Lip Augmentation New York City with Dr. Cangello
Many of Dr. Cangello’s patients in the New York City area desire fuller, plumper lips. Lip augmentation refers to procedures that improve the shape and volume of the lips. Patients of all ages elect to have lip augmentation because fuller, plumper lips enhance their self-confidence. Older patients choose lip augmentation to reverse the signs of aging that include thinner lips, lipstick bleed lines, and vertical lines above the upper lip. Fortunately, Dr. Cangello offers a number of lip augmentation options, including injectable dermal fillers and fat transfer.
Benefits of Lip Augmentation
Patients see an array of benefits after lip augmentation with fillers or fat grafting, including:
- More voluminous, fuller lips
- Fewer wrinkles and lip lines, including smokers’ lines
- A younger appearance
- Improved lip definition
- Enhanced facial symmetry
Types of Lip Augmentation
Dr. Cangello performs a number of types of lip augmentation. During your consultation, he will recommend the best option based on your age, anatomy, skin quality, and aesthetic goals.1
Lip Augmentation with Dermal Fillers
With simple injections of a hyaluronic acid dermal filler, Dr. Cangello can plump your lips temporarily. Hyaluronic acid fillers are safe, temporary fillers that increase the volume of the lips. This category of fillers – which includes Juvéderm® and Restylane® – is composed of a naturally-occurring sugar gel that helps bind water to cells. Fillers are injected and result in soft, natural-looking lips. These injections are performed in Dr. Cangello’s office and the process takes only a few minutes.
While the effects of dermal fillers for lip plumping are temporary, it is Dr. Cangello’s experience that they have a long-lasting and cumulative effect. Many patients retain much of their augmented lip volume for up to one year after treatment, though they sometimes come in for retreatment in order to further increase their lip volume.
Russian Lip Filler Technique
In addition to traditional lip augmentation using dermal fillers, Dr. Cangello also performs the Russian lip filler technique. This type of lip filler treatment is designed to mimic the appearance of a Russian doll, creating a more heart-shaped appearance to the lips. To do this, Dr. Cangello injects dermal fillers into the lips vertically, rather than horizontally. By beginning vertical injections at the bottom of the lip then subtly drawing the filler outward, Dr. Cangello adds height to the middle portion of the lip without increasing overall lip volume. This results in a sought-after “baby doll” appearance to the lips.
Fat Grafting Lip Augmentation
This permanent lip plumping option is perfect for patients who want lasting results. With this procedure, liposuction is used to harvest fat from your inner thigh or abdomen. This harvested fat is then processed in a centrifuge and the fatty portion injected into your lip. Fat transfer, also referred to as fat grafting, is usually performed using local anesthesia and takes about an hour.
Am I a Good Candidate for Lip Augmentation?
You are a good candidate for lip augmentation if you would like to increase your lip’s volume. You must be in good health, live in New York City (or be willing to travel), and be motivated to follow Dr. Cangello’s pre- and post-operative instructions.
You must also have realistic expectations for your lip augmentation. Dr. Cangello performs lip augmentations to enhance your unique beauty, not to emulate the lips of another individual.
Preparing for Lip Augmentation
Your lip augmentation journey begins with a consultation with Dr. David Cangello in our New York City office. Dr. Cangello will discuss your medical history and how you want your lips to look. For your procedure to proceed safely, you need to be honest about your allergies, medications, personal habits, and previous surgical procedures.
Dr. Cangello will ask about your goals for your lip augmentation and the look you hope to achieve. He will conduct a physical examination, which includes taking photographs and measurements of your lips. Dr. Cangello will then describe which method of lip augmentation will create the desired result.
Dr. Cangello will answer your questions and explain how to prepare for your lip augmentation, which may include dietary changes, stopping certain medications, and avoiding the sun and nicotine. You will also be asked to discontinue use of aspirin and NSAID pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen in order to minimize bleeding. You will learn about what you can expect following the lip augmentation procedure.
