How Is A Lip Advancement Done?

Q:  Dr. Eppley,  Hello I live in Europe and would like to do the lip advancement as an alternative to injectable fillers for permanent lip enhancement. But I would like to know where you do it and how much it costs?

A: Most lip (vermilion) advancements are done in the office under local anesthesia. Using initial infraorbital nerve blocks (like going to the dentist) and then followed by direct infiltration into the lips, the procedure thereafter is painless. If a patient prefers it can also be done supplemented by oral valium or Xanax or even IV sedation for a completely comfortable experience. It takes about 90 minutes to perform. The amount of vermilion advancement is determined by the patient prior to the numbing by making marks using calipers and a fine marking pen…and then having the patient approve the amount of lip increase with a mirror. There is some mild lip swelling afterwards and very minimal discomfort. Patients generally do not take any pain medication afterwards. For patients that are geographically close to me, I place tiny 7-0 size sutures that are removed 10 days after surgery. For my far away patients, I use a fine 6-0 dissolveable sutures and skin glue so no return is necessary for suture removal. 

For the properly selected patient, lip advancements are a powerful lip enlargement procedure that produces a permanent result.

The total costs of the procedure are around $ 3,500.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana