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Lip Enhancement and Augmentation

INTRODUCTION

Lips are one of the most noticeable features of the face and reveal beauty, sensuality, and intimacy. We often hear, “I want full, but natural-looking lips.” Whatever your lip enhancement desires are, we can achieve the results by offering a variety of non-surgical and surgical options.

For non-surgical enhancement, we offer a variety of fillers, including Juvéderm® Ultra, Juvéderm Ultra Plus, Juvéderm Voluma, Juvéderm Volbella, Restylane®, Restylane Lyft, and Restylane Refyne and Defyne injections.

For patients wanting long-term results, we offer fat grafting to the lips. If the lips are very thin and need a lift, we offer an upper and/or lower lip lift procedure. With this technique, sedation or general anesthesia is given, and the upper/lower lip lift is performed to reveal more “lips.”

PREPARING FOR THE PROCEDURE

We believe a well-prepared patient leads to a successful treatment and outcome. Whether you are flying in internationally or a local, our staff strives to give you a great experience. During your initial call to our office, one of our patient care coordinators will discuss the different options available to improve the areas of your concern. A consultation is scheduled with the doctor who best fits your personal situation. The doctor will review your medical history, spend the appropriate time to review all surgical and non-surgical options, and discuss whether surgery can be performed in-office under local sedation or at the hospital under general anesthesia. In sharing our before and after photos, you get a better sense of the quality of surgery our doctors offer and what outcome you can expect to achieve.

For injectables and non-surgical options, we ask that you avoid any medications or supplements that may thin your blood or cause swelling. If a doctor has prescribed these medications or supplements, please check with your doctor before stopping. Due to the possibility of bruising or swelling, we recommend that you plan to have the injectables done one to two weeks prior to any event or personal plans. Injectables cannot be performed on a woman who is breastfeeding or pregnant.

For surgical options, we will review pre- and post-operative care so you can be prepared for what your role is in the surgical process. You will be asked to stop smoking two weeks prior to and post-surgery. Safety is our top priority, so we will ask you to see your primary care physician to perform a physical exam, lab work and, in some patients, an EKG 30 days prior to surgery. Next, we will see you for a pre-op appointment two weeks prior to surgery to discuss any questions you may have and review surgery details, ensuring everyone is on the same page. You will then receive a courtesy call the evening before surgery to review instructions and any questions you may have.

PROCEDURE DESCRIPTION

Lip augmentation with Fillers (Restylane or Juvederm Products):

The procedure takes about 15 minutes, in general. If a patient is a good candidate for lip injections, we will apply a topical anesthetic, or just ice, to numb the area before the injection. The results of the fillers are immediate with minimal discomfort. These fillers are natural and used to transform thin lips into luscious ones. The results can last up to nine months. Our patients have happily returned for repeat treatments. Our patients have not reported any side effects or complications, and they have happily returned for repeat treatments. Some minor lumpiness can last a few days and can be massaged to form nicely uniform lips.

Lip Augmentation with Fat Grafting:

This is a surgical procedure that can be performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. Fat is removed from the abdomen, processed in a special way to minimize damage to the fat cells, and injected into the lips. This will cause a 3-4 week swelling and bruising period, but the final results can be permanent with very naturally looking lips.

Lip Lift:

A lip lift is performed when the lip (either upper or lower) is very thin, or the distance between the nose and the upper lip is long. As we age, this distance can increase as the skin and soft tissue descends with gravity, giving the lips a thinner, aged appearance. An upper lip lift is a simple procedure that removes skin to shorten the distance between the nose and upper lip, increasing the “red show” of the lips to give them a plumper, more youthful appearance. An upper lip lift can also be performed at the same time as a rhinoplasty. The lip lift procedure achieves two permanent goals: removing the wrinkles surrounding the lips and making the lips more visible. Compared to lip enhancement with fillers which are temporary, these results are permanent. The trade-off is scars which heal quite nicely and can be covered by makeup. Dr. Bitar performs two types of lip lifts and can discuss the best option for you during your consultation. The “bullhorn” lip lift technique hides the scar in the crease at the base of the nose. The second technique places the scar along the vermillion border of the lips and blends seamlessly with the natural curvature of the lips.

RECOVERY

Our office will provide a comprehensive post-operative plan to ensure the best possible outcome. The plan will include what to expect postoperatively, such as estimated recovery time, pain management, garments or dressings, and anticipated activity level. For your safety, we require that an adult stay with you at least the first 24 hours after surgery and drives you to your next day follow-up visit. With most facial procedures, you will be instructed to limit activity for the first week or two, which could include restrictions on driving, prolonged travel and flying. In addition, we ask you refrain from exercise until cleared by the physician, usually around four weeks post-op. You are asked to refrain from smoking for a minimum of two weeks. To optimize healing, we recommend that you eat a high protein diet. You should anticipate a variable degree of bruising and swelling, as with any surgical procedure; light make-up may be used to cover bruises starting a week after surgery. We also offer scar creams at an additional cost to optimize results.

To promote healing and minimize complications, you will be seen in a series of post-op appointments, including the day after surgery. These appointments will continue throughout the first year after the procedure to make sure you are healing as planned. For your added convenience, you also have direct access to Dr. Bitar’s cell phone number if you need to reach him after hours. The final post-op visit, one year after surgery, is one of our favorites since the results are fully apparent and we love seeing our patients happy. You are always welcome to come back and see us, even years after your surgery.

MAXIMIZING POSITIVE OUTCOMES

At the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute, we take pride in providing our patients with the best surgical experience possible, emphasizing patient safety while trying to optimize surgical results. This is a process that includes comprehensive pre-operative preparation and patient education, the development of a personalized operative plan, and a thoughtful post operative care regimen emphasizing patient comfort and promoting recovery.

There are a number of strategies which the Institute has adapted to further ensure patient safety. We are selective and only offer surgery to patients whose general health and lifestyle choices permit healing and facilitate recovery. To minimize risk, we require a preoperative assessment that includes a thoughtful history and physical exam, as well as targeted laboratory tests.

We operate at accredited hospitals and surgicenters that have demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards of care, employing board certified anesthesiologists and nurses. We adhere to well established surgical principles designed to ensure patient safety and have developed policies and protocols to minimize the risk of infection. Dr. Bitar is committed to continuing education, honing their skills and introducing new techniques always with the aim of improving safety and surgical results.

We emphasize patient safety in our peri-operative care plan, advocating early mobilization, optimizing nutrition, and providing detailed care instructions. After surgery, patients are seen in our office frequently and early, starting the day after their procedure, and a staff member is available around the clock for any questions or concerns. Our entire team is committed to our patients’ well being and every measure is designed to minimize potential complications, promote comfortable and rapid recovery, and optimize surgical results.

WHY CHOOSE BITAR COSMETIC SURGERY INSTITUTE?

Our commitment to excellence and exceptional patient care is in every step of your doctor-patient experience. Dr. George Bitar is a distinguished board certified plastic surgeon who stays on the cutting edge of advancements in cosmetic surgery and technology to offer the best possible results. With a blend of artistry and meticulous surgical technique, he is able to achieve beautiful and natural results for our patients. We provide a high level of patient safety and our experienced and caring staff will be with you every step of the way. Our institute offers a wide variety of surgical and non-surgical options, from skin care, injectables and lasers to in-office or hospital options, to provide a versatile approach to fit individual patient needs. Your aesthetic goals are our priority and each procedure is customized to ensure you receive the best possible outcome.

For more information, call our office at 703-206-0506.

Content on this website is for information only and should not be used to diagnose or treat your plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery problems. Please contact your plastic surgeon with all questions and concerns.