Pulled Up Lip After Rhino - One Week Postop

It's normal to have swelling, pulling, and sometimes be a little up-turned a week after surgery.  Please don't worry!  I would wait until at least 4 mo after your surgery to see how things settle.  Of course, if you have any concerns, you should talk to your rhinoplasty surgeon.  I'm sure he/she will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Dr. Cat Begovic M.D.

Increasing tip projection involves putting more support into the base of the nose (the strip between your nostrils).  This will increase the amount the nose sticks out and will fix a droopy nose, but it does pull up (recruit) skin from the upper lip.  At a week after surgery,  not only does the tip support inserted during surgery increase tip projection, but also any swelling fluid in the tissues will accentuate the pull on the upper lip.  As this swelling fluid resolves with healing, the tip will drop down, and the pulled skin from the upper lip will gradually settle down too.  It is all part of the healing process.  One of my head nurses from years ago told patients that it is probably best to cover all the mirrors in the house for a few weeks after surgery!   Get rid of the stress, worrying will not help anything.