Stiff Upper Lip After Closed Rhinoplasty?

I recently underwent closed Rhinoplasty, where the prominent hump on my nose was removed and the tip slightly projected. I also had the depressor muscles detached to prevent the nose drooping when I smiled.

However I now have a very stiff and almost immovable upper lip, which doesn't move when I talk or smile, giving the appearance of it almost being paralyzed. Is this normal, and will it eventually heal?

Read my review "Upper Lip Problem After Rhinoplasty"

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by natstock85 in United Kingdom

Doctor Answers (5)
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Your stiff upper lip should soften.

If you had your tip projected with a columella-strut, immobility of the central lip is common, and resolves in around a month. How long ago was your operation? I don't have any personal experience with "detachment of the depressor muscles", but my hunch is that your upper lip will be fine with time. What does your surgeon think? Best regards.

Eric M. Joseph, MD

198 reviews

West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

Give it time

This is not in usual with a rhinoplasty, particularly when depressor muscles operated on. A sharp instrument is used to separate the depressor muscles from their attachments to the bone at the base of the nose. This in itself will cause swelling which will limit lip movement ,as well as the actual separation of the muscles will limit their contraction. As swelling resolves and the muscles reattach, things should return to normal. The nerve that contracts the muscles could also temporarily be... more

Rhinoplasty Recovery and Changes in Your Smile: Be Patient

It is very common for rhinoplasty patients to report (in the first several weeks after surgery) that their upper lip feels stiff and that it is difficult for them to smile. Fortunately, this resolves by itself in the first several weeks after surgery as the swelling subsides. Be patient, your smile should return to normal.

Rhinoplasty and stiffness

Stiffness of the nose is normal after a rhinoplasty. This may take 6 months to a year for the stiffness and swelling to subside. Your smile should come back to its usual form.