What to Expect on the Day of Lip Fillers
Be prepared for an efficient and pleasant experience on the day of your Lip Filler appointment at Soma Plastic Surgery. We will begin by applying a topical anesthetic to numb the area so that you are comfortable during the injections. The numbing creams often consist of benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine (BLT). About 15 to 30 minutes later, your lips should be numb. If you have a BLT allergy, you may be given a nerve block injection to numb your lips, which takes about 15 to 30 minutes as well.
Once your lips are numbed, the provider will carefully administer the chosen Lip Filler injections with an ultra-thin needle to minimize any discomfort. While you won’t feel any pain, many patients express feeling a pinching sensation, which may cause their eyes to water.
An ice pack may be applied to your lips throughout the procedure to minimize swelling and bruising.
The entire procedure could take as little as 30 minutes to two hours.
Lip Fillers Recovery
After receiving Lip Fillers at Soma Plastic Surgery, the provider will gently massage the treated area to ensure even distribution; they may continue to ice your lips as well to minimize bruising and swelling.
You will be monitored for up to 15 minutes to ensure you don’t experience any side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, or substantial bleeding. Once it is decided that you no longer require monitoring, you’ll be able to go home. Although the local anesthetic won’t make you tired or groggy so you can drive yourself home, you may choose to have a family member or friend drive you home just in case.
Your lips may be swollen, sensitive, and bruised, but those reactions should fade away after 24 to 48 hours, however, it can take up to a week.
You may be asked to return for a follow-up appointment about two weeks after the procedure to monitor your lips and take “after” photos.
Here are some tips that can help during your initial recovery for the best results:
- Apply an ice pack for up to 10 minutes to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling.
- Avoid exercising for at least 24 hours
- Be careful brushing your teeth
- Don’t wear lipstick, lip balm, or any other product on your lips for at least 24 hours
- Drink plenty of water
- Refrain from touching or puckering your lips, including kissing and sipping from a straw