Is it Worth it to Have a Lip Augmentation?

When you’re considering any elective medical procedure, you need to know the risks, and weigh them against the benefits. The choice of whether or not to have elective surgery is very personal, and every person will make their choice differently. Here, we’ll discuss the major risks and benefits of having a surgical lip augmentation. If you want to learn more about what the procedure and the recovery are like, please visit Lip Augmentation: the Procedure and Recovery. For more about the many resources Doctor Review has to offer, you can check out our Facial Plastic Surgery Overview page.

Please note that this page is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for qualified, individualized medical advice. You should discuss your potential elective surgery with your own doctor(s), including your primary care physician and the surgeon who will perform your surgery if you decide to proceed.

Risks

Any surgery has risks, and they should be carefully weighed before you decide to proceed. There is a chance of infection, which may require antibiotics and may also lead to a less aesthetically-pleasing result. There is also a chance of excessive bleeding during the surgery, which occasionally requires a blood transfusion. Some people react badly to anesthesia. There is a very small risk of death due to any surgery. Although it’s important to be informed, these risks are small in most healthy people; talk with your surgeon to determine your personal risk.

Additionally, there’s the risk that you won’t be happy with the outcome of your lip augmentation. You might feel that your implant is too large or too small, or isn’t placed correctly. This risk can be reduced by choosing a surgeon who listens to you carefully and tries to understand your goals. Others may feel that the lip implant is too firm and does not feel like a natural lip. You can ask to examine a lip implant during your consultation before surgery, so you can decide whether or not you like the feel of the implant. Carefully choosing both the size and the type of lip implant you’ll receive reduces the risk that you’ll be unhappy with the results.

There is also a risk of changes in the sensation of the face, particularly the area around the mouth, such as numbness or pain, if nerves are damaged during surgery; this often resolves within a few months, but may be permanent in some cases.

Additionally, scar tissue sometimes forms around the implant. If this happens, your implant may feel hard rather than soft, and may have an irregular appearance. Implants sometimes shift or change position, leading to an unnatural appearance of the lip. There is also a risk that the implant will rupture at some point, requiring it to be replaced or removed.

Benefits

For a person with very thin lips who has been trying a variety of makeup solutions without success, a lip augmentation can free them from worrying about their appearance, giving them confidence. For those who have been having lip fillers injected every few months, a surgical lip augmentation offers a more permanent solution that frees them from needing to undergo this hassle and expense. Because the mouth is such a personal area, it can have a huge impact on self-esteem, so having full, healthy lips often produces a significant benefit in social, romantic, and professional life.

Cost

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average surgeon’s fee for a lip augmentation is $1,767. This varies between surgeons and in different regions, so check with the surgeon you’re considering to find out the exact price. Additional costs, including the anesthesia, operating room fees, medications, and possibly additional items, may not be included in this fee. Keep in mind that surgeons often offer financing options. For more detail, please visit our Lip Augmentation Cost page.