Cosmetic Surgery Blog

I had always wanted fuller lips, and Gore-Tex was the most permanent, but removeable, option at the time.  I wasn’t willing to go the silicone route and I was tired of getting collagen injections.  Restylane wasn’t even remotely available at the time either.  My doctor suggested lip augmentation procedure with Gore-Tex implant, or more correctly GORE S.A.M. (subcutaneous augmentation material). This implant is made from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and comes in tubular and flat forms.  The facial implants are normally more tubular. Since the implant is solid and easily removable, I agreed to the surgery.

Well, I had the Gore-Tex lip implants “installed” in February of 1999. It did not meet my expectations, but it did what was promised. It made my lips larger and more defined.  Not exactly Angelina, but larger.  I still craved the bee-stung look so I occasionally had injections of various products layered over my Gore-Tex. I originally was waiting for a better, permanent product to come on the market but almost 10 years later (TEN YEARS!) I still haven’t a good alternative. 

My lip implants always interfered with movement, puckering, whistling and generally looking normal while in motion.  I didn’t really notice it until I saw photos but still I kept them.  After Restylane came on the market I realized I would rather pay for repeat injections and get the look I wanted than wait any longer for the ‘perfect’ permanent product. So I started making consulting for their removal.I met with Dr. Chia Chi Kao in Santa Monica and we discussed the removal and replacement with fat.  He felt that the addition of fat would help counter the scar tissue contraction and simultaneously give me some much needed augmentation.  I agreed and booked the surgery. 

Surprisingly, my surgeon made the removal incision about a 1/3 of the way over from the right corner of my mouth. He felt that I had already had enough scar tissue present from the implantation procedures (plus the infection I had at one point with the bottom implant).  As an unexpected bonus, the incision placement caused scar tissue to grow that actually balanced out the asymmetry I had on that side of my mouth. It turned out my vermilion more on the upper and lower lips and it helped restore symmetry. Yay me!

The lip implants removal recovery was quite easy.  Much better than the implantation procedure! I must admit I do have some nerve damage and occasionally my lower lip goes numb but it’s better than being immobile from the implants.  The fat had caused a lot of swelling—as expected—but had no lasting effectsa.  I still get Restylane and JuveDerm injections. 

Although I do not necessarily regret getting the Gore-Tex implants, I am thrilled I had them removed. If not simply for the knowledge and experience I gained from having them, they still gave me some augmentation while I had them.  I suppose I would not be so positive about the experience had I had any negative, long-term effects. Would I recommend that you get them for lip enhancement? No.  I would not whatsoever.  There are many more options available today than there were 10 years ago (TEN YEARS!!!!!!)

By the way, I still can’t whistle! In this pic I am very swollen from the removal process and the fact grafting. It was taken not very long after surgery