions

Q - What is lip enhancement?
Lip enhancement involves procedures designed to enhance or improve the appearance of the lips by plumping thin lips, reducing a long upper lip, and/or minimizing wrinkles around the mouth. Lip advancement may improve the appearance of thin lips or a long upper lip, while lip implants and filler injections are intended to add fullness to thin lips.

Q - Is lip enhancement right for me?
If you are healthy and are looking to improve the appearance of your lips or a long upper lip, then lip enhancement may be right for you. Patients who have tried filler injections and would like a more permanent solution may be good candidates for implants.

Q - What does a consultation for lip enhancement entail?
During a consultation for lip enhancement, Dr. Naderi will examine your lips, take a thorough medical history, and discuss your goals. A treatment plan will be recommended and all aspects of the procedure will be explained including the anesthesia, the facility, the recovery, the risks, the costs and so on.

Q - Where is lip enhancement performed.
Dr. Naderi performs some lip enhancement procedures in his office and others in an INOVA system hospital, which include Fair Oaks Hospital, Loudoun Hospital, Fairfax Hospital, and Mt. Vernon Hospital.

Q - What type of anesthesia is used for lip enhancement?
MAC (monitored anesthesia care) or local anesthesia may be used for lip enhancement.

Q - How long does lip enhancement take to perform?
Lip enhancement with filler injections can take as little as fifteen minutes to perform while lip implants, lip lifts, and lip advancement may take thirty to forty-five minutes.

Q - What are the implants made of for lip enhancement?
Dr. Naderi uses Advanta soft Gortex implants for lip enhancement. These are safer than Alloderm implants and they offer a much more natural feel than previous generations of Gortex implants.

Q - Where are the incisions made for lip enhancement?
A small incision is made inside of the corners of the lips for lip implant procedures. Lip lifts and lip advancement involve a small incision along the lip vermillion border or under the base of the nose.

Q - Does lip enhancement leave scars?
The incisions made for surgical lip enhancement procedures do result in scars, though they tend to be small and well-concealed. For lip implants, the incision is made inside of the corners of the lips, while lip lifts and lip advancement involve a small incision along the lip vermillion border or under the base of the nose.

Q - Does lip enhancement involve much pain?
Patients may experience some discomfort after lip enhancement which can be controlled with medication.

Q - What is the recovery like after lip enhancement?
Lip enhancement with most filler injections involves a minimal recovery. Lip implants, lip lift and lip advancement involve a recovery of about seven days. Some swelling and bruising may occur depending on the specific procedures.

Q - When will I be able to return to work after undergoing lip enhancement?
Most patients are able to return to work and other normal activities immediately after undergoing lip enhancement with a filler injection. For surgical lip enhancement, patients can usually return to work within seven days.

Q - When will my stitches be removed after my lip enhancement procedure?
Sutures do not need to be removed after surgical lip enhancement procedures because they will dissolve on their own.

Q - What are the risks or complications that can occur with lip enhancement?
The potential risks associated with filler injections will vary according to the particular filler, though the risks tend to be minimal. Lip advancement and lip lifts carry a small risk of minor visible scar (1-3%), and lip implants carry the risk of infection and the need for removal (1%).

Q - Is lip enhancement covered by insurance?
Insurance typically does not cover lip enhancement procedures performed for purely cosmetic purposes, though patients should be sure to check with their own insurance carrier.

Q - Can I finance my lip enhancement procedure?
Financing is available for many plastic surgery procedures.

Dr. Naderi's office in Herndon, VA is conveniently located near the following: