Can septoplasty or rhinoplasty lift the upper lip?

Question

It's hard to tell from some of the pictures, but it looks like the upper lip can possibly be lifted slightly with a septoplasty or rhinoplasty? What is your experience with this?

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A septoplasty is performed in the back of the nose for airflow management and does not change the shape of the nose, so it does not lift the upper lip. A rhinoplasty procedure can accomplish lifting the nasal tip when necessary which gives the illusion of the longer upper lip. Reduction of the hanging columella can also give the illusion of a shorter nose which is less bottom heavy, and can give the illusion of the longer upper lip. Digital computer imaging of your nose on your facial features would be helpful to understand what can and cannot be accomplished with a rhinoplasty procedure. Rhinoplasty is a very difficult endeavor, so choose your surgeon wisely based on extensive experience. For more information about rhinoplasty and many before-and-after examples, please see the link and the video below

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear userOregon, 
you should discuss this topic with your plastic surgeon. Generally speaking an upper lip lift can be performed together with septoplasty or rhinoplasty.
Dr. Daniel Barrett

Myriam Loyo, MD · Answer

This is a great question. The position of the nasal tip can subtly change the upper lip and the individual anatomy of each nose is important to consider.A good example is when the nasal tip is very projected (meaning it comes up from the face forward), which can pull on the lip.  You might see the transition between the nasal tip and the lip on the profile view is blunted. So making the nasal tip smaller, can soften the transition of the nose and lip and relax the upper lip.Additionally the position of the nasal tip can determine how much upper lip you see. If the tip is droopy, it might hide the upper lip. If the nasal tip is upturned you would see more upper lip than if it is droopy.Additionally after surgery the nose is swollen some sometimes the upper lip feels tight when smiling. This should go away after surgery. There is a procedure to specifically lift the upper lip when you do a rhinoplasty. It is called a subnasal lip lift. It has an additional scar under the nose, so it is not very commonly done. But it can give the upper lip a nice subtle lift.I recommend you discuss your specific case with a surgeon so that you can understand what to expect. Hope this helps! Good luck ps- septoplasty should not affect the upper lip. Sometimes temporary numbness.

Can septoplasty or rhinoplasty lift the upper lip?

Answers (3)

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