Permalip Lip Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had Permalip lip implants placed in the top and bottom lip. My smile is horrid. And can’t even open my mouth wide enough for the dentist. My lips are extremely tight. I still want larger lips but not tight distorted lips.

A: The most common complications from Permalip lip implants is that of implant asymmetry or an inability to achieve the lip size increase that one wants. I have not had the experience of these lip implants causing extreme lip tightness or significant interference with one’s smile. But based on your lip symptoms it is clear that these implants needs to be removed and should bone replaced by fat injections. You need to get rid of what is causing the tightness (the implants) and replace them with a material that can help relieve some of the tightness and still provide significant augmentation. While it is true that fat injections into the lips have variable amounts of take and unpredictable volume retention outcomes, they are the best solution for relieving lip scar contractures. The residual capsules from the lip implants do provide a more favorable site for fat placement and graft retention.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana