Fat transfer to upper lip. How many ccs are needed to attain my desired volume? (photos)

Question

I have decided to do fat transfer to my upper thin lip since I don't like implants or fillers. I am looking for a permanent result. My doctor suggested 7cc of fat transfer to my upper lip to make it broad. I am a little nervous because I think 7cc is too much for just one lip. I am looking for a natural volume. The first photo is how my upper lip looks now. The 2nd photo is how broad I want it to look to compliment my lower lip. Can I know how much fat (cc) is needed to attain this volume?

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

In our experience with micro-fat grafting of lips is that it is not very predictable procedure. There is slightly better result and longer durability if nano-fat grafts are used (filtered micro-fat grafts, stem cells) but it is still not very predictable in a long run. Problem is that lips move all the time and that movement is compromising take of the grafts, very likely.  Placement of small amount of nano-fat grafts along white role of lips would be sufficient in your case (2-3 cc); seven cc for lip augmentation of any kind seem to be too much! Second opinion consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon familiar with facial fat grafting is recommended. Good luck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

fat grafting never looks great to the lips not with the new fillers avlb and all the lip plumpers. do fillers and start lip essentials from emeragecosmetics.  best, Dr. Emer.

Mark T. Boschert, MD · Answer

7 mL seems like a lot for lips. I am curious if perhaps the surgeon is going to be putting some into marionettes and surrounding areas. I’m also curious why they have chosen to tell you they are going to use 7 mL. Are they charging per milliliter? I will say that fat in the lips does require more volume than filler, However seven still seems like a lot!!I think you should ask that person specifically why that much? Does he dilute it a lot? Is he going into surrounding areas? Best of luck, Dr. Boschert

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Even though you’re upper lip is quite a bit smaller than your lower lip I typically don’t treat just the upper lip. 7 mL seems like a very heavy-handed amount. My approach would be to graft less maybe to cc and have you come back in for a second treatment 6 to 12 months later and slowly build up the volume.

If a significant amount of fat like half survives you’ll be stuck with a giant upper lip that’s very difficult to reverse.

The unpredictable and imprecise nature of fat transfer let me to not do facial fat transfer. Instead I do body fat transfer which is much more predictable.

I did do quite a bit of these procedures including lips in the past.

During in person consultations I would ask to see all of the providers previous results and ask how much fat was grafted in each of those.

Make sure the after pictures are taken at least 3 to 6 months from the date of the initial procedure.

I would be hesitant to have this done by anyone who does not have an impressive collection of before and after pictures.

If that’s the case consider having more consultations.

Too many people post on real self asking how fat can be removed from previously injected facial fat transfer.

Personally I recommend gradually building up the volume over a couple of procedures.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Even if some of the fat or a lot of the fat doesn't take (nothing is "permanent") 7 cc is a huge amount to put into lips. Really, fillers are more predictable. If too much of the fat survives you can't fix that. Be careful here.

Fat transfer to upper lip. How many ccs are needed to attain my desired volume? (photos)

Answers (5)

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