What to Anticipate Regarding Upper Lip Position After Nose Aesthetic
Nose aesthetic surgery or nose job is a transformative cosmetic surgery procedure that improves the appearance and function of the nose. Different techniques have been described for this procedure and can result in significant facial improvements. The position of the upper lip, especially in patients with a drooping tip, can change after rhinoplasty or nasal tip surgery. While most patients focus on how their nose will look after surgery, patients may need to be informed that the position and movement of the upper lip may also change. Understanding these changes can help you prepare for the recovery process and set realistic expectations. Although your upper lip is not directly manipulated, it can be helpful to understand that its position and level can be affected.
How Does Rhinoplasty Affect the Upper Lip?
The position of the upper lip after rhinoplasty can be affected by a variety of factors, including:
Surgical Techniques
Open rhinoplasty involves an incision in the columella (the tissue between the nostrils). This can cause temporary stiffness or slight changes in lip movement during the healing process.
Adjustments to the tip of the nose or shortening the nose, straightening the tip of the nose, or moving the tip of the nose forward can slightly change the angle between the nose and the upper lip.
Swelling and Healing
Postoperative swelling can spread to the area around the upper lip, causing temporary tightness or limited movement. Silicone splints, especially those placed inside the nose after surgery, are stitched to the inside of the columella. Therefore, they can cause the tip of the nose to move forward and upward as the columella moves downward. Early on, the edema at the tip of the nose is greatest, which can cause the tip of the nose to appear tighter and straighter. This can further affect the position of the upper lip.
As swelling decreases and internal silicone splints are removed from the nose, the upper lip usually regains its natural position and mobility.
Nasal Tip Support
If the procedure involves changing the tip of the nose, the angle between the nose and the upper lip (nasolabial angle) may change. A more upturned tip of the nose may cause the upper lip to appear slightly upturned. Two techniques used to increase or reconstruct the tip of the nose, the "columellar strut graft" and the "tongue in groove technique", can change this angle. The following reference articles provide information on the rate of upper lip projection after rhinoplasties performed with these two techniques and their permanence.
Common Upper Lip Changes After Rhinoplasty
The information here will be useful for patients who are scheduled for rhinoplasty surgery to learn about possible upper lip changes. Changes that may occur in the upper lip after rhinoplasty surgery:
Temporary Stiffness
Many patients experience tension or decreased mobility in the upper lip for a few weeks after surgery. This is normal and improves as recovery progresses. Especially in the early period after surgery, a feeling of stiffness and numbness may occur in the upper lip. This may become more pronounced as the amount of work done on the tip of the nose increases. In patients with septum deviation that may cause deformity at the tip of the nose, such as caudal septum deviation, and in patients who require deep dissection and cartilage graft placement in this area, the "adjacent tissue swelling" in the upper lip may be more pronounced. This is not a situation that you should worry about and is temporary.
Appearance of the Smile
Smiling may feel different due to the initial swelling or changes in the nasal structure. In the first week after rhinoplasty, some patients may express temporary complaints such as "my lip doesn't move when I smile", "it's like my upper lip belongs to someone else", "my upper lip is drooping and my upper teeth are not visible when I smile". The changes here are usually temporary.
Slight Positional Changes
Depending on the extent of the nasal tip changes, the upper lip may appear slightly lifted or changed. These changes are usually minimal and compatible with the overall facial aesthetics. Positional changes in the upper lip may be more noticeable, especially in patients with extremely drooping nasal tips, when procedures that cause upward movement of the nasal tip are performed.
Tips for Managing Upper Lip Changes After Rhinoplasty
Follow Postoperative Instructions: Follow your surgeon's instructions to ensure optimal healing. Follow your intranasal care recommendations and wait for the healing process.
Be Patient: Changes in lip position or movement are usually temporary. It may take up to a year for full results to appear once the swelling has completely resolved. However, although upper lip changes are described as "sagging", "swelling", "loss of movement", "numbness" in the first weeks after rhinoplasty; remember that your lip will return to its previous position during the healing process. In fact, your upper lip may move more upward and forward during the healing process.
Consult Your Surgeon: If you have concerns about the position or movement of your upper lip, do not hesitate to discuss them at your follow-up appointments.
Upper Lip Frenulum is Not Cut in Standard Rhinoplasty!
During standard rhinoplasty surgery, no procedure is performed on the upper lip frenulum. Some surgeons lift the upper lip and make an incision on the lip frenulum, and in this case, permanent effects on the upper lip position may occur. I have never performed any surgical procedure on the upper lip frenulum during any rhinoplasty surgery.
When to Worry
While most upper lip changes are normal and temporary, consult your surgeon if you experience:
- Persistent stiffness or numbness lasting more than a few months
- Significant difficulty smiling or speaking
- Unusual pain or swelling
Understanding the potential effects of rhinoplasty on the upper lip can help you navigate the recovery process with confidence. By choosing a skilled and experienced surgeon, you can minimize risks and achieve a balanced, harmonious facial appearance.
Murat Enoz, MD, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgeon
Private Office:
Address: İncirli Cad. No:41, Kat:4 (Dilek Patisserie Building), Postal code: 34147, Bakırköy - İstanbul
Appointment Phone: +90 212 561 00 52
Appointment Phone: +90 212 561 00 52
Fax: +90 212 542 74 47
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