Would a rhinoplasty help balance my face?

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.