What Is The Best Method Of Lip Augmentation For Me?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’ve been looking for a more permanent solution for a lip augmentation. I was looking into fat grafting, but I understand that that procedure may not turn out as well as I would like if not done by a surgeon who is very experienced in that procedure. I’ve also been looking into permalip, but I don’t know if that would be for me because my top lip is uneven (as you can see in the picture I’ve attached). In your opinion, which procedure would be better for me? Roughly, how many times have you done each procedure? And what are your prices for both procedures?

A: There are multiple options for lip augmentation from fat injections, implants and mucosal advancement procedures. (V-Y lip lengthening) There are advantages and disadvantages to all of these procedures and none of them are perfect. They all have flaws such an unpredictability of volume retention (fat injections), asymmetry and palpability (implants) and longer recovery. (mucosal advancements) While they all can be effective, it simply depends on which of their flaws you find most acceptable. I have performed many of all of these and I think the ‘safest’ (less risk of complications) is fat injections. Permalip implants are the easiest and can always be replaced by fat grafts should one not like their feel.