Post rhinoplasty...can't smile (Photo)

We nearly always place a columellar strut cartilage graft during rhinoplasty surgery to add tip support, and to help maintain tip position. These grafts may be 2-3 centimeters long, and may extend from your tip down into the muscles of your upper lip. This may result in upper lip heaviness with smiling, and this has been temporary in our patients.Hope this helps you.Dr Joseph

Agree with my colleagues comments as well- it is still early in terms of swelling; I usually tell my patients that most of the swelling is present for the first 1-2 months and then gradually goes down over a year..

At 8 days, you are extremely early in your recovery period and the nose is expected to be quite swollen at this point. The majority of the swelling will resolve in 3-6 months, and will continue to resolve as your nose heals for up to 1-2 years. You have not reached your final shape as the nose will continue to heal and reduce in size for up to a year. Once it does reach its final shape you may be more pleased with the appearance of your nose.

Thank you very much for enquire.It's too early to make value judgments with only eight days after a rhinoplasty.Swelling after a rhinoplasty depends of the surgery complexity.In this regard, the nasal swelling Post-op It can last from two weeks to two months.To reduce this swelling, I recommend you perform delicates daily lymphatic drainage massage therapy over the face (around the nose) avoid sun exposure, and take pain/inflamation pills, as your surgeron precribe you.Kind regards, Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

The ability to smile is commonly impacted by rhinoplasty initially. This is often due to swelling.  It often gets better with time.

With an open rhinoplasty and alar base reduction it is not particularly unusual to experience minor swelling that can affect smiling. Try not to worry as this will improve with time. Share your concerns with your physician and follow any recommendations about your post operative care. I would expect further improvement without any Rx or therapy required. Best wishes.

The combination of the open rhinoplasty and alar base revision, along with just the injections of local anesthesia will lead to swelling that will affect your smile for more than 7 days. Be sure to follow up with your plastic surgeon, since the internet can only accomplish so much.

Thank you for your question. Remember, you should always
address any post-operative concerns with your primary surgeon. It is very
important to remember it takes 6 months for 90% of the swelling to resolve
after a rhinoplasty. During this waiting period, several treatment options can
reduce the swelling. First, post-operative taping is imperative to decrease
swelling and mold the shape of the nose. This can be performed for a minimum of
2 weeks with recommendations commonly for 3 months. Second, a short course of
oral steroids (Medrol dose pack) can be beneficial in the early stages to
decrease swelling and pain. Third, I commonly use a dilute solution of Kenalog
with Marcaine to decrease swelling of the nasal tip. I hope you find this
helpful. Best of luck in your recovery!

Sincerely,

James
Fernau, MD, FACS, member of The Rhinoplasty Society

Swelling is a normal response after surgery and will
resolve with time. I always ask my patients to call my office with any questions and concerns.  Continue to check with you surgeon to make sure the
healing is normal