What It Is
Lip augmentation with fat grafting is a cosmetic procedure that enhances lip volume and shape by transferring the patient’s own fat (autologous fat) from another area of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, to the lips. Unlike fillers, which are synthetic and temporary, fat grafting offers a natural and longer-lasting solution for fuller lips.
In Korea, this procedure is highly advanced thanks to refined harvesting and purification techniques. Surgeons emphasize precise shaping to create soft, natural-looking lips that harmonize with overall facial features. Korean clinics are known for delivering subtle, elegant results that avoid the “overfilled” look.
Why It’s Done
Cosmetic Purposes:
- Adds natural volume to thin lips
- Restores fullness lost with aging
- Enhances lip symmetry and definition
- Creates a softer, more youthful appearance
Patient Considerations:
- Ideal for patients seeking natural, long-term lip enhancement
- Common among those who prefer to avoid synthetic fillers
- Best for healthy, non-smoking individuals with enough donor fat for harvesting
Alternatives
- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Quick, non-surgical option but temporary (6–12 months)
- Lip Implants: Provide permanent volume but may look less natural and require a foreign material
- Subnasal Lip Lift: Shortens the philtrum and enhances lip show but does not add volume
- Corner Lip Lift: Elevates downturned corners but does not address lip fullness
Preparation
Patients undergoing lip fat grafting in Korea typically follow these steps:
- Consultation: Facial analysis and discussion of lip shape and volume goals
- Donor Site Assessment: Abdomen, thighs, or hips are common fat sources
- Medical Evaluation: Blood tests and general health checks
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Stop smoking, alcohol, and blood-thinning medications prior to surgery
- Fasting: Required if performed under sedation or general anesthesia (less common for small-volume grafts)
How It’s Done
Type: Minimally invasive surgical procedure
Duration: 1–2 hours
Procedure Steps:
- Small amounts of fat are harvested from donor sites using gentle liposuction techniques
- Fat is purified and processed to separate healthy fat cells
- Using fine cannulas, fat is carefully injected into the lips in layers for even distribution
- The lips are shaped for symmetry and natural contour
Anesthesia: Usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation; general anesthesia may be used if combined with other surgeries
Hospitalization: Outpatient procedure; patients go home the same day
Recovery
- First Week: Swelling and mild bruising of lips and donor site are common
- Pain Management: Usually mild, controlled with oral medications
- Activity: Normal activities can resume in 2–3 days, though swelling may persist for 1–2 weeks
- Final Results: Stabilize after 2–3 months, once fat settles and integrates into tissue
- Longevity: A portion of transferred fat is reabsorbed by the body, but surviving fat cells remain permanently
Possible Complications
- Swelling and bruising (common and temporary)
- Asymmetry if fat resorption is uneven
- Overcorrection or undercorrection (can be refined with touch-up procedures)
- Rare risks: infection or small lumps due to fat necrosis
Treatment Options in Korea
Diagnosis
Korean clinics use advanced diagnostic approaches:
- Facial Proportion Analysis to customize lip shape
- Digital Imaging to preview expected outcomes
- Surgeon Consultation to determine donor sites and injection strategy
Medical Treatments
For patients not ready for fat grafting:
- Hyaluronic acid fillers for temporary, non-surgical enhancement
- Botox around lips for shape refinement (not volume)
Surgical or Advanced Therapies
- Lip Fat Grafting Alone: Natural, long-lasting enhancement
- Combined with Lip Lift: Improves both philtrum length and fullness
- Hybrid Approach: Fat grafting plus filler for precise shaping
- Fat Micro/Nanografting: Advanced techniques using very fine fat particles for smoother integration
Rehabilitation and Support
- Follow-up visits to monitor fat survival and healing
- Scar-free donor site management with modern liposuction tools
- International patient services: translation, accommodation, and aftercare support
