Would a rhinoplasty help balance my face?

Thank you for your question. For clarification purposes, I undestand double jaw surgery as advancement of the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw). Certainly a maxillary advancement requires moving the base on which the septum of the nose sits. This certainly can alter the appearance and shape of the nose. I think there is not a predictable pattern of exactly how the nose changes after a maxilla advancement. But it could lead to nasal or septal deformities that are improved by rhinoplasty. I would need to see photographs or ideally be able to examine the patient in person to know for sure

Post-operative changes in nasal width, tip rotation, and nostril show are common after double jaw surgery, especially when maxillary advancement or impaction is involved. These changes often give the appearance of a shorter or more upturned nose, wider alar base, and increased nostril visibility — all of which can affect the facial balance you were previously used to. The apparent lengthening of the philtrum may be a visual illusion caused by upward rotation of the nasal tip or descent of upper lip support, rather than true elongation. A lip lift in this context is generally contraindicated or must be approached cautiously, as the altered nasal base angle and nostril exposure can make results unpredictable or even worsen aesthetics. If you're feeling that the nose is now disproportionately affecting your facial harmony, a rhinoplasty (likely with focus on tip de-rotation and base narrowing) may better address your concerns. However, give special consideration to your airway and surgical history — any nasal intervention must take into account functional integrity post-jaw surgery.

First of all, knowing the type of jaw surgery is the key point here. When the upper jaw is moved forward, the lips may shorten, and the nose may shift upward; whereas when it is moved backward, the opposite occurs — the lips may lengthen. Learning the exact type of surgery is therefore crucial.
If the main goal here is to restore the harmony between the lips and the nose, evaluating with photographs would be the most accurate approach. Photos taken with the rear camera of a phone in a well-lit environment would be most helpful. Apart from this, it is difficult to make further comments.

Thanks for the detailed question — this is a common and very valid concern following orthognathic (double jaw) surgery. You're absolutely not alone in noticing changes to the nose, philtrum, and overall facial balance.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s likely going on:

Why Your Nose Changed After Jaw Surgery:
Widening of the Nose – Advancing the maxilla (upper jaw) tends to widen the alar base (the outer edges of the nostrils). This is particularly noticeable if no alar base cinch suture was done during surgery.
Nasal Tip Rotation (Upturned Nose) – When the upper jaw moves forward and/or upward, the nasal spine and septum are repositioned. This can cause the tip to rotate upward, increasing nostril show.
Longer-Looking Philtrum – This is partly an optical illusion. With the tip rotated up and nostrils more exposed, it can visually elongate the space between the base of the nose and the upper lip — even if the actual philtrum length hasn’t changed drastically.

So, What Are Your Options?
1. Rhinoplasty (Highly Considered in Your Case)

Since your nose was small to begin with and now appears wider and more rotated, a conservative, finesse rhinoplasty could:

Narrow the base (alar base reduction)
Derotate the tip slightly
Reduce nostril show
Restore facial balance, especially in profile and frontal views
This type of revision is commonly done post-jaw surgery to “fine-tune” proportions once the skeletal foundation has healed.

Lip Lift?

You’re absolutely right to be cautious. A lip lift in the context of a short nose or upturned nasal tip can create awkward angles or make the nose look even more prominent. It can also worsen nostril show.

Unless the philtrum is truly long on precise facial analysis (which would involve front and lateral view measurements), a lip lift might not help — and could potentially disrupt harmony further.

Let me know if you'd like a list of specific aesthetic goals to bring to a consult.

During double jaw surgery one of the main support mechanisms to your nose, the septum, is disarticulated or separated from your cheek bone (maxilla). Once it is separated, the tip loses support and as a result will tend to widen and rotate upwards, shortening and flattening the nose. The philtrum appears longer due to a lack of support along the bottom or caudal part of your septum and nose. Structure and support must be added back to the nose to restore the natural shape and length. The best option for this support tends to be cartilage (rib cartilage) from your own body, and in an experienced surgeon's hands you can achieve a nasal shape even prettier than your original.

A rhinoplasty could refine those aspects and make your nose proportionate with the rest of your features. That said, facial balance is incredibly nuanced, and sometimes it takes time for your perception to adjust after such a significant change.

An upturned nose, combined with a longer philtrum, can create a challenging appearance, especially when the nostrils are more visible. A consultation with a facial plastic surgeon experienced in rhinoplasty who understands facial proportions would be the best option for evaluating your nose and philtrum together, as well as your overall facial harmony. Such a consultation could help provide clarity. Such a consultation can confirm if subtle refinements would restore facial balance.

Hello and thank you for your questions. I feel as though you would benefit from an in person consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon. This would allow for photograph review and a discussion about your goals and realistic expectations.

Thanks melaniiie for your question! After a major treatment like double jaw surgery, it's quite normal to feel a little unsettled. Even though the surgery's primary focus is on the jaw, it occasionally has an indirect effect on how your nose looks. This is due to the fact that shifting your jaw can change how your face features are balanced overall.
Restoring facial harmony and refining your nose can be accomplished via rhinoplasty. Your particular issues regarding your nose, including its breadth, tip location, and visibility of your nostrils, might be addressed by a qualified plastic surgeon. What a rhinoplasty may do is as follows:
Make your nose narrow: A rhinoplasty might assist to narrow the nasal bones and cartilage if you feel that your nose is broader than you would like.
Adjust the tip: To produce a more harmonious and attractive appearance, the surgeon might fine-tune the location and form of your nasal tip.
Reduce nostril visibility: You may lessen the visibility of your nostrils by using techniques like alar base reduction.
Before thinking about a rhinoplasty, it is usually advised to wait until the soft tissue alterations and edema following the jaw surgery have completely subsided. Usually, this takes a year or so.
You can talk about your particular concerns and objectives during a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. They can evaluate your face and nose characteristics and suggest the best course of action to get the results you want.
Realistic Expectations: While rhinoplasty can significantly improve your appearance, it's important to have realistic expectations. A skilled surgeon will work to enhance your natural features and create a harmonious and natural-looking result.
Hope this was helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr Ali Sajjadian
TRIPLE Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

I understand your concern. Changes to the jaw and facial contour after orthognathic surgery can indeed alter the proportion and perception of other features, such as the nose and nasolabial groove. In your case, the widening of the nose and increased visibility of the nostrils may have become more pronounced due to the new jaw position, creating a sense of imbalance.
A rhinoplasty could help harmonize the appearance of your nose with your new facial structure. This procedure might refine the nose or adjust its projection and rotation to better complement your face. As for the nasolabial groove, it may also appear longer due to the change in facial proportions; however, a lip lift might not be ideal if, as you mentioned, your nose angle is not favorable for it.

Thank you for your question!

You are correct. Jaw surgery can change the appearance of the nose. Most Board Certified Plastic Surgeons with reconstructive and cosmetic experience would have known to perform what's called an alar cinch to the base of the nose, ultimately preventing the nose from appearing wider. It also would have been beneficial to do what's called a Lip Plasty. A Lip Plasty would have shortened the philtrum keeping a more aesthetically pleasing balance to the face. Ultimately, all of your concerns can be addressed in an office setting under local. It would be in your best interest to seek out a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon that has experience in cosmetic procedures as well. Best of Luck!