Why can't I smile after rhinoplasty? I had the surgery 9 weeks ago. I had a droopy tip when I smiled so my surgeon pushed up my tip. However, now my upper lip is still so numb and I look pig like when I smile. The surgery was supposed to make my smile look better, not worse
Answer: Numbness and smile after rhinoplasty In general, almost all noses are numb right after a rhinoplasty. In most cases its the tip that is numb, but this numbness can extend down to the upper lip, and in rare cases some of the teeth. There are nerves that are cut and stretched during a rhinoplasty, and it takes a long time for those nerves to start working again. This is true of an open as well as closed rhinoplasty, although it tends to be more extensive in open rhinoplasty. This could also be more extensive if a septoplasty is performed at the same time. A revision rhinoplasty is a much harder surgery with a lot of internal scarring to cut through. This can also be a reason for prolonged numbness. This, along with the swelling, gives you a stiff, plastic type feel, and can give you an odd smile. However, the nerves will start working and again, and your nose stiffness will go away with time. As the nerves grow back, you may feel some tingling, itchiness and on occasion pain. This takes in most cases months, but can take years in rare cases. Extremely rarely, the numbness is permanent, although I have never seen such as case.Best Wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD
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Answer: Numbness and smile after rhinoplasty In general, almost all noses are numb right after a rhinoplasty. In most cases its the tip that is numb, but this numbness can extend down to the upper lip, and in rare cases some of the teeth. There are nerves that are cut and stretched during a rhinoplasty, and it takes a long time for those nerves to start working again. This is true of an open as well as closed rhinoplasty, although it tends to be more extensive in open rhinoplasty. This could also be more extensive if a septoplasty is performed at the same time. A revision rhinoplasty is a much harder surgery with a lot of internal scarring to cut through. This can also be a reason for prolonged numbness. This, along with the swelling, gives you a stiff, plastic type feel, and can give you an odd smile. However, the nerves will start working and again, and your nose stiffness will go away with time. As the nerves grow back, you may feel some tingling, itchiness and on occasion pain. This takes in most cases months, but can take years in rare cases. Extremely rarely, the numbness is permanent, although I have never seen such as case.Best Wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD
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March 8, 2013
Answer: Smiling After Rhinoplasty
Your surgeon may have resected or cut out your septal depressor muscle in the upper lip. It frequently is the cause of the nasal tip being pulled down when a person smiles. It is many times an integral part of rhinoplasty surgery. The stiffness and numbness gets better with time.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 8, 2013
Answer: Smiling After Rhinoplasty
Your surgeon may have resected or cut out your septal depressor muscle in the upper lip. It frequently is the cause of the nasal tip being pulled down when a person smiles. It is many times an integral part of rhinoplasty surgery. The stiffness and numbness gets better with time.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful