Fat Injection of the lips: Absorption

Injecting too much fat in the lips can be counterproductive because there will be more absorption as fewer fat cells gain a blood supply from the surrounding tissue. For example, injecting 3.5 cc of fat in the upper lip may provide an ultimately fuller lip than injecting 5 cc or more because of reduced absorption when greater volumes are injected. There is a limit to the increment in fullness from one fat injection. This is one reason that patients do not need to be overly concerned about having too much lip fullness after one fat injection treatment; it is difficult to overtreat the lips in a single treatment.

Will there be scarring on my lips?

The little incisions are closed with a single suture. One incision is used for the upper lip and one for the lower lip, both located just above and below the left corner of the mouth ("oral commissure"), tucked just inside the corner of the mouth on the red part of the lip. It is possible to treat each lip using just one incision because the cannula is long enough to reach from one side to the other. These tiny incisions typically heal with almost invisible scars.

Will my face bruise and swell?

As you might expect, there will be swelling of the treated areas and there will probably be some degree of bruising. There will also be bruising at the donor site, where the fat was harvested, usually the tummy. Sometimes patients are surprised at how much bruising there is on the tummy.

The treated area of the face will feel firm. There may be some temporary exaggeration of jowls due to swelling. Gradually, the swelling resolves and the tissues soften.

Will the injected fat be absorbed?

I typically over-inject, knowing that some of the fat will be absorbed. Most of this absorption takes place in the first month after treatment.