When Can I Smile Big Again After ALAR Retraction Procedure?

Hi, I am an Asian, from (Philippines), I had ear cartilage rhinoplasty for dorsum, tip plasty and alarplasty, 2 weeks ago. It looks so natural because I did not ask for high bridge... just better lower half and tip of the nose. Alars look natural and narrower EXCEPT i can not smile big again which was my biggest asset before. it hurts so much when i laugh.Is it possible to request to cut some dissolvable suture under the nose that pulls the alar together so I can smile like before? Thank you!

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by larry anne

Doctor Answers (4)
Community Comments (3)

Smiling Hurts After Rhinoplasty

Dear Larry, Congratulations on your results; if you are satisfied then things are going well. At 2 weeks post-op, what you are experiencing may be pretty much normal but could not be confirmed as such without a physical examination. Knowing the full details of your surgery is an essential point. I encourage you to have a little more patient and to try to get a hold of your surgeon and communicate with him/her explaining your issue as they may be the only ones with the full... more

Smile!

First: Ask your surgeon this question. However, about six weeks is a common number for initial nasal healing, for routine activities. Stay Happy!

Give some time to heal after Rhinoplasty and Alarplasty

Dear Larry, you are in the early stages of recovery from some extensive surgery and it is not uncommon to feel like your smile is unnatural and not the way it used it be. Swelling in the nose takes sometime to dissipate and while smiling should not cause you excessive pain keep your laughing and muscular movements to a minimum especially if causing discomfort. Your natural smiling and muscular movement should slowly come back to normal so have patience. Any concerns you have in... more

Michael Elam, MD

82 reviews

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

michaelelammd.com

Alar surgery issue

It is quite common to be stiff and have pain with smiling after nasal surgery. Overtime as things settle down and the selling dissipates, it should get better.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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Comments (3)

larry anne 22 Jul 2012

I think I had the CINCH SUTURE technique... i like my look when i smile with closed lips.. i like my profile and front view..and it looks natural because i had cartilage not silicon.
I just can't smile big showing my teeth anymore... it is the only proof of the operation i dont want people to notice.

anon4404 13 Apr 2013

Hi Larry, I'm facing the same issue as you. The surgeon who did my rhinoplasty in Manila said that he placed a cinch suture to narrow my alar base. It's also preventing my nose from 'flaring' when I smile, which I personally think looks unnatural. When you smile, your nose is supposed to widen. Now my nose looks pinched when I'm smiling. Did you end up removing the cinch sutures?

larry anne 13 Apr 2013

Hi there!!!! Who did ur nose? Dont worry too much. Its been 9 months aftr my surgery and i look so normal. At first..you will notice unnatural smile. And when u do u can actually feel the suture under.... here is what u do.... Close ur mouth and smile.... that is ur new smile.. the wide smile u used to do is not anymore compatible with ur new nose. If ur a girl its great... super feminine smile.. now try to speak without widening the nose and upperlip. It will become a new habit. And smile will look natural as we all wish.

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