I had a rhinoplasty as I had an upturned nose. My doctor moved my tip downward, narrowed my tip and changed the naso-labial angle. At first my upper lip was covering my upper teeth but it got better, and now you can see my teeth but I still have a stiff lip and I cannot smile properly. He told me I will have to wait weeks and I would like a second opinion as how many weeks. thank you
Answer: Heaviness of the middle of your upper lip is common after Rhinoplasty Surgery.
I read your concern:
Nearly all of my Rhinoplasty patients have temporary heaviness of their upper lip when smiling. I place a columella-strut in nearly all of my patients: this type of cartilage graft is used to support your tip, and the bottom of it lives in the muscle of your upper lip. This results in some difficulty smiling for 6-8 weeks following rhinoplasty surgery. This has not been permanent or problematic in any of my patients.
Good luck with your healing.
I hope this is helpful for you.
Regards from NJ.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Heaviness of the middle of your upper lip is common after Rhinoplasty Surgery.
I read your concern:
Nearly all of my Rhinoplasty patients have temporary heaviness of their upper lip when smiling. I place a columella-strut in nearly all of my patients: this type of cartilage graft is used to support your tip, and the bottom of it lives in the muscle of your upper lip. This results in some difficulty smiling for 6-8 weeks following rhinoplasty surgery. This has not been permanent or problematic in any of my patients.
Good luck with your healing.
I hope this is helpful for you.
Regards from NJ.
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Answer: Smile after rhinoplasty
It is extremely common for the upper lip and smile to be affected for months after rhinoplasty due to stiffness and swelling in the base of the nose
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Answer: Smile after rhinoplasty
It is extremely common for the upper lip and smile to be affected for months after rhinoplasty due to stiffness and swelling in the base of the nose
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April 20, 2016
Answer: Post-rhinoplasty smile
Hi,
This is not an uncommon concern following a rhinoplasty. In fact, I usually tell my rhinoplasty patients that their smile will not feel the same for at least the first 3 months after the surgery. This is due to a combination of post-operative swelling and dissection around the columella, as well as dissection along the junction of the nose and lip. Believe it or not, patients tend to have some swelling even months out after surgery. As you mentioned, you have already started to see a change with more visibility of your teeth as the swelling starts to dissipate. It will likely only be a matter of time before you start seeing even more of an improvement. Good luck!
Dr.Sunder
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CONTACT NOW April 20, 2016
Answer: Post-rhinoplasty smile
Hi,
This is not an uncommon concern following a rhinoplasty. In fact, I usually tell my rhinoplasty patients that their smile will not feel the same for at least the first 3 months after the surgery. This is due to a combination of post-operative swelling and dissection around the columella, as well as dissection along the junction of the nose and lip. Believe it or not, patients tend to have some swelling even months out after surgery. As you mentioned, you have already started to see a change with more visibility of your teeth as the swelling starts to dissipate. It will likely only be a matter of time before you start seeing even more of an improvement. Good luck!
Dr.Sunder
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July 5, 2011
Answer: Keeping a Stiff Upper Lip After Rhinoplasty
Hi Beatriz,
Keep an upper lip about this. Your surgeon knows best. It will likely take a few more weeks for your upper lip muscles to reattach and for your smile to return. Good luck and be well, hope that you enjoy your new nose.
Dr. P
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Answer: Keeping a Stiff Upper Lip After Rhinoplasty
Hi Beatriz,
Keep an upper lip about this. Your surgeon knows best. It will likely take a few more weeks for your upper lip muscles to reattach and for your smile to return. Good luck and be well, hope that you enjoy your new nose.
Dr. P
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January 4, 2021
Answer: Rhinoplasty San Diego
In agreement with other responders, healing, resolution of swelling, softening of stiff tissues, and return of neuromuscular function after surgery are processes that occur gradually, You understand this intuitively, as you mention that your upper lip lifts more than it did immediately following your procedure, but still not normally. So you see, nobody can predict the future, and tell you the precise number of weeks until lip elevation is normal. It is not a problem that persists for a number of weeks, and then instantly resolves. Every patient and situation is different. You should see slow, steady improvement as time passes.
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Answer: Rhinoplasty San Diego
In agreement with other responders, healing, resolution of swelling, softening of stiff tissues, and return of neuromuscular function after surgery are processes that occur gradually, You understand this intuitively, as you mention that your upper lip lifts more than it did immediately following your procedure, but still not normally. So you see, nobody can predict the future, and tell you the precise number of weeks until lip elevation is normal. It is not a problem that persists for a number of weeks, and then instantly resolves. Every patient and situation is different. You should see slow, steady improvement as time passes.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
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