Unhappy With Smile 1 Month After Rhinoplasty- Will It Improve?

asked 9 months ago by Berlin4293 in berlin
Latest answer by Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Question viewed 209 times
Tags: smile, 1 month post-op, expectation, unhappy

Hello, I am 3 and a half weeks post rhinoplasty, and I still have a terrible smile (no upper teeth showing, middle of the top lip unable to lift). i wonder how long i should wait before i am worried? i read some other answers from doctors which suggested it should be largely better after 3 weeks, but this is not the case for me. i am embarrassed and feel unattractive - given that a smile is one of the most important features of your face!

5 answers to Unhappy With Smile 1 Month After Rhinoplasty- Will It Improve?

Smile changing after rhinoplasty

The smile is temporarily altered after a rhinoplasty. This is rarely permanent. It may be more dramatic of a change if you had nostril incisions for alar reduction. Typically all is well by the latest, 3 months or so. Revision surgery for the nose and or/lips can help in future if you still dont like your smile. If your surgeon made drastic changes to your muscles then this may be more of a long term issue.

Ashkan Ghavami, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.Ghavamiplasticsurgery.com

Unhappy with smaile 3 weeks after Rhinoplasty, now what?

If your Rhinoplasty surgeon did dissection in the anterior septal spine area, which is midline just above the upper lip...the muscle that lifts the upper lip could be effected. Typically this is done during an extensive Septoplasty or to fill in a retracted columella with crushed cartilage or a man made graft. Ask if this was done. If so, the upper lip most often returns to normal function within several months. Hope this helps.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

It is quite normal early after rhinoplasty

It is still quite normal you have trouble smiling, because it has been only one month after the surgery. It takes time for the numbness to go away. Patients report often less sensation/movement in the lip area. The numbness also is typical for the tip of the nose. Your smile is not the same because the nerves are not fully awake yet after surgery. It can take up to 6 months, but you will see improvement. Be patient and follow up with your surgeon.

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Prolonged upper lip swelling after rhinoplasty

Dear Berlin, 1 month post rhinoplasty is evidently too soon for you to see improvement in your upper lip. Sometimes it takes a bit longer for some people to resolve this problem. Several things may be affecting your prolonged swelling, ie; certain pain relievers called NSAIDs, time under anesthesia, etc. So, please be patient as you are still very early in the healing process. I hope this info helps, Dr. H

Gary M. Horndeski, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon