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Smile after 16 days post septorhinoplasty; has anyone had the same experience and did the smile come back to normal? (Photos)

I hardly had any bruising and am healing really well.The splint was taken off a week after. My nose has changed a lot. My smile is a mess and i m very unhappy and depressed. it is super weird, looks very fake and forced. My upper lip used to cover all of my teeth and now it kind of doesn't . Its like I have something blocking my smile at the bottom of my nose. I spoke to the surgeon and he told my face now has changed.Has anyone had the same experience and did the smile come back to normal???

Doctor Answers 4

June 18th, 2016

Concerns with Smile after Rhinoplasty

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Dear Dun01, This should be a temporary issue of concern and as the swelling dissipates your smile should return to it's pre-surgical appearance. At sixteen days post surgery you are still in the early stages of recovery so be patient and speak with your surgeon, this should resolve on it's own. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

Learn more: http://michaelelammd.com/rhinoplasty-gallery

Michael Elam, MD


Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 218 reviews

June 18th, 2016

Rhinoplasty

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Thank you for your question. Yes, your experience is quite normal. You will regain your smile as you continue to heal.

Best wishes,

Learn more: http://www.drclevens.com/rhinoplasty

Ross A. Clevens, MD

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 124 reviews

June 18th, 2016

Smile changes after rhinoplasty

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Dear Dun01,
It is great that you are healing well from your rhinoplasty, and hopefully this will shed a little light on the changes you are seeing in your smile. In your first picture your nose is dipping down covering a fair amount of the skin between the base of your nose and your lip. In your second photo the tip of your nose is more elevated and you are seeing this area, when before it was covered. Your nose will be firm and stiff for many months, and you should see more mobility once this softens up. Our bodies also are protective of tender and healing tissue, and a wide full smile very likely pulls on what is trying to heal, making your muscles work with less force right now. 
I would be thankful that you are off to such a great start with your nose, and just be patient with your smile. I will bet everything will get back to normal once you have had more time to heal.
Stacey Folk, MD

Stacey Folk, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 25 reviews

June 18th, 2016

Smile after rhinoplasty

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Hi Dun01,

Depending on what work was done, the upper lip and smile can be affected in some cases following rhinoplasty. This is almost certainly temporary and should return as the swelling from the procedure resolves. Please keep your chin up and have confidence it will get better!!! : )
Stay in touch with your surgeon and please keep us updated on your progress!
Good luck!
P. Daniel Ward, MD

P. Daniel Ward, MD
Salt Lake City Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 50 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.