Lip Augmentation
Begin one day prior to surgery
- Start taking Valtrex (Antiviral) 500 mg two times a day, starting one day prior to surgery…
- DO NOT take aspirin or ibuprofen products (i.e. Bufferin, Anacin, Advil, Motrin, Anacin-free, Excedrin) 1 week prior or 2 weeks post surgery. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is okay.
- Cleanse face prior to surgery (WEAR NO MAKE-UP TO THE OFFICE THE DAY OF SURGERY).
- DO NOT SMOKE! Smoking can cause poor wound healing and may result in bad scarring.
Supplies for lip augmentation
- Prescriptions- pain medication, antibiotics, anti-viral.
- Small tube of Bacitracin or Neosporin ointment
- Q-tips
- Small bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide
- Crushed ice and small Ziploc bags to make cool packs
- Vaseline, Carmex or Chapstick to keep lips moist
- Small Childs toothbrush
Post-operative instructions
General instructions
- Rest quietly the rest of your surgery day. The next day you can perform routine activities. No exercise for 1-2 weeks.
- Sleep on your back with head elevated using 3-4 pillows for at least 7 days to minimize swelling.
- No bending over, lifting or straining for 3-4 days.
- Eat foods that are soft and require minimal chewing. No hot or salty foods or fluids for 48 hours.
- NO SMOKING for at least two weeks after surgery. Smoking will inhibit your healing process.
- AVOID opening the mouth wide to prevent incision site separation (opening)
- Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after meals.
- Clean incisions at corner of mouth with diluted hydrogen peroxide (½ hydrogen peroxide, ½ water) then apply antibiotic ointment (Neosporin, Polysporin) 3 times per day.
- Use cool compresses for 24 – 48 hours to reduce swelling. NO DIRECT ICE.
- Keep lips moisturized for 2-3 weeks with Vaseline, Carmex, or Chapstick.
1 week post surgery appointment
Verify that the implant remains centered. Gently feeling the tapered ends of the implant are in the same position on each side / top and bottom.
2 week post surgery appointment
Discuss stretching exercises: should be performed 2-3 times a day for 2-3 months to help alleviate excessive scar tissue formation.
- Stretching exercises are to be started when sutures are gone and incisions have healed (usually by 2 1/2 – 3 weeks Post-op).
- Examples of stretching will include:
- Opening mouth widely.
- Excessive smiling (pulling lips tightly against teeth)