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In the last 10 years, lip fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane have popularized non-surgical cosmetic surgery by allowing clinicians to safely volumize the upper and lower lips of the face. These hyaluronic acid fillers are safe to use and absorb within 1 to 2 years after injection. Some common HA fillers used in cosmetic plastic surgery include Juvederm, Juvederm Ultra, Restylane Kysse, and Aliaxin.

 

With the rising popularity of hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane, the popularity of permanent Biopolymer injections with silicone has continue to diminish. About 20 to 30 years ago, unscrupulous clinicians began to use permanent biopolymer injections of silicone to volumize areas of the lip or face in order to find a permanent solution to aging.  These fillers have a tendency to migrate, cause swelling, and incite inflammation in the soft tissue where they are injected.

 

Solutions for the removal of Biopolymer silicone from the lips are limited, with only a few surgeons in the United States having the expertise to carefully and sustainably remove Silicone Biopolymer from the lips . These surgeons understand the unique anatomy of the orbicularis oris muscle and utilize meticulous methods to re-contour the lips after the removal of silicone fillers.

In Los Angeles, Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is among the top surgeons specializing in silicone biopolymer removal from the lips using a lip lift technique.
 

Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in the management of silicone lip fillers.  He has developed specific techniques to remove liquid silicone and AquaMED from the lips, while still maintaining appropriate lip volume and contour. Most importantly, Dr. Karamanoukian can reduce inflammation in the tissue and restore appropriate anatomic harmony to the upper and lower lips. Silicone lip fillers can be safely removed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending on patient specifics and surgeon preference .

 

Dr. Karamanoukian received his medical education at the UCLA school of medicine and thereafter trained at top medical institutions in California including the University of California San Diego and the University of California Irvine before entering into private practice in Los Angeles. He has lectured on the topic of Biopolymer Removal and is lead investigator in clinical studies examining the safety of silicon removal from the upper and lower lips.

 

Kare plastic surgery is a national center of excellence and the removal of liquid silicone from the face. Surgical methods employ meticulous attention to detail and allow our surgeons to re-contour the lips  with minimal risk to the nerves and muscles of the mouth. These procedures have minimal to moderate downtime and allow patients to regain confidence in their aesthetic profile. Dr. Karamanoukian uses a few techniques including surgery, intralesional injections, drainage of silicone liquid, dissolving of silicone granulomas, and lip lift techniques.

 

Finding the right surgeon for your lip lift procedure is not an easy task and that is why the surgeons of Kare plastic surgery make the choice easier and more definitive. Our surgical Director, Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, is renowned for his expertise in lip lift correction and Silicone Removal with lip lift. He has performed countless surgical procedures to remove biopolymers from the face and understands the detail necessary to achieve perfect results. Having a permanent filler in the soft tissue of the face can cause disfigurement and chronic swelling that may compromise the harmony of the face. We advise patients seeking surgical removal of silicone to schedule a comprehensive consultation and examination with Dr. Karamanoukian in Los Angeles.

During your examination, Dr. Karamanoukian will perform biometric measurements to determine the amount of upper teeth incisor show, volumetric expansion of the upper and lower lips, integrity of the cupids bow and philtral columns,  and the overall aesthetic appearance of your lips. These measurements can be combined with your medical history and physical examination to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Karamanoukian will offer his expertise in deciding whether your upper and lower lips should be surgically excised in order to remove the permanent filler. During this time, you will have the opportunity to go over pertinent questions and to understand the pros and cons of the surgical procedure. We ask that you schedule your consultation by calling 310-998-5533.

 

Surgical removal of liquid silicone from the lips can be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia depending on patient preference and surgical requirements for surgery. The decision will be made based on your pertinent physical findings and medical examination performed by one of our clinicians. Patients who will undergo the procedure under general anesthesia may need further testing to see if they're qualified for anesthesia at a surgical center or hospital. Under local anesthesia, a lip lift Silicone Removal can be performed safely and effectively while a patient is awake. If you choose to undergo a silicone lip lift with local anesthetic, preoperative guidelines must be met prior to surgery.

 

On the day of the procedure, Dr. Karamanoukian will carefully examine your lips and perform a pertinent medical examination with markings in order to delineate the amount of soft tissue for removal. A local anesthetic will be administered using appropriate guidelines and the lips will be numbed prior to excision.

Dr. Karamanoukian advises patients to maintain good hygiene and boost nutrition in the immediate post procedure period. Instructions will be given to you in a verbal fashion and reinforced by written instructions by Dr. Karamanoukian and his staff. If you have concerns after surgery, try to maintain a clean healthy incision line and contact our office through our after hours telephone line.