Could smiling rip a stitch? It used to hurt to smile now it doesn't and I felt a release of pressure sensation above my lip.

Question

I had rhinoplasty on the 26th of april (3 days ago) i have been smiling and laughing today and smiling was causing painful tension above my upper lip, after smiling i felt a release of pressure and it no longer hurts to smile. Could this have ripped out an internal stitch, if so will it affect my results? The majority of the work was done to my tip and it was an open rhinoplasty.

Sirius K. Yoo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It would be quite unusual for smiling to cause any alteration in the changes your surgeon made.  Sutures should not be placed so delicately that normal facial expressions are going make them fail.  Additionally, the tape/splint that is placed after surgery normally provide support.  Contact your surgeon with your concern of course because only he/she knows what specific maneuvers were performed during your rhinoplasty, but don't fret too much.  All the best!

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question, brittanywood. Smiling or other normal facial movements should not jeopardize the integrity of the stitches or your results. I suggest you consult with the board certified facial plastic surgeon who performed your procedure for further detail, especially if you are concerned.Best wishes,

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you very much for enquire.It's too early to make value judgments with only 3 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

Smiling pulls on the nose in a few directions and as the nose heals, and the swelling starts to subside, the pain from smiling goes away.

Could smiling rip a stitch? It used to hurt to smile now it doesn't and I felt a release of pressure sensation above my lip.

Answers (4)

Answer: Smiling and rhinoplasty

Answer: Smiling and rhinoplasty

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Could smiling rip a stitch? It used to hurt to smile now it doesn't and I felt a release of pressure sensation above my lip.

Answers (4)

Answer: Smiling and rhinoplasty

Answer: Smiling and 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.