The Other Lip Implant: VeraFil™ (FulFil™):
Last time I read about this implant I was actually surprised that Medical Science was going back towards a permanent implant go the lips again. Evera Medical brings us VeraFil™, a silicone-shelled, saline-filled lip implant. Known as FulFil™ in Europe, this implant is pending FDA approval in the United States under the VeraFil name. Although this implant would seem to be softer than a solid, yet porous, expanded polytetraflouroethylene (ePFTE) implant (think Gore-Tex™), it gives me pause. I have had my share of problems with lip implants and am lip-implant shy because of it. This is not to say that VeraFil™ is not the answer to our small-lipped prayers—it very well may be.
The VeraFil™ implant is a silicone-shelled implant that is housed within a polytetraflouroethylene (ePFTE) membrane that is 0.002 of an inch thick. The implant is connected to the ePTFE membrane at the ends of the implant, and is designed to help promote tissue integration to hinder the implant from slipping and becoming displaced. The implant is threaded through the lips very much like an AlloDerm, or Gore S.A.M. implant (like I had) and saline is added after implantation with the use of a fill tube through the implant’s micro-valve. The usual risks are infection, implant extrusion, scar tissue, rejection, palpability, general dissatisfaction, etc. The cost has been reported between $3,000 and $4,000 USD. The expected effects should be bruising, swelling, numbness, and decreased mobility until the area has fully healed.
Honestly, the best information I have found regarding implantation and implant construction has been through the use of the following links. I could not write better information on this procedure than the available data found below. I strongly recommend that you read the below articles before considering the use of this implant. Before undergoing any procedure, especially one which has not had a significant amount of use on the open market, you must thoroughly the process and follow its progress. And even with that, I would wait for approval or at least for a sizeable amount of date a collection before considering it for your own use.
Further Reading
http://www.everamedical.com/about-implant-us.php
http://www.everamedical.com/pdf/international/ajcs_24_4_183_192_e.pdf
Adverse Event Reports to the FDA:
Marianne
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Reader Comments (4)
I'm very happy with Restylane. The more you use it, the less often you need it. It seems to have a cumulative effect. No reactions like infection or allergies. (Whereas, I had allergic reactions to collagen after a number of years of no problems.)
The only problem with Restylane is it hurts like hell to inject and you need dental blocks - at least I do. Maybe some other filler will come out that is more permanent. BTW, I would never ever do a silicone filler. Have you seen poor Priscella Presley's face? Who knows what she had but it's still silicone.
That's all I have been using lately, Resty and JuveDerm :) I also get the nerve blocks, ouch!!
Marianne,
I am in shock at the butcher job "new image" did to your former baby (YTF). I guarantee they will lose most of the posters. Hope you are well.
Inga
Inga,
I am sure it will just take time to get used to the new format. I remember when we switched over to the PHP forums from the old CGI forums, people were unaccustomed to it (like me!!) I fought long and hard about changing but I knew I had to. The traffic couldn't handle the load because it was so ancient of a script. But then we got used to it and the old version faded from memory.
I like the way they redid the sites, maybe they are still improving upon the layouts. Perhaps we could determine what the issues people are having with the new site and offer anisigh on improvement?
:)M