The reason for the attraction of full, well-formed lips may not be scientifically proven yet, but the fact that such an attraction exists is undeniable. Indeed, the number of lip augmentation procedures performed has steadily increased since 2000 (more than 21,000 such procedures were performed in 2009).
But in the effort to augments lips in the most natural looking way possible, one California plastic surgeon has developed perhaps the most comprehensive procedure.
Dr. Jay Calvert, MD, FACS, a nationally recognized plastic surgeon, has developed the LA Lip Enhancement™ which utilizes the patient's own tissue (fat and deep layers of the skin) to augment their lips, rather than chemicals, inserts or donor tissue material.
“I originally created this operation as an additional technique for patients undergoing rhinoplasty or facelift surgery,” Dr. Calvert explained. “However, it has become a primary procedure for many patients in my practice.”
The procedure has several benefits, Dr. Calvert points out. One, the patient does not necessarily need to have thin lips, yet the results will be noticeable. Second, unlike patients who have undergone Restylane® or Collagen treatments, a person undergoing the LA Lip Enhancement™ treatment does not necessarily have to return every three to six months for a re-injection.
The result, says Dr. Calvert, is “an almost-permanent enhancement of the lips through the use of the patient's own tissue resulting in a more attractive, youthful mouth and lips.”
In the outpatient procedure, two techniques are used: a thin strip of skin, usually from an old scar, is excised and passed through the upper lip and occasionally the lower lip, in much the same manner as a lip implant. Second, fat is drawn from the hips, abdomen or knees and injected into the lips.
During the procedure, the patient is sedated with a local anesthesia for their safety and comfort, Dr. Calvert explained.
“The combination of the two procedures seems to work best to create soft, beautifully enhanced, natural lips,” Dr. Calvert said. “The swelling of the lips can be somewhat striking for several days to a week after the procedure. The lips will return to a natural look and feel that will keep getting better with time.”
Many patients, said Dr. Calvert, often combine the LA Lip Enhancement™ procedure with other procedures such as a facelift, rhinoplasty or breast augmentation. In addition, the procedure can be combined with minor plastic surgery procedures such as a lip lift or suspension, a chemical peel of the perioral region (area around the lips) or laser resurfacing.
Dr. Calvert cautions that the procedure may require follow up work.
“Because of the unpredictability of the fat injections, it may be necessary to repeat the fat injections around one year after the procedure,” he explained. “The fat does tend to shrink over time and it is common that the patient wants to see more of an effect. Like all things in plastic surgery, the operation does not stop the aging process; it merely creates the look that the patient wants to see until nature prevails.”
Dr. Calvert is a board-certified member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and serves the Beverly Hills, Orange County and Los Angeles area. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on plastic surgery and has presented his techniques at national and international conferences. Patients interested in learning more about Dr. Calvert can visit his website, http://www.drcalvert.com/.
0 comments:
Post a Comment