When you speak, people focus on your lips and mouth - the peri-oral area - to understand what you are saying. They also may be getting another message.

Are your lips and mouth suggesting that you are older than you want people to think you are? Do your friends and colleagues worry about your "tired" look?

Many patients come to Dr. Brueck's office and ask him what he can do to make them look refreshed, younger, more youthful. When we look at the face, several things may strike us as apparent.

One area of facial rejuvenation that is becoming more and more important is the mouth area, also known as the 'peri-oral' region of the face.

Some of the stigma that may show aging around the mouth include the following:

Droopy upper lip.

Vertical lines along the upper and lower lips.

Turning down at the corners of the mouth.

Thinning of the upper and lower lip.

We now have available many tools to correct some of these signs of aging. 'Peri-oral rejuvenation' is becoming an important aspect of creating a more youthful and rested facial appearance.

Some of the modalities we use are surgical and some non-surgical.

Now there is a new procedure for lip implants that is just short of amazing. It employs the implanting of a soft silcone tube, about the diameter of soda straw, tapered on each end. It's called 'PermaLip". One marvelous thing about it is its texture and pliabilty. Another is a design shape that tends to anchor the implant one place in the lip area.

Many surgeons have referred to it as a 'gummy bear' implant because it has the consistency of that childhood favorite candy, gummy bears.

We have just completed one of these procedures in Dr. Brueck's surgical suite. Here are before and after photos.

Please note the fuller, plumber vermilion areas, suggesting a younger, happier person.

It was performed with local anesthesia and recovery time was about five days.

In a recent study of 412 women who had the procedure, only 2 were unhappy with the results, even after a year. One patient requested reversal because her spouse complained.

Other procedures include lasering around the mouth to smooth out fine lines – we may add dermal fillers as well. These can also be used to fill out and plump the lips.

We can surgically elevate the corners of the mouth - we can advance the vermillion or pink of the upper and lower lips.

We can short a sagging or eulonging upper lip.

These procedures can be done easily as an outpatient under local anesthesia.

Peri-oral rejuvenation or lip enhancement many times is done in conjunction with a face/necklift or eyelid surgery, since it is very important to achieving a more balanced and youthful facial appearance.

Robert Brueck, MD, FACS is a Board Certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with 28 years of experience in cosmetic surgery and other non-intrusive procedures, including lip enhancement. He has been named one of the top plastic surgeons in Southwest Florida (Northport to Marco Island) for five consecutive years, including 2008, by Gulfshore Life magazine. He is dedicated to beautiful results in cosmetic surgery and strives to provide the highest quality patient care.

Dr. Brueck, currently practices in a world-class plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery facility. The most advanced technologies and the latest treatment therapies are offered to provide patients with the best in surgical and non-surgical results. You are invited to arrange a free, confidential, personal consultation with Dr. Brueck by clicking this link or calling 239-939-5233.

Dr. Brueck and his highly trained staff are dedicated to providing patients with the finest in cosmetic and plastic surgery in a responsive and comforting manner.