Unable to Smile Propely at Almost 7 Weeks After Rhinoplasty

asked 1 year ago by beatrizzz in San Diego, CA
Latest answer by Eric M. Joseph, MD
Question viewed 522 times
Tags: smile, 2 months post-op, stiffness

I had a rhinoplasty as I had an upturned nose. My doctor moved my tip downward, narrowed my tip and changed the naso-labial angle. At first my upper lip was covering my upper teeth but it got better, and now you can see my teeth but I still have a stiff lip and I cannot smile properly. He told me I will have to wait weeks and I would like a second opinion as how many weeks. thank you

10 answers to Unable to Smile Propely at Almost 7 Weeks After Rhinoplasty

Heaviness of the middle of your upper lip is common after Rhinoplasty Surgery.

I read your concern: Nearly all of my Rhinoplasty patients have temporary heaviness of their upper lip when smiling. I place a columella-strut in nearly all of my patients: this type of cartilage graft is used to support your tip, and the bottom of it lives in the muscle of your upper lip. This results in some difficulty smiling for 6-8 weeks following rhinoplasty surgery. This has not been permanent or problematic in any of my patients. Good luck with your healing. I hope this... more

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

Smile after rhinoplasty

It is extremely common for the upper lip and smile to be affected for months after rhinoplasty due to stiffness and swelling in the base of the nose

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Post-rhinoplasty smile

Hi, This is not an uncommon concern following a rhinoplasty. In fact, I usually tell my rhinoplasty patients that their smile will not feel the same for at least the first 3 months after the surgery. This is due to a combination of post-operative swelling and dissection around the columella, as well as dissection along the junction of the nose and lip. Believe it or not, patients tend to have some swelling even months out after surgery. As you mentioned, you have already started to see a... more

Sarmela Sunder, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Keeping a Stiff Upper Lip After Rhinoplasty

Hi Beatriz, Keep an upper lip about this. Your surgeon knows best. It will likely take a few more weeks for your upper lip muscles to reattach and for your smile to return. Good luck and be well, hope that you enjoy your new nose. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Unable to smile after Rhinoplasty

I'd give yourself 3-6 months for your smile to return to normal. If the plastic and cosmetic surgeon dissected the tissues in front of the columella, this can weaken the nerve that raises the upper lip. Most of the time this returns to normal function within a year following the Rhinoplasty. IMHO, I would not consider any treatment or surgery until that year has elapsed.

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

De-Rotation CAN Change the Upper Lip

You should expect some (usually very minor) changes in the upper lip as de-rotation of the nose can relieve tension in that area. As the nasolabial angle changes to a less obtuse position, the lip can drop very slightly. In most patients, this is not noticeable, however, in some it can be seen. This is usually accentuated by the swelling in this area immediately after surgery. As with all rhinoplasty, healing time is expected in order to allow for the swelling to... more

Paul K. Holden, MD
Phoenix Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.HoldenFace.com

Rhinoplasty San Diego

In agreement with other responders, healing, resolution of swelling, softening of stiff tissues, and return of neuromuscular function after surgery are processes that occur gradually, You understand this intuitively, as you mention that your upper lip lifts more than it did immediately following your procedure, but still not normally. So you see, nobody can predict the future, and tell you the precise number of weeks until lip elevation is normal. It is not a problem... more

Steve Laverson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

feelbeautiful.com

Limited Motion of Upper Lip after Rhinoplasty

Your smile should return to normal over the next 2-3 months as swelling resoves. The stiffness is secondary to the work your surgeon did at the base of your nose.The improvement you describe will continue.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Difficulty smiling after rhinoplasty

It is difficult to render a professional opinion without examining your nose or having a picture to visualize it. Based on your descriptions, there remains some degree of swelling in your upper lip after your recent rhinoplasty and upper lip surgery. I would recommend you to wait for at least two months until majority of swelling has subsided, then if there is any issue with you upper lip and smiling, then talk to your rhinoplasty surgeon. Good luck and good healing. Dr. Kevin Sadati more

Kevin Sadati, DO
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.galleryofcosmeticsurgery.com

Stiff upper lip after rhinoplasty

You have had a great deal of work done at the lip tip junction. Healing is a variable thing. I can't tell you how long but, just wait this should clear up.