Right after the first time I got lip fillers, I was newly, happily single and on my way to a wedding. My mouth was a little sore and also a little puffier than I knew my final results would be, but I was already in love with the results. My top lip finally matched my bottom lip. They still looked like mine, just more filled out.

The only downside was that there would be no rebound makeouts for me at this wedding because, well, kissing someone when I was still getting used to my new lips didn’t sound ideal. And I worried that even if I did decide to go for it, my makeout partner might feel some nebulous difference that would hint I’d had something done. While I theoretically know there’s nothing wrong with that, the prospect made me feel a little bashful all the same.

Apparently, I wasn’t alone in these thoughts. “I get asked pretty frequently if a significant other will be able to tell that [a patient has] fillers when kissing,” Dara Liotta, M.D., a double-board certified plastic surgeon based in Manhattan, tells SELF. Patients also often ask her how long they have to wait before “using” their plumper lips, she says.

In case you have the same questions, I spoke with cosmetic surgeons and three other women who have lip fillers to ease your worries.

First, let’s talk about how lip fillers work.

Lip fillers are injections performed by a medical professional like a cosmetic surgeon to change the look of your lips, specifically their volume, shape, symmetry, or proportions, Lara Devgan, M.D., M.P.H., board-certified plastic surgeon and RealSelf chief medical editor, tells SELF. “They can vary anywhere from subtle to [obvious] and can be customized to an individual’s anatomy and goals,” she says.

In the past, medical professionals have used liquid paraffin, silicone, and even bovine (cow) collagen for lip augmentations. These days, though, most favor lip fillers that use hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a natural substance found in different parts of your body like the joints and skin. HA attracts water, which can result in a plumper look, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

There are multiple types of HA-containing fillers on the market with different pros and cons. Popular brand names include Restylane, Juvéderm, and Belotero. How long your fillers last depends on factors like which type you get (and how much of it, since most people need multiple syringes to achieve their desired results, per the ASPS), but different brands report added fullness for anywhere from six months and up. Similarly, the price of lip fillers depends on the type and how much you get, but one syringe can cost $600 or more. Your doctor may have a preferred filler or will help choose the best for you based on your desires, lips, and budget.

You may want to avoid making out (and more) immediately after the procedure.

This is especially true if you’re new to lip fillers. After getting lip fillers, especially as a newbie, there is often a period of 24 to 48 hours where your lips will be noticeably swollen (beyond your intended results), Dr. Liotta says. You might also experience pain and tenderness at the injection site, lumpiness, and bruising. The length and intensity of these side effects really vary from person to person, Dr. Liotta says, but within 10 days to a few weeks, most people will be side effect-free and will see the final results of the procedure.