its been nearly 6 weeks since my alar base reduction and the doctor also did an alar cinch sutures on it to narrow down my nostril flare. The problem is im still experiencing a lot of tightness when i yawn and my upper teeth are not showing fully when i smile and barely showing when relaxed especially in the morning after a night's sleep. I feel like my upper lip are protruding out a lot more than it used to. When can i expect all the tightness and swollen of the lip/gum to go away fully?
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August 7, 2014
Answer: Swelling after alar base reduction and alar cinch sutures
While there is still some swelling, I believe the unsatisfactory
profile is due to what we call a “polly beak” or “supratip” deformity. It is usually
because the surgeon removed excessive bone from the nasal dorsum. In any event,
it can be fixed, but most likely will require additional surgery...
I think the graft has changed the surface anatomy of
your nose and is reflecting back more light. Maybe it will improve over time.
Other that waiting, I am not sure too much can be done about it. Good luck.
Most likely these are sutures to close the mucosa inside the nose. They are intended to dissolve and pulling them out as long as the incision line is healed, which it should be at 1 week, should present no problems.