Will my upper lip go back to normal after rhinoplasty/bone graft? I can't smile and it looks huge. (photo)

Question

I had rhinoplasty done about ten days ago. I wanted more of a "swooped" appearance and my tip lifted. My surgeon did a "bone graft?", and recycled bone into my "philtrum?" area above my lip in order to raise my nose tip.. I love the results of my nose- but my upper lip looks weird.. it changes my whole facial appearance and I don't like it at all.. I also can't smile normally. Will my lip go back to normal? Or is that bone graft reversible? I didn't think it would make this big of a difference.

John Layke, DO, FACS · Answer

Upper lip stiffness can remain for several weeks, especially if grafts were placed in the base of the tip of the nose, or anterior nasal spine.  Be patient and this will likely resolve by 6 weeks.

Gurmander Singh Kohli, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for writing  to RealSelf.Upper lip swelling seen in the photographs is quite normal at this early stage in the post surgery healing phase. Please give it time and follow the instructions of your surgeon. It might take at least 6 weeks to see a discernible change or even 6 months for a near complete resolution to see the expected results.

Jeffrey Watson, MD · Answer

Hang in there Vanessa! Upper lip swelling and (temporary) smile alterations are totally normal. Often there is even bruising on the underside of the upper lip if you look -- also normal. The swelling from the nose goes downhill with gravity so the lip collects some of it. It'll all go down. The smile part can take a couple to a few weeks to feel normal. But rest assured what feels very abnormal to you is not very noticeable to others. Hope that helps :)

Will my upper lip go back to normal after rhinoplasty/bone graft? I can't smile and it looks huge. (photo)

Answers (3)