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

Question

Hello! I'm 8 days post op from my open rhinoplasty where I had an alar base revision and my tip refined. I got the splint off yesterday and I haven't been able to smile. My upper lip does not got past my upper teeth and when I purse my lips (duck lips) I feel a little pressure at the base of my nose between my nostrils. Is this a normal side effect of the surgery? Is there anything I can do to regain my smile faster?

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

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

Samuel Lin, MD, FACS · Answer

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..

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

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.-

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

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

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

Answers (9)

Answer: 8 days post op, some advices:

Answer: 8 days post op, some advices:

Answer: Smiling after rhinoplasty

Answer: Smiling after rhinoplasty

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

Answers (9)

Answer: 8 days post op, some advices:

Answer: 8 days post op, some advices:

Answer: Smiling after rhinoplasty

Answer: Smiling after rhinoplasty

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.