The Lip Filler Procedure
Lip augmentation with fillers is performed using topical anesthetic. For lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, the treatment areas will be cleaned and the filler carefully injected. Lip injections take only a few moments and the entire treatment should take less than five minutes. After the injections, markings will be removed.
The Fat Grafting Lip Augmentation Procedure
Before the fat grafting lip augmentation procedure, a local anesthetic will be injected, and patients will also be offered a sedative to ensure their comfort. Liposuction is used to harvest fat from your thigh or abdomen. This harvested liquid is then processed in a centrifuge and the fatty portion injected into your lips. While most of the injected fat cells are permanent, Dr. Cangello will “over inject” to compensate for fat cells that are lost immediately after the surgery. Fat transfer is generally performed using a local anesthetic and takes about an hour.
Patient Experiences
“Dr. Cangello has an amazing hand! I’ve had lip filler done with him at least 4x. He listens and also gives his professional opinion which makes you feel very confident that you’ve picked the right doctor for this and/or any procedure. I am always impressed after every visit and now I’m even thinking about getting some filler under my eyes with him! The only Plastic Surgeon I’d ever trust for my injectibles!”
—V.G.T.
Lip Augmentation Recovery and Results
If your lip enhancement was performed with injectable fillers, no downtime is required and you can return to regular activities immediately following the procedure. We recommend that you use ice to help minimize any swelling.
If you’ve had fat grafting, you must avoid stressing that area for three weeks. This means sleeping with your head elevated and making sure that you don’t rub your lips. The healing period after fat injections is necessary to make sure that the fat graft survives and becomes permanent.
Following lip augmentation, you will see an immediate change in lip volume, and your plump lips may appear bigger than you intended. As swelling resolves over the next couple of days, you will see the final results of your lip augmentation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Augmentation
Where Will My Lip Augmentation Be Performed?
Your lip augmentation will be performed at Dr. Cangello’s New York City cosmetic surgery office. Injections are done in consultation rooms. Surgical procedures are performed in his on-site, fully accredited (AAASF) state-of-the-art operating room. You are encouraged to ask for a tour of the operating facility when you come in for your consultation.
How long does lip augmentation last?
The hyaluronic acid in lip fillers is slowly metabolized by the body, so lip volume will gradually decrease over time. Many patients enjoy significantly increased lip volume for up to one year after their lip augmentation with dermal fillers, though you may want to come in sooner for a touch-up or to further increase your lip volume.
The results of fat transfer lip augmentation are permanent.
How much does lip augmentation in NYC cost?
The cost of your lip augmentation will depend on the type of lip augmentation performed as well as the aesthetic goal you seek to achieve. During your consultation with Dr. Cangello, you will be given a detailed breakdown of the cost of your unique lip augmentation treatment plan.
Is lip augmentation safe?
Lip augmentation with fillers and fat transfer are both considered to be safe procedures, especially when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon such as Dr. Cangello. That said, there are risks associated with any cosmetic procedure. Side effects of lip augmentation may include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Asymmetry2
David L. Cangello, MD, FACS Plastic Surgery New York
Dr. David Cangello is one of the top board-certified plastic surgeons in all of New York City. His approach of treating plastic surgery with an artistic eye has successfully shaped his practice. Dr. Cangello cares about the result of the surgery as much as the patient does. Read more to learn why you should choose Dr. Cangello for your next procedure.
Schedule a ConsultationContact Us
The success of your lip augmentation is highly dependent on the experience of your surgeon. A board certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Cangello, has the knowledge of facial anatomy needed to create natural-looking lips that enhance your facial features. To learn more about your lip augmentation options in New York City, please contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cangello.
Please call our New York City office at 212-644-4416 to set up a consultation and learn how you can benefit from lip augmentation.
1 Ghasemi S, Akbari Z. Lip Augmentation. Dent Clin North Am. 2022 Jul;66(3):431-442. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2022.02.005. Epub 2022 May 31. PMID: 35738737. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35738737/. Accessed June 7, 2023.
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the risks of dermal fillers? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/safety. Accessed April 20, 2023.