Lip Augmentation has become a common procedure to bring fuller, sexier lips to both men and women. These procedures utilize synthetic or biological products or surgical restructuring to enhance the lips in many ways. One of the most common methods is injections. The benefit of injections is the volume it can give the lips. Once this procedure is done there is usually a period of time for lip injection recovery to aid the healing process.
What to Expect Following Surgery
Topical anesthesia is generally used before lip injections, so that the procedure is painless. However, pain may be experienced by the patient as the anesthesia begins to wear off. Patients who have received injections are often sore, swollen and possibly bruised. Full recovery will normally take about 1-2 days from the injection date. The bruising and swelling can last as long as a week to 10 days depending on patient.
Tips for a Faster Recovery from Lip Injections
- Keeping ice packs applied to the lips for the first 48 hours
- Limit talking and chewing during the first 48 hours
- Limit smiling and laughing for the first week
- Sleep in a semi-upright position for the first week or to ten days. Do not sleep on your stomach.
- To avoid unnecessary swelling or bleeding, do not bend over, strain, exercise or do any other activities that could increase pressure to your lips
- Avoid all strenuous activities for 1-3 days
- Keep the lips clean to avoid infection (antibiotics may also be applied to the injection site as directed by your doctor)
The swelling and soreness will go away eventually, unless you have an inflammation or reaction to the product. Other than these possible minor complications, the recovery is usually short. Patients are usually iced up beforehand and sent home with an icepack or rocket pop or other type of plastic enclosed Popsicle. It is recommended that you keep your lips iced as needed for pain. Patients also may be instructed to take Tylenol or some other over the counter anti-inflammatory medicine.
Possible Complications Experienced During Lip Injection Recovery
Significant complications from lip augmentation are rare. With any procedure, there is always a possibility of bleeding, infection, reaction to the anesthesia, slow healing or an unexpected result. Other possible complications during lip injection recovery include asymmetrical lips, cold sores, numbing, scarring, swelling, and permanent stiffness in the lip.
Allergic reactions such as itching, redness, swelling may occur. Injections can cause lumping or scarring. On very rare occasions the injected material may be rejected by the body; however this can be avoided in most cases by pre-injection testing of the patient. If any extreme complications do occur, the patient should immediately return to the doctor for further advice.
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